497 1 y97961e497.htm FORM 497 FORM 497
 

PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
SERVICE SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

GOLDMAN SACHS BALANCED FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM U.S. EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS MID CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS JAPANESE EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS ASIA GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS RESEARCH SELECT FUNDSM
GOLDMAN SACHS CONCENTRATED GROWTH FUND

(Equity Portfolios of Goldman Sachs Trust)

4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303

     This Statement of Additional Information (the “Additional Statement”) is not a Prospectus. This Additional Statement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares of: Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund, Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE U.S. Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund, Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund, Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs International Growth Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund, Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund and Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Fund dated December 23, 2003 (the “Prospectuses”), as

 


 

they may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time, which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions (“Service Organizations”) acting on behalf of their customers.

     The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, for each Fund contained in each Fund’s 2003 annual report are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other portions of each Fund’s Annual Report are incorporated by reference.

     CORESM and Research SelectSM are service marks of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 


 

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The date of this Additional Statement is December 23, 2003, as amended June 4, 2004.

 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser to:
Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund
Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund
Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund
Goldman Sachs CORE U.S. Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
Goldman Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund
Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund
Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund
Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund
Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund
Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Fund
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Transfer Agent
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET
MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL

Investment Adviser to:
Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs International Growth
    Opportunities Fund
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity
    Fund
Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, England EC1A7HD

Toll free (in U.S.) . . . 800-621-2550

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INTRODUCTION

     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this Additional Statement: Goldman Sachs Balanced Fund (“Balanced Fund”), Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund (“Growth and Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund (“CORE Large Cap Value Fund”), Goldman Sachs CORE U.S. Equity Fund (“CORE U.S. Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth Fund (“CORE Large Cap Growth Fund”), Goldman Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity Fund (“CORE Small Cap Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund (“CORE International Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund (“Capital Growth Fund”), Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund (“Strategic Growth Fund”), Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund (“Growth Opportunities Fund”), Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (“Mid Cap Value Fund”) (formerly known as “Mid Cap Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Fund (“Small Cap Value Fund”), Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund (“Large Cap Value Fund”), Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund (“International Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund (“European Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund (“Japanese Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs International Growth Opportunities Fund (“International Growth Opportunities Fund”), Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund (“Emerging Markets Equity Fund”), Goldman Sachs Asia Growth Fund (“Asia Growth Fund”), Goldman Sachs Research Select Fund (“Research Select Fund”) and Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Fund (“Concentrated Growth Fund”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Funds”).

     The Funds, except the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Strategic Growth Fund, Growth Opportunities, Large Cap Value, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds were initially organized as a series of a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Maryland on September 27, 1989 and were reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust as of April 30, 1997. The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have created the Funds and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to time. Each Fund currently offers five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Service Shares. See “Shares of the Trust.”

     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) (formerly, Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) serves as the Investment Adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), serves as the Investment Adviser to the International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds. GSAM and GSAMI are sometimes individually referred to as an “Investment Adviser” and collectively herein as the “Investment Advisers.” In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Fund’s distributor and transfer agent. Each Fund’s custodian is State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”).

     The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Fund’s investment policies contained in the Prospectuses. See the Prospectuses for a more complete description of the

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Funds’ investment objective and policies. Investing in the Funds entails certain risks and there is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

     Each Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be achieved. Each Fund, except the Concentrated Growth Fund, is a diversified open-end management company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). The Concentrated Growth Fund is a non-diversified, open-end management company (as defined in the Act). The investment objective and policies of each Fund, and the associated risks of each Fund, are discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses, which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. However, with respect to the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds, to the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings (measured at the time of purchase) or total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) in the particular type of investment suggested by its name. Additional information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold, is provided below.

     Each Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Funds may be worth more or less when redeemed than when purchased. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

     The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

General Information Regarding The Funds

     The Investment Adviser may purchase for the Funds common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities (“equity investments”). The Investment Adviser utilizes first-hand fundamental research, including visiting company facilities to assess operations and to meet decision-makers, in choosing a Fund’s securities. The Investment Adviser may also use macro analysis of numerous economic and valuation variables to anticipate changes in company earnings and the overall investment climate. The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the research and market expertise of the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department and other affiliates of the Investment Adviser, as well as information provided by other securities dealers. Equity investments in a Fund’s portfolio will generally be sold when the Investment Adviser believes that the market price fully reflects or exceeds the investments’ fundamental valuation or when other more attractive investments are identified.

     Value Style Funds. The Growth and Income, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value Funds, a portion of the Research Select Fund and a portion of the equity portion of the Balanced

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Fund are managed using a value oriented approach. (The Research Select Fund and the equity portion of the Balanced Fund utilizes a blend of value and growth investment styles. See “Growth Style Funds” below). The Investment Adviser evaluates securities using fundamental analysis and intends to purchase equity investments that are, in its view, underpriced relative to a combination of such companies’ long-term earnings prospects, growth rate, free cash flow and/or dividend-paying ability. Consideration will be given to the business quality of the issuer. Factors positively affecting the Investment Adviser’s view of that quality include the competitiveness and degree of regulation in the markets in which the company operates, the existence of a management team with a record of success, the position of the company in the markets in which it operates, the level of the company’s financial leverage and the sustainable return on capital invested in the business. The Funds may also purchase securities of companies that have experienced difficulties and that, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, are available at attractive prices.

     The Small Cap Value Fund is currently closed to new investors. The following investors are permitted to make additional purchases and to reinvest dividends and capital gains into their accounts: current Fund shareholders; and certain Qualified Defined Contribution and Benefit Plans (as defined below) investing through financial institutions that currently have a contractual agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to offer the Fund. Certain Qualified Defined Contribution and Benefit Plans include 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans and money purchase pension plans, as well as 403(b) plans and 457 plans.

     Once a shareholder closes all accounts in the Fund, additional investments may not be accepted. Exchanges into the Fund from other Goldman Sachs Funds are not permitted. The Fund may resume sales of shares to new investors at some future date. Additionally, although the Fund is currently closed to new investors, the Fund may enter into asset purchase or other reorganization transactions with other investment companies that would result in the issuance of shares of the Fund to new accounts.

     Growth Style Funds. The Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities and Concentrated Growth Funds, a portion of the Research Select Fund and a portion of the equity portion of the Balanced Fund are managed using a growth equity oriented approach. Equity investments for these Funds are selected based on their prospects for above average growth. The Investment Adviser will select securities of growth companies trading, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, at a reasonable price relative to other industries, competitors and historical price/earnings multiples. The Funds will generally invest in companies whose earnings are believed to be in a relatively strong growth trend, or, to a lesser extent, in companies in which significant further growth is not anticipated but whose market value per share is thought to be undervalued. In order to determine whether a security has favorable growth prospects, the Investment Adviser ordinarily looks for one or more of the following characteristics in relation to the security’s prevailing price: prospects for above average sales and earnings growth per share; high return on invested capital; free cash flow generation; sound balance sheet, financial and accounting policies, and overall financial strength; established brand name; long product life cycle; enduring competitive advantages; effective research, product development, and marketing; pricing power; strength of management; and general operating characteristics that will enable the company to compete successfully in its marketplace.

     Quantitative Style Funds. CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Small Cap Equity and CORE International Equity Funds (the “CORE Equity Funds”) are managed using both quantitative and fundamental techniques. CORE is an acronym for “Computer-Optimized, Research-Enhanced,” which reflects the CORE Funds’ investment process. This investment process and the proprietary multifactor model used to implement it are discussed below.

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     Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity investments for CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds (the “CORE U.S. Equity Funds”), and a broad universe of foreign equity investments for CORE International Equity Fund. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses a proprietary multifactor model (the “Multifactor Model”) to forecast the returns of different markets, currencies and individual securities. In the case of an equity security followed by the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department (the “Research Department”), a rating is assigned based upon the Research Department’s evaluation. In the discretion of the Investment Adviser, ratings may also be assigned to equity investments based on research ratings obtained from other industry sources.

     In building a diversified portfolio for each CORE Equity Fund, the Investment Adviser utilizes optimization techniques to seek to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each CORE Fund’s benchmark. Each portfolio is primarily composed of securities rated highest by the foregoing investment process and has risk characteristics and industry weightings similar to the relevant Fund’s benchmark.

     Multifactor Models. The Multifactor Models are rigorous computerized rating systems for forecasting the returns of different equity markets, currencies and individual equity investments according to fundamental investment characteristics. The CORE U.S. Equity Funds use one Multifactor Model to forecast the returns of securities held in each Fund’s portfolio. The CORE International Equity Fund uses several Multifactor Models to forecast returns. Currently, the CORE International Equity Fund uses one model to forecast equity market returns, one model to forecast currency returns and seven separate regional models to forecast individual equity security returns in 21 different countries. Despite this variety, all Multifactor Models incorporate common variables including measures of valuation, momentum, and fundamental research (e.g., book/price ratio, price momentum, earnings forecast revisions ratio). In the case of models for the CORE International Equity Fund, additional variables include measures of volatility, indicators of currency demand, and economic growth, among others. All of the factors used in the Multifactor Models have been shown to significantly impact the performance of the securities, currencies and markets they were designed to forecast.

     The weightings assigned to the factors in the Multifactor Model used by the CORE U.S. Equity Funds are derived using a statistical formulation that considers each factor’s historical performance in different market environments. As such, the U.S. Multifactor Model is designed to evaluate each security using only the factors that are statistically related to returns in the anticipated market environment. Because they include many disparate factors, the Investment Adviser believes that all the Multifactor Models are broader in scope and provide a more thorough evaluation than most conventional quantitative models. Securities and markets ranked highest by the relevant Multifactor Model do not have one dominant investment characteristic; rather, they possess an attractive combination of investment characteristics. By using a variety of relevant factors to select securities, currencies or markets, the Investment Adviser believes that the Fund will be better balanced and have more consistent performance than an investment portfolio that uses only one or two factors to select such investments.

     The Investment Adviser will monitor, and may occasionally suggest and make changes to, the method by which securities, currencies or markets are selected for or weighted in a Fund. Such changes (which may be the result of changes in the Multifactor Models or the method of applying the Multifactor Models) may include: (i) evolutionary changes to the structure of the Multifactor Models (e.g., the addition of new factors or a new means of weighting the factors); (ii) changes in trading procedures (e.g., trading frequency or the manner in which a Fund uses futures); or (iii) changes in the method by which securities, currencies or markets are weighted in a Fund. Any such changes will

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preserve a Fund’s basic investment philosophy of combining qualitative and quantitative methods of selecting securities using a disciplined investment process.

     Other Information. Since normal settlement for equity investments is three trading days (for certain international markets settlement may be longer), the Funds will need to hold cash balances to satisfy shareholder redemption requests. Such cash balances will normally range from 2% to 5% of a Fund’s net assets. CORE U.S. Equity Fund may enter into futures transactions only with respect to the S&P 500TM Index and the CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Large Cap Value and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index in order to keep a Fund’s effective equity exposure close to 100%. CORE International Equity Fund may purchase other types of futures contracts. For example, if cash balances are equal to 5% of the net assets, the Fund may enter into long futures contracts covering an amount equal to 5% of the Fund’s net assets. As cash balances fluctuate based on new contributions or withdrawals, a Fund may enter into additional contracts or close out existing positions.

     Actively Managed International Funds. The International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds are managed using an active international approach, which utilizes a consistent process of stock selection undertaken by portfolio management teams located within each of the major investment regions, including Europe, Japan, Asia and the United States. In selecting securities, the Investment Adviser uses a long-term, bottom-up strategy based on first-hand fundamental research that is designed to give broad exposure to the available opportunities while seeking to add return primarily through stock selection. Equity investments for these Funds are evaluated based on three key factors—the business, the management and the valuation. The Investment Adviser ordinarily seeks securities that have, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, superior earnings growth potential, sustainable franchise value with management attuned to creating shareholder value and relatively discounted valuations. In addition, the Investment Adviser uses a multi-factor risk model which seeks to assure that deviations from the benchmark are justifiable.

Additional Information About the Balanced Fund

     The investment objective of the Balanced Fund is to provide long-term growth of capital and current income. The Fund seeks growth of capital primarily through investments in equity investments. The Fund seeks to provide current income through investment in fixed-income securities (bonds).

     The Balanced Fund is intended to provide a foundation on which an investor can build an investment portfolio or to serve as the core of an investment program, depending on the investor’s goals. The Balanced Fund is designed for relatively conservative investors who seek a combination of long-term capital growth and current income in a single investment. The Balanced Fund offers a portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities intended to provide less volatility than a portfolio completely invested in equity investments and greater diversification than a portfolio invested in only one asset class. The Balanced Fund may be appropriate for people who seek capital appreciation but are concerned about the volatility typically associated with a fund that invests solely in stocks and other equity investments.

     Fixed-Income Strategies Designed to Maximize Return and Manage Risk. GSAM’s approach to managing the fixed-income portion of the Balanced Fund’s portfolio seeks to provide high returns relative to a market benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”), while also seeking to provide high current income. This approach emphasizes (i) sector allocation strategies which enable GSAM to tactically overweight or underweight one sector of the fixed-income market (i.e., mortgages, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries, non-dollar bonds, emerging market debt) versus another; (ii)

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individual security selection based on identifying relative value (fixed-income securities inexpensive relative to others in their sector); and (iii) to a lesser extent, strategies based on GSAM’s expectation of the direction of interest rates or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates such as yield curve strategy.

     The Index currently includes U.S. Government Securities and fixed-rate, publicly issued, U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) (if a Moody’s rating is unavailable, the comparable Standard & Poor’s rating is used). The securities currently included in the Index have at least one year remaining to maturity; have an outstanding principal amount of at least $150 million; and are issued by the following types of issuers, with each category receiving a different weighting in the Index: U.S. Treasury; agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government; issuers of mortgage-backed securities; utilities; industrial issuers; financial institutions; foreign issuers; and issuers of asset-backed securities. The Index is a trademark of Lehman Brothers. Inclusion of a security in the Index does not imply an opinion by Lehman Brothers as to its attractiveness or appropriateness for investment. Although Lehman Brothers obtains factual information used in connection with the Index from sources which it considers reliable, Lehman Brothers claims no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness or such information and has no liability to any person for any loss arising from results obtained from the use of the Index data.

     GSAM seeks to manage fixed-income portfolio risk in a number of ways. These include diversifying the fixed-income portion of the Balanced Fund’s portfolio among various types of fixed-income securities and utilizing sophisticated quantitative models to understand how the fixed-income portion of the portfolio will perform under a variety of market and economic scenarios. In addition, GSAM uses extensive credit analysis to select and to monitor any investment-grade or non-investment grade bonds that may be included in the Balanced Fund’s portfolio. In employing this and other investment strategies, the GSAM team has access to extensive fundamental research and analysis available through Goldman Sachs and a broad range of other sources.

     A number of investment strategies will be used in selecting fixed-income securities for the Fund’s portfolio. GSAM’s fixed-income investment philosophy is to actively manage the portfolio within a risk-controlled framework. The Investment Adviser de-emphasizes interest rate anticipation by monitoring the duration of the portfolio within a narrow range of the Investment Adviser’s target duration, and instead focuses on seeking to add value through sector selection, security selection and yield curve strategies.

     Market Sector Selection. Market sector selection is the underweighting or overweighting of one or more market sectors (i.e., U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Government agency securities, corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities). GSAM may decide to overweight or underweight a given market sector or subsector (e.g., within the corporate sector, industrials, financial issuers and utilities) based on, among other things, expectations of future yield spreads between different sectors or subsectors.

     Issuer Selection. Issuer selection is the purchase and sale of corporate securities based on a corporation’s current and expected credit standing (within the constraints imposed by the Balanced Fund’s minimum credit quality requirements). This strategy focuses on four types of corporate issuers. Selection of securities from the first type of issuers – those with low but stable credit – is intended to enhance total returns by providing incremental yield. Selecting securities from the second type of issuers – those with low and intermediate but improving credit quality – is intended to enhance total returns in two stages. Initially, these securities are expected to provide incremental yield. Eventually, price appreciation is expected to occur relative to alternative securities as credit quality improves, the credit ratings of

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nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations are upgraded, and credit spreads narrow. Securities from the third type of issuers – issuers with deteriorating credit quality – will be avoided, since total returns are typically enhanced by avoiding the widening of credit spreads and the consequent relative price depreciation. Finally, total returns can be enhanced by focusing on securities that are rated differently by different rating organizations. If the securities are trading in line with the higher published quality rating while GSAM concurs with the lower published quality rating, the securities would generally be sold and any potential price deterioration avoided. On the other hand, if the securities are trading in line with the lower published quality rating while the higher published quality rating is considered more realistic, the securities may be purchased in anticipation of the expected market reevaluation and relative price appreciation.

     Yield Curve Strategy. Yield curve strategy consists of overweighting or underweighting different maturity sectors relative to a benchmark to take advantage of the shape of the yield curve. Three alternative maturity sector selections are available: a “barbell” strategy in which short and long maturity sectors are overweighted while intermediate maturity sectors are underweighted; a “bullet” strategy in which, conversely, short-and long-maturity sectors are underweighted while intermediate-maturity sectors are overweighted; and a “neutral yield curve” strategy in which the maturity distribution mirrors that of a benchmark.

Additional Information About the International Equity Fund

     The International Equity Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in equity investments of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

     The International Equity Fund’s Investment Adviser believes that outperformance is generated by a long-term focus on quality companies with quality managements that trade at attractive valuations.

Bottom-up, fundamental research is carried out by both the Investment Adviser’s five senior portfolio managers and its 80+ research analysts based in London, Singapore, Tokyo, New York and Tampa. These research analysts are organized into five global sector research teams – Consumer, Health Sciences, Financials, Industrials and Technology/Telecoms. The Investment Adviser’s global research platform also includes a ‘Specialist’ team that focuses on the small and mid-cap segments of each market. The rigorous investment criteria employed by the research analysts are designed to capture the quality of business, quality of management and valuation of the companies within the international equity universe.

Stock selection. The portfolio management team evaluates ideas with the global research analysts through formal weekly conference calls, regular visits to the Investment Adviser’s regional offices and regular ad hoc communication. These forums allow the portfolio managers to cross-examine the research analysts, question their assumptions, ensure issues have been raised, and offer counter-perspectives to their investment recommendations. After all questions arising from these discussions have been answered, primary stock selection is carried out by the International Equity portfolio managers, who assess each stock by balancing views of the global sector teams with their own before making a cross-border and cross-sector assessment of each company.

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Portfolio construction is carried out by the Investment Adviser’s dedicated Portfolio Construction Team, which sizes each position based on the International Equity Portfolio Managers’ conviction in each stock and the position’s desired impact on portfolio risk. The Portfolio Managers work closely with the Portfolio Construction Team to position the research ideas in the International Equity Fund and cross-check positioning across all of the regional and sector flagship portfolios to ensure that investment themes are implemented consistently.

     GSAMI’s currency team manages the foreign exchange risk embedded in foreign equities by means of a currency overlay program. The program may be utilized to protect the value of foreign investments in sustained periods of dollar appreciation and to add returns by seeking to take advantage of foreign exchange fluctuations.

     The members of GSAMI’s International Equity team bring together years of experience in analyzing and investing in companies globally. Global research analysts have a local presence around the world that facilitates interaction with companies and enhances knowledge of local trends. Moreover, the ability of the Portfolio Managers to leverage the views of GSAMI’s Corporate Credit and Currency Teams results in a deeper understanding of companies and industries and provides independent checks on our research views.

Additional Information About the Research Select Fund

     The Research Select Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in equity investments selected for their potential to achieve capital appreciation over the long term. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, in approximately 40-50 companies that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be positioned for long-term growth or are positioned as value opportunities which, in the Investment Adviser’s view, have identifiable competitive advantages and whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price.

     The Fund may invest in securities of any capitalization. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities (including the securities of foreign issuers that are traded in the United States), it may invest up to 20% of its net assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

     In managing the Fund, the Investment Adviser uses both value and growth investment styles as described above. A committee of portfolio managers representing the Investment Adviser’s value and growth investment teams will meet regularly to discuss stock selection and portfolio construction for the Fund. The Investment Adviser will rely on research generated by the portfolio managers/analysts that comprise the Investment Adviser’s value and growth investment teams. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects its portfolio to be approximately balanced between value and growth opportunities. The Fund will be re-balanced annually or more frequently as opportunities arise.

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Corporate Debt Obligations

     Each Fund may, under normal market conditions, invest in corporate debt obligations, including obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity and CORE International Equity Funds may only invest in debt securities that are cash equivalents. Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.

     An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers of junk bond securities to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of junk bonds will have an adverse effect on a Fund’s net asset value to the extent it invests in such securities. In addition, a Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.

     The secondary market for junk bonds, which is concentrated in relatively few market makers, may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. This reduced liquidity may have an adverse effect on the ability of Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth and Research Select Funds to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet their redemption requests or other liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for junk bonds could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the Investment Advisers could find it difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under such circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating a Fund’s net asset value.

     Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the medium to lower rated securities of the type in which Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth and Research Select Funds may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

     Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in a Fund’s net asset value.

     Medium to lower rated and comparable non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. Since medium to lower rated securities

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generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on defaulted issues. The Investment Adviser will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments.

     The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, the issuer’s sensitivity to economic conditions, its operating history and the current trend of earnings. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in a Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

U.S. Government Securities

          Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.

     U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.

     Each Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities program (“STRIPS”). Each Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury Securities and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions which represent a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury Securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life and its value consist of the difference between its face value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

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Bank Obligations

     Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation.

     Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

Zero Coupon Bonds

     Each Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by a Fund defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. A Fund will accrue income on such investments for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

     The interest rates payable on certain fixed-income securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation.

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates

     Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates, which may be underwritten by securities dealers or banks, representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government securities, municipal securities or other types of securities in which the Funds may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. Government or other

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issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Funds will bear their proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Funds may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.

     Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate the Funds would be typically authorized to assert their rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, the Funds could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, the Funds may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Funds had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custodial account in which the underlying securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.

     Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an issuer or the issuer’s credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest received on the derivative instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments.

Municipal Securities

     The Balanced Fund may invest in municipal securities. Municipal securities consist of bonds, notes and other instruments issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Municipal securities also include “private activity bonds” or industrial development bonds, which are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds for privately operated facilities, such as airports and waste disposal facilities, and, in some cases, commercial and industrial facilities.

     The yields and market values of municipal securities are determined primarily by the general level of interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuers of municipal securities and economic and political conditions affecting such issuers. Due to their tax exempt status, the yields and market prices of municipal securities may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies, which may have less effect on the market for taxable fixed-income securities. Moreover, certain types of municipal securities, such as housing revenue bonds, involve prepayment risks which could affect the yield on such securities. The credit rating assigned to municipal securities may reflect the existence of guarantees, letters of credit or other credit enhancement features available to the issuers or holders of such municipal securities.

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     Investments in municipal securities are subject to the risk that the issuer could default on its obligations. Such a default could result from the inadequacy of the sources or revenues from which interest and principal payments are to be made or the assets collateralizing such obligations. Revenue bonds, including private activity bonds, are backed only by specific assets or revenue sources and not by the full faith and credit of the governmental issuer.

     Dividends paid by the Funds from any tax-exempt interest they may receive will not be tax-exempt.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

     General Characteristics. Each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity and Research Select Funds) may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Each mortgage pool underlying mortgage-backed securities consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multifamily (i.e., five or more) properties, agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the “Mortgaged Properties”). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units, multifamily dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, individual units in planned unit developments and other attached dwelling units. The Mortgaged Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes.

     The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities. As a result, if a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value. Conversely, if a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce yield to maturity and market values. To the extent that a Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, its Investment Adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by investing in a variety of mortgage-backed securities and by using certain hedging techniques.

     Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are several types of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (“REMIC Certificates”), other collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities. A Fund is permitted to invest in other types of mortgage-backed securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.

     A Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities may include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie

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Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a result, they are generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low credit risks. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and a Fund’s liquidity and value.

     There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

     Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA Loans”), or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA Loans”), or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the United States Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due on Ginnie Mae certificates.

     Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an act of the United States Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae Certificates are issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans (a “Pool”) formed by Fannie Mae. Each Pool consists of residential mortgage loans (“Mortgage Loans”) either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the formation of the Pool. The Mortgage Loans may be either conventional Mortgage Loans (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency) or Mortgage Loans that are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA”). However, the Mortgage Loans in Fannie Mae Pools are primarily conventional Mortgage Loans. The lenders originating and servicing the Mortgage Loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.

     Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie Mae’s servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full principal balance of any foreclosed Mortgage Loan, whether or not such principal balance is actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae.

     Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. Government sponsored enterprise. The principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form

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of mortgage securities, primarily Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a “Freddie Mac Certificate group”) purchased by Freddie Mac.

     Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered Certificate holder ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac.

     The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Conventional Mortgage Loans. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity and Research Select Funds) may invest in both government guaranteed and privately issued mortgage pass-through securities (“Mortgage Pass-Throughs”); that is, fixed or adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities which provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.

     The following discussion describes only a few of the wide variety of structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.

     Description of Certificates. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.

     Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or disproportionate basis, or any

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combination thereof. The stated interest rate on any such subclass of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an objective interest index.

     Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Since certain adjustable rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest (i.e., negative amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.

     Ratings. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a rating organization to a certificate may not address the remote possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such certificates may be affected.

     Credit Enhancement. Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.

     Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund. In order to achieve ratings on one or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate-holders. If so structured, the subordination feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (“shifting interest credit enhancement”). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the subordinate certificates. In

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addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal prepayments on the mortgage loans will have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.

     In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such certificates (the “Reserve Fund”). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a specified amount.

     The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest due them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary shortfalls could result. In the event the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent of the then outstanding subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses realized with respect to the mortgage loans (“Realized Losses”). Realized Losses remaining after application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero, Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.

     Alternative Credit Enhancement. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be provided by mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, by the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances, such as where credit enhancement is provided by guarantees or a letter of credit, the security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to an external credit enhancement provider.

     Voluntary Advances. Generally, in the event of delinquencies in payments on the mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer agrees to make advances of cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but only to the extent that it determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the mortgage loans or otherwise.

     Optional Termination. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time if the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.

     Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A Fund may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by private originators of, or

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investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class mortgage-backed securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class mortgage-backed securities.

     Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.

     Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal of certain PCs.

     CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class mortgage-backed securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.

     CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

     The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.

     Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.

     A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are

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converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

     Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Balanced Fund may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiclass mortgage securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or non-governmental originators. Certain SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The Investment Adviser may determine that SMBS which are U.S. Government Securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from Mortgage Assets are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities

     The Balanced Fund may invest in leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed to be illiquid securities for purposes of a Fund’s 15% limitation on investments in such securities.

Asset-Backed Securities

     Each Fund (except the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity and Research Select Funds) may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present.

     Such securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During

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periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. To the extent that a Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of such Fund’s portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.

     Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities.

Loan Participations

     The Balanced Fund may invest in loan participations. Such loans must be to issuers in whose obligations Balanced Fund may invest. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a number of lenders, usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of the co-lenders usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.

     Participation interests acquired by the Balanced Fund may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When the Balanced Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when the Balanced Fund acquires certain participation interests, the Balanced Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Balanced Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the Balanced Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the agent bank. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Balanced Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Balanced Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is limited and loan participations purchased by the Balanced Fund will normally be regarded as illiquid.

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     For purposes of certain investment limitations pertaining to diversification of the Balanced Fund’s portfolio investments, the issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. However, in cases where the Balanced Fund does not have recourse directly against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender interposed between the Balanced Fund and the borrower will be deemed issuers of a loan participation.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

     Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts. The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may only enter into such transactions with respect to a representative index. The CORE U.S. Equity Fund may enter into futures transactions only with respect to the S&P 500 Index. The other Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. Each Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.

     Futures contracts entered into by a Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) or with respect to certain funds, on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC, or on foreign exchanges.

     Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these reasons, a Fund’s investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular, persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC’s regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, these persons may not have the protection of the U.S. securities laws.

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     Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

     When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek through the sale of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) can purchase and sell futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) can purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in such currency that such Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, certain Funds may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark. The Balanced Fund may also use futures contracts to manage the term structure and duration of its fixed-income securities holdings in accordance with that Fund’s investment objective and policies.

     Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While a Fund will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner, a Fund may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

     Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price, rate of return or currency exchange rate on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund owns or proposes to acquire. A Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, the CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of such Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) may sell futures contracts on a currency in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of the applicable Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for a Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, a Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in a Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Investment Advisers will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having a Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting a Fund’s securities portfolio. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the

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other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

     On other occasions, a Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing such futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when a Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.

     Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

     The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund becomes obligated (upon the exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. A Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.

     The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

     Other Considerations. A Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in certain cases, require the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.

     While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

     Perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be difficult to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed-income securities are currently not available. In addition, it is not possible for a Fund to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors unrelated to

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currency fluctuations. The profitability of a Fund’s trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Adviser to analyze correctly the futures markets.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

     Writing Covered Options. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities in which it may invest. A call option written by a Fund obligates such Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. All call options written by a Fund are covered, which means that such Fund will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or such Fund will use the other methods described below. A Fund’s purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, a Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.

     A put option written by a Fund would obligate such Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. All put options written by a Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option or will use the other methods described below. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the option premium, each Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the securities’ market value at the time of purchase.

     In the case of a call option, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A put option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.

     A Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

     A Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration which has been segregated by the Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. A Fund may cover put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets with a value equal to the exercise price or by owning offsetting options as described above.

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     A Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”

     Purchasing Options. Each Fund may purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. A Fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.

     A Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio (“protective puts”) or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Fund’s securities. Put options may also be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

     A Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities indices, see “Writing Covered Options” above.

     Yield Curve Options. The Balanced Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

     The Balanced Fund may purchase or write yield curve options for the same purposes as other options on securities. For example, the Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two securities if it owns one of the securities and anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. The Balanced Fund may also purchase or write yield curve options in an effort to increase current income if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such options present risk of loss even if the

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yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

     Yield curve options written by the Balanced Fund will be “covered.” A call (or put) option is covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and segregates cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of such Fund’s liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by the Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter and established trading markets for these options may not exist.

     Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

     A Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

     Transactions by each Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facility or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Investment Advisers. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

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     The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The writing of options could increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     Each Fund may invest in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by a Fund.

     Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from the Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks.

Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights

     Each Fund may invest in warrants or rights (in addition to those acquired in units or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. A Fund will invest in warrants and rights only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser for investment by the Fund. The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity and Research Select Funds have no present intention of acquiring warrants or rights. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Foreign Securities

     Each Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. The Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities and Concentrated Growth Funds may invest in the aggregate up to 20%, 25%, 10%, 10%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of their total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) in foreign securities. The Mid Cap

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Value, Small Cap Value and Large Cap Value Funds may invest in the aggregate up to 25% of their respective net assets plus any borrowings (measured at the time of purchase) in foreign securities. The Research Select Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets plus any borrowings (measured at the time of purchase) in securities of foreign issuers. The CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds will invest primarily in foreign securities under normal circumstances. With respect to the CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Large Cap Value and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds, equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.

     Investments in foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments solely in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may include the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of the applicable Investment Adviser, to offer the potential for long-term growth of capital and income, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign stock markets that do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets.

     Investing in foreign securities involves certain special risks, including those discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses and those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly, a Fund that invests in foreign securities may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Asia Growth and Emerging Markets Equity, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds may be subject to currency exposure independent of their securities positions. To the extent that a Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.

     Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the failure to intervene or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

     Since foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although each Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.

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     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when some of a Fund’s assets are uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets between different countries, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect a Fund’s investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

     Each Fund may invest in foreign securities which take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and (except for CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) may also invest in European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers (together, “Depositary Receipts”).

     ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs are traded on domestic exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in registered form. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank similar to that for ADRs and are designed for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

     To the extent a Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may be an increased possibility that the Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the Depositary Receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, a Fund may avoid currency risks during the settlement period for purchases and sales.

     As described more fully below, each Fund (except the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) may invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See “Investing in Emerging Markets, including Asia and Eastern Europe,” below.

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     Investing in Emerging Countries, including Asia and Eastern Europe. CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds are intended for long-term investors who can accept the risks associated with investing primarily in equity and equity-related securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers, as well as the risks associated with investments quoted or denominated in foreign currencies. The Balanced, Growth and Income, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds may invest, to a lesser extent, in equity and equity-related securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers.

     The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly trade securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.

     Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country markets may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.

     With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders in U.S. corporations.

     Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.

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     Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of a Fund. A Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.

     Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Funds may invest and adversely affect the value of the Funds’ assets. A Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

     Certain Funds may seek investment opportunities within former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

     The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.

     A Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the U.S.

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and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates. See “Taxation.”

     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

     Investing in Japan. The Japanese Equity Fund invests primarily in Japanese companies. Japan’s economy, the second largest in the developed world, grew substantially after World War II. The boom in Japan’s equity and property markets during the expansion of the late 1980’s supported high rates of investment and consumer spending on durable goods, but both of these components of demand subsequently retreated sharply following a decline in asset prices. More recently, Japan’s economic growth has been substantially below the levels of earlier decades. During this period, Japan’s economy has drifted between modest growth and recession. Profits have fallen sharply, consumer demand has stagnated, unemployment has reached historical highs and consumer confidence has been low. The banking sector has continued to suffer from non-performing loans and the economy generally is subject to deflationary pressures. Many Japanese banks have required public funds to avert insolvency, and large amounts of bad debt have prevented banks from expanding their loan portfolios despite low discount rates.

     Real gross domestic product growth for calendar year 2002 was positive and growth has been positive for the past several quarters prior to the date of this Additional Statement. Junichiro Koizumi, the current Prime Minister, shortly after taking office in April 2001, had announced the outlines of a reform agenda to revitalize the economy. However, in November 2001, April 2002 and again in November 2002, the credit rating of Japanese government debt was downgraded as a result of the perceived slow progress in implementing effective structural economic reform especially with regard to reforming Japan’s troubled banking sector and the Japanese government’s inability to slash its national debt.

     Like many European countries, Japan is experiencing a deterioration of its competitiveness. Factors contributing to this include high wages, an aging populace and structural rigidities. Japan is reforming its political process and deregulating its economy to address this situation. Among other things, the Japanese labor market is moving from a system of lifetime company employment in response to the need for increased labor mobility, and corporate governance systems are being introduced to new accounting rules, decision-making mechanisms and managerial incentives. However, as noted, these changes have resulted in some turmoil, uncertainty and a crisis of confidence.

     While the Japanese governmental system itself seems stable, the dynamics of the country’s politics have been unpredictable in recent years. The economic crisis of 1990-92 brought the downfall of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, which had ruled since 1955. Since then, the country has seen a series of unstable multi-party coalitions, and several prime ministers have left office because of personal scandals. As of the date of this Additional Statement, Prime Minister Koizumi’s Liberal Democratic Party, which merged with the Conservative New Party in November 2003, governs in a formal coalition with the New Komeito Party. In recent elections, despite retaining a parliamentary majority, the Liberal Democratic Party has lost ground to opposing parties. Should the political instability continue, efforts to

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establish effective economic and fiscal policies may be hampered. Future political developments may lead to changes in policy that might adversely affect a Fund’s investments.

     Japan’s heavy dependence on international trade has been adversely affected by trade tariffs and other protectionist measures as well as the economic condition of its trading partners. While Japan subsidizes its agricultural industry, only approximately 13% of its land is suitable for cultivation and the country must import 50% of its requirements for grains (other than rice) and fodder crops. In addition, its export industry, its most important economic sector, depends on imported raw materials and fuels, including iron ore, copper, oil and many forest products. Recent increases in the price of oil may adversely affect Japan’s economic performance. Japan’s high volume of exports, such as automobiles, machine tools and semiconductors, have caused trade tensions, particularly with the United States. Some trade agreements, however, have been implemented to reduce these tensions. The relaxing of official and de facto barriers to imports, or hardships created by any pressures brought by trading partners, could adversely affect Japan’s economy. A substantial rise in world oil or commodity prices could also have a negative effect. The Japanese yen has fluctuated widely during recent periods. A strong yen could be an impediment to strong continued exports and economic recovery, because it makes Japanese goods sold in other countries more expensive and reduces the value of foreign earnings repatriated to Japan. Because the Japanese economy is so dependent on exports, any fall-off in exports may be seen as a sign of economic weakness, which may adversely affect the market.

     Geologically, Japan is located in a volatile area of the world, and has historically been vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. As demonstrated by the Kobe earthquake in January of 1995, in which 5,000 people were killed and billions of dollars of damage was sustained, these natural disasters can be significant enough to affect the country’s economy.

     Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. The Balanced, CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes, to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates and to seek to increase total return. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.

     At the maturity of a forward contract a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

     A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances. First, when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or quoted in a foreign currency, or when a Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By

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entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions, the Fund will attempt to protect itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.

     Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of such Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. 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 those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange, which a Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of a Fund’s foreign assets.

     Each Fund may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency. In addition, certain Funds may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

     The Balanced, CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds may also enter into forward contracts to seek to increase total return. Unless otherwise covered in accordance with applicable regulations, cash or liquid assets of a Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market on a daily basis. If the value of the segregated assets declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated on a daily basis so that the value of the assets will equal the amount of a Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts.

     While a Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between a Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by such Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause a Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.

     Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the

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currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. A Fund will not enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps or other privately negotiated currency instruments unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent that a substantial portion of a Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.

     Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. A Fund may, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, write and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and when a Fund seeks to close out an option, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to a Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.

     Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when the Investment Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not included in the Fund’s portfolio.

     A call option written by a Fund obligates a Fund to sell a specified currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A put option written by a Fund would obligate a Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. The writing of currency options involves a risk that a Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currency’s market value or be required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currency’s market value. Written put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered in a manner similar to written put and call options on securities and securities indices described under “Writing Covered Options” above.

     A Fund may terminate its obligations under a call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.” A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options purchased by the Fund.

     A Fund would normally purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by a Fund are quoted or denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

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     A Fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (“protective puts”). The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is usually designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the dollar value of a Fund’s portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying currency or portfolio securities.

     As noted, in addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, the Funds may use options on currency to seek to increase total return. The Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, the Funds may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying currency. Also, when writing put options, the Funds accept, in return for the option premium, the risk that they may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the currency’s market value at the time of purchase.

     Special Risks Associated with Options on Currency. An exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although a Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If a Fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.

     There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customers’ orders.

     A Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by a Fund.

     The amount of the premiums, which a Fund may pay or receive, may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option purchasing and writing activities.

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Currency Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on Swaps, Index Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars

     The Balanced, CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds may enter into currency swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. In addition, the Balanced Fund may enter into mortgage, credit, total return, index and interest rate swaps and other interest rate swap arrangements such as rate caps, floors and collars, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The Balanced Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. Currency swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Index swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional principal amount at interest rates equal to two specified indices. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive or make a payment for the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for the payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index or an index component. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

     A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, generally a Fund will enter into interest rate, total return, mortgage and index swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate, total return, index and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate, total rate of return, index and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate, total rate of return, index or mortgage swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of a gross payment stream in one designated currency in exchange for the gross payment stream in another designated currency. Therefore, the entire payment stream under a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that the Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving a swap, a swaption or an interest rate floor, cap or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise,

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the Funds and the Investment Advisers believe that swaps do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     A Fund will not enter into transactions involving swaps, caps, floors or collars unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser.

     The use of swaps, swaptions and interest rate caps, floors and collars is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If an Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used. The Investment Advisers, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, are responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds’ transactions in swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and collars.

Convertible Securities

     Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

     The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.

     A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective, which, in turn, could result in losses to the Fund.

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     In evaluating a convertible security, the Investment Adviser will give primary emphasis to the attractiveness of the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities are equity investments for purposes of each Fund’s investment policies.

Preferred Securities

     Each Fund may invest in preferred securities. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a covenant default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with the terms of the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default or non-compliance by the issuer, preferred stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on the issuer’s board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition, preferred stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the occurrence of any event of default.

Equity Swaps

     Each Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Equity swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap contract plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on the equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).

     A Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an equity swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Funds’ potential exposure, the Funds and their Investment Advisers believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

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     A Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. A Fund’s ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited by tax considerations.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

     Each Fund may lend portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions, such as brokers or dealers (including Goldman Sachs), and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities maintained on a current basis at an amount, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions may be invested in short-term investments. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. A Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of the loan, a Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but a Fund may call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken by the holders of the securities or the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to firms deemed to be of good standing, and when the consideration which can be earned currently from securities loans of this type is deemed to justify the attendant risk. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, and during the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower will be considered and monitored. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by a Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of a Fund’s total assets (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations stated elsewhere in this Additional Statement or the Prospectuses regarding investing in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.

     The Funds’ Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program and adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the securities lending program, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Funds. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. The lending agent may, on behalf of the Funds, invest cash collateral received by the Funds for securities loans in, among other things, other registered or unregistered funds. These funds include private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for the purpose of investing cash collateral generated from securities lending activities, and which pay the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for their services. The Funds’ Board of Trustees will periodically review securities loan transactions for which the Goldman Sachs affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with a Fund’s securities lending procedures. Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under the Funds’ securities lending program, subject to certain conditions.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments

     Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a

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commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. A Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Fund may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining a Fund’s duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities will be calculated from the commitment date. A Fund is generally required to segregate, until three days prior to the settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless the Fund’s obligations are otherwise covered. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.

Investment in Unseasoned Companies

     Each Fund may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.

Other Investment Companies

     A Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in the securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”) and iSharessm, as defined below) but may neither invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company nor acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, the Funds may invest in money market funds for which an Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the management fees (and other expenses) paid by the Fund. However, to the extent that the Fund invests in a money market fund for which an investment adviser or any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to an investment adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Fund’s proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment adviser. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.

     Exchange-traded funds are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System. SPDRs are interests in a unit investment trust (“UIT”) that may be obtained from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market (SPDRs are listed on the American Stock Exchange). The UIT was established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and

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dividend yield of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500”). The UIT is sponsored by a subsidiary of the AMEX. SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price activity of the S&P 500. The UIT will issue SPDRs in aggregations known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (i) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the S&P 500, (ii) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the UIT’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the UIT, net of expenses and liabilities, and (iii) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the S&P Index and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.

     SPDRs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, an investor must accumulate enough SPDRs to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of SPDRs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, an investor will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.

     The price of SPDRs is derived from and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a SPDR is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for SPDRs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying SPDRs purchased or sold by the Funds could result in losses on SPDRs.

     Each Fund (other than the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds) may also purchase shares of investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign countries or regions. Each Fund may, subject to the limitations stated above, invest in iSharessm and similar securities that invest in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iSharessm are listed on the AMEX and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iSharessm are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iSharessm on the AMEX. However, iSharessm have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iSharessm for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the AMEX necessary to maintain the listing of iSharessm will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iSharessm should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iSharessm as part of its investment strategy.

Repurchase Agreements

     Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers and securities dealers which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. CORE International Equity, International Equity, Japanese Equity, European Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth and Balanced Funds may also enter into repurchase agreements involving certain foreign government securities. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which a Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase

B-46


 

the securities within a particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by a Fund’s custodian (or subcustodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.

     For purposes of the Act and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from a Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear whether a court would consider the security purchased by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, a Fund may be required to return the security to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.

     Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), a Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.

     The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Advisers or their affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     The Balanced Fund may borrow money by entering into transactions called reverse repurchase agreements. Under these arrangements, the Fund will sell portfolio securities to dealers in U.S. Government Securities or members of the Federal Reserve System, with an agreement to repurchase the security on an agreed date, price and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the possible risk that the value of portfolio securities the Fund relinquishes may decline below the price the Fund must pay when the transaction closes. Borrowings may magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested resulting in an increase in the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

     When the Balanced Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it places in a separate custodial account either liquid assets or other high-grade debt securities that have a value equal to or greater than the repurchase price. The account is then continuously monitored to make sure that an appropriate value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings under the Act.

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Short Sales

     The Funds (other than the Core Equity Funds) may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the seller sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. While a short sale is made by selling a security the seller does not own, a short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the seller contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. It may be entered into by a Fund, for example, to lock in a sales price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If a Fund sells securities short against the box, it may protect itself from loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises.

     If a Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if a Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which a Fund may effect short sales.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

     When the Balanced Fund enters into a mortgage dollar roll, it will segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal to the forward purchase price until the settlement date.

Non-Diversified Status

     Since the Concentrated Growth Fund is “non-diversified” under the Act, it is subject only to certain federal tax diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, the Fund may, with respect to 50% of its total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of the Fund’s total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests do not apply to United States Government Securities and regulated investment companies.

Portfolio Turnover

     Each Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons. Portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate.

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund. The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of each Fund are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares of the Trust or a Fund.

     For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to the Funds’ fundamental investment restriction no. 3, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

     A Fund may not:

  (1)   Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a diversified company under the 1940 Act. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Fund classified as a non-diversified company under the 1940 Act.
 
  (2)   Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities).
 
  (3)   Borrow money, except (a) each Fund (other than the Concentrated Growth Fund) may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) the Concentrated Growth Fund, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies and other persons or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (c) each Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (d) each Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (e) each Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law and (f) each Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings.
 
  (4)   Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law, and (d) (Concentrated Growth Fund only) loans to affiliates of the Concentrated Growth Fund to the extent permitted by law.

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  (5)   Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting.
 
  (6)   Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities.
 
  (7)   Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.
 
  (8)   Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

     Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.

     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees without approval of shareholders.

     A Fund may not:

  (a)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
 
  (b)   Invest more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets in illiquid investments including illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”).
 
  (c)   Purchase additional securities if the Fund’s borrowings (excluding covered mortgage dollar rolls) exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
  (d)   Make short sales of securities, except short sales against the box.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and ervise each Fund’s daily business operations.

     Trustees of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent

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Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 62
  Chairman &
Trustee
  Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994-March 1996 and November 1998-Present); Executive Vice President — Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996-November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984-1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989-Present); Member of Cornell University Council (1992-Present); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992-Present); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors-III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002-Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Chairman of the Board and Trustee - Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 — May 2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 45
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000-Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-Present); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997-August 2000).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 69
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997-Present); Director, Smith College (1998-Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977-Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985-Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986-1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993-February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993-1998); and Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Wilma J. Smelcer
Age: 55
  Trustee   Since 2001   Chairman, Bank of America, Illinois (banking) (1998-January 2001); and Governor, Board of Governors, Chicago Stock Exchange (national securities exchange) (April 2001-April 2004).     63     Lawson Products Inc. (distributor of industrial products).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 64
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003-Present); President, COO and Director, Unext, Inc. (1999-2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999-Present); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987-Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990-1999).     63     Gildan Activewear Inc. (an activewear clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (53 Portfolios).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Interested Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 54
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director — GSAM (May 1999-Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 — May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 — May 1999).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
*Kaysie P. Uniacke
Age: 43
  Trustee
&

President
  Since 2001


Since 2002
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None
 
                       
          President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2002-Present) (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
          Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997 — 2002) ( registered investment companies).            


* These persons are considered to be “Interested Trustees” because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
 
1 Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Howard B. Surloff.
 
2 The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.
 
3 Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.
 
4 The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of May 31, 2004, the Trust consisted of 57 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
5 This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

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Officers of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.

             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  President
     &
Trustee
  Since 2002

Since 2001
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(registered investment companies).
 
           
          President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(registered investment companies).
 
           
          Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (1997-2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 - Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995-November 2003).

Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992-Present).

Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 46
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985-June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).
 
           
          Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 40
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995-October 1998).

Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
James A. Fitzpatrick
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
  Vice
President
  Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999- Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997-December 1999).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice
President
  Since 1998   Vice President, GSAM (June 1998-Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996-June 1998).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice
President
  Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control — Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Christopher Keller
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 38
  Vice
President
  Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 1997-Present).

Vice President -Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Vice
President
  Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998-Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 - April 1998).
 
           
          Vice President—Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (December 2002-May 2004).
 
           
Howard B. Surloff
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 38
  Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2002-Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs and General Counsel to the U.S. Funds Group (December 1997-Present).

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001-Present) and Assistant Secretary prior thereto.
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001-Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2001).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

B-55


 

             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987-Present).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 34
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 - Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996-Present).
 
           
          Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Amy E. Curran
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 34
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 1999   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (June 1999-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1998-2000); and Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads (law firm) (September 1996-1998).
 
           
          Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).


1   Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

Standing Board Committees

     The Board of Trustees has established six standing committees in connection with their governance of the Funds – Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Schedule E.

     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees a firm of independent certified public auditors to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (1) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (2) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (3) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held four

B-56


 

meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of the Goldman Sachs Governance and Nominating Committee.

     The Compliance Committee consists of each of the Independent Trustees. The Compliance Committee’s functions, among other things, are: (i) to review and recommend for adoption certain policies and procedures for the Funds and their service providers; (ii) to review and recommend to the Board the designation of a chief compliance officer of the Funds; and (iii) to review material compliance matters that are reported to it and to take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Compliance Committee was formed on May 6, 2004 and, therefore did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003.

     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. Mr. Shuch and Ms. Uniacke serve on the Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held twenty-four meetings.

     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Ms. Uniacke. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Dividend Committee held four meetings with respect to the Funds included in this Additional Statement and twenty-seven with respect to all of the Funds of the Trust (including the Funds included in this Additional Statement).

     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc (“NASD”). Currently, the Independent Trustees are alternate members of this committee. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003.

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Funds and other portfolios of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

         
        Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
        Securities in All Portfolios in
    Dollar Range of   Fund Complex Overseen By
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Trustee2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  Capital Growth: Over $100,000
CORE U.S. Equity: Over $100,000
Research Select: Over $100,000
  Over $100,000
 
       
Gary D. Black3
  CORE Small Cap Equity: $1-$10,000
Growth Opportunities: $1-$10,000
Large Cap Value: $1-$10,000
Concentrated Growth: $1-$10,000
  $50,001 — $100,000

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        Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
        Securities in All Portfolios in
    Dollar Range of   Fund Complex Overseen By
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Trustee2
John P. Coblentz, Jr.4
  None   None
 
       
Patrick T. Harker
  Capital Growth — $50,001 — $100,000
Mid Cap Value Fund — $10,001—$50,000
Small Cap Value Fund — $10,001—$50,000
  Over $100,000
 
       
James McNamara3
  Research Select Fund: $10,001-$50,000   $10,001-$50,000
 
       
Mary P. McPherson
  Capital Growth — $50,001 — $100,000
Mid Cap Value Fund — $10,001-$50,000
Small Cap Value — $50,001 — $100,000
Growth and Income: $1 — $10,000
International Equity: $1 — $10,000
  Over $100,000
 
       
Alan A. Shuch
  Capital Growth Fund: Over $100,000
Mid Cap Value Fund: Over $100,000
  Over $100,000
 
       
Richard P. Strubel
  Capital Growth: Over $100,000
International Equity: $50,001 — $100,000
  Over $100,000
 
       
Wilma J. Smelcer
  Capital Growth — $50,001 — $100,000   $50,001 — $100,000
 
       
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  Capital Growth: Over $100,000
Large Cap Value: Over $100,000
Mid Cap Value Fund: Over $100,000
  Over $100,000

1   Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Fund described in this Additional Statement as of December 31, 2003.
 
2   Includes Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 58 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
3   Mr. Black and Mr. McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

     As of November 30, 2003, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

Board Compensation

     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance and Nominating Committee meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003:

B-58


 

                         
    Aggregate   Pension or Retirement   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Benefits Accrued as Part   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  from the Funds
  of the Trust’s Expenses
  (including the Funds)2
Ashok N. Bakhru1
  $ 59,166     $     $ 166,365  
Gary D. Black3
    0             0  
John P. Coblentz, Jr. 4
    0             0  
Patrick T. Harker
    43,479             122,231  
James McNamara3
    0             0  
Mary P. McPherson
    43,479             122,231  
Alan A. Shuch
    0             0  
Richard P. Strubel
    43,479             122,231  
Wilma J. Smelcer
    43,479             122,231  
Kaysie P. Uniacke
    0             0  


1   Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
2   The Fund Complex consists of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 58 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios as of November 30, 2003.
 
3   Mr. Black and Mr. McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

Miscellaneous

     Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at net asset value without payment of any sales charge to Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above individuals. These and the Funds’ other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.

     The Trust, its Investment Advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.

B-59


 

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

     As stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, GSAM (formerly, Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.), 32 Old Slip, New York, New York, 10005 serves as Investment Adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April, 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs served as the investment adviser to the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds. In April 2003, GSAM assumed investment advisory responsibilities for those Funds. GSAMI, Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street, London, England EC1A7HD, serves as Investment Adviser to the International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds. GSAMI is also an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. See “Service Providers” in the Funds’ Prospectuses for a description of the applicable Investment Adviser’s duties to the Funds.

     Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is among the oldest and largest investment banking firms in the United States. Goldman Sachs is a leader in developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a wide range of equity and debt securities 24-hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York and has offices throughout the United States and in Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Calgary, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, George Town, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, and Zurich. It has trading professionals throughout the United States, as well as in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the world’s financial markets enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the Funds to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of each Fund’s name for as long as a Fund’s Management Agreement is in effect.

     The Investment Advisers are able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 2,400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 markets. The in-depth information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs’ research analysts are available to the Investment Advisers.

     For more than a decade, Goldman Sachs has been among the top-ranked firms in Institutional Investor’s annual “All-America Research Team” survey. In addition, many of Goldman Sachs’ economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using quantitative analytics to structure and evaluate portfolios.

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     In managing the Funds, the Investment Advisers have access to Goldman Sachs’ economics research. The Economics Research Department based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide. The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures, balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman Sachs’ international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Extel, Institutional Investor and Reuters. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firm’s economists, strategists and equity analysts.

     In allocating assets among foreign countries and currencies for the Funds which can invest in foreign securities (in particular, the CORE International Equity, International Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds), the Investment Advisers will have access to the Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model, the Investment Advisers will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs’ research professionals to produce an optimal currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for a Fund given its investment objectives and criteria.

     The Management Agreements provide that GSAM and GSAMI, in their capacity as Investment Advisers, may render similar services to others as long as the services under the Management Agreements are not impaired thereby. The Concentrated Growth, Research Select, Large Cap Value, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, CORE Large Cap Value, European Equity, Japanese Equity and International Growth Opportunities Funds’ Management Agreements were initially approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees (as defined below) who are not parties to the Management Agreement on August 1, 2002, April 26, 2000, October 26, 1999, April 28, 1999, April 28, 1999, November 3, 1998, July 22, 1998, April 23, 1998 and April 23, 1998, respectively. The CORE Small Cap Equity and CORE International Equity Funds’ Management Agreements were initially approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees (as defined below) who are not parties to the Management Agreements, on July 22, 1997. The CORE Large Cap Growth and Emerging Markets Equity Funds’ Management Agreements were initially approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees (as defined below) who are not parties to the Management Agreements, on April 23, 1997 and January 28, 1997, respectively.

     The Funds’ Management Agreements were most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreements or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”), on May 5, 2004. At those meetings the Board of Trustees reviewed the written and oral presentations provided by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Trustees’ consideration of the Management Agreements. The Trustees also reviewed, with the advice of legal counsel, their responsibilities under applicable law. The Trustees considered, in particular, the restructuring of the Investment Adviser and the assumption of investment advisory responsibilities by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., including the assurances that the same personnel and resources would be committed to the management of the Funds. The Trustees also considered, in particular, the regulatory settlement that had been reached by Goldman Sachs regarding investment bank and research department conflicts of interest. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ management fee rates; the Funds’ respective

B-61

 


 

operating expense ratios; the Investment Adviser’s current and prospective fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the respective Funds and pricing philosophy; and the investment performance of the Funds for the prior year and longer time periods. The information on these matters was also compared to similar information for other mutual funds. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ management fee structures in comparison to the structures used by other mutual funds; the revenues received by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from the Funds for their investment management services and for other, non-investment management services, and their expenses in providing such services; the brokerage and research services received in connection with the placement of brokerage transactions for the Funds; and the Funds’ asset levels and possible economies of scale. The Trustees also considered the personnel and resources of the Investment Adviser, the overall nature and quality of the Investment Adviser’s services and the specific provisions of the Management Agreements. After consideration of the Investment Adviser’s presentations, the non-interested Trustees discussed at greater length in executive session the fairness and reasonableness of the Management Agreements to the Funds and their shareholders, including the trends in expense levels and investment performance, and concluded that the Management Agreements should be reapproved and continued in the interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

     These arrangements were most recently approved by the shareholders of each Fund (other than Concentrated Growth, Research Select, Large Cap Value, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities and European Equity Funds) on April 21, 1997. The sole shareholder of the Concentrated Growth, Research Select, Large Cap Value, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities and European Equity Funds approved these arrangements on August 23, 2002, June 14, 2000, October 26, 1999, April 28, 1999, April 28, 1999, November 3, 1998, April 30, 1997, July 21, 1997, July 21, 1997, January 28, 1997, April 23, 1998, April 23, 1998 and July 22, 1998, respectively.

     Each Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect with respect to the applicable Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of such Fund’s outstanding voting securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     Each Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act). Each Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the applicable Investment Adviser and by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.

     Pursuant to the Management Agreements the Investment Advisers are entitled to receive the fees set forth below, payable monthly based on such Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition, as of the date of this Additional Statement the Investment Advisers were voluntarily limiting their management fees for certain Funds to the annual rates also listed below:

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    Management Fee   Management Fee
    With   Without
Fund
  Limitations
  Limitations
GSAM
               
Balanced Fund
    0.65 %     0.65 %
Growth and Income Fund
    0.70 %     0.70 %
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    0.60 %     0.60 %
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    0.70 %     0.75 %
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    0.70 %     0.75 %
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    0.85 %     0.85 %
Capital Growth Fund
    0.95 %     1.00 %
Strategic Growth Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
Growth Opportunities Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
CORE International Equity Fund
    0.85 %     0.85 %
Mid Cap Value Fund
    0.75 %     0.75 %
Small Cap Value Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
Large Cap Value Fund
    0.75 %     0.75 %
Research Select Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
Concentrated Growth Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
         
GSAMI
               
International Equity Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
European Equity Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
Japanese Equity Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    1.10 %     1.20 %
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    1.20 %     1.20 %
Asia Growth Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %

     GSAM and GSAMI may discontinue or modify the above limitations in the future at their discretion.

B-63

 


 

     For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 the amounts of the fees incurred by each Fund then in existence under the Management Agreements were as follows (with and without the fee limitations that were then in effect):

                                                 
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
    With Fee   Without Fee   With Fee   Without Fee   With Fee   Without Fee
    Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
Balanced Fund
  $ 921,737     $ 921,737     $ 934,401     $ 934,401     $ 1,054,603     $ 1,054,603  
Growth and Income Fund
    2,865,328       2,865,328       3,157,958       3,157,958       4,334,429       4,334,429  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    1,202,179       1,202,179       1,465,423       1,465,423       1,853,552       1,853,552  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    4,328,669       4,637,859       5,976,125       6,402,991       8,320,935       8,915,287  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    2,535,593       2,716,707       3,975,441       4,259,402       6,551,093       7,019,028  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    1,807,072       1,807,072       1,296,632       1,296,632       1,259,946       1,259,946  
CORE International Equity Fund
    1,899,042       1,899,042       2,877,026       2,877,026       3,478,973       3,478,973  
Capital Growth Fund
    19,004,786       20,005,039       26,193,288       26,582,033       33,446,914       33,446,914  
Strategic Growth Fund
    2,162,009       2,162,009       2,060,862       2,060,862       1,705,535       1,705,535  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    6,302,365       6,302,365       7,279,582       7,279,582       4,975,819       4,975,819  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    6,185,373       6,185,373       4,504,604       4,504,604       2,214,608       2,214,608  
Small Cap Value Fund
    6,562,287       6,562,287       5,011,059       5,011,059       2,644,441       2,644,441  
Large Cap Value
    2,348,231       2,348,231       2,126,126       2,126,126       559,356       559,356  
International Equity Fund
    6,585,560       6,585,560       11,728,718       11,728,718       15,954,500       15,954,500  
European Equity Fund
    350,669       350,669       657,359       657,359       1,353,560       1,353,560  
Japanese Equity Fund
    242,407       242,407       260,566       260,566       657,056       657,056  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    800,713       873,506       1,749,872       1,788,390       4,585,526       4,585,526  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    1,077,206       1,077,206       1,261,749       1,261,749       1,837,081       1,837,081  
Asia Growth Fund
    343,992       343,992       400,913       400,913       669,704       669,704  
Research Select Fund
    3,126,562       3,126,562       5,906,851       5,906,851       8,136,840       8,136,840  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    353,852       353,852       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  


1   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-64

 


 

     In addition to providing advisory services, under its Management Agreement, each Investment Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Fund that it advises; (ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Fund; (iii) arranges for at each Fund’s expense: (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Fund’s records; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services.

Distributor and Transfer Agent

     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor of shares of the Funds pursuant to a “best efforts” arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after the Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain investment dealers and other financial service firms (the “Authorized Dealers”) to solicit subscriptions for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the sales charge imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or redemption in the case of Class B and Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of such Fund shares.

     Goldman Sachs retained approximately the following combined commissions on sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares during the following periods:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 173,400     $ 61,200     $ 23,000  
Growth and Income Fund
    578,000       153,800       72,000  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    20,800       33,970       122,000  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    182,800       99,970       152,000  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    17,100       51,050       130,000  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    29,800       82,240       41,000  
CORE International Equity Fund
    187,100       81,250       150,000  
Capital Growth Fund
    370,800       708,000       1,418,000  
Strategic Growth Fund
    330,300       316,000       536,000  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    387,700       1,646,200       2,330,000  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    564,800       1,251,000       328,000  
Small Cap Value Fund
    792,900       1,396,700       538,000  
Large Cap Value Fund
    550,000       1,463,300       802,000  
International Equity Fund
    286,000       601,000       1,599,000  
European Equity Fund
    43,000       49,000       358,000  
Japanese Equity Fund
    46,000       63,000       114,000  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    5,000       73,000       860,000  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    21,000       15,000       101,000  
Asia Growth Fund
    42,000       12,000       20,000  
Research Select Fund
    12,300       35,800       1,171,000  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    225,400       N/A       N/A  


1   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-65

 


 

     Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trust’s transfer agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust to (i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trust’s custodian and the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with tax-related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares and 0.19% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

     As compensation for the services rendered to the Trust by Goldman Sachs as transfer agent and the assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto, Goldman Sachs received fees for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 from each Fund then in existence as follows under the fee schedules then in effect:

                         
    Class A, B and C   Class A, B and C   Class A, B and C
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 265,355     $ 268,777     $ 303,603  
Growth and Income Fund
    763,412       814,989       1,108,168  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    186,116       226,944       257,141  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    908,887       1,203,226       1,622,974  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    474,916       763,212       1,330,598  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    189,789       157,699       143,961  
CORE International Equity Fund
    162,097       191,351       260,580  
Capital Growth Fund
    3,232,878       4,266,510       5,437,436  
Strategic Growth Fund
    272,036       272,915       251,026  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    919,202       1,132,758       776,882  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    986,036       577,648       178,598  
Small Cap Value Fund
    1,067,722       795,589       446,452  
Large Cap Value Fund
    438,116       406,963       79,858  
International Equity Fund
    791,486       1,564,745       2,436,081  
European Equity Fund
    59,717       112,262       230,089  
Japanese Equity Fund
    36,648       40,774       93,877  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    70,235       173,594       463,964  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    41,898       56,200       90,103  
Asia Growth Fund
    54,887       69,789       112,873  
Research Select Fund
    586,985       1,102,291       1,510,380  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    48,585       N/A       N/A  


1   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-66

 


 

                                                 
    Institutional Shares
  Service Shares
    Fiscal year   Fiscal year   Fiscal year   Fiscal year   Fiscal period   Fiscal year
    Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended   ended   Ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,   August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 853     $ 913     $ 972     $ 5     $ 4     $ 11  
Growth and Income Fund
    1,652       6,951       11,625       1,363       1,927       2,758  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    40,851       49,880       69,424       112       37       10  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    53,362       85,228       129,964       2,646       2,954       3,840  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    44,761       66,130       93,362       147       362       860  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    33,490       26,358       28,931       11,593       1,460       53  
CORE International Equity Fund
    55,231       95,097       108,848       10       7       9  
Capital Growth Fund
    117,315       161,725       188,749       2,281       3,344       4,404  
Strategic Growth Fund
    29,209       24,978       15,372       0       1       1  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    58,388       52,567       35,401       190       141       78  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    121,515       118,485       80,419       785       150       94  
Small Cap Value Fund
    36,442       31,861       11,625       1,266       1,089       163  
Large Cap Value Fund
    33,003       27,716       13,019       1       1       0  
International Equity Fund
    95,221       137,696       123,302       1,573       2,033       2,018  
European Equity Fund
    1,454       2,660       5,702       0       0       0  
Japanese Equity Fund
    1,980       1,838       6,518       0       0       0  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    14,318       23,059       55,172       13       8       3  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    27,050       30,224       42,266       36       3       1  
Asia Growth Fund1
    2,205       1,344       3,025       0       0       0  
Research Select Fund
    1,482       4,208       7,492       4       4       7  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    3,925       N/A       N/A       0       N/A       N/A  


1   Asia Growth Fund had not sold Service Shares as of August 31, 2003.
 
2   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-67

 


 

     The Trust’s distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities.

Expenses

     The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, is responsible for the payment of each Fund’s respective expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Advisers, service fees and shareholder administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses of the Trust’s custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trust’s shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Funds, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, Additional Statements, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trust’s shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses assumed by a Fund pursuant to its Distribution and Service Plans, compensation and expenses of its “non-interested” Trustees, the fees and expenses of pricing services and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder administration plan or distribution and service plans applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.

     The imposition of the Investment Adviser’s fees, as well as other operating expenses, will have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment Adviser may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Fund, which would have the effect of lowering that Fund’s overall expense ratio and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.

     As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Advisers voluntarily have agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees, service fees, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage, and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses) for the following Funds to the extent such expenses exceed the following percentage (rounded) of each Fund’s average daily net assets:

         
    Other
    Expenses
Balanced Fund
    0.06 %
Growth and Income Fund
    0.05 %
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    0.06 %
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    0.00 %
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    0.02 %
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    0.04 %
CORE International Equity Fund
    0.12 %
Capital Growth Fund
    0.00 %
Strategic Growth Fund
    0.00 %
Growth Opportunities Fund
    0.11 %

B-68

 


 

         
    Other
    Expenses
Mid Cap Value Fund
    0.10 %
Small Cap Value Fund
    0.06 %
Large Cap Value Fund
    0.06 %
International Equity Fund
    0.10 %
European Equity Fund
    0.10 %
Japanese Equity Fund
    0.11 %
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    0.10 %
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    0.35 %
Asia Growth Fund
    0.16 %
Research Select Fund
    0.06 %
Concentrated Growth Fund
    0.04 %

     Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis and may be discontinued or modified by the applicable Investment Adviser in its discretion at any time.

     Fees and expenses borne by the Funds relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a Fund, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Fund may also bear an allocable portion of the Investment Adviser’s costs of performing certain accounting services not being provided by a Fund’s custodian.

Reimbursement

     For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 the amounts of certain “Other Expenses” of each Fund then in existence that were reduced or otherwise limited were as follows under the expense limitations that were then in effect:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 306,576     $ 315,611     $ 307,260  
Growth and Income Fund
    160,638       108,239       120,785  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    221,513       214,898       211,725  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    391,793       413,696       514,989  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    291,506       270,582       297,530  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    372,347       367,985       379,218  
CORE International Equity Fund
    376,924       500,904       457,877  
Capital Growth Fund
    563,137       539,496       777,550  
Strategic Growth Fund
    356,953       363,397       385,450  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    0       0       0  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    0       0       90,041  
Small Cap Value Fund
    39,218       114,020       260,159  
Large Cap Value Fund
    137,967       170,804       428,927  
International Equity Fund
    481,257       694,829       677,124  
European Equity Fund
    374,526       477,189       455,370  
Japanese Equity Fund
    317,852       354,505       319,511  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    470,108       460,590       290,024  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    151,451       323,390       366,085  
Asia Growth Fund
    498,002       519,246       473,873  
Research Select Fund
    192,736       195,354       249,988  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    414,255       N/A       N/A  


1   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-69

 


 

Custodian and Sub-Custodians

     State Street, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the custodian of the Trust’s portfolio securities and cash. State Street also maintains the Trust’s accounting records. State Street may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold certain securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Trust.

Independent Auditors

     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, has been selected as the independent auditors of the Funds for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2004. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP prepares the Funds’ federal and state tax returns, and provides consultation and assistance on accounting, internal control and related matters. The data set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the prospectuses for the fiscal years or periods ended on or before August 31, 1999, were audited by the Funds’ former independent auditors who have ceased operations.

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Advisers, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities and business operations of the Funds, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in accounts, securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Funds and their service providers. These are considerations of which investors in the Funds should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Funds.

     Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs in addition to those described in this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

Certain Activities and Interests of Goldman Sachs and Clients

     Goldman Sachs is a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from Goldman Sachs and from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. In addition, it is likely that the Funds will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has direct or indirect interests. The Investment Advisers make decisions for a Fund in accordance with their obligations as Investment Advisers. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Funds.

B-70


 

     Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to current or future accounts or funds that it manages or advises, including accounts or funds that may provide greater fees or other compensation, including performance-based fees, to Goldman Sachs or the Investment Advisers or in which Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”) or proprietary accounts, that may compete or conflict with the advice given to the Funds, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken than with respect to the Funds. For example, the Funds may be competing for investment opportunities with Goldman Sachs, or with other current or future Client/GS Accounts. Goldman Sachs and its Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell the securities of issuers while a Fund is undertaking the same or a different, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could increase the cost of that strategy to the Fund or otherwise disadvantage the Fund. For example, the Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may establish a short position in the same security. That subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Fund holds. Conversely, the Fund may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may buy that same security. That subsequent purchase may result in impairment of the price of the short sale position which the Fund holds. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other accounts, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies.

     In addition, conflicts may arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account.

     The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by Goldman Sachs). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Funds. To lessen the possibility that a Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as the Funds’ Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 170) of the Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

     Goldman Sachs and its clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds. Prices, availability, liquidity and terms of Fund investments may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and its clients’ activities, and transactions for the Funds may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be

B-71


 

less favorable than would otherwise have been the case. The results of the investment activities of the Funds may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts or accounts managed by it and from the results achieved by the Investment Advisers for other advised accounts. In addition, other client transactions may also adversely impact the Funds. Subject to applicable law, clients of the Investment Advisers may also have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Advisers’ transactions or views which may affect their transactions outside of accounts controlled by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs and in connection therewith negatively impact the performance of the Funds. Further, the Funds may be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, as well as increases of capital in and withdrawals of capital from other accounts advised by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate.

     The Investment Advisers’ management of the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. Subject to applicable law, the Funds may engage in investment transactions which may result in Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of an investment. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or its Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.

     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, markdowns, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts, which are favorable to Goldman Sachs. In such circumstances, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds will be reduced thereby. When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. In addition, when Goldman Sachs acts in such capacities, its representatives may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, including the Investment Advisers, and such representatives may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Funds. When acting in such capacity, Goldman Sachs is under no obligation to disseminate such information to the Investment Advisers or to others. Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may from time to time in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services to the Funds in investment management and administrative capacities.

     Goldman Sachs, and its sales personnel and other dealers, have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel and other dealers may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the investors in the Funds. Such fees and commissions may vary by product or service, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other products. Further, Goldman Sachs may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, dealers, consultants and others who recommend, sell, or have interests or relationships associated with sales or recommendations of Fund shares or portfolio transactions for the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may

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purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its employees and its businesses. In addition, Goldman Sachs employees, including employees of the Investment Advisers, may have board, advisory or other relationships with issuers, dealers, consultants and charitable organizations which may own or which may recommend or sell shares of the Funds or portfolio transactions for the Funds. As a result, those persons and institutions may have conflicts associated with the promotion of Fund shares and portfolio investment-related matters that would create incentives for them to promote such sales or raise other conflicts.

Certain Regulatory Matters

     From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. An investment fund not affiliated with Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations in relation to transactions with Goldman Sachs. There may be periods when the Investment Advisers may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase investments that are issued, or the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs-related personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.

     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs, for its proprietary accounts and for other clients may also limit investment strategies and rights of Client/GS Accounts. For example, in certain regulated industries, in emerging markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, its Client/GS Accounts and other clients to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, Goldman Sachs may limit purchases in Client/GS Accounts, sell existing investments for Client/GS Accounts, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) for Client/GS Accounts, when Goldman Sachs, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate in light of potential regulatory restrictions on ownership or other impairments resulting to the Client/GS Account, Goldman Sachs, or other clients arising from reaching investment thresholds.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Investment Advisers may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Funds in which Goldman Sachs, acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Funds may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Funds and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. The Funds will only consider engaging in a principal or cross transaction with Goldman Sachs or its

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affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Investment Advisers will, to the extent required by law, obtain necessary consents prior to entering into such transactions.

     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, nonpublic information or other information that could limit the ability of the Funds to buy and sell investments. The Funds’ investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence. In making investment decisions for a Fund, the Investment Advisers are not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Goldman Sachs in the course of their activities.

Other Investment Management-Related Activities

     In determining the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, a number of factors may be considered by the Investment Advisers, which may include the relative size of the applicable accounts or funds and their expected futures sizes, the investments available for allocation at any given time and the investment objectives of the Funds and such Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Advisers will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Funds and Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable and equitable. Although allocating orders among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interest of Goldman Sachs or its personnel in such other Client/GS Accounts or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from such Client/GS Accounts, the Investment Advisers will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or such greater fees and compensation. The Investment Advisers may determine that an investment opportunity or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for itself or an affiliate, but not for the Funds, or is appropriate for, or available to, the Funds but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for others. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.

     Purchases and sales of securities for the account of the Funds may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other accounts of Goldman Sachs, including other Client/GS Accounts. Because of the prevailing trading activity, it is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged which may be disadvantageous to the Funds.

     The Funds and the Investment Advisers or their affiliates or personnel may from time to time receive research products and services in connection with the brokerage services that brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Advisers) may provide to the Funds or one or more Client/GS Accounts. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. In addition, Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefits, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to Client/GS Accounts.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may invest all or some of their short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs, and may invest in other investment funds advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other dealers) will be entitled to retain any fees accruing to it in connection with any such investments, and the fees or allocations from the Funds will not be reduced

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hereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with a Shareholder’s direct purchase of underlying investments).

     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Funds or with respect to which the underlying securities, currencies or instruments may be those in which the Funds invest, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Funds. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may, from time to time, invest in the Funds, hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling Fund shares and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its Fund and other positions at any time. These investments and redemptions will be made without notice to the shareholders. These derivative related activities, as well as such investment and redemption activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds’ investment management, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through a Fund by the shareholders.

     The Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on the Funds’ own credit standing. Neither Goldman Sachs nor the Investment Advisers or any of their affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Funds’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Funds’ counterparties will rely on the credit of such entities in evaluating the Funds’ creditworthiness. In addition, the Funds, when the Investment Advisers deem it appropriate, may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs or its affiliates, at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.

     Subject to applicable law, in connection with its management of the Fund, the Investment Advisers may utilize investment policy advisors or a committee which may include personnel of Goldman Sachs or of unaffiliated firms. Those individuals may, as a result, obtain information regarding the Funds’ proposed investment activities which is not generally available to the public. Goldman Sachs and the Investment Advisers may also have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and other affiliates. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.

     The Investment Advisers have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Investment Advisers’ fiduciary obligations to their clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the Investment Advisers’ proxy voting policies and procedures, the Investment Advisers’ actual proxy voting decisions may have the effect of favoring the interests of clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that the Investment Advisers believe such voting decision to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”

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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     The Investment Advisers are responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities traded over-the-counter also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Orders may be directed to any broker including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs.

     In the over-the-counter market, most securities have historically traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

     In placing orders for portfolio securities of a Fund, the Investment Advisers are generally required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price available. This means that an Investment Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Section 28(e)”), the Fund may pay a broker which provides brokerage and research services to the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith determination that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Investment Advisers generally seek reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, a Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the Investment Advisers will consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions of a Fund, the Investment Advisers and their affiliates, or their other clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and companies; economic surveys and analyses; recommendations as to specific securities; research products including quotation equipment and computer related programs; advice concerning the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance to the Investment Advisers in the performance of their decision-making responsibilities.

     Such services are used by the Investment Advisers in connection with all of their investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for a Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be larger than those of a Fund’s, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by the Investment Advisers in providing management services for the Trust. On occasion, a broker-dealer might furnish an Investment Adviser with a service which has a mixed use (i.e., the service is used both for investment and brokerage activities and for other activities). Where this occurs, an Investment Adviser will reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that the portion or specific component which assists in investment and brokerage activities is obtained using portfolio commissions from the Funds or other managed accounts,

B-76


 

and the portion or specific component which provides other assistance (for example, administrative or non-research assistance) is paid for by an Investment Adviser from its own funds.

     In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and execution capability, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of the Fund as well as shares of other investment companies or accounts managed by the Investment Advisers. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Fund.

     On occasions when an Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other investment company or advisory account for which such Investment Adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser), the Investment Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price and size of the position obtainable for a Fund.

     Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Trustees.

     Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Advisers may use Goldman Sachs as a broker for a Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs to effect any portfolio transactions for each Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Goldman Sachs must be reasonable. This standard would allow Goldman Sachs to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested” Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.

     For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001, each Fund in existence paid brokerage commissions as follows. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a Fund may vary substantially from year to year because of differences in shareholder purchase and redemption activity, portfolio turnover rates and other factors.

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                        Amount of    
            Total Brokerage   Total Amount of
Transactions on
  Transactions
Effected through
  Total Brokerage
    Total Brokerage   Commissions Paid to   which Commissions   Brokers Providing   Commissions Paid to
    Commissions Paid
  Goldman Sachs1
  Paid 1
  Research
  Research
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003
                                           
                             
Balanced Fund
    151,614       1,392 (1 %)2     96,283,123 (1 %)3     24,411,826       39,578  
Growth and Income Fund
    829,406       3,723 (0 %)2     511,293,053 (0 %)3     106,906,742       198,561  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    60,717       31,986 (53 %)2     95,432,873 (46 %)3            
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    23,204       (0 %)2     63,305,128 (0 %)3            
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    96,165       (0 %)2     145,350,971 (0 %)3            
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    82,269       8,772 (11 %)2     72,823,996 (10 %)3            
CORE International Equity Fund
    47,618       (0 %)2     79,413,411 (0 %)3            
Capital Growth Fund
    1,371,339       13,535 (1 %)2     830,235,312 (1 %)3     184,948,350       328,443  
Strategic Growth Fund
    158,358       (0 %)2     100,091,154 (0 %)3     32,281,297       53,640  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    1,712,135       22,100 (1 %)2     822,480,438 (2 %)3     109,808,201       200,492  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    2,461,470       28,245 (1 %)2     1,429,263,240 (1 %)3     337,474,938       578,186  
Small Cap Value Fund
    2,478,488       66,449 (3 %)2     836,267,483 (2 %)3     77,094,208       186,490  
Large Cap Value Fund
    751,071       5,675 (1 %)2     475,727,982 (1 %)3     132,621,500       211,971  
International Equity Fund
    1,053,735       3,332 (0 %)2     824,284,490 (0 %)3     172,996,034       258,213  
European Equity Fund
    83,233       (0 %)2     94,234,549 (0 %)3     11,679,129       17,451  
Japanese Equity Fund
    65,699       555 (1 %)2     38,273,389 (1 %)3     4,715,765       9,218  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    306,873       6,083 (2 %)2     155,599,357 (1 %)3     16,919,376       31,922  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    400,365       15,267 (4 %)2     143,327,492 (3 %)3     10,097,997       29,744  
Asia Growth Fund
    217,830       16,270 (7 %)2     152,591,401 (3 %)3     17,153,770       58,040  
Research Select Fund
    1,335,336       851,409 (64 %)2     833,602,229 (64 %)3            
Concentrated Growth Fund4
    155,720       5,353 (3 %)2     83,006,291 (4 %)3     14,491,577       28,583  
 
                                           

                                           

1 The figures in the table report brokerage commissions only from securities transactions. For the year ended August 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $21,000, $4,000, $38,000, $7,000, $5,000, $14,000, $86,000, $14,000, $0, $22,000, $28,000, $66,000, $6,000, $211,000, $13,000, $4,000, $25,000, $22,000, $16,000, $852,000 and $5,000 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions, executed on behalf of the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity , CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds, respectively.

2 Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs.

3 Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through Goldman Sachs.

4 The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

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                    Total Amount of
            Total Brokerage   Transactions on
    Total Brokerage   Commissions Paid to   which Commissions
    Commissions Paid
  Goldman Sachs1
  Paid1
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2002
                       
                     
Balanced Fund
  $ 115,062     $ 2,774     $ 399,148,444  
Growth and Income Fund
    1,437,592       25,646       859,682,622  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    137,652       0       479,028,359  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    115,375       0       1,391,127,751  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    297,009       0       1,089,164,474  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    202,125       0       364,479,817  
CORE International Equity Fund
    39,654       0       596,277,654  
Capital Growth Fund
    1,367,154       7,974       742,469,833  
Strategic Growth Fund
    367,831       0       225,646,303  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    2,169,493       99,655       1,068,051,291  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    2,254,221       60,043       1,423,280,160  
Small Cap Value Fund
    2,422,977       4,837       968,265,713  
Large Cap Value Fund
    1,157,055       25,232       658,283,923  
International Equity Fund
    4,813,345       16,842       3,016,030,104  
European Equity Fund
    168,998       0       162,789,269  
Japanese Equity Fund
    82,525       5,207       53,627,772  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    588,276       19,522       273,391,416  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    630,715       46,250       226,690,715  
Asia Growth Fund
    348,214       16,400       127,820,914  
Research Select Fund
    1,219,843       791,523       1,506,448,251  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                       

                       

1 The figures in the table report brokerage commissions only from securities transactions. For the year ended August 31, 2002, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $21,000, $26,000, $2,000, $4,000, $4,000, $2,000, $40,000, $8,000, $0, $100,000, $60,000, $12,000, $25,000, $82,000, $14,000, $6,000, $25,000, $56,000, $16,000 and $796,000 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions, executed on behalf of the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth and Research Select Funds, respectively.

2 The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

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            Total   Total
            Brokerage   Amount of
    Total   Commissions   Transactions
    Brokerage   Paid to   on which
    Commissions   Goldman   Commissions
    Paid
  Sachs1
  Paid
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2001:
                       
                 
Balanced Fund
  $ 107,070     $ 2,307     $ 231,650,556  
Growth and Income Fund
    694,644       10,772       632,527,940  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    164,483       0       455,143,596  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    209,484       0       1,208,768,375  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    460,836       0       1,296,586,480  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    140,937       142       240,881,349  
CORE International Equity Fund
    563,705       0       679,566,062  
Capital Growth Fund
    1,332,335       113,626       1,352,956,211  
Strategic Growth Fund
    181,979       8,130       164,347,094  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    1,001,650       80,941       971,968,039  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    1,039,104       40,946       665,371,989  
Small Cap Value Fund
    1,096,536       152,084       5,086,394  
Large Cap Value Fund
    314,409       24,742       262,330,602  
International Equity Fund
    2,038,880       0       2,040,922,573  
European Equity Fund
    256,380             937,664,572  
Japanese Equity Fund
    209,018       18,418       129,401,027  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    650,191       22,865       524,579,567  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    933,500       36,905       1,065,407,022  
Asia Growth Fund
    1,178,349       120,600       425,793,701  
Research Select Fund
    1,772,972       1,032,800       3,316,925,472  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                       

                       

1 The figures in the table report brokerage commissions only from securities transactions. For the year ended August 31, 2001, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $19,000, $11,000, $2,000, $4,000, $6,000, $1,000, $37,000, $127,000, $8,000, $81,000, $41,000, $152,000, $25,000, $105,000, $9,000, $26,000, $36,000, $50,000, $121,000 and $1,047,000 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions, executed on behalf of the Balanced, Growth and Income, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Capital Growth, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Mid Cap Value, Small Cap Value, Large Cap Value, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Asia Growth and Research Select Funds, respectively.

2 The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

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During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, the Funds’ regular broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, were Merrill Lynch & Co., Goldman, Sachs & Co., UBS AG, Salomon Smith Barney, Credit Suisse First Boston, Lehman Brothers, Inc., Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., and Bear Stearns & Co. As of August 31, 2003, the Funds held the following amounts of securities of their regular broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents ($ in thousands).

                 
Fund
  Broker/Dealer
  Amount
Balanced Fund
  Lehman Brothers Inc.   $ 223  
 
  Merrill Lynch     470  
 
  Morgan Stanley     652  
 
  Bank of America Corp.     2,239  
 
  Citigroup     3,218  
 
  Chase     224  
 
  C.S. First Boston     1,723  
 
  Lehman Brothers     59  
 
           
Growth and Income Fund
  Merrill Lynch   $ 3,148  
 
  Lehman Brothers Inc.     2,412  
 
  Morgan Stanley     2,635  
 
           
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
  Merrill Lynch   $ 1,248  
 
  Morgan Stanley     249  
 
  Lehman Brothers Inc.     171  
 
           
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
  Morgan Stanley   $ 7,726  
 
  Merrill Lynch     3,684  
 
           
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
  Morgan Stanley   $ 1,478  
 
           
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
  none        
 
           
CORE International Equity Fund
  Credit Suisse Group   $ 2,046  
 
  UBS AG     831  
 
           
Capital Growth Fund
  Merrill Lynch   $ 7,949  
 
  Morgan Stanley     8,675  
 
           
Strategic Growth Fund
  none        
 
           
Growth Opportunities Fund
  none        
 
           
Mid Cap Value Fund
  Bear Stearns   $ 8,465  
Small Cap Value Fund
  none        
 
           
Large Cap Value Fund
  Merrill Lynch   $ 5,915  
 
  Lehman Brothers     2,485  
 
  Morgan Stanley     1,893  
 
           
International Equity Fund
  Deutsche Bank   $ 2,688  
 
           
European Equity Fund
  Credit Suisse Group   $ 1,238  
Japanese Equity Fund
  none        
International Growth Opportunities Fund
  none        
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
  none        
Asia Growth Fund
  none        

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Fund
  Broker/Dealer
  Amount
Research Select Fund
  Citigroup   $ 7,655  
 
           
Concentrated Growth Fund
  none        

NET ASSET VALUE

     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net value per share of each class of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to each class of that Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net asset value other than the Fund’s official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, each Fund may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

     Portfolio securities of a Fund for which accurate market quotations are available are valued as follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) will be valued at the last sale price or the official closing price on the exchange or system in which they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day, securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if a closing bid price is not available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the above-mentioned time for determining a Fund’s net asset value, the securities will be valued at the last sale price or official closing price, or if not available at the bid price at the time the net asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued at the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price at the time net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under sections (i) or (ii) including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed-income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or more for which accurate market quotations are readily available will normally be valued according to dealer-supplied bid quotations or bid quotations from a recognized pricing service (e.g., Interactive Data Corp., Merrill Lynch, J.J. Kenny, Muller Data Corp., Bloomberg, EJV, Reuters or Standard & Poor’s); (v) fixed-income securities for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the Investment Advisers based on valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities in the appropriate market (i.e., matrix pricing); (vi) debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued by the Investment Adviser at amortized cost, which the Trustees

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have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

     The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by any major bank. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

     Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business Days in New York and days on which the Funds’ net asset values are not calculated. Such calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. In addition, if an event that affects the value of a security occurs after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund to price its securities but before the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Trust in its discretion and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance may determine whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and significance of the event.

     The proceeds received by each Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund or particular series and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund or series. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Funds and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds or series except where allocations of expenses can otherwise be fairly made.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

     Each Fund may from time to time quote or otherwise use yield and total return information in advertisements, shareholder reports or sales literature. Average annual total return and yield are computed pursuant to formulas specified by the SEC.

     Thirty-day yield is derived by dividing net investment income earned during the period by the product of the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the period and the maximum public offering price per share on the last day of such period. The results are compounded on a bond equivalent (semi-annual) basis and then annualized by assuming that yield is realized each month for twelve months and is reinvested every six months. Net investment income per share is equal to the dividends and interest earned during the period, reduced by accrued expenses for the period. The calculation of net investment income for these purposes may differ from the net investment income determined for accounting purposes.

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     Distribution rate for a specified period is calculated by annualizing distributions of net investment income for such period and dividing this amount by the net asset value per share or maximum public offering price on the last day of the period.

     Year-by-year total return and cumulative total return for a specified period are each derived by calculating the percentage rate required to make a $1,000 investment (made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions reinvested) at the beginning of such period equal to the actual total value of such investment at the end of such period.

     Average annual total return (Before Taxes) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. It also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions but not redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment but further assumes that the redemption has no federal income tax consequences. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the impact of federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income taxes rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is also taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards (i) the effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes).

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions and Redemptions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions and redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect

B-84


 

on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards the (i) effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes). In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. The highest federal individual capital gains tax rate in effect on the redemption date is used in such calculation. The federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of any gains or losses (e.g., short-term or long-term). When the return after taxes on distributions and redemption of shares is higher than returns after taxes on distributions, it is because of realized losses. If realized losses occur upon the sale of shares, capital loss is recorded as a tax benefit which increases returns.

     Total return calculations for Class A Shares reflect the effect of paying the maximum initial sales charge. Investment at a lower sales charge would result in higher performance figures. Total return calculations for Class B and Class C Shares reflect deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed upon redemption of Class B and Class C Shares held for the applicable period. Each Fund may also from time to time advertise total return on a cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts graphs or schedules. In addition, each Fund may furnish total return calculations based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset value. Any performance information which is based on a Fund’s net asset value per Share would be reduced if any applicable sales charge were taken into account. In addition to the above, each Fund may from time to time advertise its performance relative to certain averages, performance rankings, indices, other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services and investments for which reliable performance information is available. The Funds’ performance quotations do not reflect any fees charged by an Authorized Dealer, Service Organization or other financial intermediary to its customer accounts in connection with investments in the Funds.

     Each Fund’s performance will fluctuate, unlike bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future return. Actual performance will depend on such variables as portfolio quality, the type of portfolio instruments acquired, portfolio expenses and other factors. Performance is one basis investors may use to analyze a Fund as compared to other funds and other investment vehicles. However, the performance of other funds and other investment vehicles may not be comparable because of the foregoing variables, and differences in the methods used in valuing their portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and determining performance.

     Occasionally, statistics may be used to specify Fund volatility or risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare a Fund’s net asset value or performance relative to a market index. One measure of volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a Fund relative to the total market. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market, and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure variability of net asset value or total return around an average, over a specified period of time. The premise is that greater volatility connotes greater risk undertaken in achieving performance.

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     The CORE Large Cap Growth Fund commenced operations on May 1, 1997. The performance information shown below for periods before that date is for a predecessor separate account managed by the Investment Adviser which converted into Class A Shares as of the commencement date. The performance record of the separate account quoted by the Fund has been adjusted downward based on the expenses applicable to Class A Shares (the class into which the separate account transferred) to reflect the expenses that were expected to be incurred by the Fund during its initial year of operation. These expenses include any sales charges and asset-based charges (i.e., fees under Distribution and Service Plans) imposed and other operating expenses. Total return quotations are calculated pursuant to the methodology prescribed by the SEC for standardized performance calculations. Prior to May 1, 1997, the separate account was a separate investment advisory account under discretionary management by the Investment Adviser and had substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Fund. Unlike the Fund, the separate account was not registered as an investment company under the Act and therefore was not subject to certain investment restrictions and operational requirements that are imposed on investment companies by the Act. If the separate account had been registered as an investment company under the Act, the separate account’s performance may have been adversely affected by such restrictions and requirements. On May 1, 1997, the separate account transferred a portion of its assets to the Fund in exchange for Fund shares. The performance record of each other class has been linked to the performance of the separate account (based on Class A expenses) and the Class A performance for any periods prior to commencement of operations of a class of shares.

     The Service Shares of the Balanced, Capital Growth, Small Cap Value, Growth and Income, CORE U.S. Equity, CORE Large Cap Growth and International Equity Funds commenced operations on August 15, 1997, August 15, 1997, August 15, 1997, March 6, 1996, June 7, 1996, May 1, 1997 and March 6, 1996, respectively. The Service Shares of these Funds had no operating or performance history prior thereto. However, in accordance with interpretive positions expressed by the staff of the SEC, each of these Funds has adopted the performance records of its respective Class A Shares from that class’s inception date (October 12, 1994, April 20, 1990, October 22, 1992, February 5, 1993, May 24, 1991, November 11, 1991 and December 1, 1992 respectively) to the inception dates of Service Shares stated above. Quotations of performance data of these Funds relating to this period include the performance record of the applicable Class A Shares (excluding the impact of any applicable front-end sales charge). The performance records of the applicable Class A Shares reflect the expenses incurred by the particular Fund’s Class A Shares. These expenses include asset-based charges (i.e., fees under Distribution and Service Plans) and other operating expenses. Total return quotations are calculated pursuant to SEC-approved methodology. The table set forth below indicates the total return (capital charges plus reinvestment of all distributions) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in each of the Funds for the periods indicated. Average Annual Total Return for the Capital Growth Fund is presented in three separate tables, including average annual total return before taxes, after taxes on distributions and after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares.

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(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Balanced Fund
  A   10/12/94-8/31/03 - Since inception     6.70 %     7.38 %     6.02 %     6.70 %
Balanced Fund
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.33 %     2.48 %     1.11 %     2.26 %
Balanced Fund
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.55 %     8.54 %     2.32 %     8.30 %
Balanced Fund
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     4.28 %     4.28 %     4.06 %     4.06 %
Balanced Fund
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.31 %     1.72 %     1.11 %     1.52 %
Balanced Fund
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.63 %     7.73 %     2.40 %     7.50 %
Balanced Fund
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     0.46 %     0.46 %     0.24 %     0.24 %
Balanced Fund
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.73 %     1.73 %     1.53 %     1.53 %
Balanced Fund
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.70 %     7.72 %     6.47 %     7.49 %
Balanced Fund
  Institutional   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       1.60 %     N/A       1.37 %
Balanced Fund
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.92 %     N/A       2.71 %
Balanced Fund
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.95 %     N/A       8.72 %
Balanced Fund
  Service   10/12/94-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       7.28 %     N/A       6.66 %
Balanced Fund
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.36 %     N/A       2.15 %
Balanced Fund
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.53 %     N/A       8.30 %
Growth and Income
  A   2/5/93-8/31/03 - Since inception     6.29 %     6.86 %     5.97 %     6.54 %
Growth and Income
  A   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     6.01 %     6.61 %     5.80 %     6.40 %
Growth and Income
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.85 %     -0.73 %     -1.87 %     -0.76 %
Growth and Income
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.29 %     8.25 %     2.25 %     8.21 %
Growth and Income
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     2.21 %     2.21 %     2.20 %     2.20 %
Growth and Income
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.88 %     -1.48 %     -1.89 %     -1.50 %
Growth and Income
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.39 %     7.43 %     2.35 %     7.39 %
Growth and Income
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -3.93 %     -3.93 %     -3.95 %     -3.95 %
Growth and Income
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.48 %     -1.48 %     -1.50 %     -1.50 %
Growth and Income
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.38 %     7.39 %     6.34 %     7.34 %
Growth and Income
  Institutional   6/3/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       3.15 %     N/A       3.13 %
Growth and Income
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.30 %     N/A       -0.32 %
Growth and Income
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.63 %     N/A       8.59 %
Growth and Income
  Service   2/5/93-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.80 %     N/A       6.66 %
Growth and Income
  Service   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       6.55 %     N/A       6.52 %
Growth and Income
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.82 %     N/A       -0.84 %
Growth and Income
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.14 %     N/A       8.10 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  A   12/31/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.12 %     0.08 %     -1.35 %     -0.15 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  A   09/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     3.65 %     9.70 %     3.53 %     9.58 %

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(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
CORE Large Cap Value
  B   12/31/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.13 %     -0.70 %     -1.36 %     -0.93 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  B   09/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     3.81 %     8.83 %     3.69 %     8.71 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  C   12/31/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.66 %     -0.66 %     -0.89 %     -0.89 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  C   09/2/02-8/31/03 - One year     7.95 %     8.95 %     7.83 %     8.83 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  Institutional   12/31/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.44 %     N/A       0.20 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  Institutional   09/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       10.03 %     N/A       9.91 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  Service   12/31/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -0.03 %     N/A       -0.26 %
CORE Large Cap Value
  Service   09/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       9.58 %     N/A       9.46 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  A   5/24/91-8/31/03 - Since inception     8.67 %     9.17 %     8.48 %     8.98 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  A   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     8.97 %     9.59 %     8.81 %     9.43 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.45 %     2.60 %     1.34 %     2.50 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     5.76 %     11.90 %     5.64 %     11.77 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     5.93 %     5.93 %     5.84 %     5.84 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.43 %     1.84 %     1.34 %     1.75 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.10 %     11.10 %     5.97 %     10.97 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     1.37 %     1.37 %     1.25 %     1.25 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.84 %     1.84 %     1.75 %     1.75 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     10.15 %     11.15 %     10.02 %     11.02 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Institutional   6/15/95-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       9.31 %     N/A       9.16 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       3.02 %     N/A       2.92 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       12.40 %     N/A       12.27 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Service   5/24/91-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       9.15 %     N/A       9.03 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Service   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       9.57 %     N/A       9.48 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.51 %     N/A       2.39 %
CORE U.S. Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       11.83 %     N/A       11.71 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  A   11/11/91-8/31/03 - Since inception     9.28 %     9.82 %     9.08 %     9.62 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  A   9/1/93 - 8/31/03 - Ten years     9.31 %     9.96 %     9.07 %     9.72 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.89 %     -0.77 %     -2.04 %     -0.92 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     7.72 %     14.02 %     7.57 %     13.87 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  B   5/1/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.13 %     1.13 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.91 %     -1.51 %     -2.05 %     -1.65 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     8.19 %     13.19 %     8.04 %     13.04 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.23 %     -1.23 %     -1.43 %     -1.43 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.49 %     -1.49 %     -1.56 %     -1.56 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     12.19 %     13.19 %     12.04 %     13.04 %

B-88


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Institutional   11/11/91-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       10.03 %     N/A       9.79 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Institutional   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       10.21 %     N/A       9.93 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.37 %     N/A       -0.65 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       14.47 %     N/A       14.32 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Service   11/11/91-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       9.75 %     N/A       9.60 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Service   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       9.88 %     N/A       9.70 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.85 %     N/A       -0.94 %
CORE Large Cap Growth
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       13.87 %     N/A       13.73 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  A   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     4.10 %     5.07 %     3.57 %     4.54 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     8.38 %     9.60 %     8.08 %     9.30 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     17.27 %     24.04 %     17.06 %     23.82 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  B   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     4.29 %     4.29 %     3.80 %     3.80 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     8.43 %     8.77 %     8.15 %     8.48 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     18.03 %     23.03 %     17.81 %     22.81 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     4.33 %     4.33 %     3.84 %     3.84 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     8.79 %     8.79 %     8.50 %     8.50 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     22.09 %     23.09 %     21.87 %     22.87 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Institutional   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.47 %     N/A       4.98 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       10.03 %     N/A       9.73 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     N/A       24.50 %     N/A       24.28 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Service   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.98 %     N/A       4.47 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       9.48 %     N/A       9.18 %
CORE Small Cap Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       23.87 %     N/A       23.65 %
CORE International Equity
  A   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -3.69 %     -2.79 %     -4.10 %     -3.20 %
CORE International Equity
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.64 %     -0.53 %     -1.78 %     -0.67 %
CORE International Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -0.80 %     5.00 %     -0.98 %     4.82 %
CORE International Equity
  B   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -3.25 %     -3.25 %     -3.63 %     -3.63 %
CORE International Equity
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.42 %     -1.02 %     -1.55 %     -1.15 %
CORE International Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -0.55 %     4.45 %     -0.72 %     4.28 %
CORE International Equity
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -3.24 %     -3.24 %     -3.62 %     -3.62 %
CORE International Equity
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.01 %     -1.01 %     -1.14 %     -1.14 %
CORE International Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     3.37 %     4.38 %     3.20 %     4.20 %
CORE International Equity
  Institutional   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -2.16 %     N/A       -2.54 %
CORE International Equity
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       0.13 %     N/A       0.00 %
CORE International Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       5.64 %     N/A       5.47 %

B-89


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
CORE International Equity
  Service   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -2.62 %     N/A       -3.02 %
CORE International Equity
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.36 %     N/A       -0.50 %
CORE International Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       5.14 %     N/A       4.96 %
Strategic Growth
  A   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -6.90 %     -5.66 %     -7.68 %     -6.45 %
Strategic Growth
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     5.99 %     12.09 %     5.80 %     11.90 %
Strategic Growth
  B   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -6.79 %     -6.35 %     -7.57 %     -7.13 %
Strategic Growth
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.19 %     11.19 %     6.01 %     11.01 %
Strategic Growth
  C   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -6.32 %     -6.32 %     -7.10 %     -7.10 %
Strategic Growth
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     10.18 %     11.18 %     9.99 %     10.99 %
Strategic Growth
  Institutional   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -5.26 %     N/A       -6.05 %
Strategic Growth
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     N/A       12.48 %     N/A       12.30 %
Strategic Growth
  Service   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -5.58 %     N/A       -6.37 %
Strategic Growth
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       12.20 %     N/A       12.01 %
Growth Opportunities
  A   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     13.57 %     15.08 %     12.60 %     14.11 %
Growth Opportunities
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     16.57 %     23.35 %     16.57 %     23.35 %
Growth Opportunities
  B   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     14.08 %     14.40 %     13.12 %     13.43 %
Growth Opportunities
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     17.40 %     22.40 %     17.40 %     22.40 %
Growth Opportunities
  C   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     14.23 %     14.23 %     13.27 %     13.27 %
Growth Opportunities
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     21.49 %     22.49 %     21.49 %     22.49 %
Growth Opportunities
  Institutional   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       15.53 %     N/A       14.55 %
Growth Opportunities
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       23.83 %     N/A       23.83 %
Growth Opportunities
  Service   5/24/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       14.94 %     N/A       13.97 %
Growth Opportunities
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       23.24 %     N/A       23.24 %
Mid Cap Value
  A   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     5.92 %     6.91 %     5.87 %     6.87 %
Mid Cap Value
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     11.19 %     12.45 %     11.15 %     12.41 %
Mid Cap Value
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.94 %     7.88 %     1.94 %     7.88 %
Mid Cap Value
  B   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     6.16 %     6.16 %     6.12 %     6.12 %
Mid Cap Value
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     11.29 %     11.60 %     11.27 %     11.58 %
Mid Cap Value
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.97 %     7.09 %     1.97 %     7.09 %
Mid Cap Value
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     6.16 %     6.16 %     6.11 %     6.11 %
Mid Cap Value
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     11.57 %     11.57 %     11.55 %     11.55 %
Mid Cap Value
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.05 %     7.07 %     6.05 %     7.07 %
Mid Cap Value
  Institutional   8/1/95-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       12.56 %     N/A       12.50 %
Mid Cap Value
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       12.86 %     N/A       12.84 %

B-90


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Mid Cap Value
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.34 %     N/A       8.34 %
Mid Cap Value
  Service   7/18/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       7.21 %     N/A       7.17 %
Mid Cap Value
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       12.32 %     N/A       12.29 %
Mid Cap Value
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       7.83 %     N/A       7.83 %
Small Cap Value
  A   10/22/92-8/31/03 - Since inception     11.04 %     11.62 %     10.84 %     11.42 %
Small Cap Value
  A   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     8.25 %     8.86 %     8.08 %     8.69 %
Small Cap Value
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     13.21 %     14.50 %     13.13 %     14.42 %
Small Cap Value
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     15.04 %     21.75 %     15.04 %     21.74 %
Small Cap Value
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     9.26 %     9.26 %     9.22 %     9.22 %
Small Cap Value
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     13.34 %     13.60 %     13.28 %     13.54 %
Small Cap Value
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     15.84 %     20.84 %     15.83 %     20.84 %
Small Cap Value
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     7.28 %     7.28 %     7.24 %     7.24 %
Small Cap Value
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     13.58 %     13.58 %     13.52 %     13.52 %
Small Cap Value
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     19.82 %     20.82 %     19.81 %     20.81 %
Small Cap Value
  Institutional   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       8.54 %     N/A       8.49 %
Small Cap Value
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       14.93 %     N/A       14.86 %
Small Cap Value
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       22.22 %     N/A       22.21 %
Small Cap Value
  Service   10/22/92-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       11.55 %     N/A       11.22 %
Small Cap Value
  Service   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       8.79 %     N/A       8.47 %
Small Cap Value
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       14.36 %     N/A       14.29 %
Small Cap Value
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       21.60 %     N/A       21.60 %
Large Cap Value
  A   12/15/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.37 %     0.14 %     -1.94 %     -0.43 %
Large Cap Value
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.82 %     7.77 %     1.77 %     7.72 %
Large Cap Value
  B   12/15/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.45 %     -0.64 %     -2.02 %     -1.21 %
Large Cap Value
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.87 %     6.92 %     1.83 %     6.87 %
Large Cap Value
  C   12/15/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.63 %     -0.63 %     -1.20 %     -1.20 %
Large Cap Value
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.02 %     7.03 %     5.98 %     6.98 %
Large Cap Value
  Institutional   12/15/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.52 %     N/A       -0.06 %
Large Cap Value
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.27 %     N/A       8.22 %
Large Cap Value
  Service   12/15/99-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.14 %     N/A       -0.44 %
Large Cap Value
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       7.74 %     N/A       7.69 %
International Equity
  A   12/1/92-8/31/03 - Since inception     3.66 %     4.21 %     3.52 %     4.07 %
International Equity
  A   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     2.54 %     3.12 %     2.42 %     3.00 %
International Equity
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -3.69 %     -2.59 %     -3.73 %     -2.64 %

B-91


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
International Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -1.03 %     4.69 %     -1.10 %     4.62 %
International Equity
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.05 %     -0.05 %     -0.12 %     -0.12 %
International Equity
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -3.47 %     -3.08 %     -3.52 %     -3.13 %
International Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -0.87 %     4.17 %     -0.94 %     4.10 %
International Equity
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -3.14 %     -3.14 %     -3.20 %     -3.20 %
International Equity
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -3.08 %     -3.08 %     -3.13 %     -3.13 %
International Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     3.15 %     4.17 %     3.08 %     4.09 %
International Equity
  Institutional   2/7/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       2.16 %     N/A       2.09 %
International Equity
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -1.97 %     N/A       -2.02 %
International Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       5.39 %     N/A       5.32 %
International Equity
  Service   12/1/92-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.32 %     N/A       3.91 %
International Equity
  Service   9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       3.24 %     N/A       2.82 %
International Equity
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -2.43 %     N/A       -2.48 %
International Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       4.93 %     N/A       4.85 %
European Equity
  A   10/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.79 %     0.36 %     -1.39 %     -0.24 %
European Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.87 %     7.74 %     0.74 %     6.60 %
European Equity
  B   10/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.56 %     -0.15 %     -1.16 %     -0.75 %
European Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.23 %     7.23 %     1.10 %     6.10 %
European Equity
  C   10/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.15 %     -0.15 %     -0.75 %     -0.75 %
European Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.09 %     7.09 %     4.96 %     5.96 %
European Equity
  Institutional   10/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.99 %     N/A       0.38 %
European Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       8.49 %     N/A       7.35 %
European Equity
  Service   10/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.54 %     N/A       -0.08 %
European Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       7.96 %     N/A       6.83 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  A   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -2.98 %     -1.95 %     -4.08 %     -3.05 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -2.00 %     -0.88 %     -3.01 %     -1.89 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -9.33 %     -4.03 %     -10.59 %     -5.29 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  B   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -2.63 %     -2.44 %     -3.73 %     -3.54 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.79 %     -1.39 %     -2.80 %     -2.40 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -9.53 %     -4.77 %     -10.79 %     -6.03 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  C   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -2.43 %     -2.43 %     -3.53 %     -3.53 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -1.38 %     -1.38 %     -2.39 %     -2.39 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     -5.60 %     -4.65 %     -6.86 %     -5.91 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  Institutional   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -1.37 %     N/A       -2.48 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.27 %     N/A       -1.30 %

B-92


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Japanese Equity Fund
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       -3.54 %     N/A       -4.82 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  Service   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -1.82 %     N/A       -2.93 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       -0.74 %     N/A       -1.76 %
Japanese Equity Fund
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       -3.86 %     N/A       -5.13 %
International Growth Opportunities
  A   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.45 %     0.61 %     -0.97 %     0.09 %
International Growth Opportunities
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     0.81 %     1.97 %     0.37 %     1.52 %
International Growth Opportunities
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     9.50 %     15.83 %     8.63 %     14.96 %
International Growth Opportunities
  B   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.04 %     0.15 %     -0.55 %     -0.37 %
International Growth Opportunities
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.07 %     1.47 %     0.62 %     1.03 %
International Growth Opportunities
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     10.11 %     15.11 %     9.24 %     14.24 %
International Growth Opportunities
  C   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     0.13 %     0.13 %     -0.39 %     -0.39 %
International Growth Opportunities
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.45 %     1.45 %     1.01 %     1.01 %
International Growth Opportunities
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     14.13 %     15.13 %     13.26 %     14.26 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Institutional   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       1.25 %     N/A       0.73 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.60 %     N/A       2.15 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       16.46 %     N/A       15.59 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Service   5/1/98-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.75 %     N/A       0.23 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.12 %     N/A       1.67 %
International Growth Opportunities
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       15.98 %     N/A       15.11 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  A   12/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -1.10 %     -0.12 %     -1.46 %     -0.48 %

B-93


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Emerging Markets Equity
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     8.58 %     9.81 %     8.29 %     9.52 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     20.90 %     28.01 %     20.70 %     27.81 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  B   12/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.75 %     -0.57 %     -1.07 %     -0.89 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03- Five years     8.93 %     9.24 %     8.70 %     9.00 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     22.29 %     27.29 %     22.08 %     27.08 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  C   12/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -0.59 %     -0.59 %     -0.91 %     -0.91 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     9.18 %     9.18 %     8.95 %     8.95 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     26.10 %     27.10 %     25.90 %     26.90 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Institutional   12/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       0.57 %     N/A       0.21 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       10.50 %     N/A       10.22 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       28.77 %     N/A       28.56 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Service   12/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -0.26 %     N/A       -0.50 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Service   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       10.16 %     N/A       9.88 %
Emerging Markets Equity
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       28.15 %     N/A       27.94 %
Asia Growth
  A   7/8/94-8/31/03 - Since inception     -4.69 %     -4.10 %     -5.26 %     -4.67 %
Asia Growth
  A   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     7.95 %     9.17 %     7.00 %     8.22 %
Asia Growth
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.29 %     8.20 %     0.76 %     6.66 %
Asia Growth
  B   5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     -8.42 %     -8.42 %     -8.98 %     -8.98 %
Asia Growth
  B   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five Years     8.36 %     8.65 %     7.41 %     7.70 %
Asia Growth
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.62 %     7.62 %     1.09 %     6.09 %
Asia Growth
  C   8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     -8.78 %     -8.78 %     -9.49 %     -9.49 %
Asia Growth
  C   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     8.62 %     8.62 %     7.67 %     7.67 %
Asia Growth
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     6.53 %     7.53 %     5.00 %     6.00 %
Asia Growth
  Institutional   2/2/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -6.55 %     N/A       -7.15 %
Asia Growth
  Institutional   9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five Years     N/A       10.03 %     N/A       9.08 %
Asia Growth
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       9.35 %     N/A       7.80 %
Research Select**
  A   6/19/00-8/31/03 - Since inception     -17.79 %     -16.33 %     -17.85 %     -16.39 %
Research Select**
  A   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     7.01 %     13.23 %     6.94 %     13.16 %
Research Select**
  B   6/19/00-8/31/03 - Since inception     -17.72 %     -16.93 %     -17.78 %     -17.00 %
Research Select**
  B   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     7.65 %     12.65 %     7.59 %     12.59 %
Research Select**
  C   6/19/00-8/31/03 - Since inception     -16.93 %     -16.93 %     -16.99 %     -16.99 %
Research Select**
  C   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     11.42 %     12.42 %     11.36 %     12.36 %
Research Select**
  Institutional   6/19/00-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       -15.96 %     N/A       -16.03 %
Research Select**
  Institutional   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One Year     N/A       13.92 %     N/A       13.85 %
Research Select**
  Service   6/19/00-8/31/03 - Since Inception     N/A       -16.37 %     N/A       -16.44 %

B-94


 

(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Research Select**
  Service   9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       13.25 %     N/A       13.18 %
Concentrated Growth
  A   9/3/02-8/31/03 - Since Inception     10.02 %***     16.40 %***     7.75 %***     14.13 %***
Concentrated Growth
  B   9/3/02-8/31/03 - Since Inception     10.60 %***     15.60 %***     8.42 %***     13.42 %***
Concentrated Growth
  C   9/3/02-8/31/03 - Since Inception     14.50 %***     15.50 %***     12.36 %***     13.36 %***
Concentrated Growth
  Institutional   9/3/02-8/31/03 - Since Inception     N/A       16.80 %***     N/A       14.50 %***
Concentrated Growth
  Service   9/3/02-8/31/03 - Since Inception     N/A       16.40 %***     N/A       14.08 %***


All returns are average annual total returns.

*   Total return reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed deferred sales charge for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years) and the assumed deferred sales charge for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase).
 
**   From June 19, 2000 to September 22, 2002, under normal circumstances, the Research Select Fund purchased only equity securities that were included in the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division’s U.S. Select List. On September 23, 2002, certain changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team and principal investment strategies became effective on September 23, 2002, and the Fund no longer invests in the U.S. Select List which has been discontinued.
 
***   Not annualized.

B-95


 

CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum   Assumes   Maximum   Assumes
        Applicable   No Sales   Applicable   No Sales
Class
  Time Period
  Sales Charge
  Charge
  Sales Charge
  Charge
A
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     10.66 %     11.13 %     10.45 %     10.92 %
A
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     8.91 %     9.52 %     8.75 %     9.37 %
A
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.24 %     2.40 %     1.20 %     2.35 %
A
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     4.47 %     10.56 %     4.38 %     10.47 %
B
  5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     7.04 %     7.04 %     7.01 %     7.01 %
B
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.21 %     1.62 %     1.17 %     1.58 %
B
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     4.75 %     9.75 %     4.67 %     9.67 %
C
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     2.59 %     2.59 %     2.55 %     2.55 %
C
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.61 %     1.61 %
C
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     8.77 %     9.77 %     8.68 %     9.68 %
Institutional
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       3.74 %     N/A       3.71 %
Institutional
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.81 %     N/A       2.77 %
Institutional
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       11.01 %     N/A       10.93 %
Service
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       11.08 %     N/A       10.87 %
Service
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       9.46 %     N/A       9.31 %
Service
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.30 %     N/A       2.26 %
Service
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       10.50 %     N/A       10.42 %

CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum   Assumes   Maximum   Assumes
        Applicable   No Sales   Applicable   No Sales
Class
  Time Period
  Sales Charge
  Charge
  Sales Charge
  Charge
A
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     8.09 %     8.54 %     7.88 %     8.33 %
A
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     6.11 %     6.71 %     5.95 %     6.55 %
A
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     0.36 %     1.50 %     0.31 %     1.45 %
A
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     4.47 %     10.56 %     4.38 %     10.47 %
B
  5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     5.25 %     5.25 %     5.22 %     5.22 %
B
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -2.75 %     0.71 %     -2.79 %     0.67 %
B
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     4.75 %     9.75 %     4.66 %     9.66 %
C
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     1.10 %     1.10 %     1.06 %     1.06 %
C
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     0.74 %     0.74 %     0.70 %     0.70 %
C
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     8.77 %     9.77 %     8.68 %     9.68 %
Institutional
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       2.26 %     N/A       2.22 %
Institutional
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       1.92 %     N/A       1.88 %
Institutional
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       11.01 %     N/A       10.92 %
Service
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       8.49 %     N/A       8.28 %
Service
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       6.64 %     N/A       6.48 %
Service
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       1.41 %     N/A       1.37 %
Service
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       10.50 %     N/A       10.41 %

B-96


 

CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN AFTER TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS AND SALE OF FUND
SHARES

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum   Assumes   Maximum   Assumes
        Applicable   No Sales   Applicable   No Sales
Class
  Time Period
  Sales Charge
  Charge
  Sales Charge
  Charge
A
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     7.93 %     8.38 %     7.72 %     8.17 %
A
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     6.15 %     6.70 %     5.99 %     6.54 %
A
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     0.90 %     1.89 %     0.85 %     1.84 %
A
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     2.90 %     6.86 %     2.81 %     6.77 %
B
  5/1/96-8/31/03 - Since inception     5.37 %     5.37 %     5.34 %     5.34 %
B
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     -2.15 %     1.23 %     -2.19 %     1.19 %
B
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     1.34 %     6.34 %     1.25 %     6.25 %
C
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     1.72 %     1.72 %     1.68 %     1.68 %
C
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     1.25 %     1.25 %     1.21 %     1.21 %
C
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     5.35 %     6.35 %     5.26 %     6.26 %
Institutional
  8/15/97-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       2.68 %     N/A       2.64 %
Institutional
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       2.23 %     N/A       2.19 %
Institutional
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       7.16 %     N/A       7.07 %
Service
  4/20/90-8/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       8.32 %     N/A       8.11 %
Service
  9/1/93-8/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       6.64 %     N/A       6.48 %
Service
  9/1/98-8/31/03 - Five years     N/A       1.80 %     N/A       1.76 %
Service
  9/1/02-8/31/03 - One year     N/A       6.83 %     N/A       6.74 %

     A Fund’s performance data will be based on historical results and will not be intended to indicate future performance. A Fund’s total return and yield will vary based on market conditions, portfolio expenses, portfolio investments and other factors. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting a Fund. The value of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than their original cost upon redemption. Performance may reflect expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced. The Trust may also, at its discretion, from time to time make a list of a Fund’s holdings available to investors upon request.

     Total return will be calculated separately for each class of shares in existence. Because each class of shares is subject to different expenses, total return with respect to each class of shares of a Fund will differ.

SHARES OF THE TRUST

     The Funds, except the CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity, CORE International Equity, Strategic Growth, Growth Opportunities, Large Cap Value, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity, Research Select and Concentrated Growth Funds, were reorganized on April 30, 1997 from series of a Maryland corporation to part of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997.

B-97


 

     The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have classified the shares of each of the Funds into five classes: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Additional series may be added in the future.

     Each Institutional Share, Service Share, Class A Share, Class B Share and Class C Share of a Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the Fund. All expenses of a Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees under Service and Shareholder Administration Plans are borne exclusively by Service Shares, fees under Distribution and Service Plans are borne exclusively by Class A, Class B or Class C Shares and transfer agency fees and expenses are borne at different rates by different share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the Internal Revenue Service. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another fund. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” below. In addition, the fees and expenses set forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed more fully in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

     Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund under a Plan for services provided to the institution’s customers.

     Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service Shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Service Shares.

     Class A Shares are sold, with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5%, through brokers and dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) and certain other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares bear the cost of distribution and service fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Class A Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Services Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Class B Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 5.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class B Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares. Class B Shares also bear the

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cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares.

     Class C Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.

     It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares (i.e., Institutional, Service, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares) to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Fund. Dividends paid by each Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same amount, except for differences caused by the differences in expenses discussed above. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.

     Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.

     When issued for the consideration described in the Funds’ Prospectuses, shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable class of the relevant Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Balanced Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (54%); Class B Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (7%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Growth and Income Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (64%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE Large Cap Value Fund: Class A Shares, IMS & Co., For the Exclusive Benefit of Various IMS Customers, P.O. Box 3865, Englewood, CO 80155-3865 (8%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust Co. fbo Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy, Omnibus a/c – CORE Large Cap Value Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (20%); State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy, Omnigus a/c – CORE Large Cap Value, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (19%) State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy a/c – CORE Large Cap Value Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston MA 02105-1713, Boston MA 02105-1713 (6%).

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     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE U.S. Equity Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (23%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust, GS Profit Sharing Master Trust, P.O. Box 1992, Boston, MA 02105 (14%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE Large Cap Growth Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (7%); Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Special Custody Account for Benefit of Customers, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 (5%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust, Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (11%); State Street Bank & Trust, fbo Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (10%); State Street Bank & Trust, fbo Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (6%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE Small Cap Equity Fund: Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust Co., 65 Profit Sharing Master Trust, Attn: Jen Consigl, 105 Rosemont Rd., Westwood, MA 02090-2318 (6%); Service Class Shares, Trustmark National Bank, fbo Various Trust Accounts, 248 E. Capital Street, Jackson, MS 39201-2503 (17%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE International Equity Fund: Class A Shares, IMS & Co., for the exclusive benefit of various IMS customers, P.O. Box 3865, Englewood, CO 80155-3865 (9%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE International Equity Fund, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (20%); State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE International Equity, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (20%); State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth, Omnibus a/c CORE International Equity, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (12%); State Street Bank & Trust Co., Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy, Omnibus a/c CORE International Equity, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (6%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Capital Growth Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones, 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (15%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Strategic Growth Fund: Class A Shares, Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, for the sole benefit of its customers, Service Team Sec # 97PR7, Goldman Sachs Funds, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 3rd Fl., Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 (12%); Service Shares, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Special Custody Account for Benefit of Customers, Attn: Mutual Funds, 9601 Panorama Circle, Mailstop DEN 2 – 02-052, Englewood, CO 80112-3441 (6%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Growth Opportunities Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones, 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (6%).

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     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Mid Cap Value Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones, 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (10%); Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Special Custody Account for Benefit of Customers, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 (6%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust, GS Profit Sharing Master Trust, P.O. Box 1992, Boston, MA 02105 (17%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Small Cap Value Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (11%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Large Cap Value Fund: Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust, GS Profit Sharing Master Trust, Attn: Lisa Duncan, 105 Rosemont Rd., Westwood, MA 02040-2318 (5%); A.G. Edwards Trust Co., fbo trust clients, P.O. Box 66734, St. Louis, MO 63166-6734 (8%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the International Equity Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (17%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the European Equity Fund: Class A Shares, Goldman Sachs & Co., fbo its customer, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (23%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Japanese Equity Fund: Class A Shares, Goldman Sachs & Co., fbo its customers, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (7%); Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, for the sole benefit of its customers, Goldman Sachs Funds, 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 3rd Fl., Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 (5%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the International Growth Opportunities Fund: Class A Shares, FTC & Co., P.O. Box 173736, Denver, CO 80217 (18%); Institutional Class Shares, Goldman Sachs & Co., fbo its customers, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (31%); Dane & Co., State Street Corp., 1200 Crown Colony Drive, 3rd Floor, Quincy, MA 02169-0938 (9%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Emerging Markets Equity Fund: Class A Shares, IMS & Co., for the exclusive benefit of various IMS customers, P.O. Box 3865, Englewood, CO 80155-3865 (7%); Institutional Class Shares, State Street Bank & Trust, fbo Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (16%); State Street Bank & Trust, fbo Goldman Sachs Growth & Income, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (16%); State Street Bank & Trust, fbo Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606-6372 (11%); Bost & Co., P.O. Box 3198, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 (9%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Asia Growth Fund: Class A Shares, Edward Jones & Co., 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (16%).

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     As of November 30, 2003 the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Research Select Fund: Class B Shares, Prudential Securities Inc., special custody account for exclusive benefit of customers, 1 New York Plaza, New York, NY 10292-00001 (6%).

     As of November 30, 2003 the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Concentrated Growth Fund: Institutional Class Shares, Wells Fargo Bank MN, N.A. FBO Alaska Railroad Corp., P.O. Box 1533, Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 (11%). Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., special custody account fbo its customers, 9601 E. Panorama Circle, Mailstop DEN2-02-052, Englewood, CO 80112-3441 (7%).

     The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. In addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class or series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim

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made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series, or class or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or series.

     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.

     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Delaware Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such Series or Class, but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.

Shareholder and Trustee Liability

     Under Delaware Law, the shareholders of the Funds are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series or the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.

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     In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the series for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

TAXATION

     The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income, and certain state and local, tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in each Fund of the Trust. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his own tax adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in each Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Additional Statement, which are subject to change.

General

     Each Fund is a separate taxable entity. Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

     There are certain tax requirements that all Funds must follow in order to avoid federal taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code requires, among other things, that (i) a Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income for its taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the “90% gross income test”); and (ii) such Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of such Fund’s total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of such Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses. For purposes of the 90% gross income test, income that a Fund earns from equity interests in certain entities that are not treated as corporations (e.g., partnerships or trusts) for U.S.

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tax purposes will generally have the same character for such Fund as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, a Fund may be required to limit its equity investments in such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other nonqualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions that are not directly related to a Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or entering into foreign currency options, futures and forward or swap contracts for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in a Fund’s portfolio or anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as “directly-related” under these tests.

     If a Fund complies with such provisions, then in any taxable year in which such Fund distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable accrued original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign exchange gains and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain,” as defined below, and is reduced by deductible expenses), and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, such Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, if a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that amount of net capital gain. Each Fund intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any net tax-exempt interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors such as the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity or Asia Growth Funds and may therefore make it more difficult for such a Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below. However, each Fund generally expects to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy such requirements from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain at corporate rates, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.

     In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the previous year that were not distributed for such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal income tax purposes, dividends declared by a

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Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are taxable to such shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year declared. Each Fund anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that they will generally not be required to pay the excise tax. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. At August 31, 2003 the following Funds had capital loss carry forwards approximating the amount indicated for federal tax purposes, expiring in the year indicated: Balanced Fund, $18,161,826 (expires 2009-2011); Growth and Income Fund, $145,891,005 (expires 2008-2011); Large Cap Value Fund, $31,091,722 (expires 2009-2011); Mid Cap Value Fund, $14,435,189 (expires 2011); CORE Large Cap Value Fund, $29,146,806 (expires 2009-2011); CORE U.S. Equity Fund, $166,451,589 (expires 2009-2011); CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, $345,842,300 (expires 2010-2011); CORE International Equity Fund, $98,697,552 (expires 2009-2011); Capital Growth Fund, $462,284,117 (expires 2010-2011); Strategic Growth Fund, $45,955,153 (expires 2010-2011); Growth Opportunities Fund, $137,871,085 (expires 2010-2011); International Equity Fund, $514,247,527 (expires 2009-2011); European Equity Fund $32,665,211 (expires 2010-2011); Japanese Equity Fund, $24,967,906 (expires 2010-2011); International Growth Opportunities Fund, $156,002,452 (expires 2009-2011); Emerging Markets Equity Fund, $37,831,876 (expires 2009-2011); Asia Growth Fund, $90,916,038 (expires 2005-2011); and Research Select Fund, $496,839,613 (expires 2009-2011). These amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains to the extent permitted by the Code and applicable tax regulations.

     Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts, options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by a Fund will be required to be “marked-to-market” for federal income tax purposes, that is, treated as having been sold at their fair market value on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into by a Fund, the Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by such Fund and the characterization of gains or losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described above applicable to options, futures and forward contracts may affect the amount, timing and character of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and/or these tax rules to certain investment practices, such as dollar rolls, or certain derivatives such as interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars and currency, total return, mortgage or index swaps may be unclear in some respects, and a Fund may therefore be required to limit its participation in such transactions. Certain tax elections may be available to a Fund to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.

     Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments that may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by a Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the

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Code were to exceed a Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foregoing currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of a Fund’s dividends being treated as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.

     A Fund’s investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any “marked-to-market” gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will generally cause it to realize income or gain prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. In order to obtain cash to enable it to distribute this income or gain, maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income or excise taxes, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold.

     Each Fund anticipates that it will be subject to foreign taxes on its income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If, as may occur for the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds, more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund would be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund that are treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations (which excludes, for example, stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes) even though not actually received by such shareholders, and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as foreign income taxes paid by them.

     If the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds make this election, their respective shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of qualified foreign taxes in computing their taxable incomes, or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of foreign taxes paid by a Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their share of such taxes in gross income if the election is made.

     If a shareholder chooses to take credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder as a result of any such election by the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity or Asia Growth Funds, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken which the shareholder’s taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder’s entire taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, distributions from long-term and short-term capital gains or foreign currency gains by a Fund will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which have different effects depending upon each shareholder’s particular tax situation, certain shareholders of the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity,

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Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity and Asia Growth Funds may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by such Fund even if the election is made by that Fund.

     Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. Each year, if any, that the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging Markets Equity or Asia Growth Funds file the election described above, shareholders will be notified of the amount of (i) each shareholder’s pro rata share of qualified foreign taxes paid by a Fund and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends which represents income from each foreign country. The other Funds will not be entitled to elect to pass foreign taxes and associated credits or deductions through to their shareholders because they will not satisfy the 50% requirement described above. If a Fund cannot or does not make this election, it may deduct such taxes in computing the amount it is required to distribute.

     If a Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require the Fund to include each year certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. Each Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

     Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for a Fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by a Fund, in the event it invests in such securities, in order to seek to eliminate or minimize any adverse tax consequences.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders - Distributions

     For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions by a Fund, whether reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash, generally will be taxable to shareholders who are subject to tax. Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of newly issued shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive cash and will have a cost basis in each share received equal to such amount divided by the number of shares received.

     In general, distributions from investment company taxable income for the year will be taxable as ordinary income. However, distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain foreign corporations after December 31, 2002 will

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generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate (described below), as long as certain other requirements are met. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholders must have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 120-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date and the Fund must also have owned the underlying stock for this same period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date for the stock. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualify for these lower rates may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities. Distributions designated as derived from a Fund’s dividend income, if any, that would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction if such Fund were not a regulated investment company may be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders. The dividends-received deduction, if available, is reduced to the extent the shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally 46 days. The dividends-received deduction may also be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities. Because eligible dividends are limited to those a Fund receives from U.S. domestic corporations, it is unlikely that a substantial portion of the distributions made by the CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Asia Growth and Emerging Markets Equity Funds will qualify for the dividends-received deduction. The entire dividend, including the deducted amount, is considered in determining the excess, if any, of a corporate shareholder’s adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase its liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, and the dividend may, if it is treated as an “extraordinary dividend” under the Code, reduce such shareholder’s tax basis in its shares of a Fund. Capital gain dividends (i.e., dividends from net capital gain) if designated as such in a written notice to shareholders mailed not later than 60 days after a Fund’s taxable year closes, will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of how long shares have been held by shareholders, but are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations. Such long-term capital gain attributable to Fund sales and exchanges occurring on or after May 6, 2003 will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (5% for those shareholders in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). Distributions, if any, that are in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, after such basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains to a shareholder who holds his shares as capital assets.

     Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain prohibited transactions is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders - Sale of Shares

     When a shareholder’s shares are sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, the shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the cash, or fair market value of any property, received. (To aid in computing its tax basis, a shareholder should generally retain its account statement for the period that it held shares). If the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset at the time of sale, the character of the gain or loss should be capital, and treated as long-term if the shareholder’s holding period is more than one year, and short-term otherwise. In general, for sales and exchanges occurring on or after May 6, 2003, the maximum long-term capital gain rate will be 15% for capital gains on assets held more than one year (5% for those shareholders in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their particular circumstances to determine whether a redemption (including an exchange) or other disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in this discussion. If a shareholder

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receives a capital gain dividend with respect to shares and such shares have a tax holding period of six months or less at the time of a sale or redemption of such shares, then any loss the shareholder realizes on the sale or redemption will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of such capital gain dividend. All or a portion of any sales load paid upon the purchase of shares of a Fund will not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent the redemption proceeds are reinvested, or the exchange is effected, without payment of an additional sales load pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. The load not taken into account will be added to the tax basis of the newly-acquired shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of such Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

     Each Fund may be required to withhold, as “backup withholding,” federal income tax at a 28% rate from dividends (including capital gain dividends) and share redemption and exchange proceeds to individuals and other non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish such Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) certified under penalties of perjury, or if the Internal Revenue Service or a broker notifies the Fund that the payee is subject to backup withholding as a result of failing to properly report interest or dividend income to the Internal Revenue Service or that the TIN furnished by the payee to the Fund is incorrect, or if (when required to do so) the payee fails to certify under penalties of perjury that it is not subject to backup withholding. A Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required TIN or certification that the TIN provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such dividends and proceeds, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. If a shareholder does not have a TIN, it should apply for one immediately by contacting its local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Backup withholding could apply to payments relating to a shareholder’s account while it is waiting receipt of a TIN. Special rules apply for certain entities. For example, for an account established under a Uniform Gifts or Transfer to Minors Act, the TIN of the minor should be furnished.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

     The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to “U.S. persons” subject to tax under such law. Shareholders who, as to the United States, are not “U.S. persons,” (i.e., are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts or estates, foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions treated as ordinary income unless the tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder. In the latter case the dividends will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic corporations. Distributions of net capital gain, including amounts retained by a Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains, to a non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions are effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. Non-U.S. shareholders may also be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on deemed income resulting from any election by CORE International Equity, International Equity, European Equity, Japanese Equity, International Growth Opportunities, Emerging

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Markets Equity or Asia Growth Funds to treat qualified foreign taxes it pays as passed through to shareholders (as described above), but they may not be able to claim a U.S. tax credit or deduction with respect to such taxes.

     Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8 BCN, W-8 ECI, W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP) or an acceptable substitute may be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate from dividends (including capital gain dividends) and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to estate tax. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of and receipt of distributions from the Funds.

State and Local

     Each Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which such Fund may be deemed to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities which have income tax laws, the treatment of such Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws, and investment in such Fund may have tax consequences for shareholders different from those of a direct investment in such Fund’s portfolio securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The audited financial statements and related reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, contained in each Fund’s 2003 Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference. The financial statements in each Fund’s Annual Report have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial highlights included in each Fund’s Annual Report for periods ending on or before August 31, 1999 were audited by the Funds’ former independent auditors. No other parts of any Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Annual Reports may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Fund’s Prospectus.

PROXY VOTING

     The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Funds. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.

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The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.

Public Equity Investments. To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.

ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.

In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.

The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Fixed Income and Private Investments. Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

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OTHER INFORMATION

     Each Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Each Fund, however, reserves the right to pay redemptions exceeding $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the time of redemption by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from such Fund. The securities distributed in kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating the Fund’s net asset value per share. See “Net Asset Value.” If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.

     The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Fund may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of such Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. Certain Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.

     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own assets, compensation to Authorized Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds and/or for the servicing of those shares. These payments (“Additional Payments”) would be in addition to the payments by the Funds described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and this Additional Statement for distribution and shareholder servicing and processing, and would also be in addition to the sales commissions payable to Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectuses. These Additional Payments may take the form of “due diligence” payments for an Intermediary’s examination of the Funds and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to the Funds; “listing” fees for the placement of the Funds on an Intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Funds; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Funds’ shares; and payments for the sale of shares and/or the maintenance of share balances. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the shareholder administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Funds. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The Additional Payments may be different for different Intermediaries. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares,

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as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable NASD regulations. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% of the amount invested.

     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing the Funds’ shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent. Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Funds are reflected in account statements from the Transfer Agent.

     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     Distribution and Service Plans. As described in the Prospectuses, the Trust has adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each Fund, distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”). See “Shareholder Guide-Distribution and Service Fees” in the Prospectus. The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds, and enable the Funds to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Funds. In addition, distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds’ operations and investments.

     The Plans for each Fund were most recently approved by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans on April 24, 2003.

     The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, per annum of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares respectively, of such Fund. Under the Plans for Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses

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so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds’ Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

     Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust will review at least quarterly, a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and expenditures were made.

     The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class, but may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Fund without payment of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Fund and affected share class. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of the Trust and no successor plan was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and their Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholders.

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The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 by each Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class A Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 274,964     $ 269,964     $ 304,187  
Growth and Income Fund
    794,740       821,176       1,123,975  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    172,010       209,840       252,999  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    821,357       1,064,674       1,450,295  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    310,676       493,748       897,013  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    179,960       134,618       127,047  
CORE International Equity Fund
    380,968       444,633       605,720  
Capital Growth Fund
    3,462,450       4,532,390       5,843,508  
Strategic Growth Fund
    318,862       310,228       272,584  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    907,973       1,158,531       782,550  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    945,970       533,594       132,340  
Small Cap Value Fund
    1,077,753       818,069       469,961  
Large Cap Value Fund
    531,232       496,023       88,353  
International Equity Fund
    1,885,790       3,835,806       5,991,909  
European Equity Fund
    145,307       278,764       580,268  
Japanese Equity Fund
    79,713       84,979       214,882  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    172,388       441,218       1,197,973  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    100,600       137,091       224,629  
Asia Growth Fund
    126,651       160,617       265,912  
Research Select Fund
    270,625       545,134       798,800  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    63,758       N/A       N/A  


1   The Class A Share class of the Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

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     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 by each Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class B Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 243,470     $ 270,391     $ 304,056  
Growth and Income Fund
    750,181       904,906       1,212,045  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    171,821       217,615       205,783  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    1,153,400       1,639,313       2,213,541  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    891,678       1,411,285       2,335,528  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    158,624       184,885       164,228  
CORE International Equity Fund
    55,226       73,281       100,872  
Capital Growth Fund
    2,212,418       3,095,070       3,893,229  
Strategic Growth Fund
    95,957       130,115       163,190  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    698,500       797,978       579,323  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    957,272       647,422       313,397  
Small Cap Value Fund
    766,905       614,781       354,818  
Large Cap Value Fund
    119,329       114,241       48,744  
International Equity Fund
    267,241       406,167       635,373  
European Equity Fund
    15,966       23,506       36,028  
Japanese Equity Fund
    14,045       19,804       35,716  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    11,311       14,922       21,369  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    12,335       14,663       17,159  
Asia Growth Fund
    26,090       34,930       47,638  
Research Select Fund
    1,362,744       2,351,692       3,087,136  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    578       N/A       N/A  


1   The Class B Share class of the Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-117


 

     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001 by each Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class C Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year   Fiscal year   Fiscal year
    ended   ended   ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 53,285     $ 64,367     $ 77,105  
Growth and Income Fund
    88,818       99,803       124,514  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    119,700       137,463       135,589  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    344,787       434,756       527,248  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    365,173       630,630       1,079,564  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    120,424       106,635       85,276  
CORE International Equity Fund
    35,978       44,562       59,158  
Capital Growth Fund
    952,934       1,230,690       1,350,820  
Strategic Growth Fund
    60,364       65,376       67,665  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    507,514       529,783       379,330  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    448,507       258,454       97,229  
Small Cap Value Fund
    541,674       300,258       115,088  
Large Cap Value Fund
    61,618       43,587       18,151  
International Equity Fund
    126,897       157,717       202,282  
European Equity Fund
    7,718       9,822       14,431  
Japanese Equity Fund
    19,414       24,838       28,613  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    13,574       16,297       24,602  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    6,981       6,943       7,811  
Asia Growth Fund
    9,490       11,145       14,607  
Research Select Fund
    644,149       1,269,306       1,667,034  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    96       N/A       N/A  


1   The Class C Share class of the Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-118


 

     During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class A Plan of each applicable Fund with Class A Shares then in existence:

                                                 
            Compensation and                   Preparation and    
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Printing and Mailing of   Distribution of Sales    
    Compensation to   Distributor and Its Sale   Telephone and Travel   Prospectuses to Other Than   Literature and    
    Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Current Shareholders
  Advertising
  Totals
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003:
                                               
 
                                               
Balanced Fund
  $ 332,307     $ 274,868     $ 278,429     $ (2,532 )   $ 44,480     $ 927,551  
Growth and Income Fund
    756,195       281,874       267,574       8,903       70,541       1,385,087  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    230,646       109,737       94,957       992       17,962       454,294  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    879,522       236,125       153,476       5,255       26,360       1,300,738  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    424,311       76,743       69,354       568       17,150       588,125  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    191,771       172,321       136,691       572       38,005       539,360  
CORE International Equity Fund
    185,888       493,305       397,560       11,374       82,817       1,170,946  
Capital Growth Fund
    3,101,622       1,321,642       735,114       42,447       178,644       5,379,469  
Strategic Growth Fund
    146,732       382,839       196,619       4,417       9,454       740,060  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    543,104       792,519       288,462       5,616       53,759       1,683,461  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    789,165       815,148       499,547       2,138       106,985       2,212,983  
Small Cap Value Fund
    797,504       877,168       447,428       7,525       107,543       2,237,169  
Large Cap Value Fund
    138,623       668,660       227,800       4,843       62,758       1,102,683  
International Equity Fund
    856,199       1,873,041       1,241,001       (15,800 )     238,938       4,193,379  
European Equity Fund
    18,430       288,852       174,627       343       36,749       519,001  
Japanese Equity Fund
    17,102       172,749       129,909       733       30,246       350,738  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    58,141       484,909       408,760       984       76,820       1,029,615  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    27,323       175,199       135,058       2,078       30,074       369,733  
Asia Growth Fund
    47,987       200,009       160,873       1,459       34,398       444,727  
Research Select Fund
    289,774       41,822       38,905       753       8,857       380,111  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    1,388       205,321       152,078       3,572       35,188       397,547  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class A Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 18 months; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-119


 

     During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class B Plan of each applicable Fund with Class B Shares then in existence:

                                                 
            Compensation and                   Preparation and    
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Printing and Mailing of   Distribution of Sales    
    Compensation to   Distributor and Its Sale   Telephone and Travel   Prospectuses to Other Than   Literature and    
    Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Current Shareholders
  Advertising
  Totals
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003:
                                               
 
                                               
Balanced Fund
  $ 387,443     $ 58,504     $ 62,414     $ (574 )   $ 9,799     $ 517,586  
Growth and Income Fund
    2,400,672       60,602       63,148       1,942       15,791       2,542,155  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    262,685       23,346       24,673       364       4,958       316,026  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    1,922,482       51,579       54,765       1,917       9,528       2,040,272  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    2,175,280       48,344       51,528       647       12,962       2,288,761  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    220,489       30,580       32,107       213       9,837       293,226  
CORE International Equity Fund
    99,787       27,705       29,913       764       5,867       164,035  
Capital Growth Fund
    4,239,774       106,330       119,830       7,202       28,978       4,502,114  
Strategic Growth Fund
    172,005       15,005       15,083       378       897       203,368  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    991,791       54,381       56,462       1,254       10,913       1,114,801  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    1,088,069       125,742       131,379       483       26,571       1,372,245  
Small Cap Value Fund
    979,980       77,549       81,432       1,178       18,731       1,158,869  
Large Cap Value Fund
    105,011       12,251       12,843       323       3,567       133,996  
International Equity Fund
    600,852       80,989       85,866       (554 )     16,595       783,747  
European Equity Fund
    38,739       9,250       9,790       69       2,174       60,021  
Japanese Equity Fund
    41,975       10,784       11,522       49       2,407       66,736  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    20,765       12,317       13,060       52       2,775       48,970  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    22,586       7,846       8,347       111       1,908       40,798  
Asia Growth Fund
    67,930       16,332       17,157       170       3,669       105,258  
Research Select Fund
    3,930,010       46,988       49,888       1,155       11,737       4,039,778  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    140       361       386       23       85       996  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 4% on Class B Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 6 years; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-120


 

     During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class C Plan of each applicable Fund with Class C Shares then in existence:

                                                 
            Compensation and                   Preparation and    
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Printing and Mailing of   Distribution of Sales    
    Compensation to   Distributor and Its Sale   Telephone and Travel   Prospectuses to Other Than   Literature and    
    Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Current Shareholders
  Advertising
  Totals
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2003:
                                               
 
                                               
Balanced Fund
  $ 45,593     $ 13,035     $ 13,909     $ (132 )   $ 1,995     $ 74,400  
Growth and Income Fund
    86,086       7,118       7,425       220       1,819       102,669  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    118,235       16,573       17,025       268       3,643       155,743  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    337,679       15,801       16,236       565       2,892       373,172  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    357,834       19,788       21,084       248       5,278       404,232  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    122,348       22,649       23,441       194       7,332       175,964  
CORE International Equity Fund
    35,235       18,098       19,524       464       4,016       77,337  
Capital Growth Fund
    969,548       46,178       51,096       3,003       12,413       1,082,238  
Strategic Growth Fund
    67,159       9,048       9,082       247       606       86,142  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    515,209       39,460       40,907       952       7,972       604,501  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    466,483       58,160       61,012       299       12,299       598,253  
Small Cap Value Fund
    569,254       54,114       56,844       1,101       13,755       695,069  
Large Cap Value Fund
    53,660       6,251       6,526       262       2,124       68,823  
International Equity Fund
    126,881       37,538       39,752       (182 )     7,965       211,953  
European Equity Fund
    9,003       4,336       4,617       44       1,124       19,125  
Japanese Equity Fund
    25,934       14,604       15,677       (71 )     3,128       59,272  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    13,683       14,792       15,657       104       3,055       47,291  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    7,049       4,357       4,630       13       996       17,046  
Asia Growth Fund
    14,248       5,698       6,059       (25 )     1,219       27,199  
Research Select Fund
    636,597       22,240       23,575       487       5,424       688,323  
Concentrated Growth Fund2
    68       260       283       14       37       662  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class C Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 1 year; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   The Concentrated Growth Fund commenced operations on September 3, 2002.

B-121


 

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES,
REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions “Shareholder Guide” and “Dividends.” Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.

Maximum Sales Charges

     Class A Shares of each Fund are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the initial offering price per share as of August 31, 2003, the maximum offering price of each Fund’s Class A Shares would be as follows:

                         
            Maximum   Offering
    Net Asset   Sales   Price to
    Value
  Charge
  Public
Balanced Fund
  $ 17.21       5.5 %   $ 18.21  
Growth and Income Fund
    19.22       5.5 %     20.34  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    22.57       5.5 %     23.88  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    9.48       5.5 %     10.03  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    10.33       5.5 %     10.93  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    11.61       5.5 %     12.29  
CORE International Equity Fund
    7.66       5.5 %     8.11  
Capital Growth Fund
    17.07       5.5 %     18.06  
Strategic Growth Fund
    7.79       5.5 %     8.24  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    17.38       5.5 %     18.39  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    25.37       5.5 %     26.85  
Small Cap Value Fund
    33.77       5.5 %     35.74  
Large Cap Value Fund
    9.86       5.5 %     10.43  
International Equity Fund
    13.41       5.5 %     14.19  
European Equity Fund
    8.23       5.5 %     8.71  
Japanese Equity Fund
    7.39       5.5 %     7.82  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    9.22       5.5 %     9.76  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    9.14       5.5 %     9.67  
Asia Growth Fund
    9.37       5.5 %     9.92  
Research Select Fund
    5.65       5.5 %     5.98  
Concentrated Growth Fund
    11.64       5.5 %     12.32  

Other Purchase Information

     If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

B-122

 


 

Right of Accumulation (Class A)

     A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase price of the new investment plus the shareholder’s current holdings of existing Class A Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of a Fund and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of $100,000 or more). Class A Shares purchased without the imposition of a sales charge may not be aggregated with Class A Shares purchased subject to a sales charge. Class A Shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, Class A Shares of the Funds and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar organizations (collectively, “eligible persons”) may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the business organization’s, group’s or firm’s agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Fund’s shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the relevant Fund at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectus.

Statement of Intention (Class A)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $50,000 of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of Intention (the “Statement”). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an “accumulation credit” toward the completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.

B-123

 


 

     The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are set forth in Appendix C to this Additional Statement.

Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

     Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of a Fund or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Service Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund or the Tax-Exempt Diversified Fund, if they hold Class A Shares of a Fund, or ILA, Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund, if they hold Class B or Class C Shares of a Fund (the “ILA Funds”).

     A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund or ILA Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Funds is available only in states where such reinvestment may legally be made.

Automatic Exchange Program

     A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of a Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund into an identical account of another Goldman Sachs Fund or an account registered in a different name or with a different address, social security or other taxpayer identification number, provided that the account in the acquired fund has been established, appropriate signatures have been obtained and the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.

Class C Exchanges

     As stated in the Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75% distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized Dealer’s customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

     A systematic withdrawal plan (the “Systematic Withdrawal Plan”) is available to shareholders of a Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.

     Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Fund at net asset value. The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the

B-124

 


 

amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under a systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.

SERVICE AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLANS
(Service Shares Only)

     The Funds have adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan (the “Plans”) with respect to the Service Shares which authorize the Funds to compensate Service Organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, each Fund enters into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Service Shares of the Fund on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the Service Organizations may perform some or all of the following services:

     (a) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (i) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (ii) acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (iii) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (iv) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (v) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Service Organization’s premises; and (vi) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Service Organization.

     (b) Shareholder administration services, including: (i) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the Service Organization’s customers; (ii) establishing and maintaining, or assist in establishing and maintaining, individual accounts and records with respect to the Service Shares owned by each customer; (iii) processing, or assist in processing, confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares; (iv) receiving and transmitting, or assist in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (v) facilitating the inclusion of accounts, products or services offered to the Service Organization’s customers by or through the Service Organization; (vi) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (vii) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.

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     As compensation for such services, each Fund will pay each Service Organization a personal and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of such Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.

     The amount of the service and shareholder administration fees paid by each Fund then in existence to Service Organizations pursuant to the Plans was as follows for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003, August 31, 2002 and August 31, 2001. Prior to January 30, 2001, the Funds had a single Service Plan which provided fees for both personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services at the same aggregate rate.

                         
    Fiscal year   Fiscal year   Fiscal year
    Ended   Ended   Ended
    August 31,   August 31,   August 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Fund
  $ 58     $ 0     $ 122  
Growth and Income Fund
    17,041       24,093       34,479  
CORE Large Cap Value Fund
    1,405       466       140  
CORE U.S. Equity Fund
    33,081       36,923       47,998  
CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
    1,838       4,521       10,754  
CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
    144,907       18,249       661  
CORE International Equity Fund
    121       99       116  
Capital Growth Fund
    28,509       41,794       55,055  
Strategic Growth Fund
    5       7       7  
Growth Opportunities Fund
    2,375       1,762       970  
Mid Cap Value Fund
    9,809       1,880       1,176  
Small Cap Value Fund
    15,821       13,605       2,035  
Large Cap Value Fund
    7       7       7  
International Equity Fund
    19,659       25,410       25,229  
European Equity Fund
    7       7       9  
Japanese Equity Fund
    5       7       10  
International Growth Opportunities Fund
    154       92       30  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund
    456       32       16  
Asia Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Research Select Fund
    57       60       90  
Concentrated Growth Fund1
    7       N/A       N/A  


1   Prior to September 3, 2002, the Concentrated Growth Fund had not offered Service Shares.

     The Funds have adopted the Service Plan but not the Shareholder Administration Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that payments to the Service Organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular, such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Service Plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Plan.

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     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plans and related Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on May 5, 2004. The Plans and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Service Plan may not be amended (but the Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the Service Shareholders of the affected Fund and all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the affected Fund’s outstanding Service Shares. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and the holders of Service Shares of the Funds.

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

     “A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

     “A-2” — Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

     “A-3” — Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — Obligations have significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “C” — Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “D” – Obligations are in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks — Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

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     Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for short-term obligations:

     “P-1” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “P-2” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “P-3” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “NP” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

     Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings apply to time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

     “F1” — Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

     “F2” — Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

     “F3” — Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

     “B” — Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “C” — Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “D” — Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

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     R-1 Prime Credit Quality

     R-2 Adequate Credit Quality

     R-3 Speculative

     All three DBRS rating categories for short-term debt use “high”, “middle” or “low” as subset grades to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area.

     “R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

     “R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.

     “R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

     “R-2 (high)”, “R-2 (middle)”, “R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “R-3 (high)”, “R-3 (middle)”, “R-3 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-3” is speculative, and within the three subset grades, the capacity for timely payment ranges from mildly speculative to doubtful. “R-3” credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with “R-3” ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings would typically be very unstable, and the

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level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

     “AAA” — An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

     “AA” — An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

     “A” — An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

     “BBB” — An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “CC” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

     “BB” — An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CCC” — An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CC” — An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

     “C” — The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

     “D” — An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not

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expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payment will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     - PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) – The ratings from “AA” through “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

     “Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

     “Aa” – Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

     “A” – Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium-grade and are subject to low credit risk.

     “Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

     “Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

     “B” – Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

     “Caa” – Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

     “Ca” – Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

     “C” – Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

     Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

     “AAA” – Securities considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

5-A

 


 

     “AA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

     “A” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

     “BBB” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

     “BB” — Securities considered to be speculative. These ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

     “B” — Securities considered to be highly speculative. These ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “CCC,” “CC” and “C” — Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. “CC” ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and “C” ratings signal imminent default.

     “DDD,” “DD” and “D” — Securities are in default. The ratings of obligations in these categories are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor.

     Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated “DDD” have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated “DD” and “D” are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated “DD” are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated “D” have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.

     PLUS (+) or MINUS (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “CCC”.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

     “AAA” — Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is

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favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.

     “AA” - Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

     “A” - Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.

     “BBB” - Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

     “BB” - Bonds rated “BB” are defined to be speculative, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the BB area typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support and, in many cases, small size or lack of competitive strength may be additional negative considerations.

     “B” - Bonds rated “B” are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty which exists as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

     “CCC” / “CC” / “C” - Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than bonds rated “B”. Bonds rated below “B” often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the “C” to “CCC” categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

     “D” - This category indicates bonds in default of either interest or principal.

     (“high,” “low”) grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in the middle of the category. Note that “high” and “low” grades are not used for the AAA category.

Municipal Note Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for municipal notes:

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     “SP-1” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

     “SP-2” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

     “SP-3” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

     Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels – MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation. The following summarized the ratings by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

     “MIG-1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

     “MIG-2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

     “MIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

     “SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

     In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade of VMIG rating.

     When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

     VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

     “VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

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     “VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “VMIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

Fitch credit ratings are an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. However, Fitch credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn.

DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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APPENDIX B

ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

The following is a summary of certain of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Investment Adviser’s Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) with respect to public equity investments. Unlike the abbreviated nature of this summary, the actual ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines address additional voting matters and provide more discussion regarding the factors that may determine ISS’s position on a matter. The Investment Adviser may diverge from the ISS guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

1.   Auditors

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

  An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent,

  Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or

  There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.
 
2.   Board of Directors
 
a.   Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining, among other factors, the following factors: composition of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance relative to a market index, and whether the chairman is also serving as a CEO.

b.   Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

c.   Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chairman to be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal.

d.   Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

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Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

3.   Shareholder Rights
 
a.   Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Vote FOR proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

b.   Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

c.   Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

d. Cumulative Voting

Vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

e.   Confidential Voting

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

4.   Proxy Contests

a.   Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the factors that include, among others, the long-term financial performance, management’s track

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record, qualifications of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

b.   Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

5.   Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill to shareholder vote or redeem it.

6.   Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions based on such features, among others, as the fairness opinion, pricing, prospects of the combined company, and the negotiating process.

7.   Reincorporation Proposals

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

8.   Capital Structure
 
a.   Common Stock Authorization

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using a model developed by ISS.

Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

b.   Dual-class Stock

Vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to create a new class of non-voting or sub-voting common stock if:

  It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders

  It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

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9.   Executive and Director Compensation

Votes with respect to equity based compensation plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The ISS methodology for reviewing compensation plans primarily focuses on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders instead of simply focusing on voting power dilution). Using the expanded compensation data disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, ISS will value every award type. ISS will include in its analyses an estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth, and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once ISS determines the estimated cost of the plan, ISS compares it to a company-specific dilution cap.

Vote AGAINST equity plans that explicitly permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.

a.   Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

Votes on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving consideration to the following:

  Historic trading patterns

  Rationale for the repricing

  Value-for-value exchange

  Option vesting

  Term of the option

  Exercise price

  Participation
 
b.   Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

  Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

  Offering period is 27 months or less; and

  Potential voting power dilution is ten percent or less.

Vote AGAINST employee stock purchase plans where any of the opposite conditions obtain.

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c.   Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information and shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote. Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

10.   Social and Environmental Issues

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business, and workplace diversity.

Generally, ISS votes CASE-BY-CASE on such proposals. However, there are certain specific topics where ISS generally votes FOR the proposal (e.g., proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards) or AGAINST the proposal (e.g., reports on foreign military sales or offsets.)

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APPENDIX C

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.

     Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.

     Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

     We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

     We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

     We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.

     We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the Firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.

     We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.

     The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.

     Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

     We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain

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the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.

     We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.

     We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.

     Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.

     Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S INVESTMENT BANKING AND SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

     Goldman Sachs is a leading financial services firm traditionally known on Wall Street and around the world for its institutional and private client services.

     With fifty offices worldwide Goldman Sachs employs over 20,000 professionals focused on opportunities in major markets.

     The number one underwriter of all international equity issues from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager of U.S. common stock offerings from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager for initial public offerings (IPOs) worldwide from 1989-2001.*

*     Source: Security Data Corporation. Common stock ranking excludes REITs, Investment Trusts and Rights. Ranking based on dollar volume issued.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

     
1869
  Marcus Goldman opens Goldman Sachs for business
 
   
1890
  Dow Jones Industrial Average first published
 
   
1896
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. joins New York Stock Exchange
 
   
1906
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Sears Roebuck & Co. public (at 97 years, the firm’s longest-standing client relationship)
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 100
 
   
1925
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. finances Warner Brothers, producer of the first talking film
 
   
1956
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-manages Ford’s public offering, the largest to date
 
   
1970
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. opens London office
 
   
1972
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 1000
 
   
1986
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Microsoft public
 
   
1988
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management is formally established
 
   
1991
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides advisory services for the largest privatization in the region of the sale of Telefonos de Mexico
 
   
1995
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces Global Tactical Asset Allocation Program
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 5000
 
   
1996
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Deutsche Telekom public
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 6000
 
   
1997
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management increases assets under management by 100% over 1996
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 7000

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1998
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $195.5 billion in assets under management
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 9000
 
   
1999
  Goldman Sachs becomes a public company
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management launches the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund; becomes the year’s second most successful new fund launch
 
   
2000
  Goldman Sachs CORESM Tax-Managed Equity Fund launches
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $298.5 billion
 
   
2001
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $100 billion in money market assets
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $306 billion
 
   
  Goldman Sachs acquires Spear, Leeds and Kellogg
 
   
2002
  Advises and services the wealth management needs of 45% of the Forbes 400*
 
   
2003
  Goldman Sachs acquires The Ayco Company, L.P., one of the oldest and largest financial planning firms in the United States
 
   
  Goldman Sachs combines its Australian operations with Australian securities firm JBWere, one of the most respected and oldest (having been founded in 1840) financial institutions in the region, to form Goldman Sachs JBWere
 
   
*
  Source: Forbes.com September 2002

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APPENDIX D

Statement of Intention
(applicable only to Class A Shares)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional shares will not apply toward the completion of the Statement of Intention.

     To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investor’s purchases within 13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agreement

     Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of shares registered in the investor’s name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released.

     If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the Transfer Agent.

1-D


 

PART B

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Service Shares
Institutional Shares
Administration Shares
Separate Account Institutional Shares

GOLDMAN SACHS ENHANCED INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS ULTRA-SHORT DURATION GOVERNMENT FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS SHORT DURATION GOVERNMENT FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS SHORT DURATION TAX-FREE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS U.S. MORTGAGES FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS INVESTMENT GRADE CREDIT FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS GLOBAL INCOME FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS HIGH YIELD FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS EMERGING MARKETS DEBT FUND
(Each a portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust)

Goldman Sachs Trust
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606

This Statement of Additional Information (the “Additional Statement”) is not a prospectus. This Additional Statement describes each of the above-referenced series of Goldman Sachs Trust. This Additional Statement should be read in conjunction with the Class A, Class B, Class C, Service, Institutional, Administration (Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund only) and Separate Account Institutional (Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages and Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Funds only) prospectuses of Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund, Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Municipal Income Fund, Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund, Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Fund, Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund, Goldman Sachs High Yield Municipal Fund, Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund, and Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund, (collectively, the “Funds” and each individually, a “Fund”), each dated February 27, 2004, as they may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectuses”). The Prospectuses may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions (“Service Organizations”) acting on behalf of their customers. Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund, Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages, Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Fund and Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund currently do not offer Class B, Class C or Service Shares and Goldman Sachs Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund currently does not offer Class B or Class C Shares.

 


 

GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

The audited financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors for each Fund (other than Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund and Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Fund), contained in each Fund’s 2003 annual report are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other portions of the Funds’ annual reports are incorporated herein by reference.

The date of this Additional Statement is February 27, 2004, as amended June 4, 2004.

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GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
   
Investment Adviser to:
   
Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund
  GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET
Goldman Sachs Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund
  Investment Adviser to:
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund
Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund
  Christchurch Court
Goldman Sachs Municipal Income Fund
  10-15 Newgate Street
Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund
  London, England EC1A7HD
Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund
   
Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Fund
  GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Goldman Sachs High Yield Municipal Fund
  Distributor
Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund
  85 Broad Street
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund
  New York, NY 10004
32 Old Slip
   
New York, New York 10005
  GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
  Transfer Agent
 
  4900 Sears Tower
 
  Chicago, Illinois 60606

Toll free (in U.S.) .......800-621-2550

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INTRODUCTION

     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997. The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have created the following series, among others: Goldman Sachs Enhanced Income Fund (“Enhanced Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund (formerly, Adjustable Rate Government Fund) (“Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund”), Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund (“Short Duration Government Fund”), Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund (“Short Duration Tax-Free Fund”), Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund (“Government Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs Municipal Income Fund (“Municipal Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund (“U.S. Mortgages Fund”), Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund (“Core Fixed Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs Investment Grade Credit Fund (“Investment Grade Credit Fund”), Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund (“Global Income Fund”), Goldman Sachs High Yield Municipal Fund (“High Yield Municipal Fund”), Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund (“High Yield Fund”), and Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund (“Emerging Markets Debt Fund”) (each referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively as the “Funds”). Each Fund other than the Global Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). The Global Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund are each a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fund are authorized to issue five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares. Enhanced Income Fund is authorized to issue three classes of shares: Class A, Administration and Institutional Shares. Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund is authorized to issue three classes of shares: Class A Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares. U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds are authorized to issue three classes of shares: Class A Shares, Institutional Shares and Separate Account Institutional Shares. Emerging Markets Debt Fund is authorized to issue two classes of shares: Class A Shares and Institutional Shares. Additional series and classes may be added in the future from time to time.

     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) (formerly Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.) , an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as the investment adviser to the Enhanced Income Fund, Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund, High Yield Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Global Income Fund. GSAM and GSAMI are each sometimes referred to herein as the “Investment Adviser” and collectively herein as the “Investment Advisers.” In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Fund’s distributor and transfer agent. Each Fund’s custodian is State Street Bank and Trust Company.

     Because each Fund’s shares may be redeemed upon request of a shareholder on any business day at net asset value, the Funds offer greater liquidity than many competing investments, such as certificates of deposit and direct investments in certain securities in which the respective Funds may invest. However, unlike certificates of deposits, shares of the Funds are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

     The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Fund’s investment policies contained in the Prospectuses. See the Prospectuses for a more complete description of each Fund’s

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investment objective and policies. Investing in the Funds entails certain risks and there is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses.

     As used in the Additional Statement, the term “Taxable Funds” refers to the Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt. The term “Tax Exempt Funds” refers to the Short Duration Tax-Free, Municipal Income and High Yield Municipal Funds.

     Experienced Management. Successfully creating and managing a portfolio of securities requires professionals with extensive experience. Goldman Sachs’ highly skilled portfolio management team brings together many years of experience in the analysis, valuation and trading of U.S. and foreign fixed-income securities.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

     Each Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be achieved. The investment objective and policies of each Fund, and the associated risks of each Fund, are discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses, which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. However, with respect to the Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds, to the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings (measured at the time of purchase), in the particular type of investment suggested by its name. With respect to the Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Municipal Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund, such Funds’ policies to invest at least 80% of their net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in tax-exempt and municipal investments, as applicable, are fundamental policies that may not be changed without shareholder approval. Additional information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold is provided below.

     Each Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Funds may be worth more or less when redeemed than when purchased. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

     The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

Enhanced Income Fund

     Enhanced Income Fund is designed for investors who seek returns in excess of traditional money market products while maintaining an emphasis on preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, primarily in a portfolio of fixed income securities, including non-mortgage-backed U.S. government securities, corporate notes and commercial paper and fixed and floating rate asset-backed securities rated, at the time of purchase, at least A by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality.

     A number of investment strategies will be used to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, including market sector selection, determination of yield curve exposure, and issuer selection. In addition, the

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Investment Adviser will attempt to take advantage of pricing inefficiencies in the fixed-income markets. Market sector selection is the underweighting or overweighting of one or more of the four market sectors (i.e., U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agencies, corporate securities and asset-backed securities) in which the Fund primarily invests. The decision to overweight or underweight a given market sector is based on expectations of future yield spreads between different sectors. Yield curve exposure strategy consists of overweighting or underweighting different maturity sectors to take advantage of the shape of the yield curve. Issuer selection is the purchase and sale of corporate securities based on a corporation’s current and expected credit standing. To take advantage of price discrepancies between securities resulting from supply and demand imbalances or other technical factors, the Fund may simultaneously purchase and sell comparable, but not identical, securities. The Investment Adviser will usually have access to the research of, and proprietary technical models developed by, Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among the categories of issuers and types of securities.

     The Fund’s overall returns are generally likely to move in the opposite direction as interest rates. Therefore, when interest rates decline, the Fund’s return is likely to increase. Conversely, when interest rates increase, the Fund’s return is likely to decline. In exchange for accepting a higher degree of share price fluctuation, investors have the potential to achieve a higher return from the Fund than from shorter-term investments.

     In determining the maturity of an instrument, the Fund will treat the remaining maturity of a newly-issued security as five years in situations where the original maturity of the security exceeds that period by not more than forty-five days. In addition, a fixed income instrument that has a mandatory put or call feature that provides that the Fund will receive payment of the principal amount of the instrument from the issuer and/or an investment banker at a specified future date will be deemed to have a remaining maturity ending on that date, even though the stated final maturity of the instrument is later than the put or call date.

     Preservation of Capital. Enhanced Income Fund seeks to reduce principal fluctuation by maintaining a target duration equal to that of a six-month U.S. Treasury Bill (to One-Year Treasury Note Index) and an approximate interest rate sensitivity of a nine-month U.S. Treasury Bill, as well as utilizing certain interest rate hedging techniques. There is no assurance that these strategies will be successful.

     Liquidity. Because the Fund’s shares may be redeemed upon request of a shareholder on any business day at net asset value, the Fund offers greater liquidity than many competing investments such as certificates of deposit and direct investments in certain securities in which the Fund may invest.

     A Sophisticated Investment Process. Enhanced Income Fund will attempt to control its exposure to interest rate risk, including overall market exposure and the spread risk of particular sectors and securities, through active portfolio management techniques. The Fund’s investment process starts with a review of trends for the overall economy as well as for different sectors of the fixed-income securities markets. Goldman Sachs’ portfolio managers then analyze yield spreads, implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. In planning the Fund’s portfolio investment strategies, the Investment Adviser is able to draw upon the economic and fixed-income research resources of Goldman Sachs. The Investment Adviser will use a sophisticated analytical process including Goldman Sachs’ option-adjusted spread model to assist in structuring and maintaining the Fund’s investment portfolio. In determining the Fund’s investment strategy and making market timing decisions, the Investment Adviser will have access to input from Goldman Sachs’ economists and fixed-income analysts.

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Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund and Short Duration Government Fund

     Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income, consistent with low volatility of principal. Short Duration Government Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income and secondarily, in seeking current income, may also wish to consider the potential for capital appreciation. Both Funds are appropriate for investors who seek the high credit quality of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”), without incurring the administrative and accounting burdens involved in direct investment.

     Market and economic conditions may affect the investments of the Ultra-Short Duration Government and Short Duration Government Funds differently than the investments normally purchased by other types of fixed-income investors. Relative to U.S. Treasury and non-fluctuating money market instruments, the market value of adjustable rate mortgage securities in which Ultra-Short Duration Government and Short Duration Government Funds may invest may be adversely affected by increases in market interest rates. Conversely, decreases in market interest rates may result in less capital appreciation for adjustable rate mortgage securities in relation to U.S. Treasury and money market investments.

     High Current Income. Ultra-Short Duration Government and Short Duration Government Funds seek a higher current yield than that offered by money market funds or by bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts. However, the Ultra-Short Duration Government and Short Duration Government Funds do not maintain a constant net asset value per share and are subject to greater fluctuations in the value of their shares than a money market fund. Unlike bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts, investments in shares of the Funds are not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. The Ultra-Short Duration Government and Short Duration Government Funds each seek to provide such high current income without sacrificing credit quality.

     Relative Low Volatility of Principal. Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund seeks to minimize net asset value fluctuations by investing primarily in U.S. Government Securities (including securities representing an interest in or collateralized by adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage loans) and by maintaining a maximum duration of two years and a target duration equal to that of a Six-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index to One-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index. This Fund utilizes certain active management techniques to seek to hedge interest rate risk. Short Duration Government Fund seeks to minimize net asset value fluctuations by utilizing certain interest rate hedging techniques and by maintaining a maximum duration of not more than three years. The duration target of Short Duration Government Fund is that of the 2-year U.S. Treasury Note Index plus or minus 0.5 years. There is no assurance that these strategies for Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund and Short Duration Government Fund will be successful.

     Professional Management and Administration. Investors who invest in securities of the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and other mortgage-backed securities may prefer professional management and administration of their mortgage-backed securities portfolios. A well-diversified portfolio of such securities emphasizing minimal fluctuation of net asset value requires significant active management as well as significant accounting and administrative resources. Members of Goldman Sachs’ highly skilled portfolio management team bring together many years of experience in the analysis, valuation and trading of U.S. fixed-income securities.

Government Income Fund

     Government Income Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income, consistent with safety of principal and the high credit quality of U.S. Government Securities, without incurring the administrative and account burdens involved in direct investment.

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     Government Income Fund’s overall returns are generally likely to move in the opposite direction from interest rates. Therefore, when interest rates decline, Government Income Fund’s return is likely to increase. In exchange for accepting a higher degree of share price fluctuation, investors have the potential to achieve a higher return from Government Income Fund than from shorter-term investments.

     High Current Income. Government Income Fund is designed to have a higher current yield than a money market fund, since it can invest in longer-term, higher yielding securities, and may utilize certain investment techniques not available to a money market fund. Similarly, Government Income Fund’s yield is expected to exceed that offered by bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts. However, Government Income Fund does not maintain a constant net asset value per share and is subject to greater fluctuation in the value of its shares than a money market fund. Unlike bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts, investments in shares of Government Income Fund are not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. Government Income Fund seeks to provide high current income without, however, sacrificing credit quality.

     Liquidity. Because Government Income Fund’s shares may be redeemed upon request of a shareholder on any business day at net asset value, Government Income Fund offers greater liquidity than many competing investments such as certificates of deposit and direct investments in certain securities in which Government Income Fund may invest.

     A Sophisticated Investment Process. Government Income Fund’s investment process starts with a review of trends for the overall economy as well as for different sectors of the U.S. government and mortgage-backed securities markets. Goldman Sachs’ portfolio managers then analyze yield spreads, implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. In planning Government Income Fund’s portfolio investment strategies, the Investment Adviser is able to draw upon the economic and fixed-income research resources of Goldman Sachs. The Investment Adviser will use a sophisticated analytical process involving Goldman Sachs’ proprietary mortgage prepayment model and option-adjusted spread model to structure and maintain the Government Income Fund’s investment portfolio. In determining the Government Income Fund’s investment strategy and in making market timing decisions, the Investment Adviser will have access to information from Goldman Sachs’ economists, fixed-income analysts and mortgage specialists.

     Convenience of a Fund Structure. Government Income Fund eliminates many of the complications that direct ownership of U.S. Government Securities and mortgage-backed securities entails. Government Income Fund automatically reinvests all principal payments within the Fund and distributes only current income each month, thereby conserving principal and eliminating the investor’s need to segregate and reinvest the principal portion of each payment on his own.

Short Duration Tax-Free, Municipal Income and High Yield Municipal Funds

     The Tax Exempt Funds are not money market funds. Short Duration Tax-Free Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income, consistent with relatively low volatility of principal, that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal Income Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income that is exempt from regular federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. High Yield Municipal Fund is designed for investors who seek a high level of current income that is exempt from regular federal income taxes as well as the potential for capital appreciation. The Tax Exempt Funds are appropriate for investors who seek to invest in fixed-income securities issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and the political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities thereof (“Municipal Securities”) and who are able to accept greater risk with the possibility of higher returns than investors in municipal money market funds. While municipal money market funds almost always maintain a constant net asset value, they must meet stringent

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high quality credit standards, their portfolios must be broadly diversified and their portfolio securities must have remaining maturities of 397 days or less. An example of an “eligible” investment for the Tax Exempt Funds is an auction rate Municipal Security. These securities generally have higher yields than money market Municipal Securities, but are, in many cases, not eligible investments for municipal money market funds.

     In addition, unlike a municipal money market fund, the Tax Exempt Funds’ increased investment flexibility permits their portfolios to be more easily adjusted to reflect the shape of the current yield curve as well as to respond to anticipated developments that might affect the shape of the yield curve.

     The Municipal Securities in which the Short Duration Tax-Free and Municipal Income Funds invest will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least BBB or Baa by an NRSRO or, if unrated, will be determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. Municipal Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capability to pay interest and repay principal. Municipal Income Fund will have a weighted average credit quality equal to A for securities rated by an NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. High Yield Municipal Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) (measured at the time of purchase) in high-yield Municipal Securities rated, at the time of purchase, BBB or Baa or lower by a NRSRO or, if unrated, will be determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. See also “High Yield Fund – Return on and Risks of High Yield Securities” for a discussion of risks that are generally applicable to High Yield Municipal Fund. The credit rating assigned to Municipal Securities may reflect the existence of guarantees, letters of credit or other credit enhancement features available to the issuers or holders of such Municipal Securities.

     Investors who wish to invest in Municipal Securities may find that a mutual fund structure offers some important advantages when compared to investing in individual Municipal Securities, including:

  The ratings given to Municipal Securities by the rating organizations are difficult to evaluate. For example, some Municipal Securities with relatively low credit ratings have yields comparable to Municipal Securities with much higher ratings. The credit research professionals at Goldman Sachs closely follow market events and are well positioned to judge current and expected credit conditions of municipal issuers;
 
  Because of the relative inefficiency of the secondary market in Municipal Securities, the value of an individual municipal security is often difficult to determine. As such, investors may obtain a wide range of different prices when asking for quotes from different dealers. In addition, a dealer may have a large inventory of a particular issue that it wants to reduce. Obtaining the best overall prices can require extensive negotiation, which is a function performed by the portfolio manager; and
 
  Market expertise is also an important consideration for municipal investors, and because the Tax Exempt Funds may take relatively large positions in different securities, the Tax Exempt Funds may be able to obtain more favorable prices in the Municipal Securities market than investors with relatively small positions.

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U.S. Mortgages Fund

Philosophy

     The U.S. Mortgages Fund seeks a high level of total return consisting of income and capital appreciation. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, in securities representing direct or indirect interests in or that are collateralized by Mortgage-Backed Securities. Although the Investment Adviser considers macroeconomic trends - including the Investment Adviser’s expectations about interest rate trends and whether the curve will be flattening or steepening—the Investment Adviser’s investment approach to mortgages is mainly based on analyses of mortgage prepayments and measures of relative value.

     Much of the research focus is on understanding model risk, which requires the Investment Adviser to understand how popular prepayment models are biased under different market scenarios. The Investment Adviser constructs a view which attempts to gauge how popular prepayment models will predict prepay activity across the broad spectrum of different mortgage instruments which spans all the major fixed-rate, single family mortgage sectors - level-pay and balloon, agency and non-agency. The Investment Adviser develops an independent view of how these popular models may not have kept up with recent changes in the individual homeowner’s decision process. For example, there have been material changes over the last decade in the way in which homeowners have access to mortgage refinancing: from the evolution of the mortgage broker market to access via internet applications to current trends in underwriters soliciting their own mortgage holder base for refinancing. The Investment Adviser’s intent is to understand these changes and exploit them in its trading activity. The focus throughout is to uncover model predictive bias with respect to borrower behaviour and the decision-making of refinancing.

     Additionally, the Investment Adviser accesses and dissects individual mortgage pool information, which it believes can deliver an informational advantage under certain trading conditions.

     The Investment Adviser’s data-set distinguishes on the basis of mortgage characteristics such as loan type, coupon, pool originator, underwriter standards, prepay penalties, vintage, and dollar balance, as well as by environmental variables including interest rates and origination points (for the entire term structure of mortgage alternatives including level pay, balloon and adjustable rate), housing values, recording-tax rates and relevant government regulations – which are significant elements affecting the prepayment decision. These decisions are incorporated into trading decisions about which mortgages to hold and which to avoid.

     Specifically, the Fund the Investment Adviser expects to implement several investment strategies, as described below:

     Sector/Subsector Strategies: The sector strategy would 1) attempt to take advantage of potential changes in general spread levels by overweighting and underweighting the spread duration of the portfolio relative to the index and 2) allocate risk among the different sectors in the mandate: passthroughs, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), Treasuries. The subsector strategy would allocate risk among the different subsectors in each sector: e.g. passthroughs whether to own GNMA vs. conventionals.

     Security Selection: The Investment Adviser’s security selection strategy represents relative value investing. The Investment Adviser’s specialist team focuses on 1) finding the most attractive securities to place in the investment portfolios and 2) avoiding the least attractive securities in the index.

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     Among the Investment Adviser’s security selection strategies are:

1) Seasoning Strategies: The Investment Adviser believes that the market does not always correctly price the seasoning of a bond and its tendency to prepay in the future. By identifying these mispriced bonds, the Investment Adviser can construct a portfolio with more attractive interest rate sensitivity than that of the index.

2) Coupon Selection: By combining the Investment Adviser’s fundamental market views with the Investment Adviser’s quantitative models, the Investment Adviser believes that it can take advantage of potential mispricings across coupons. The Investment Adviser also believes that there are opportunities to generate absolute returns by monitoring the embedded delivery options in the To-Be-Allocated (“TBA”) market and by understanding the implied financing rate in TBA market for each coupon.

3) CMO vs. Passthrough Selection: There are often opportunities in the market to replicate passthrough securities by purchasing CMOs. This strategy may benefit an investment portfolio in two ways. First, it might be possible to purchase the replicating CMOs at a lower price than the passthrough. Second, the replicating CMOs may have the same price as the passthrough but have more attractive interest rate sensitivity characteristics.

Security Weighting: The Investment Adviser scales its positions as a function of the expected return and risk of the trade. Generally riskier trades will have smaller positions and less risky trades will have larger positions. For example, the Investment Manager may cap the exposure from issuers in a particular rating category. This scaling occurs as a result of the Investment Adviser’s risk managed approach. When sizing the trade the Investment Adviser will consider its impact upon the tracking error of the investment portfolio and also the trades relative attractiveness to other perceived opportunities.

Yield Curve and Duration Management: These strategies attempt to take advantage of changes in the shape of the yield curve and the level of rates. While the Investment Adviser believes that it can add excess return through yield curve and duration management, the Investment Adviser also believes that within the context of the U.S. Mortgages Fund, these strategies contribute less to total return than other strategies. As a result the Investment Adviser expects to take less risk in this area.

     Consistent with the Investment Adviser’s overall fixed income investment philosophy for mortgage-backed security portfolios, the Investment Adviser actively manages mortgage portfolios within a risk-managed framework. The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but should not be confused with and does not imply low risk.

Core Fixed Income Fund

     Core Fixed Income Fund is designed for investors seeking a total return consisting of capital appreciation and income that exceeds the total return of the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”), without incurring the administrative and accounting burdens involved in direct investment. Such investors also prefer liquidity, experienced professional management and administration, a sophisticated investment process, and the convenience of a mutual fund structure. Core Fixed Income Fund may be appropriate as part of a balanced investment strategy consisting of stocks, bonds and cash or as a complement to positions in other types of fixed-income investments.

     The Index currently includes U.S. Government Securities and fixed-rate, publicly issued, U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (if a Moody’s rating is unavailable, the comparable Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“Standard & Poor’s”)

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rating is used). The securities currently included in the Index have at least one year remaining to maturity; have an outstanding principal amount of at least $150 million; and are issued by the following types of issuers, with each category receiving a different weighting in the Index: U.S. Treasury; agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S. government; issuers of mortgage-backed securities; utilities; industrial issuers; financial institutions; foreign issuers; and issuers of asset-backed securities. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund uses the Index as its performance benchmark, but the Fund will not attempt to replicate the Index. The Fund may, therefore, invest in securities that are not included in the Index. The Index is a trademark of Lehman Brothers. Inclusion of a security in the Index does not imply an opinion by Lehman Brothers as to its attractiveness or appropriateness for investment. Although Lehman Brothers obtains factual information used in connection with the Index from sources which it considers reliable, Lehman Brothers claims no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of such information and has no liability to any person for any loss arising from results obtained from the use of the Index data.

     Core Fixed Income Fund’s overall returns are generally likely to move in the opposite direction from interest rates. Therefore, when interest rates decline, Core Fixed Income Fund’s return is likely to increase. Conversely, when interest rates increase, Core Fixed Income Fund’s return is likely to decline. However, the Investment Adviser believes that, given the flexibility of managers to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities, Core Fixed Income Fund’s return is not likely to decline as quickly as that of other fixed-income funds with a comparable average portfolio duration. In exchange for accepting a higher degree of potential share price fluctuation, investors have the opportunity to achieve a higher return from Core Fixed Income Fund than from shorter-term investments.

     A number of investment strategies will be used to achieve the Core Fixed Income Fund’s investment objective, including market sector selection, determination of yield curve exposure, and issuer selection. In addition, the Investment Adviser will attempt to take advantage of pricing inefficiencies in the fixed-income markets. Market sector selection is the underweighting or overweighting of one or more of the five market sectors (i.e., U.S. Treasuries, U.S. government agencies, corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities) in which the Fund primarily invests. The decision to overweight or underweight a given market sector is based on expectations of future yield spreads among different sectors. Yield curve exposure strategy consists of overweighting or underweighting different maturity sectors to take advantage of the shape of the yield curve. Issuer selection is the purchase and sale of corporate securities based on a corporation’s current and expected credit standing. To take advantage of price discrepancies between securities resulting from supply and demand imbalances or other technical factors, the Fund may simultaneously purchase and sell comparable, but not identical, securities. The Investment Adviser will usually have access to the research of, and proprietary technical models developed by, Goldman Sachs and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among the categories of issuers and types of securities.

     A Sophisticated Investment Process. Core Fixed Income Fund will attempt to control its exposure to interest rate risk, including overall market exposure and the spread risk of particular sectors and securities, through active portfolio management techniques. Core Fixed Income Fund’s investment process starts with a review of trends for the overall economy as well as for different sectors of the fixed-income securities markets. Goldman Sachs’ portfolio managers then analyze yield spreads, implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. In planning Core Fixed Income Fund’s portfolio investment strategies, the Investment Adviser is able to draw upon the economic and fixed-income research resources of Goldman Sachs. The Investment Adviser will use a sophisticated analytical process including Goldman Sachs’ proprietary mortgage prepayment model and option-adjusted spread model to assist in structuring and maintaining Core Fixed Income Fund’s investment portfolio. In determining Core Fixed Income Fund’s investment strategy and making market timing decisions, the Investment Adviser will have access to input from Goldman Sachs’ economists, fixed-income analysts and mortgage specialists.

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Investment Grade Credit Fund

     The Fund seeks a high level of total return consisting of capital appreciation and income that exceeds the total return of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade fixed income securities.

     The Fund’s strategy employs a process that combines both a top-down and bottom-up analysis to evaluate companies. The Investment Adviser relies primarily on sub-sector/industry allocation and security selection strategies in seeking to generate incremental return relative to the selected benchmark. To a lesser degree, the Investment Adviser also implements duration and yield curve management strategies.

     The Investment Adviser’s strategy for the Fund is based on maximizing its understanding of the factors that drive performance. The Investment Adviser’s security selection process begins with an analysis of the fundamentals of a given company and its industry, and goes on to include broader market factors as well as technical and execution issues. The Investment Adviser has organized its group to incorporate these elements into a process that pulls together the input of specialists within a collaborative framework. Portfolio managers and analysts sit on the trading desk together. This facilitates the frequent conversation between the various members of the corporate bond team.

     Fundamental research is performed by a global high grade research group with parts of the teams in New York and London. The Investment Adviser established this group to ensure comprehensive research into high grade credits, which may be overlooked by firms with only one credit research team. The Investment Adviser’s analysts develop investment rationales incorporating their assessment of a company’s return potential and risks.

     The discussion of investment ideas goes beyond fundamentals to incorporate the broader market views of the portfolio managers. Investment grade corporates are strongly affected by such factors as comparative industry trends, the economy and general overall trends in coverage and leverage ratios. These factors can have a significant impact on performance. The portfolio managers bring their awareness of these factors as a crucial input in the formulation of investment ideas.

     A final element of the process incorporates technical and execution issues. Adding value requires close attention to execution issues including market levels and the new issuance calendar. It is also crucial to stay apprised of dealer activity; being aware of which bonds are being traded by particular dealers promotes efficient trading, which plays directly through to better performance. The Investment Adviser’s traders help in this regard.

     The Investment Adviser’s process is enhanced by the full integration of its New York and London corporate bond teams. While the teams are focused on issue selection in their respective markets, they are able to leverage their peers’ insights to develop broader, better-informed credit views than they could on their own. This integration extends to the portfolio managers, who also develop views on market and industry trends jointly. In addition to helping the Investment Adviser to develop fuller investment views, this integration can also allow it to exploit structural inefficiencies that arise when global corporate issues are priced differently in different currencies.

Global Income Fund

     Global Income Fund is designed for investors seeking high total return, emphasizing current income and, to a lesser extent, opportunities for capital appreciation. However, investing in the Fund involves certain risks, and there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The securities in which the Fund invests will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least BBB or Baa by a NRSRO or, if unrated, will

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be determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. However, at least 50% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities having a rating from an NRSRO of AAA or Aaa at the time of purchase, or if unrated, will be determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capability to pay interest and repay principal.

     In selecting securities for the Fund, portfolio managers consider such factors as the security’s duration, sector and credit quality rating as well as the security’s yield and prospects for capital appreciation. In determining the countries and currencies in which the Fund will invest, the Fund’s portfolio managers form opinions based primarily on the views of Goldman Sachs’ economists as well as information provided by securities dealers, including information relating to factors such as interest rates, inflation, monetary and fiscal policies, taxation, and political climate. The portfolio managers apply the Black-Litterman Model (the “Model”) to their views to develop a portfolio that produces, in the view of the Investment Adviser, the optimal expected return for a given level of risk. The Model factors in the opinions of the portfolio managers, adjusting for their level of confidence in such opinions, with the views implied by an international capital asset pricing formula. The Model is also used in seeking to maintain the level of portfolio risk within the guidelines established by the Investment Adviser.

     High Income. Global Income Fund’s portfolio managers will seek out the highest yielding bonds in the global fixed-income market that meet the Global Income Fund’s credit quality standards and certain other criteria.

     Capital Appreciation. Investing in the foreign bond markets offers the potential for capital appreciation due to both interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. The portfolio managers attempt to identify investments with appreciation potential by carefully evaluating trends affecting a country’s currency as well as a country’s fundamental economic strength. However, there is a risk of capital depreciation as a result of unanticipated interest rate and currency fluctuations.

     Portfolio Management Flexibility. Global Income Fund is actively managed. The Fund’s portfolio managers invest in countries that, in their judgment, meet the Fund’s investment guidelines and often have strong currencies and stable economies and in securities that they believe offer favorable performance prospects.

     Relative Stability of Principal. Global Income Fund may be able to reduce principal fluctuation by investing in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States and in foreign securities markets that do not necessarily move in the same direction or magnitude as the U.S. market. Investing in a broad range of U.S. and foreign fixed-income securities and currencies reduces the dependence of the Fund’s performance on developments in any particular market to the extent that adverse events in one market are offset by favorable events in other markets. The Fund’s policy of investing primarily in high quality securities may also reduce principal fluctuation. However, there is no assurance that these strategies will always be successful.

     Professional Management. Individual U.S. investors may prefer professional management of their global bond and currency portfolios because a well-diversified portfolio requires a large amount of capital and because the size of the global market requires access to extensive resources and a substantial commitment of time.

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High Yield Fund

     High Yield Fund’s Investment Process. High Yield Fund is appropriate for investors who seek a high level of current income and who also may wish to consider the potential for capital appreciation. A number of investment strategies are used to seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, including market sector selection, determination of yield curve exposure and issuer selection. In addition, the Investment Adviser will attempt to take advantage of pricing inefficiencies in the fixed-income markets. GSAM starts the investment process with economic analysis to determine broad growth trends, industry-specific events and market forecasts. The market value of non-investment grade fixed-income securities tends to reflect individual developments within a company to a greater extent than higher rated corporate debt or Treasury bonds that react primarily to fluctuations in interest rates. Therefore, determining the creditworthiness of issuers is critical. To that end, High Yield Fund’s portfolio managers have access to Goldman Sachs highly regarded Credit Research and Global Investment Research Departments, as well as analysis from the firm’s High Yield Research Group, a dedicated group of 15 professionals in the high yield and emerging market corporate bond research area, consisting of industry and regional market specialists. In addition, the Fund’s portfolio managers may review the opinions of the two largest independent credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. High Yield Fund’s portfolio managers and credit analysts also conduct their own in-depth analysis of the issues considered for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio. The portfolio managers and credit analysts evaluate such factors as a company’s competitive position, the strength of its balance sheet, its ability to withstand economic downturns and its potential to generate ample cash flow to service its debt. The ability to analyze accurately a company’s future cash flow by correctly anticipating the impact of economic, industry-wide and specific events are critical to successful high yield investing. GSAM’s goal is to identify companies with the potential to strengthen their balance sheets by increasing their earnings, reducing their debt or effecting a turnaround. GSAM analyzes trends in a company’s debt picture (i.e., the level of its interest coverage) as well as new developments in its capital structure on an ongoing basis. GSAM believes that this ongoing reassessment is more valuable than relying on a “snapshot” view of a company’s ability to service debt at one or two points in time.

     High Yield Fund’s portfolio is diversified among different sectors and industries on a global basis in an effort to reduce overall risk. While GSAM will avoid excessive concentration in any one industry, the Fund’s specific industry weightings are the result of individual security selection. Emerging market debt considered for the High Yield Fund’s portfolio will be selected by specialists knowledgeable about the political and economic structure of those economies.

     Return on and Risks of High Yield Securities. High yield bonds can deliver higher yields and total return than either investment grade corporate bonds or U.S. Treasury bonds. However, because these non-investment grade securities involve higher risks in return for higher income, they are best suited to long-term investors who are financially secure enough to withstand volatility and the risks associated with such investments. See “Description of Investment Securities and Practices.” Different types of fixed income securities may react differently to changes in the economy. High yield bonds, like stocks, tend to perform best when the economy is strong, inflation is low and companies experience healthy profits, which can lead to higher stock prices and higher credit ratings. Government bonds are likely to appreciate more in a weaker economy when interest rates are declining. In certain types of markets, adding some diversification in the high yield asset class may help to increase returns and decrease overall portfolio risk.

     For high yield, non-investment grade securities, as for most investments, there is a direct relationship between risk and return. Along with their potential to deliver higher yields and greater capital appreciation than most other types of fixed-income securities, high yield securities are subject to higher risk of loss, greater volatility and are considered speculative by traditional investment standards. The most significant risk associated with high yield securities is credit risk: the risk that the company issuing a high yield security may have difficulty in meeting its principal and/or interest payments on a timely basis. As a result, extensive

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credit research and diversification are essential factors in managing risk in the high yield arena. To a lesser extent, high yield bonds are also subject to interest rate risk: when interest rates increase, the value of fixed income securities tends to decline.

Emerging Markets Debt Fund

     The Emerging Markets Debt Fund seeks a high level of total return consisting of income and capital appreciation. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, in fixed-income securities of issuers located in Emerging Countries. The Investment Adviser’s Emerging Markets Debt (“EMD”) investment philosophy strives to generate returns through an active, research-intensive, risk-managed approach. The Investment Adviser seeks to add value through country allocation, security selection, and market exposure strategies.

     The Investment Adviser believes that active management focused on fundamental research is critical for achieving long-term value for its clients’ portfolios. Emerging market debt can offer an attractive risk/return profile for investors who have the proper resources and experience to exploit the myriad opportunities in the market. The Investment Adviser’s process is built on fundamental analysis of emerging market countries and securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser’s process focuses on risk-adjusted returns, as the Investment Adviser believes that risk can have a material impact on long-term investment results. As a result, the Investment Adviser diversifies across sovereign credits and employs proprietary tools to manage overall portfolio risks.

Portfolio Construction

     Currently, the Investment Adviser’s EMD strategy invests significantly in emerging market sovereign issues. As such, country selection is believed to be the most important factor in the portfolio construction process. The next most important factor is market exposure, where the Investment Adviser evaluates macro developments and assesses the net flows within countries. Another element in the portfolio construction process is security selection.

     Analysis of emerging market debt involves an understanding of the finances, political events, and macroeconomic condition of a country. The Investment Adviser’s research analysts analyze the “balance sheets” of the countries they follow. This may include evaluating factors such as balance of payments, tax revenues, and external and domestic debt. They also assess macroeconomic measures, which may included inflation, interest rates, growth prospects, and monetary policy. For some emerging market debt countries, politics is the key driver of performance. As a result, the Investment Adviser’s research analysts may spend a significant portion of their time following the political developments of the countries they cover.

     Fundamental analysis is combined with valuation techniques to determine relative value of securities. Although the Investment Adviser may believe a security is attractive from a fundamental point of view, the Investment Adviser may not believe the spread level is attractive relative to other credits. As a result, even if the Investment Adviser likes a country’s fundamentals, the Investment Adviser may not invest in it due to its valuation. Likewise, the Investment Adviser may believe that a certain country’s fundamentals are less positive but may invest in the country because the Investment Adviser believes the spread offers significant compensation for the additional risk.

     Using a variety of proprietary models, the Investment Adviser selects and sizes credits based on perceived relative value opportunities. The Investment Adviser also uses these tools in an effort to anticipate and manage portfolio risks.

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Types of Securities Used

     Emerging market debt comprises fixed income securities issued mainly by governments, but also by quasi-sovereigns and corporations, of developing countries.

     As of the date of this Additional Statement, almost all securities held in the Emerging Markets Debt Fund were sovereign issues. The Investment Adviser typically expresses its view on a relative-to-benchmark basis, overweighting those securities the Investment Adviser believes will outperform and underweighting those countries the Investment Adviser believes will underperform.

     The types of financial instruments used in the Emerging Markets Debt Fund include Eurobonds, Brady bonds, tradable bank loans, local bonds, and other securities, which can include their associated derivatives.

     The EMD team may invest in liquid, long duration, sovereign securities and employ active trading strategies that exploit market inefficiencies and arbitrage opportunities (e.g., between Brady Bonds and global bonds) that often exist in the EMD market. Given the limited diversification within the EMD sector, buying longer dated, more liquid, lower dollar price securities may be a preferred strategy.

     The Investment Adviser will use derivative instruments such as forwards and futures in the Emerging Markets Debt Fund in an attempt to hedge its currency exposures.

Research

     Being part of GSAM’s wider Fixed Income and Currency Team, the EMD team interacts with the Investment Adviser’s fixed income and currency analysts and portfolio managers based in New York, London, and Tokyo. The Fixed Income and Currency Team employs a broad analysis of the macro-economic environment, credit risk factors, and quantitative relationships and plays a vital role in aspects of portfolio construction and strategy.

     In addition to internal research, the Investment Adviser may utilize external sources in its analysis and seek information from external consultants and sell-side economists and strategists. The Investment Adviser’s EMD team may draw on the resources of Goldman Sachs (e.g., GSAM Emerging Market Foreign Exchange, Emerging Market Equity and Quantitative Strategy) in the country and security selection process. The Investment Adviser’s research analysts also travel to Emerging Countries to seek additional insight on the macroeconomic and political developments. The Investment Adviser’s research analysts also obtain research publications from broker-dealers, supranational organizations (IMF), and academic sources.

     Portfolio managers and research analysts have access to external research (e.g., internet website, publications). In addition, market information is disseminated through electronic communications as well as regularly scheduled meetings. The members of the Emerging Market Debt investment team sit on the trading desk to facilitate efficient and timely flow of market information.

     Based on macroeconomic and political considerations, the Investment Adviser will have a negative, neutral, or positive recommendation on various Emerging Countries. In addition to these recommendations, the Investment Adviser considers which are the most attractive securities within those countries.

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DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND PRACTICES

U. S. Government Securities

     Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.

     U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.

     Each Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities program (“STRIPS”).

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates

     Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates, which may be underwritten by securities dealers or banks, representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities, Municipal Securities or other types of securities in which a Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities law purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Funds may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.

     Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate a Fund would be typically authorized to assert its rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, the Fund could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custodial account in which the underlying securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.

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     Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an issuer or the issuer’s credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest received on the derivative instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments.

Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities

     Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, and High Yield Funds may each invest in mortgage loans and mortgage pass-through securities and other securities representing an interest in or collateralized by adjustable and fixed-rate mortgage loans (“Mortgage-Backed Securities”).

     Mortgage-Backed Securities (including collateralized mortgage obligations, REMICs and stripped mortgage-backed securities described below) are subject to both call risk and extension risk. Because of these risks, these securities can have significantly greater price and yield volatility than with traditional fixed-income securities.

     General Characteristics. Each mortgage pool underlying Mortgage-Backed Securities consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multi-family (i.e., five or more) properties, agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the “Mortgaged Properties”). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units, multi-family dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, individual units in planned unit developments and other attached dwelling units. The Mortgaged Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes.

     The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on Mortgage-Backed Securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities. As a result, if a Fund purchases Mortgaged-Backed Securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value. Conversely, if a Fund purchases Mortgage-Backed Securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce yield to maturity and market values. To the extent that a Fund invests in Mortgage-Backed Securities, its Investment Adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by investing in a variety of Mortgage-Backed Securities and by using certain hedging techniques.

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     Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors (such as changes in mortgagors’ housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors’ equity in the mortgage properties and servicing decisions). The timing and level of prepayments cannot be predicted. A predominant factor affecting the prepayment rate on a pool of mortgage loans is, however, the difference between the interest rates on outstanding mortgage loans and prevailing mortgage loan interest rates (giving consideration to the cost of any refinancing). Generally, prepayments on mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease during a period of rising mortgage interest rates. Accordingly, the amounts of prepayments available for reinvestment by a Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining mortgage interest rates. If general interest rates decline, such prepayments are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than the Fund was earning on the mortgage-backed securities that were prepaid. Due to these factors, mortgage-backed securities may be less effective than U.S. Treasury and other types of debt securities of similar maturity at maintaining yields during periods of declining interest rates. Because the Funds’ investments are interest-rate sensitive, each Fund’s performance will depend in part upon the ability of the Fund to anticipate and respond to fluctuations in market interest rates and to utilize appropriate strategies to maximize returns to the Fund, while attempting to minimize the associated risks to its investment capital. Prepayments may have a disproportionate effect on certain mortgage-backed securities and other multiple class pass-through securities, which are discussed below.

     The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is normally lower than the interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to the annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through monthly payments to certificate holders and to any guarantor, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may vary from the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed securities are purchased or traded in the secondary market at a premium or discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between the time the issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer makes the payments on the mortgage-backed securities and this delay reduces the effective yield to the holder of such securities.

     The issuers of certain mortgage-backed obligations may elect to have the pool of mortgage loans (or indirect interests in mortgage loans) underlying the securities treated as a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”), which is subject to special federal income tax rules. A description of the types of mortgage-backed securities in which the Funds may invest is provided below. The descriptions are general and summary in nature, and do not detail every possible variation of the types of securities that are permissible for the Funds.

     Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”). Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, and High Yield Funds may, invest in ARMs. ARMs generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time. Thereafter, the interest rates (the “Mortgage Interest Rates”) may be subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the applicable index rate (the “Index Rate”). The adjusted rate would be equal to the Index Rate plus a fixed percentage spread over the Index Rate established for each ARM at the time of its origination. ARMs allow a Fund to participate in increases in interest rates through periodic increases in the securities coupon rates. During periods of declining interest rates, coupon rates may readjust downward resulting in lower yields to a Fund.

     Adjustable interest rates can cause payment increases that some mortgagors may find difficult to make. However, certain ARMs may provide that the Mortgage Interest Rate may not be adjusted to a rate above an applicable lifetime maximum rate or below an applicable lifetime minimum rate for such ARM. Certain ARMs may also be subject to limitations on the maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate may adjust for any single adjustment period (the “Maximum Adjustment”). Other ARMs (“Negatively

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Amortizing ARMs”) may provide instead or as well for limitations on changes in the monthly payment on such ARMs. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments which are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a Negatively Amortizing ARM by its maturity at the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect in any particular month. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a Negatively Amortizing ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the loan, causing negative amortization, and will be repaid through future monthly payments. It may take borrowers under Negatively Amortizing ARMs longer periods of time to build up equity and may increase the likelihood of default by such borrowers. In the event that a monthly payment exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate and the principal payment which would have been necessary to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess (or “accelerated amortization”) further reduces the principal balance of the ARM. Negatively Amortizing ARMs do not provide for the extension of their original maturity to accommodate changes in their Mortgage Interest Rate. As a result, unless there is a periodic recalculation of the payment amount (which there generally is), the final payment may be substantially larger than the other payments. These limitations on periodic increases in interest rates and on changes in monthly payments protect borrowers from unlimited interest rate and payment increases, but may result in increased credit exposure and prepayment risks for lenders.

     ARMs also have the risk of prepayments. The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs has fluctuated in recent years. The value of Mortgage-Backed Securities that are structured as pass through mortgage securities that are collateralized by ARMs are less likely to rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same extent as fixed-rate securities. Accordingly, ARMs may be subject to a greater rate of principal repayments in a declining interest rate environment resulting in lower yields to a Fund. For example, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly, ARMs could be subject to higher prepayment rates (than if prevailing interest rates remain constant or increase) because the availability of low fixed-rate mortgages may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARMs to “lock-in” a fixed-rate mortgage. On the other hand, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of ARMs will lag behind changes in the market rate. ARMs are also typically subject to maximum increases and decreases in the interest rate adjustment which can be made on any one adjustment date, in any one year, or during the life of the security. In the event of dramatic increases or decreases in prevailing market interest rates, the value of a Fund’s investment in ARMs may fluctuate more substantially since these limits may prevent the security from fully adjusting its interest rate to the prevailing market rates. As with fixed-rate mortgages, ARM prepayment rates vary in both stable and changing interest rate environments.

     There are two main categories of indices which provide the basis for rate adjustments on ARMs: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the 180-day Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate, the prime rate of a specific bank or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile. The degree of volatility in the market value of a Fund that holds ARMs and, therefore, in the net asset value of its shares, will be a function of the length of the interest rate reset periods and the degree of volatility in the applicable indices.

     Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans. Generally, fixed-rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool (the “Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans”) will bear simple interest at fixed annual rates and have original terms to maturity ranging from 5 to 40 years. Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans generally provide for monthly payments of principal and interest in substantially equal installments for the term of the mortgage note in sufficient amounts to fully amortize principal by maturity, although certain Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans provide for a large final “balloon” payment upon maturity.

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     Legal Considerations of Mortgage Loans. The following is a discussion of certain legal and regulatory aspects of the mortgage loans in which the Taxable Funds (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may invest. These regulations may impair the ability of a mortgage lender to enforce its rights under the mortgage documents. These regulations may adversely affect the Funds’ investments in Mortgage-Backed Securities (including those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) by delaying the Funds’ receipt of payments derived from principal or interest on mortgage loans affected by such regulations.

1.   Foreclosure. A foreclosure of a defaulted mortgage loan may be delayed due to compliance with statutory notice or service of process provisions, difficulties in locating necessary parties or legal challenges to the mortgagee’s right to foreclose. Depending upon market conditions, the ultimate proceeds of the sale of foreclosed property may not equal the amounts owed on the Mortgage-Backed Securities.
 
    Furthermore, courts in some cases have imposed general equitable principles upon foreclosure generally designed to relieve the borrower from the legal effect of default and have required lenders to undertake affirmative and expensive actions to determine the causes for the default and the likelihood of loan reinstatement.
 
2.   Rights of Redemption. In some states, after foreclosure of a mortgage loan, the borrower and foreclosed junior lienors are given a statutory period in which to redeem the property, which right may diminish the mortgagee’s ability to sell the property.
 
3.   Legislative Limitations. In addition to anti-deficiency and related legislation, numerous other federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy laws and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or affect the ability of a secured mortgage lender to enforce its security interest. For example, a bankruptcy court may grant the debtor a reasonable time to cure a default on a mortgage loan, including a payment default. The court in certain instances may also reduce the monthly payments due under such mortgage loan, change the rate of interest, reduce the principal balance of the loan to the then-current appraised value of the related mortgaged property, alter the mortgage loan repayment schedule and grant priority of certain liens over the lien of the mortgage loan. If a court relieves a borrower’s obligation to repay amounts otherwise due on a mortgage loan, the mortgage loan servicer will not be required to advance such amounts, and any loss may be borne by the holders of securities backed by such loans. In addition, numerous federal and state consumer protection laws impose penalties for failure to comply with specific requirements in connection with origination and servicing of mortgage loans.
 
4.   “Due-on-Sale” Provisions. Fixed-rate mortgage loans may contain a so-called “due-on-sale” clause permitting acceleration of the maturity of the mortgage loan if the borrower transfers the property. The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 sets forth nine specific instances in which no mortgage lender covered by that Act may exercise a “due-on-sale” clause upon a transfer of property. The inability to enforce a “due-on-sale” clause or the lack of such a clause in mortgage loan documents may result in a mortgage loan being assumed by a purchaser of the property that bears an interest rate below the current market rate.
 
5.   Usury Laws. Some states prohibit charging interest on mortgage loans in excess of statutory limits. If such limits are exceeded, substantial penalties may be incurred and, in some cases, enforceability of the obligation to pay principal and interest may be affected.

     Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are several types of government guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (“REMIC Certificates”), other collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped Mortgage-Backed

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Securities. The Taxable Funds (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) are permitted to invest in other types of Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with their respective investment policies and objectives. Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due. Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a result, they are generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low credit risks. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities and the Funds’ liquidity and value.

     There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

     Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA”), or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due on Ginnie Mae certificates.

     Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an act of the U.S. Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae Certificates are issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans (a “Pool”) formed by Fannie Mae. A Pool consists of residential mortgage loans either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the formation of the Pool. The mortgage loans may be either conventional mortgage loans (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. government agency) or mortgage loans that are either insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. However, the mortgage loans in Fannie Mae Pools are primarily conventional mortgage loans. The lenders originating and servicing the mortgage loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.

     Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie Mae’s servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full principal balance of any foreclosed mortgage loan, whether or not such principal balance is actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae.

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     Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. government sponsored enterprise. The principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form of mortgage securities, primarily Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a “Freddie Mac Certificate group”) purchased by Freddie Mac.

     Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered Certificate holder ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac.

     The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Conventional Mortgage Loans. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. To the extent consistent with their investment policies, the Taxable Funds (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may invest in both government guaranteed and privately issued mortgage pass-through securities (“Mortgage Pass-Throughs”), that are fixed or adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities which provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.

     The following discussion describes only a few of the wide variety of structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.

     Description of Certificates. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.

     Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or disproportionate basis, or any combination thereof. The

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stated interest rate on any such subclass of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an objective interest index.

     Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Since certain adjustable rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest (i.e., negative amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.

     Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. Each Taxable Fund (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or, to the extent consistent with a Fund’s investment policies, by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or Mortgage-Backed Securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities.

     Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.

     Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal of certain PCs.

     CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.

     CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the mortgage loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs

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or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

     The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.

     Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.

     A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying Mortgage Assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

     Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Taxable Funds (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiclass mortgage securities, issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or, to the extent consistent with a Fund’s investment policies, non-governmental originators. Certain SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid for purposes of each Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The Investment Adviser may determine that SMBS which are U.S. Government Securities are liquid for purposes of each Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from Mortgage Assets are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other Mortgage-Backed Securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped. A Fund’s investment in SMBS may require the Fund to sell certain of its portfolio securities to generate sufficient cash to satisfy certain income distribution requirements.

Privately Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities

     Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Government Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income Fund, and High Yield Fund, may invest in privately issued Mortgage-Backed Securities. Privately issued Mortgage-Backed Securities are generally backed by pools of conventional (i.e., non-government guaranteed or insured) mortgage loans. The seller or

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servicer of the underlying mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to certificate-holders as to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of certain information furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach of any representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related certificate-holders in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer generally will be obligated either to cure the breach in all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the related agreement so provides, to substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the conditions set forth therein. Such a repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole remedy available to the related certificate-holders or the trustee for the material breach of any such representation or warranty by the seller or servicer.

     Ratings. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a rating organization to a certificate may not address the remote possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such certificates may be affected.

     Credit Enhancement. Mortgage pools credited by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher yield than government and government-related pools because of the absence of direct or indirect government or agency payment guarantees. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may contain elements of credit support. Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.

     Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund. In order to achieve ratings on one or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate-holders. If so structured, the subordination feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (“shifting interest credit enhancement”). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the subordinate certificates. In addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal prepayments on the mortgage loans will have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.

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     In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such certificates (the “Reserve Fund”). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a specified amount.

     The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest due to them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary shortfalls could result. In the event that the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent of the then outstanding subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses realized with respect to the mortgage loans (“Realized Losses”). Realized Losses remaining after application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero, Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.

     Alternative Credit Enhancement. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be provided by mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, by the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances, such as where credit enhancement is provided by guarantees or a letter of credit, the security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to an external credit enhancement provider.

     Voluntary Advances. In the event of delinquencies in payments on the mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer may agree to make advances of cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but generally will do so only to the extent that it determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the mortgage loans or otherwise.

     Optional Termination. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time if the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.

Asset-Backed Securities

     Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present.

     Each Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. The Short Duration Government Fund may only invest in asset-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities

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or sponsored enterprises. Such securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. To the extent that a Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of such Fund’s portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.

     Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to Mortgage Assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that a Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on these securities.

Loan Participations

     The Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in loan participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a number of lenders, usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of the co-lenders usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.

     Participation interests acquired by the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund acquires certain participation interests, the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the agent bank. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Investment Grade Credit Fund,

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High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is limited and loan participations purchased by the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund will normally be regarded as illiquid.

     For purposes of certain investment limitations pertaining to diversification of the Fund’s portfolio investments, the issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. However, in cases where the Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund do not have recourse directly against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender interposed between the Fund and the borrower will be deemed issuers of a loan participation.

Zero Coupon, Deferred Interest, Pay-in-Kind and Capital Appreciation Bonds

     Each Fund may invest in zero coupon, deferred interest, pay-in-kind (“PIK”) and capital appreciation bonds. Zero coupon, deferred interest and capital appreciation bonds are debt securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value and which do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date. The original issue discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. These securities also may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves or receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations or coupons. The market prices of zero coupon, deferred interest, capital appreciation bonds and PIK securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than interest bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality.

     PIK securities may be debt obligations or preferred shares that provide the issuer with the option of paying interest or dividends on such obligations in cash or in the form of additional securities rather than cash. Similar to zero coupon bonds and deferred interest bonds, PIK securities are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. PIK securities that are debt securities can be either senior or subordinated debt and generally trade flat (i.e., without accrued interest). The trading price of PIK debt securities generally reflects the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last interest payment.

     Zero coupon, deferred interest, capital appreciation and PIK securities involve the additional risk that, unlike securities that periodically pay interest to maturity, a Fund will realize no cash until a specified future payment date unless a portion of such securities is sold and, if the issuer of such securities defaults, a Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. In addition, even though such securities do not provide for the payment of current interest in cash, the Funds are nonetheless required to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year and generally are required to distribute such accrued amounts (net of deductible expenses, if any) to avoid being subject to tax. Because no cash is generally received at the time of the accrual, a Fund may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy federal tax distribution requirements applicable to the Fund. A portion of the discount with respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or their coupons may be taxable. See “Taxation.”

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

     The interest rates payable on certain securities in which each Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a

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particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation.

     Each Fund (other than the Enhanced Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may invest in “leveraged” inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”), including “leveraged inverse floaters.” The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed to be illiquid securities for purposes of each Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments.

Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights

     The Enhanced Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in preferred stock and the High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a covenant default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with the terms of the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default or non-compliance by the issuer, preferred stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on the issuer’s board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition, preferred stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the occurrence of any event of default.

     Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Corporate Debt Obligations

     Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in corporate debt obligations, including obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.

     Fixed income securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Medium to lower rated and comparable non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. Since medium to lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on defaulted issues. The Funds’ Investment Advisers will attempt to reduce

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these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in a Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations

     Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations payable in U.S. dollars and issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies.

Trust Preferreds

     Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in trust preferred securities. A trust preferred or capital security is a long dated bond (for example 30 years) with preferred features. The preferred features are that payment of interest can be deferred for a specified period without initiating a default event. From a bondholder’s viewpoint, the securities are senior in claim to standard preferred but are junior to other bondholders. From the issuer’s viewpoint, the securities are attractive because their interest is deductible for tax purposes like other types of debt instruments.

High Yield Securities

     High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in bonds rated BB or below by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or below by Moody’s (or comparable rated and unrated securities). These bonds are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered speculative. The ability of their issuers to make principal and interest payments may be questionable. In some cases, such bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will entail greater risks than those associated with investment grade bonds (i.e., bonds rated AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard and Poor’s or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s). Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities, and the ability of a Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of its investments in high yield securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher quality securities. See Appendix A for a description of the corporate bond and preferred stock ratings by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) and Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”).

     The amount of high yield, fixed-income securities proliferated in the 1980s and early 1990s as a result of increased merger and acquisition and leveraged buyout activity. Such securities are also issued by less-established corporations desiring to expand. Risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is the case with higher rated securities because such issuers are often less creditworthy companies or are highly leveraged and generally less able than more established or less leveraged entities to make scheduled payments of principal and interest. High yield securities are also issued by governmental issuers that may have difficulty in making all scheduled interest and principal payments.

     The market values of high yield, fixed-income securities tends to reflect those individual corporate or municipal developments to a greater extent than do those of higher rated securities, which react primarily to

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fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Issuers of such high yield securities are often highly leveraged, and may not be able to make use of more traditional methods of financing. Their ability to service debt obligations may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated securities by economic downturns, specific corporate or governmental developments or the issuers’ inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. These non-investment grade securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher-rated securities. Negative publicity about the junk bond market and investor perceptions regarding lower-rated securities, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may depress the prices for such securities.

     Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with non-investment grade securities of the type in which the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher-rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

     Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of high yield, fixed-income securities is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in the High Yield Municipal Fund’s, the High Yield Fund’s and the Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s net asset value.

     The risk of loss from default for the holders of high yield, fixed-income securities is significantly greater than is the case for holders of other debt securities because such high yield, fixed-income securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to the rights of other creditors of the issuers of such securities. Investment by the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds in already defaulted securities poses an additional risk of loss should nonpayment of principal and interest continue in respect of such securities. Even if such securities are held to maturity, recovery by the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds of their initial investment and any anticipated income or appreciation is uncertain. In addition, the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may incur additional expenses to the extent that they are required to seek recovery relating to the default in the payment of principal or interest on such securities or otherwise protect their interests. The High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to satisfy annual distribution obligations of the Funds in respect of accrued interest income on securities which are subsequently written off, even though the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds have not received any cash payments of such interest.

     The secondary market for high yield, fixed-income securities is concentrated in relatively few markets and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as and is more volatile than the secondary market for higher-rated securities. In addition, the trading volume for high-yield, fixed-income securities is generally lower than that of higher rated securities and the secondary market for high yield, fixed-income securities could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds to dispose of particular portfolio investments. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the net asset value of the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in their portfolios.

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     The adoption of new legislation could adversely affect the secondary market for high yield securities and the financial condition of issuers of these securities. The form of any future legislation, and the probability of such legislation being enacted, is uncertain.

     Non-investment grade or high-yield, fixed-income securities also present risks based on payment expectations. High yield, fixed-income securities frequently contain “call” or buy-back features which permit the issuer to call or repurchase the security from its holder. If an issuer exercises such a “call option” and redeems the security, the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may have to replace such security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. In addition, if the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds experience net redemptions of their shares, they may be forced to sell their higher-rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the portfolios of the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds and increasing the exposure of the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds to the risks of high yield securities.

     Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of non-investment grade securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. Investments in non-investment grade and comparable unrated obligations will be more dependent on the Investment Adviser’s credit analysis than would be the case with investments in investment-grade debt obligations. The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of an issuer’s existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and current trend of earnings. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in the portfolios of the High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain non-investment grade and comparable unrated securities whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

     Because the market for high yield securities is still relatively new and has not weathered a major economic recession, it is unknown what effects such a recession might have on such securities. A widespread economic downturn could result in increased defaults and losses.

Investing in Central and South American Countries

     A significant portion of the Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s portfolio may be invested in companies located in Central and South American countries. The economies of Central and South American countries have experienced considerable difficulties in the past decade, including high inflation rates, high interest rates and currency devaluations. As a result, Central and South American securities markets have experienced great volatility. In addition, a number of Central and South American countries are among the largest Emerging Country debtors. There have been moratoria on, and reschedulings of, repayment with respect to these debts. Such events can restrict the flexibility of these debtor nations in the international markets and result in the imposition of onerous conditions on their economies.

     In the past, many Central and South American countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. High inflation rates have also led to high interest rates. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and could, in the future, have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain Central and South American countries. Many of the currencies of Central and South American countries have experienced steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies in which the Fund’s portfolio securities are denominated

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may have a detrimental impact on the Fund. There is also a risk that certain Central and South American countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into other currencies. Some Central and South American countries may have managed currencies which are not free floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain Central and South American currencies may not be internationally traded and it would be difficult for the Fund to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of the Fund’s interests in securities denominated in such securities. In addition, substantial limitations may exist in certain countries with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.

     The emergence of the Central and South American economies and securities markets will require continued economic and fiscal discipline that has been lacking at times in the past, as well as stable political and social conditions. Governments of many Central and South American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. The political history of certain Central and South American countries has been characterized by political uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres and political corruption. Such developments, if they were to recur, could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization and removal of trade barriers.

     International economic conditions, particularly those in the United States, as well as world prices for oil and other commodities may also influence the recovery of the Central and South American economies.

     Certain Central and South American countries have entered into regional trade agreements that would, among other things, reduce barriers between countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be implemented, will be implemented but not completed or will be completed but then partially or completely unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrence could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including share appreciation or depreciation of participant’s national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the Central and South American markets, an undermining of Central and South American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive towards Central and South American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in Central and South American generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.

Bank Obligations

     Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may each invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. and, except with respect to U.S. Mortgages Fund, foreign banks. (Government Income Fund may only invest in U.S. dollar denominated securities.) Bank obligations, including without limitation time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be obligations only of the issuing branch pursuant to the terms of the specific obligations or government regulation.

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     Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. Foreign banks are subject to different regulations and are generally permitted to engage in a wider variety of activities than U.S. banks. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of this industry.

Municipal Securities

     Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may invest in Municipal Securities, the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax (i.e., excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes but not necessarily exempt from the federal alternative minimum tax or from the income taxes of any state or local government). In addition, Municipal Securities include participation interests in such securities the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel or counsel selected by the Investment Adviser, excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds may revise their definition of Municipal Securities in the future to include other types of securities that currently exist, the interest on which is or will be, in the opinion of such counsel, excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, provided that investing in such securities is consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and policies. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds may also invest in taxable Municipal Securities.

     The yields and market values of municipal securities are determined primarily by the general level of interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuers of municipal securities and economic and political conditions affecting such issuers. The yields and market prices of municipal securities may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies, which may have less effect on the market for taxable fixed-income securities. Moreover, certain types of municipal securities, such as housing revenue bonds, involve prepayment risks which could affect the yield on such securities. The credit rating assigned to municipal securities may reflect the existence of guarantees, letters of credit or other credit enhancement features available to the issuers or holders of such municipal securities.

     Dividends paid by the Funds, other than the Tax-Exempt Funds, that are derived from interest paid on both tax-exempt and taxable Municipal Securities will be taxable to the Funds’ shareholders.

     Municipal Securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes including refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal Securities also include certain “private activity bonds” or industrial development bonds, which are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to provide financing aid to acquire sites or construct or equip facilities within a municipality for privately or publicly owned corporations.

     Investments in municipal securities are subject to the risk that the issuer could default on its obligations. Such a default could result from the inadequacy of the sources or revenues from which interest and principal payments are to be made or the assets collateralizing such obligations. Revenue bonds, including private activity bonds, are backed only by specific assets or revenue sources and not by the full faith and credit of the governmental issuer.

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     The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities are “general obligations” and “revenue obligations.” General obligations are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith and credit for the payment of principal and interest, although the characteristics and enforcement of general obligations may vary according to the law applicable to the particular issuer. Revenue obligations, which include, but are not limited to, private activity bonds, resource recovery bonds, certificates of participation and certain municipal notes, are not backed by the credit and taxing authority of the issuer, and are payable solely from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Nevertheless, the obligations of the issuer of a revenue obligation may be backed by a letter of credit, guarantee or insurance. General obligations and revenue obligations may be issued in a variety of forms, including commercial paper, fixed, variable and floating rate securities, tender option bonds, auction rate bonds, zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds and capital appreciation bonds.

     In addition to general obligations and revenue obligations, there is a variety of hybrid and special types of Municipal Securities. There are also numerous differences in the security of Municipal Securities both within and between these two principal classifications.

     For the purpose of applying a Fund’s investment restrictions, the identification of the issuer of a Municipal Security which is not a general obligation is made by the Investment Adviser based on the characteristics of the Municipal Security, the most important of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal and interest on such securities.

     An entire issue of Municipal Securities may be purchased by one or a small number of institutional investors, including one or more Funds. Thus, the issue may not be said to be publicly offered. Unlike some securities that are not publicly offered, a secondary market exists for many Municipal Securities that were not publicly offered initially and such securities may be readily marketable.

     The credit rating assigned to Municipal Securities may reflect the existence of guarantees, letters of credit or other credit enhancement features available to the issuers or holders of such Municipal Securities.

     The obligations of the issuer to pay the principal of and interest on a Municipal Security are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest or imposing other constraints upon the enforcement of such obligations. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of the issuer to pay when due principal of or interest on a Municipal Security may be materially affected.

     While the Municipal Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, under normal market conditions, invest substantially all of their assets in Municipal Securities, the recognition of certain accrued market discount income (if the Funds acquire Municipal Securities or other obligations at a market discount), income from investments other than Municipal Securities and any capital gains generated from the disposition of investments, will result in taxable income. In addition to federal income tax, shareholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxes on distributions of such income received from the Funds.

     From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities. For example, under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, interest on certain private activity bonds must be included in an investor’s federal alternative minimum taxable income, and corporate investors must include all tax-exempt interest in their federal alternative minimum taxable income. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards the federal income tax status of interest on Municipal Securities

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or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Tax Exempt Funds and the Funds’ liquidity and value. In such an event the Board of Trustees would reevaluate the Funds’ investment objectives and policies.

     Municipal Leases, Certificates of Participation and Other Participation Interests. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may invest in municipal leases, certificates of participation and other participation interests. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations is generally exempt from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Municipal leases frequently involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover a Fund’s original investment. To the extent that a Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

     Certificates of participation represent undivided interests in municipal leases, installment purchase agreements or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a trust or other entity which has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements.

     Certain municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation may be deemed to be illiquid for the purpose of the Funds’ limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Other municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation acquired by a Fund may be determined by the Investment Adviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees of the Trust, to be liquid securities for the purpose of such limitation. In determining the liquidity of municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation, the Investment Adviser will consider a variety of factors, including: (i) the willingness of dealers to bid for the security; (ii) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the obligation and the number of other potential buyers; (iii) the frequency of trades or quotes for the obligation; and (iv) the nature of the marketplace trades. In addition, the Investment Adviser will consider factors unique to particular lease obligations and certificates of participation affecting the marketability thereof. These include the general creditworthiness of the issuer, the importance to the issuer of the property covered by the lease and the likelihood that the marketability of the obligation will be maintained throughout the time the obligation is held by a Fund.

     Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds may purchase participations in Municipal Securities held by a commercial bank or other financial institution. Such participations provide a Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying Municipal Securities. In addition, such participations generally provide a Fund with the right to

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demand payment, on not more than seven days’ notice, of all or any part of such Fund’s participation interest in the underlying Municipal Securities, plus accrued interest.

     Municipal Notes. Municipal Securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation of an issuer’s receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. These notes are secured by mortgage notes insured by the FHA; however, the proceeds from the insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The obligations of an issuer of municipal notes are generally secured by the anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing. An investment in such instruments, however, presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuer’s payment obligations under the notes or that refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.

     Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. Issues of commercial paper typically represent short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes. These obligations are issued by state and local governments and their agencies to finance working capital needs of municipalities or to provide interim construction financing and are paid from general revenues of municipalities or are refinanced with long-term debt. In most cases, tax-exempt commercial paper is backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or other institutions.

     Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of and interest on pre-refunded Municipal Securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government Securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded Municipal Securities. Issuers of Municipal Securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded Municipal Securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded Municipal Securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer. Pre-refunded Municipal Securities are usually purchased at a price which represents a premium over their face value.

     Private Activity Bonds. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may each invest in certain types of Municipal Securities, generally referred to as industrial development bonds (and referred to under current tax law as private activity bonds), which are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of industrial development bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute Municipal Securities, although the

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current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. A Tax Exempt Fund’s distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax whereas a Taxable Fund’s distributions of any tax-exempt interest it receives from any source will be taxable for regular federal income tax purposes.

     Tender Option Bonds. A tender option bond is a Municipal Security (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, which grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond’s fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, an institution will not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The liquidity of a tender option bond is a function of the credit quality of both the bond issuer and the financial institution providing liquidity. Tender option bonds are deemed to be liquid unless, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, the credit quality of the bond issuer and the financial institution is deemed, in light of the Fund’s credit quality requirements, to be inadequate and the bond would not otherwise be readily marketable. The Tax Exempt Funds intend to invest in tender option bonds the interest on which will, in the opinion of bond counsel, counsel for the issuer of interests therein or counsel selected by the Investment Adviser, be exempt from regular federal income tax. However, because there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will agree with such counsel’s opinion in any particular case, there is a risk that a Tax Exempt Fund will not be considered the owner of such tender option bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax treatment of tender option bonds and the associated fees in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions is unclear. The Tax Exempt Funds intend to manage their portfolios in a manner designed to eliminate or minimize any adverse impact from the tax rules applicable to these investments.

     Auction Rate Securities. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may invest in auction rate securities. Auction rate securities include auction rate Municipal Securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in Municipal Securities (collectively, “auction rate securities”). Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is some risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. A Fund will take the time remaining until the next scheduled auction date into account for purpose of determining the securities’ duration.

     Dividends on auction rate preferred securities issued by a closed-end fund may be designated as exempt from federal income tax to the extent they are attributable to exempt income earned by the fund on the securities in its portfolio and distributed to holders of the preferred securities, provided that the preferred securities are treated as equity securities for federal income tax purposes and the closed-end fund complies with certain tests under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

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     A Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of closed-end funds are subject to the limitations prescribed by the Act and certain state securities regulations. The Funds will indirectly bear their proportionate share of any management and other fees paid by such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Funds.

     Insurance. Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may invest in “insured” tax-exempt Municipal Securities. Insured Municipal Securities are securities for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance only entitles a Fund to receive the face or par value of the securities held by the Fund. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Municipal Securities or the value of the shares of a Fund.

     Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, and High Yield Funds may utilize new issue or secondary market insurance. A new issue insurance policy is purchased by a bond issuer who wishes to increase the credit rating of a security. By paying a premium and meeting the insurer’s underwriting standards, the bond issuer is able to obtain a high credit rating (usually, Aaa from Moody’s or AAA from Standard & Poor’s) for the issued security. Such insurance is likely to increase the purchase price and resale value of the security. New issue insurance policies generally are non-cancelable and continue in force as long as the bonds are outstanding.

     A secondary market insurance policy is purchased by an investor (such as a Fund) subsequent to a bond’s original issuance and generally insures a particular bond for the remainder of its term. The Funds may purchase bonds which have already been insured under a secondary market insurance policy by a prior investor, or the Funds may directly purchase such a policy from insurers for bonds which are currently uninsured.

     An insured Municipal Security acquired by a Fund will typically be covered by only one of the above types of policies. All of the insurance policies used by a Fund will be obtained only from insurance companies rated, at the time of purchase, A by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, or if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Municipal Securities invested in by High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fund will not be subject to this requirement.

     Standby Commitments. In order to enhance the liquidity of Municipal Securities, the Tax Exempt Funds may acquire the right to sell a security to another party at a guaranteed price and date. Such a right to resell may be referred to as a “standby commitment” or liquidity put, depending on its characteristics. The aggregate price which a Fund pays for securities with standby commitments may be higher than the price which otherwise would be paid for the securities. Standby commitments may not be available or may not be available on satisfactory terms.

     Standby commitments may involve letters of credit issued by domestic or foreign banks supporting the other party’s ability to purchase the security from a Tax Exempt Fund. The right to sell may be exercisable on demand or at specified intervals, and may form part of a security or be acquired separately by a Tax Exempt Fund. In considering whether a security meets a Tax Exempt Fund’s quality standards, the particular Tax Exempt Fund will look to the creditworthiness of the party providing the Fund with the right to sell as well as the quality of the security itself.

     The Tax Exempt Funds value Municipal Securities which are subject to standby commitments at amortized cost. The exercise price of the standby commitments is expected to approximate such amortized cost. No value is assigned to the standby commitments for purposes of determining a Tax Exempt Fund’s net

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asset value. The cost of a standby commitment is carried as unrealized depreciation from the time of purchase until it is exercised or expires. Since the value of a standby commitment is dependent on the ability of the standby commitment writer to meet its obligation to repurchase, a Tax Exempt Fund’s policy is to enter into standby commitment transactions only with banks, brokers or dealers which present a minimal risk of default.

     The Investment Adviser understands that the IRS has issued a favorable revenue ruling to the effect that, under specified circumstances, a registered investment company will be the owner of tax-exempt municipal obligations acquired subject to a put option. The IRS has subsequently announced that it will not ordinarily issue advance ruling letters as to the identity of the true owner of property in cases involving the sale of securities or participation interests therein if the purchaser has the right to cause the security, or the participation interest therein, to be purchased by either the seller or a third party. The Tax Exempt Funds intend to take the position that they are the owner of any Municipal Securities acquired subject to a standby commitment or acquired or held with certain other types of put rights and that tax-exempt interest earned with respect to such Municipal Securities will be tax-exempt in their hands. There is no assurance that standby commitments will be available to the Tax Exempt Funds nor have the Tax Exempt Funds assumed that such commitments would continue to be available under all market conditions.

     Call Risk and Reinvestment Risk. Municipal Securities may include “call” provisions which permit the issuers of such securities, at any time or after a specified period, to redeem the securities prior to their stated maturity. In the event that Municipal Securities held in a Fund’s portfolio are called prior to the maturity, the Fund will be required to reinvest the proceeds on such securities at an earlier date and may be able to do so only at lower yields, thereby reducing the Fund’s return on its portfolio securities.

Foreign Investments

     Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in securities of foreign issuers and Core Fixed Income, Global Income and High Yield Funds may invest in fixed-income securities quoted or denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. Investment in foreign securities may offer potential benefits that are not available from investing exclusively in U.S. dollar-denominated domestic issues. Foreign countries may have economic policies or business cycles different from those of the U.S. and markets for foreign fixed-income securities do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers also involves, however, certain special considerations, including those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers often involve currencies of foreign countries and Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. To the extent that a Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk. A Fund also may be subject to currency exposure independent of its securities positions.

     Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the failure to intervene or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that a substantial portion of a Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries. A Fund’s net currency positions may expose it to risks independent of its securities positions. In addition, if the payment declines in value against

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the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.

     Since foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a comparable U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets are less than in the United States markets and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although each Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities markets and exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. For example, there may be no comparable provisions under certain foreign laws to insider trading and similar investor protection securities laws that apply with respect to securities transactions consummated in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlement of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities.

     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of Enhanced Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund is uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of Enhanced Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit, Global Fund Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to Enhanced Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities, or, if Enhanced Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets between different countries, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield, Global Income, or Emerging Markets Debt Funds’ investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

Investing in Emerging Countries

     Market Characteristics. Of the Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, and High Yield Funds’ investments in foreign securities, 10%, 10%, 10% and 25% of their respective total assets may be invested in emerging countries. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund is not limited in the amount of its assets that may be invested in emerging countries. Investment in debt securities of emerging country issuers involve special risks. The development of a market for such securities is a relatively recent phenomenon and debt securities of most emerging country issuers are less liquid and are generally subject to greater price volatility than securities of issuers in the United States and other developed countries. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities, and the market may be dominated by a few issuers or sectors.

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The markets for securities of emerging countries may have substantially less volume than the market for similar securities in the United States and may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trade size. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The less liquid the market, the more difficult it may be for a Fund to price accurately its portfolio securities or to dispose of such securities at the times determined to be appropriate. The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute to the extent that a Fund needs cash to meet redemption requests, to pay dividends and other distributions or to pay its expenses.

     A Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by limitations as to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of a Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. A Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.

     Securities markets of emerging countries may also have less efficient clearance and settlement procedures than U.S. markets, making it difficult to conduct and complete transactions. Delays in the settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of a Fund’s assets is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. Inability to make intended security purchases could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities could result either in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if a Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability of a Fund to the purchaser.

     Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions and dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the U.S. and other developed securities markets. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.

     With respect to investments in certain emerging countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder of a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of investors of U.S. corporations.

     Economic, Political and Social Factors. Emerging countries may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than the United States, Japan and most Western European countries, and unanticipated political and social developments may affect the value of a Fund’s investments in emerging countries and the availability to the Fund of additional investments in such countries. Moreover, political and economic structures in many emerging countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development. Instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes or attempted changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private property. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries, inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic

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conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

     Restrictions on Investment and Repatriation. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investments by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. Repatriation of investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect the operation of a Fund.

     Sovereign Debt Obligations. 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 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 services its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt. Holders of sovereign debt (including the Fund) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental agencies.

     Emerging country governmental issuers are among the largest debtors to commercial banks, foreign governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. Certain emerging country governmental issuers have not been able to make payments of interest on or principal of debt obligations as those payments have come due. Obligations arising from past restructuring agreements may affect the economic performance and political and social stability of those issuers.

     The ability of emerging country governmental issuers to make timely payments on their obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. An emerging country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the international prices of one or more of those commodities. Increased protectionism on the part of an emerging country’s trading partners could also adversely affect the country’s exports and tarnish its trade account surplus, if any. To the extent that emerging countries receive payment for their exports in currencies other than dollars or non-emerging country currencies, the emerging country issuer’s ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars or non-emerging market currencies could be affected.

     To the extent that an emerging country cannot generate a trade surplus, it must depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multilateral organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of emerging countries to these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of external funding could adversely affect the

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capacity of emerging country governmental issuers to make payments on their obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing emerging country debt obligations can be affected by a change in international interest rates since the majority of these obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically based upon international rates.

     Another factor bearing on the ability of emerging countries to repay debt obligations is the level of international reserves of a country. Fluctuations in the level of these reserves affect the amount of foreign exchange readily available for external debt payments and thus could have a bearing on the capacity of emerging countries to make payments on these debt obligations.

     As a result of the foregoing or other factors, a governmental obligor, especially in an emerging country, may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, a Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign sovereign debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign sovereign debt obligations in the event of default under the commercial bank loan agreements.

     Brady Bonds. Certain foreign debt obligations commonly referred to as “Brady Bonds” are created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to foreign borrowers for new obligations in connection with debt restructurings under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the “Brady Plan”).

     Brady Bonds may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although most are dollar-denominated) and they are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market. Certain Brady Bonds are collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by zero coupon obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities having the same maturity (“Collateralized Brady Bonds”). Brady Bonds are not, however, considered to be U.S. Government Securities.

     Dollar-denominated, Collateralized Brady Bonds may be fixed rate bonds or floating rate bonds. Interest payments on Brady Bonds are often 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 that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to “value recovery payments” in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) collateralized interest payments; (iii) uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the “residual risk”). In the event of a default with respect to Collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In addition, in light of the residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds should be viewed as speculative.

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     Restructured Investments. Included among the issuers of emerging country debt securities are entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of various securities. These entities are often organized by investment banking firms which receive fees in connection with establishing each entity and arranging for the placement of its securities. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, or specified instruments, such as Brady Bonds, and the issuance by the entity of one or more classes of securities (“Restructured Investments”) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued Restructured Investments to create securities with different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment priorities or investment rate provisions. Because Restructured Investments of the type in which the Fund may invest typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk will generally be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.

     The Investment Grade Credit Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund are permitted to invest in a class of Restructured Investments that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated Restructured Investments typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated Restructured Investments. Although the Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s and Investment Grade Credit Fund’s purchases of subordinated Restructured Investments would have a similar economic effect to that of borrowing against the underlying securities, such purchases will not be deemed to be borrowing for purposes of the limitations placed on the extent of the Funds’ assets that may be used for borrowing.

     Certain issuers of Restructured Investments may be deemed to be “investment companies” as defined in the Act. As a result, the Investment Grade Credit Fund’s and Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s investments in these Restructured Investments may be limited by the restrictions contained in the Act. Restructured Investments are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for most Restructured Investments.

     Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.

     At the maturity of a forward contract, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing purchase transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing purchase transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

     Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes in several circumstances. First, when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security quoted or denominated in a foreign currency, or when a Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of a dividend or interest payment on such a security which it holds, a Fund may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions, a Fund may attempt to protect

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itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.

     Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of a Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. 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 those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which a Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of a Fund’s foreign assets.

     Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated or quoted in a different currency if the Investment Adviser determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the two currencies. In addition, certain Funds may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Unless otherwise covered, cash or liquid assets will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts requiring the Fund to purchase foreign currencies and forward contracts entered into to seek to increase total return. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market. If the value of the segregated assets declines, additional liquid assets will be segregated so that the value will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts. Global Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds will not enter into a forward contract with a term of greater than one year.

     While Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may enter into forward contracts to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Funds may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between a Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by a Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.

     Markets for trading forward foreign currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. A Fund will not enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent that a substantial portion of a

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Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.

Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars

     Each Fund may enter into interest rate, credit and total return swaps. Each Fund may also enter into interest rate caps, floors and collars. In addition, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Government Income, U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income and High Yield Funds may enter into mortgage swaps; and Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield, Global Income and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may enter into currency swaps. Each Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. Each Fund may enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive or make a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index, or an index component. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates. Since interest rate, mortgage, credit and currency swaps and interest rate caps, floors and collars are individually negotiated, each Fund expects to achieve an acceptable degree of correlation between its portfolio investments and its swap, cap, floor and collar positions.

     A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, generally a Fund will enter into interest rate, total return and mortgage swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that a Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving a swap or an interest rate floor, cap or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets, the Funds and the Investment Adviser believe that the transactions do not

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constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     The Funds will not enter into any interest rate, mortgage or credit swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party is rated either A or A-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s or A or P-1 or better by Moody’s or their equivalent ratings. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds will not enter into any currency swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims–paying ability of the other party thereto is rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, or, if unrated by such rating organization, determined to be of comparable quality by the Investment Adviser. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments which are traded in the interbank market. The Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds’ transactions in swaps, caps, floors and collars.

     The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit, total return and currency swaps, as well as interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

     Writing Covered Options. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities in which it may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. A Fund may write such options on securities that are listed on national domestic securities exchanges or foreign securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. A call option written by a Fund obligates such Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. All call options written by a Fund are covered, which means that such Fund will own the securities subject to the option so long as the option is outstanding or such Fund will use the other methods described below. The Fund’s purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, a Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.

     A put option written by a Fund obligates the Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. All put options written by a Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option or will use the other methods described below. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the option premium, each Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the securities’ market value at the time of purchase.

     All call and put options written by a Fund are “covered.” In the case of a call option, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise

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price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A put option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same security as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. In the case of the Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit, Fund Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, or Emerging Markets Debt Fund segregated cash or liquid assets may be quoted or denominated in any currency.

     A Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”

     Each Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

     A Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. The Funds may also cover call and put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value equal to the exercise price or by owning offsetting options as described above.

     The writing of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the investment performance of the Fund will be less favorable than it would have been in the absence of such options transactions. The writing of options could increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.

     Purchasing Options. Each Fund may also purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or options on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. In addition, a Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.

     A Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase, or put options in anticipation of a decrease (“protective puts”), in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase

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of the call option. The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Fund’s securities. Put options may also be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of put options may be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

     A Fund may purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it may purchase options on securities. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

     Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies in an attempt to protect against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may also use options on currency to cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a different currency with a pattern of correlation. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If an option that a Fund has written is exercised, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to a Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. In addition, Core Fixed Income, Global Income and High Yield Funds may purchase call options on currency to seek to increase total return.

     A call option written by Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, or Emerging Markets Debt Funds obligates the Fund to sell specified currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. A put option written by a Fund obligates the Fund to purchase specified currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. The writing of currency options involves a risk that a Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currency’s market value or be required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currency’s market value.

     A Fund may terminate its obligations under a written call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one written. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.” A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on purchased options.

     Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, Emerging Markets Debt and Investment Grade Credit Funds may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by the Fund are denominated or quoted. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period,

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the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise, the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities in its portfolio are denominated or quoted (“protective puts”). The purchase of a put option would entitle Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified currency 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 U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise, the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying currency.

     In addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, and High Yield Funds may use options on currency to seek to increase total return. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options on any currency in an attempt to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying currency. Also, when writing put options, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds accept, in return for the option premium, the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the currency’s market value at the time of purchase.

     Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds would normally purchase call options to seek to increase total return in anticipation of an increase in the market value of a currency. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs. Otherwise Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option. Put options may be purchased by the Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds for the purpose of benefiting from a decline in the value of currencies which it does not own. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs. Otherwise, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option.

     Yield Curve Options. Each Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

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     A Fund may purchase or write yield curve options for the same purposes as other options on securities. For example, a Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two securities if the Fund owns one of the securities and anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. A Fund may also purchase or write yield curve options in an effort to increase current income if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

     Yield curve options written by a Fund will be “covered.” A call (or put) option is covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and segregates cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, a Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of the Fund’s liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by the Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter, and established trading markets for these options may not exist.

     Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on a domestic or foreign options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

     A Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers and other types of institutions that make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that the broker-dealers or financial institutions participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

     Transactions by a Fund in options will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased

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by other investment advisory clients or the Funds’ Investment Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

     Each Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on any of such futures contracts. A Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any of such contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. Government Securities), securities indices, foreign currencies in the case of the Global Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield, Emerging Markets Debt and Investment Grade Credit Funds and any other financial instruments and indices. A Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.

     Futures contracts entered into by a Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.

     Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these reasons, a Fund’s investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC’s regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, these persons may not have the protection of the U.S. securities laws.

     Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments or currencies for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

     When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better

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rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt and Investment Grade Credit Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, these Funds may seek to offset anticipated changes in the value of a currency in which its portfolio securities, or securities that it intends to purchase, are quoted or denominated by purchasing and selling futures contracts on such currencies. As another example, certain Funds may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be liquidated in this manner, a Fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

     Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund proposes to acquire or (except with respect to U.S. Mortgages Fund) the exchange rate of currencies in which portfolio securities are quoted or denominated. A Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates (except with respect to U.S. Mortgages Fund) that would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by a Fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of a Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may each sell futures contracts on any currencies in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for a Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Funds may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in a Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Investment Adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having a Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting a Fund’s portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

     On other occasions, a Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when a Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices that are currently available.

     Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures

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contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

     The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund becomes obligated (upon exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The Funds will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.

     The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

     Other Considerations. The Funds will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code for maintaining their qualifications as regulated investment companies for federal income tax purposes.

     Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and may require the Funds to segregate cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.

     While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, while a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

     Perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be difficult to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on specific fixed-income securities or specific currencies are not available. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or protect against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability of a Fund’s trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Adviser to analyze correctly the futures markets.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

     The Taxable Funds (other than Enhanced Income Fund, High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) may enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which a Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity), but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, a Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, a Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future

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purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of a Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the applicable Fund. Each Fund will hold and maintain in a segregated account until the settlement date cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, in an amount equal to its forward purchase price.

     For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Funds do not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls for financing and do not treat them as borrowings.

     Mortgage dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, a Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase the mortgage-related securities subject to the mortgage dollar roll may be restricted. Also, the instrument which a Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than an instrument which a Fund originally held. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls will depend upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to manage a Fund’s interest rate and mortgage prepayments exposure. For these reasons, there is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

Convertible Securities

     The Enhanced Income, Short Duration Tax-Free, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock (or other securities) of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

     The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.

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     A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective, which, in turn, could result in losses to the Fund. To the extent that a Fund holds a convertible security, or a security that is otherwise converted or exchanged for common stock (e.g., as a result of a restructuring), the Fund may, consistent with its investment objective, hold such common stock in its portfolio.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

     Each Fund may lend portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions, such as brokers or dealers (including Goldman Sachs), and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities maintained on a current basis at an amount, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions may be invested in short-term investments. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. A Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of the loan, a Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but a Fund may call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken by the holders of the securities or the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral and loaned securities should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to firms deemed to be of good standing, and when the consideration which can be earned currently from securities loans of this type is deemed to justify the attendant risk. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower and during the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower will be considered and monitored. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by a Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the loan collateral).

     The Funds’ Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program and adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the securities lending program, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Funds. For these services the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Funds may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions. The lending agent may, on behalf of the Funds, invest cash collateral received by the Funds for securities loans in, among other things, other registered or unregistered funds. These funds include private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for the purpose of investing cash collateral generated from securities lending activities and which pay the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for these services. The Funds’ Board of Trustees will periodically review securities loan transactions for which the Goldman Sachs affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures. Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under the Funds’ securities lending program, subject to certain conditions.

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Restricted and Illiquid Securities

     Each Fund may purchase securities that are not registered or that are offered in an exempt non-public offering (“Restricted Securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), including securities eligible for resale to “qualified institutional buyers” pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. However, a Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments, which include repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, certain SMBS, certain municipal leases, certain over-the-counter options, securities that are not readily marketable and Restricted Securities, unless the Board of Trustees determines, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for the specific Restricted Securities, that such Restricted Securities are liquid. The Trustees have adopted guidelines and delegated to the Investment Advisers the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds’ portfolio securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in a Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these Restricted Securities.

     The purchase price and subsequent valuation of Restricted Securities may reflect a discount from the price at which such securities trade when they are not restricted, since the restriction make them less liquid. The amount of the discount from the prevailing market price is expected to vary depending upon the type of security, the character of the issuer, the party who will bear the expenses of registering the Restricted Securities and prevailing supply and demand conditions.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Securities

     Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date beyond the customary settlement time. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. The Funds will generally purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Funds may dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Fund may also sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. The Funds may realize capital gains or losses in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining each Fund’s duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities for fixed-rate obligations will be calculated from the commitment date. Each Fund is generally required to segregate, until three days prior to settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless the Fund’s obligations are otherwise covered. Alternatively, each Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.

Other Investment Companies

     Each Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in the securities of other investment companies, but may neither invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company nor acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, the Funds may invest in money market funds for which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees

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and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the management fees and other expenses paid by the Fund. However, to the extent that a Fund invests in a money market fund for which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to the Investment Adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Fund’s proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.

     Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income Fund, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may also purchase shares of investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign countries or regions. U.S. Mortgages, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, Investment Grade Credit, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in iSharessm and similar securities. iSharessm are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in various securities indices including, except with respect to U.S. Mortgages Fund, foreign securities indices. iSharessm are listed on the AMEX and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iSharessm are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iSharessm on the AMEX. To date, iSharessm have traded at relatively modest discounts and premiums to the NAVs. However, iSharessm have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iSharessm for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the AMEX necessary to maintain the listing of iSharessm will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iSharessm should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iSharessm as part of its investment strategy.

Repurchase Agreements

     Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, and dealers which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. With respect to Enhanced Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income Fund, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds, these repurchase agreements may involve foreign government securities. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which a Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by each Fund’s custodian (or sub-custodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.

     For purposes of the Act, and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from a Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear whether a court would consider the security purchased by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in value of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an

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unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.

     Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), each Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.

     The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having management agreements with the Investment Advisers or their affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     Each Fund (other than the Enhanced Income Fund) may borrow money by entering into transactions called reverse repurchase agreements. Under these arrangements, a Fund will sell portfolio securities to dealers in U.S. Government Securities or members of the Federal Reserve System, with an agreement to repurchase the security on an agreed date, price and interest payment. In the case of the Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds, these reverse repurchase agreements may involve foreign government securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the possible risk that the value of portfolio securities a Fund relinquishes may decline below the price a Fund must pay when the transaction closes. Borrowings may magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested resulting in an increase in the speculative character of a Fund’s outstanding shares.

     When a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it places in a separate custodial account either liquid assets or other high grade debt securities that have a value equal to or greater than the repurchase price. The account is then continuously monitored by the Investment Adviser to make sure that an appropriate value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings under the Act.

Non-Diversified Status

     Since Global Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund are each “non-diversified” under the Act, they are subject only to certain federal tax diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, Global Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund may each, with respect to 50% of its total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of each Fund’s total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests do not apply to investments in United States Government Securities and regulated investment companies.

Portfolio Turnover

     Each Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for fixed-income securities, or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover rate of each Fund will vary from year to year, and may be affected

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by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Government Income Fund’s portfolio turnover increased significantly from the rate from the prior fiscal year because the Fund participated more actively in the mortgage TBA market than it had in the prior fiscal year. When a Fund purchases a TBA mortgage, it can either receive the underlying pools of the TBA mortgage or roll it forward a month. The portfolio turnover rate increases when a Fund rolls the TBA forward.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of the affected Fund. In addition, the policies of Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Municipal Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund to invest, under normal market conditions, 80% of their respective net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in Municipal Securities the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax (i.e., excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes) and, in the case of Short Duration Tax-Free Fund only, is not a tax preference item under the federal alternative minimum tax, are fundamental policies. The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of the Funds are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. As defined in the Act, “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a Fund means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares of a Fund.

     For the purposes of the limitations (except for the asset coverage requirement with respect to borrowings), any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to the Tax Exempt Funds, the identification of the issuer of a Municipal Security that is not a general obligation is made by the Investment Adviser based on the characteristics of the Municipal Security, the most important of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal and interest on such security.

As a matter of fundamental policy, a Fund may not:

(1)   Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a diversified company under the Act. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Fund classified as a non-diversified company under the Act;
 
(2)   Invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities); provided that during normal market conditions, the U.S. Mortgages Fund intends to invest at least 25% of the value of its total assets in mortgage-related securities. (For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their agencies, authorities and instrumentalities are not deemed to be industries; telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities; personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries; and wholly-owned finance

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    companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents.) This restriction does not apply to investments in Municipal Securities which have been pre-refunded by the use of obligations of the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Each of the Municipal Income, Short Duration Tax-Free and High Yield Municipal Funds may invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in Municipal Securities which are related in such a way that an economic, business or political development or change affecting one Municipal Security would also affect the other Municipal Securities. These Municipal Securities include (a) Municipal Securities, the interest on which is paid solely from revenues of similar projects such as hospitals, electric utility systems, multi-family housing, nursing homes, commercial facilities (including hotels), steel companies or life care facilities; (b) Municipal Securities whose issuers are in the same state; and (c) industrial development obligations;
 
(3)   Borrow money, except (a) each Fund (other than the U.S. Mortgages Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund), may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed); (b) the U.S. Mortgages Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies and other persons or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed); (c) the Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes; (d) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities; (e) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law; and (f) the Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings;
 
(4)   Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies; (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions; (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law; and (d) (U.S. Mortgages, Investment Grade Credit and Emerging Markets Debts Funds only) loans to affiliates of the Fund to the extent permitted by law;
 
(5)   Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting;
 
(6)(a)   For each Fund other than Core Fixed Income Fund, purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities;
 
(6)(b)   In the case of Core Fixed Income Fund, purchase, hold or deal in real estate (including real estate limited partnerships) or oil, gas or mineral leases, although the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, may purchase mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities;

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(7)   Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts; and
 
(8)   Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

     Notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, each Fund may invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.

     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees without approval of shareholders.

A Fund may not:

(1)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management;
 
(2)   Invest more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets in illiquid investments, including illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act;
 
(3)   Purchase additional securities if the Fund’s borrowings (excluding covered mortgage dollar rolls) exceed 5% of its net assets; or
 
(4)   Make short sales of securities, except short sales against-the-box.

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Fund’s daily business operations.

     Trustees of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 62
  Chairman & Trustee   Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994–March 1996 and November 1998–Present); Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996-November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984–1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989–Present); Member of Cornell University Council (1992–Present); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992–Present); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors-III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002–Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).

Chairman of the Board and Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None

B-63


 

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 – May 2003).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None
 
                       
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 45
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000–Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-Present); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997–August 2000).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None
 
                       
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 69
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997–Present); Director, Smith College (1998–Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977–Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985–Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986–1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993–February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993–1998); and Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997–Present).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None
 
                       
Wilma J. Smelcer
Age: 55
  Trustee   Since 2001   Chairman, Bank of America, Illinois (banking) (1998–January 2001); and Governor, Board of Governors, Chicago Stock Exchange (national securities exchange) (April 2001-April 2004).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     Lawson Products Inc. (distributor of industrial products).

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 64
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003–Present); President, COO and Director, Unext, Inc. (1999–2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999–Present); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987–Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990-1999).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     Gildan Activewear Inc. (an activewear clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (53 Portfolios).
 
                       
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 54
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director – GSAM (May 1999–Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 – May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 – May 1999).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
    63     None
 
                       
*Kaysie P. Uniacke
Age: 43
  Trustee
&
President
  Since 2001


Since 2002
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2002-Present) (registered investment companies).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997 – 2002) ( registered investment companies).
    63     None


* These persons are considered to be “Interested Trustees” because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Howard B. Surloff.

2 The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.

3 Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.

B-65


 

4 The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of May 31, 2004, the Trust consisted of 57 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.

5 This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Officers of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.

             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  President
&
Trustee
  Since 2002

Since 2001
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997–2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 - Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995–November 2003).

Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992–Present).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 46
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000–Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985–June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 40
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995–October 1998).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James A. Fitzpatrick
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
  Vice President   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999– Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997-December 1999).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 1998   Vice President, GSAM (June 1998–Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996–June 1998).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control – Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Christopher Keller
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 38
  Vice President   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 1997–Present).

Vice President–Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998–Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998–December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 – April 1998).

Vice President–Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (December 2002–May 2004).
 
           
Howard B. Surloff
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 38
  Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2002–Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs and General Counsel to the U.S. Funds Group (December 1997–Present).

Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001–Present) and Assistant Secretary prior thereto.
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001-Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2001).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987–Present).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 – Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997–December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996–Present).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Amy E. Curran
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1999   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (June 1999-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2000–Present); Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1998-2000); and Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads (law firm) (September 1996-1998).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).


1 Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

Standing Board Committees

     The Board of Trustees has established six standing committees in connection with their governance of the Funds – Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Schedule E.

     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (1) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (2) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (3) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted

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to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.

     The Compliance Committee consists of each of the Independent Trustees. The Compliance Committee’s functions, among other things, are: (i) to review and recommend for adoption certain policies and procedures for the Funds and their service providers; (ii) to review and recommend to the Board the designation of a chief compliance officer of the Funds; and (iii) to review material compliance matters that are reported to it and to take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Compliance Committee was formed on May 6, 2004 and, therefore did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.

     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. Mr. Shuch and Ms. Uniacke serve on the Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held twenty-one meetings.

     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Ms. Uniacke. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Dividend Committee held twenty-two meetings with respect to the Funds included in this Additional Statement and twenty-eight meetings with respect to all of the Funds of the Trust (including the Funds included in this Additional Statement).

     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”). Currently, the Independent Trustees are alternate members of this committee. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003.

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Funds and other portfolios of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

         
        Aggregate Dollar Range of
        Equity Securities in All
    Dollar Range of   Portfolios in Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Overseen By Trustee2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  Global Income: over $100,000
All other Funds: None
  Over $100,000
 
       
Gary D. Black 3
  Short Duration Government Fund: $1
–$10,000
High Yield Fund: $1 -$10,000
All other Funds: None
  $50,001 – $100,000
 
       
John P. Coblentz, Jr. 4
  None   None
 
       
Patrick T. Harker
  None   Over $100,000

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        Aggregate Dollar Range of
        Equity Securities in All
    Dollar Range of   Portfolios in Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Overseen By Trustee2
James McNamara 3
  None   $10,001 – $50,000
 
       
Mary P. McPherson
  Utra-Short Duration Government Fund:
$1 –$10,000
Government Income Fund:
  Over $100,000
  $50,001–$100,000
All other Funds: None
   
 
       
Alan A. Shuch
  High Yield Fund: Over $100,000
All other Funds: None
  Over $100,000
 
       
Wilma J. Smelcer
  None   $50,001 – $100,000
 
       
Richard P. Strubel
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  Short Duration Government Fund:
$50,001–$100,000
Enhanced Income Fund: $50,001–$100,000
All other Funds: None
  Over $100,000


1   Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Fund described in this Additional Statement as of December 31, 2003.
 
2   Includes the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2003, the Trust consisted of 58 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Board of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust on October 30, 2003.

     As of February 1, 2004, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

Board Compensation

     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance and Nominating Committee meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.

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     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003:

                         
            Pension or Retirement    
    Aggregate   Benefits Accrued as   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Part of the Trust’s   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  from the Funds
  Expenses
  (including the Funds)2
Ashok N. Bakhru1
  $ 27,898     $     $ 171,000  
Gary D. Black3
                 
John P. Coblentz4
                 
Patrick T. Harker
    20,490             126,000  
James McNamara3
                 
Mary P. McPherson
    20,490             126,000  
Alan A. Shuch
                 
Richard P. Strubel
    20,490             126,000  
Wilma J. Smelcer
    20,490             126,000  
Kaysie P. Uniacke
                 


1   Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
2   The Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Trust consisted of 56 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios as of October 31, 2003.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was elected to the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust on October 30, 2003.

Miscellaneous

     Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at net asset value without payment of any sales charge to Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above individuals. These and the Funds’ other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.

     The Trust, its Investment Advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.

Investment Advisers

     As stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, GSAM (formerly Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.), 32 Old Slip, New York, New York 10005, serves as the Investment Adviser to Enhanced Income Fund, Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund, High Yield Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt

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Fund, pursuant to a Management Agreement. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April, 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs served as the investment adviser to the Enhanced Income Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fund. On or about April 26, 2003, GSAM assumed investment advisory responsibilities for those Funds. GSAMI, Procession House, Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street, London, England EC1A 7HD, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as Investment Adviser to Global Income Fund pursuant to a Management Agreement. As a company with unlimited liability under the laws of England, GSAMI is regulated by the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited, a United Kingdom self-regulatory organization, in the conduct of its investment advisory business. GSAMI is also an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. See “Service Providers” in the Funds’ Prospectuses for a description of the applicable Investment Adviser’s duties to the Funds.

     Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is among the oldest and largest investment banking firms in the United States. Goldman Sachs is a leader in developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. Goldman Sachs also is among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a wide range of equity and debt securities 24 hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York and has offices throughout the United States and in Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Calgary, Dublin, Geneva, Frankfurt, George Town, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Montreal, Moscow, Paris, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver and Zurich. It has trading professionals throughout the United States, as well as in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the world’s financial markets enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the Funds to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of each Fund’s name for as long as a Fund’s Management Agreement is in effect.

     The Investment Advisers are able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 2,400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 markets. The in-depth information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs’ research analysts are available to the Investment Advisers.

     For more than a decade, Goldman Sachs has been among the top-ranked firms in Institutional Investor’s annual “All-America Research Team” survey. In addition, many of Goldman Sachs’ economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using quantitative analytics (now used by a growing number of investors) to structure and evaluate portfolios. For example, Goldman Sachs’ options evaluation model analyzes a security’s term, coupon and call option, providing an overall analysis of the security’s value relative to its interest risk.

     In planning the Tax Exempt Funds’ strategies, the portfolio managers also evaluate and monitor individual issues by using analytical techniques that have traditionally been applied to corporate bonds and Mortgage-Backed Securities. In particular, the Investment Adviser’s embedded option valuation model provides a picture of an individual security’s relative value and the portfolio’s overall interest rate risk. By constantly reviewing the positions of securities within the portfolio, the Investment Adviser looks for opportunities to enhance the Tax Exempt Funds’ yields by fine-tuning the portfolio, using quantitative tools designed for municipal portfolio management. The Investment Adviser, which managed approximately $11.1 billion in tax-free securities as of December 31, 2003, has assembled an experienced team of professionals for selection of the Tax-Exempt Funds’ portfolio securities.

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     In structuring Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund’s and Short Duration Government Fund’s respective securities portfolio, the Investment Adviser will review the existing overall economic and mortgage market trends. The Investment Adviser will then study yield spreads, the implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. The Investment Adviser will then apply this analysis to a list of eligible securities that meet the respective Fund’s investment guidelines. With respect to Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, this analysis is used to plan a two-part portfolio, which will consist of a core portfolio of ARMs and a “relative value” portfolio of other mortgage assets that can enhance portfolio returns and lower risk (such as investments in CMO floating-rate tranches and interest-only SMBS).

     With respect to Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Government Fund, Government Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, and High Yield Fund, the applicable Investment Adviser expects to utilize Goldman Sachs’ sophisticated option-adjusted analytics to help make strategic asset allocations within the markets for U.S. Government Securities, Mortgage-Backed Securities and other securities and to employ this technology periodically to re-evaluate the Funds’ investments as market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has also developed a prepayment model designed to estimate mortgage prepayments and cash flows under different interest rate scenarios. Because a Mortgage-Backed Security incorporates the borrower’s right to prepay the mortgage, the Investment Adviser uses a sophisticated option-adjusted spread (OAS) model to measure expected returns. A security’s OAS is a function of the level and shape of the yield curve, volatility and the applicable Investment Adviser’s expectation of how a change in interest rates will affect prepayment levels. Since the OAS model assumes a relationship between prepayments and interest rates, the Investment Adviser considers it a better way to measure a security’s expected return and absolute and relative values than yield to maturity. In using OAS technology, the Investment Adviser will first evaluate the absolute level of a security’s OAS and consider its liquidity and its interest rate, volatility and prepayment sensitivity. The Investment Adviser will then analyze its value relative to alternative investments and to its own investments. The Investment Adviser will also measure a security’s interest rate risk by computing an option adjusted duration (OAD). The Investment Adviser believes a security’s OAD is a better measurement of its price sensitivity than cash flow duration, which systematically misstates portfolio duration. The Investment Adviser also evaluates returns for different mortgage market sectors and evaluates the credit risk of individual securities. This sophisticated technical analysis allows the Investment Adviser to develop portfolio and trading strategies using Mortgage-Backed Securities that are believed to be superior investments on a risk-adjusted basis and which provide the flexibility to meet the respective Fund’s duration targets and cash flow pattern requirements.

     Because the OAS is adjusted for the differing characteristics of the underlying securities, the OAS of different Mortgage-Backed Securities can be compared directly as an indication of their relative value in the market. The Investment Adviser also expects to use OAS-based pricing methods to calculate projected security returns under different, discrete interest rate scenarios, and Goldman Sachs’ proprietary prepayment model to generate yield estimates under these scenarios. The OAS, scenario returns, expected returns, and yields of securities in the mortgage market can be combined and analyzed in an optimal risk-return matching framework.

     The Investment Adviser will use OAS analytics to choose what they believe is an appropriate portfolio of investments for Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Government Fund, Government Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, and High Yield Fund from a universe of eligible investments. In connection with initial portfolio selections, in addition to using OAS analytics as an aid to meeting each Fund’s particular composition and performance targets, the Investment Adviser will also take into account important market criteria like the available supply and relative liquidity of various mortgage securities in structuring the portfolio.

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     The Investment Adviser also expects to use OAS analytics to evaluate the mortgage market on an ongoing basis. Changes in the relative value of various Mortgage-Backed Securities could suggest tactical trading opportunities for the Funds. The Investment Adviser will have access to both current market analysis as well as historical information on the relative value relationships among different Mortgage-Backed Securities. Current market analysis and historical information is available in the Goldman Sachs database for most actively traded Mortgage-Backed Securities.

     Goldman Sachs has agreed to provide the Investment Adviser, on a non-exclusive basis, use of its mortgage prepayment model, OAS model and any other proprietary services which it now has or may develop, to the extent such services are made available to other similar customers. Use of these services by the Investment Adviser with respect to a Fund does not preclude Goldman Sachs from providing these services to third parties or using such services as a basis for trading for its own account or the account of others.

     With respect to the Enhanced Income Fund, the Investment Adviser will review the existing overall economic trends in structuring the Fund’s securities portfolio. The Investment Adviser will then study yield spreads, the implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. The Investment Adviser will then apply this analysis to a list of eligible securities that meet the Fund’s investment guidelines. The Investment Adviser expects to utilize Goldman Sachs’ sophisticated option-adjusted analytics to help make strategic asset allocations within the markets for U.S. Government and other securities and to employ this technology periodically to re-evaluate the Fund’s investments as market conditions change.

     The fixed-income research capabilities of Goldman Sachs available to the Investment Advisers include the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Research Department and the Credit Department. The Fixed Income Research Department monitors developments in U.S. and foreign fixed-income markets, assesses the outlooks for various sectors of the markets and provides relative value comparisons, as well as analyzes trading opportunities within and across market sectors. The Fixed Income Research Department is at the forefront in developing and using computer-based tools for analyzing fixed-income securities and markets, developing new fixed-income products and structuring portfolio strategies for investment policy and tactical asset allocation decisions. The Credit Department tracks specific governments, regions and industries and from time to time may review the credit quality of a Fund’s investments.

     In addition to fixed-income research and credit research, the Investment Adviser, in managing Global Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund, is supported by Goldman Sachs’ economics research. The Economics Research Department, based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide. The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures, balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman Sachs’ international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Extel, Institutional Investor and Reuters. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firm’s economists, strategists and equity analysts.

     In allocating assets in the Investment Grade Credit Fund’s, Global Income Fund’s and Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s portfolios among currencies, the Investment Adviser will have access to the Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model, the Investment Adviser will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs’ research professionals to produce an optimal

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currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for a Fund given its investment objectives and criteria.

     The Management Agreements provide that GSAM and GSAMI, in their capacity as Investment Advisers, may each render similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreements are not impaired thereby. The Management Agreements were most recently approved by the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreements or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”), on May 5, 2004. At that meeting the Board of Trustees reviewed the written and oral presentations provided by the Investment Advisers in connection with the Trustees’ consideration of the Management Agreements. The Trustees also reviewed, with the advice of legal counsel, their responsibilities under applicable law. The Trustees considered, in particular, restructuring of the Investment Adviser and the assumption of investment advisory responsibilities by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., including the assurances that the same personnel and resources would be committed to the management of the Funds. The Trustees also considered, in particular, the regulatory settlement that had been reached by Goldman Sachs regarding investment bank and research department conflicts of interest. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ respective management fee rates; the Funds’ respective operating expense ratios; the Investment Advisers’ current and prospective fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the respective Funds; and the investment performance of the Funds for the prior year and longer time periods. The information on these matters was also compared to similar information for other mutual funds. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ management fee structures in comparison to the structures used by other mutual funds; the revenues received by the Investment Advisers and their affiliates from the Funds for their investment management services and for other, non-investment management services, and their expenses in providing such services; the brokerage and research services received in connection with the placement of brokerage transactions for the Funds; and the Funds’ asset levels and possible economies of scale. The Trustees also considered the personnel and resources of the Investment Advisers, the overall nature and quality of the Investment Advisers’ services and the specific provisions of the Management Agreements. After consideration of the Investment Advisers’ presentations, the Non-Interested Trustees discussed at greater length in executive session the fairness and reasonableness of the Management Agreements to the Funds and their shareholders, including the trends in expense levels and investment performance and concluded that the Management Agreements should be reapproved and continued in the interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The applicable Fund’s Management Agreement was approved by the shareholders of Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund on October 30, 1991, the shareholders of Short Duration Government Fund on March 27, 1989, the sole initial shareholder of Short Duration Tax-Free Fund on September 25, 1992, the sole initial shareholder of Core Fixed Income Fund on October 29, 1993, the sole initial shareholder of High Yield Municipal Fund on March 1, 2000, the sole initial shareholder of Enhanced Income Fund on July 28, 2000, the sole initial shareholder of Emerging Markets Debt Fund on August 28, 2003, the sole initial shareholders of U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Fund on October 30, 2003, and the shareholders of each other Fund on April 21, 1997. Each Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect with respect to the applicable Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     Each Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act). Each Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the applicable Investment Adviser or by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.

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     Pursuant to the Management Agreements, the Investment Advisers are entitled to receive the fees set forth below, payable monthly based on such Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition, as of the date of this Additional Statement the Investment Advisers are voluntarily limiting their management fees for certain Funds to the annual rates also listed below:

                 
    Management Fee   Management Fee without
Fund
  with Limitations
  Limitations
GSAM
               
Enhanced Income
    0.20 %     0.25 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government
    0.40 %     0.40 %
Short Duration Government
    0.50 %     0.50 %
Short Duration Tax-Free
    0.35 %     0.40 %
Government Income
    0.54 %     0.65 %
Municipal Income
    0.50 %     0.55 %
U.S. Mortgages
    0.33 %     0.40 %
Core Fixed Income
    0.40 %     0.40 %
Investment Grade Credit
    0.33 %     0.40 %
High Yield Municipal
    0.55 %     0.55 %
High Yield
    0.70 %     0.70 %
Emerging Markets Debt
    0.80 %     0.80 %
GSAMI
               
Global Income
    0.65 %     0.90 %

     GSAM and GSAMI may discontinue or modify the above limitations in the future at their discretion.

     For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the amounts of the fees (net of expense limitations) incurred by each Fund then in existence under the Management Agreements were as follows:

                         
    Fiscal Year ended   Fiscal Year ended   Fiscal Year ended
    October 31,   October 31,   October 31,
Fund
  2003
  2002
  2001
Enhanced Income(1)
  $ 4,303,909     $ 4,305,380     $ 845,046  
Ultra-Short Duration Government
    15,143,195       8,056,465       928,306  
Short Duration Government
    4,434,803       2,389,845       1,089,175  
Short Duration Tax-Free(2)
    1,845,484       573,515       216,855  
Government Income(3)
    2,924,585       1,466,030       870,489  
Municipal Income(4)
    1,143,407       1,109,433       826,833  
U.S. Mortgages(5)
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Core Fixed Income
    4,826,035       3,714,047       2,095,811  
Investment Grade Credit(5)
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Global Income(6)
    2,724,238       3,080,564       3,623,306  
High Yield Municipal
    7,970,469       4,875,959       2,348,183  
High Yield
    18,002,553       9,620,247       7,485,632  
Emerging Markets Debt(7)
    15,543       N/A       N/A  


(1)   Had expense limitations not been in effect, Enhanced Income Fund would have paid advisory fees of $5,379,887, $5,381,725, and $1,056,308, respectively, for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002 and October 31, 2001.

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(2)   Had expense limitations not been in effect, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund would have paid advisory fees of $2,109,148, $655,444, and $247,834, respectively, for the years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2001.
 
(3)   Had expense limitations not been in effect, Government Income Fund would have paid advisory fees of $3,520,334, $1,764,665, and $1,047,811, respectively, for the years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2001.
 
(4)   Had expense limitations not been in effect, Municipal Income Fund would have paid advisory fees of $1,257,749, $1,220,376, and $909,517, respectively, for the years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2001.
 
(5)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003.
 
(6)   Had expense limitations not been in effect, Global Income Fund would have paid advisory fees of $3,772,021, $4,265,398, and $5,016,885, respectively, for the years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2001.
 
(7)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

     Each Investment Adviser performs administrative services for the applicable Funds under the Management Agreement. Such administrative services include, subject to the general supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, (i) providing supervision of all aspects of the Funds’ non-investment operations (other than certain operations performed by others pursuant to agreements with the Funds); (ii) providing the Funds, to the extent not provided pursuant to the agreement with the Trust’s custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agent or agreements with other institutions, with personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of the Funds; (iii) arranging, to the extent not provided pursuant to such agreements, for the preparation, at the Funds’ expense, of each Fund’s tax returns, reports to shareholders, periodic updating of the Funds’ prospectuses and statements of additional information, and reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) providing the Funds, to the extent not provided pursuant to such agreements, with adequate office space and certain related office equipment and services; and (v) maintaining all of the Funds’ records other than those maintained pursuant to such agreements.

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Advisers, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities and business operations of the Funds, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in accounts, securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Funds and their service providers. These are considerations of which investors in the Funds should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Funds.

     Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs in addition to those described in this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

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Certain Activities and Interests of Goldman Sachs and Clients

     Goldman Sachs is a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from Goldman Sachs and from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. In addition, it is likely that the Funds will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has direct or indirect interests. The Investment Advisers make decisions for a Fund in accordance with their obligations as Investment Advisers. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Funds.

     Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to current or future accounts or funds that it manages or advises, including accounts or funds that may provide greater fees or other compensation, including performance-based fees, to Goldman Sachs or the Investment Advisers or in which Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”) or proprietary accounts, that may compete or conflict with the advice given to the Funds, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken than with respect to the Funds. For example, the Funds may be competing for investment opportunities with Goldman Sachs, or with other current or future Client/GS Accounts. Goldman Sachs and its Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell the securities of issuers while a Fund is undertaking the same or a different, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could increase the cost of that strategy to the Fund or otherwise disadvantage the Fund. For example, the Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may establish a short position in the same security. That subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Fund holds. Conversely, the Fund may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may buy that same security. That subsequent purchase may result in impairment of the price of the short sale position which the Fund holds. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other accounts, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies.

     In addition, conflicts may arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account.

     The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by Goldman Sachs). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Funds. To lessen the possibility that a Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as the Funds’ Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 170) of the Act that restricts

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securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

     Goldman Sachs and its clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds. Prices, availability, liquidity and terms of Fund investments may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and its clients’ activities, and transactions for the Funds may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case. The results of the investment activities of the Funds may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts or accounts managed by it and from the results achieved by the Investment Advisers for other advised accounts. In addition, other client transactions may also adversely impact the Funds. Subject to applicable law, clients of the Investment Advisers may also have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Advisers’ transactions or views which may affect their transactions outside of accounts controlled by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs and in connection therewith negatively impact the performance of the Funds. Further, the Funds may be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, as well as increases of capital in and withdrawals of capital from other accounts advised by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate.

     The Investment Advisers’ management of the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. Subject to applicable law, the Funds may engage in investment transactions which may result in Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of an investment. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or its Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.

     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, markdowns, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts, which are favorable to Goldman Sachs. In such circumstances, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds will be reduced thereby. When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. In addition, when Goldman Sachs acts in such capacities, its representatives may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, including the Investment Advisers, and such representatives may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Funds. When acting in such capacity, Goldman Sachs is under no obligation to disseminate such information to the Investment Advisers or to others. Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may from time to time in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services to the Funds in investment management and administrative capacities.

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     Goldman Sachs, and its sales personnel and other dealers, have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel and other dealers may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the investors in the Funds. Such fees and commissions may vary by product or service, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other products. Further, Goldman Sachs may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, dealers, consultants and others who recommend, sell, or have interests or relationships associated with sales or recommendations of Fund shares or portfolio transactions for the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its employees and its businesses. In addition, Goldman Sachs employees, including employees of the Investment Advisers, may have board, advisory or other relationships with issuers, dealers, consultants and charitable organizations which may own or which may recommend or sell shares of the Funds or portfolio transactions for the Funds. As a result, those persons and institutions may have conflicts associated with the promotion of Fund shares and portfolio investment-related matters that would create incentives for them to promote such sales or raise other conflicts.

Certain Regulatory Matters

     From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. An investment fund not affiliated with Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations in relation to transactions with Goldman Sachs. There may be periods when the Investment Advisers may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase investments that are issued, or the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs-related personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.

     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs, for its proprietary accounts and for other clients may also limit investment strategies and rights of Client/GS Accounts. For example, in certain regulated industries, in emerging markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, its Client/GS Accounts and other clients to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, Goldman Sachs may limit purchases in Client/GS Accounts, sell existing investments for Client/GS Accounts, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) for Client/GS Accounts, when Goldman Sachs, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate in light of potential regulatory restrictions on ownership or other impairments resulting to the Client/GS Account, Goldman Sachs, or other clients arising from reaching investment thresholds.

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     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Investment Advisers may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Funds in which Goldman Sachs, acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Funds may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Funds and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. The Funds will only consider engaging in a principal or cross transaction with Goldman Sachs or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Investment Advisers will, to the extent required by law, obtain necessary consents prior to entering into such transactions.

     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, nonpublic information or other information that could limit the ability of the Funds to buy and sell investments. The Funds’ investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence. In making investment decisions for a Fund, the Investment Advisers are not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Goldman Sachs in the course of their activities.

Other Investment Management-Related Activities

     In determining the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, a number of factors may be considered by the Investment Advisers, which may include the relative size of the applicable accounts or funds and their expected futures sizes, the investments available for allocation at any given time and the investment objectives of the Funds and such Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Advisers will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Funds and Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable and equitable. Although allocating orders among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interest of Goldman Sachs or its personnel in such other Client/GS Accounts or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from such Client/GS Accounts, the Investment Advisers will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or such greater fees and compensation. The Investment Advisers may determine that an investment opportunity or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for itself or an affiliate, but not for the Funds, or is appropriate for, or available to, the Funds but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for others. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.

     Purchases and sales of securities for the account of the Funds may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other accounts of Goldman Sachs, including other Client/GS Accounts. Because of the prevailing trading activity, it is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged which may be disadvantageous to the Funds.

     The Funds and the Investment Advisers or their affiliates or personnel may from time to time receive research products and services in connection with the brokerage services that brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Advisers) may provide to the Funds or one or more Client/GS Accounts. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. In addition, Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefits, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to Client/GS Accounts.

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     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may invest all or some of their short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs, and may invest in other investment funds advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other dealers) will be entitled to retain any fees accruing to it in connection with any such investments, and the fees or allocations from the Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with a Shareholder’s direct purchase of underlying investments).

     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Funds or with respect to which the underlying securities, currencies or instruments may be those in which the Funds invest, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Funds. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may, from time to time, invest in the Funds, hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling Fund shares and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its Fund and other positions at any time. These investments and redemptions will be made without notice to the shareholders. These derivative related activities, as well as such investment and redemption activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds’ investment management, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through a Fund by the shareholders.

     The Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on the Funds’ own credit standing. Neither Goldman Sachs nor the Investment Advisers or any of their affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Funds’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Funds’ counterparties will rely on the credit of such entities in evaluating the Funds’ creditworthiness. In addition, the Funds, when the Investment Advisers deem it appropriate, may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs or its affiliates, at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.

     Subject to applicable law, in connection with its management of the Fund, the Investment Advisers may utilize investment policy advisors or a committee which may include personnel of Goldman Sachs or of unaffiliated firms. Those individuals may, as a result, obtain information regarding the Funds’ proposed investment activities which is not generally available to the public. Goldman Sachs and the Investment Advisers may also have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and other affiliates. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.

     The Investment Advisers have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Investment Advisers’ fiduciary obligations to their clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the Investment Advisers’ proxy voting policies and procedures, the Investment Advisers’ actual proxy voting decisions may have the effect of favoring the interests of clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that the Investment Advisers believe such voting decision to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”

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Distributor and Transfer Agent

     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 serves as the exclusive distributor of shares of the Funds pursuant to a “best efforts” arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after the Funds’ Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain investment dealers and other financial service firms (the “Authorized Dealers”) to solicit subscriptions for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each of the Funds that offer such classes of shares. Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the sales load imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or redemption in the case of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, of such Fund shares. Goldman Sachs retained approximately the following combined commissions on sales of Class A, B and C Shares during the following periods:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    October 31,   October 31,   October 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Enhanced Income(1)
  $ 4,200     $ 10,000     $ 5,000  
Ultra-Short Duration Government(1)
    128,100       98,000       8,000  
Short Duration Government
    193,900       188,000       97,000  
Short Duration Tax-Free
    441,400       218,000       53,000  
Government Income
    156,800       109,000       79,000  
Municipal Income
    251,800       196,000       91,000  
U.S. Mortgages Fund (2)
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Core Fixed Income
    816,000       494,000       270,000  
Investments Grade Credit(2)
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Global Income
    58,800       55,000       47,000  
High Yield Municipal
    1,819,000       1,365,000       767,000  
High Yield
    4,146,000       2,036,000       1,306,000  
Emerging Markets Debt(3)
    0       N/A       N/A  


(1)   Enhanced Income and Ultra-Short Duration Government Funds do not offer Class B and C Shares.
 
(2)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003 and do not offer Class B and C Shares.
 
(3)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003 and does not offer Class B and C Shares.

     Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trust’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust with respect to each Fund to: (i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares; (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements; (iii) provide certain information to the Trust’s custodian and the relevant subcustodian in connection with redemptions; (iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services; (v) maintain shareholder accounts; (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information; (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with tax-related information; (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries; and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Institutional, Administration, Service and Separate Account Institutional Shares and 0.19% of average

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daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares (less transfer agency expenses borne by a share class).

     As compensation for the services rendered to the Trust by Goldman Sachs as transfer and dividend disbursing agent and the assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto, Goldman Sachs received fees for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, from each Fund then in existence as follows under the fee schedules then in effect:

                                 
    Fiscal year ended October 31, 2003
    Class A, B   Institutional   Service   Administration
    and C Shares
  Shares
  Shares
  Shares
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 1,190,231     $ 602,424     $     $ 7,783  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    2,058,958       1,053,416       27,439        
Short Duration Government Fund
    909,255       159,341       4,021        
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    405,608       125,448       73        
Government Income Fund
    740,008       55,940       4,905        
Municipal Income Fund
    311,479       25,809       89        
U.S. Mortgages Fund(1)
    N/A       N/A       N/A        
Core Fixed Income Fund
    862,445       291,225       9,811        
Investment Grade Credit Fund(1)
    N/A       N/A       N/A        
Global Income Fund
    578,994       45,387       365        
High Yield Municipal Fund
    1,594,565       243,973              
High Yield Fund
    2,959,608       405,368       274        
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
    61       764       N/A        

(1)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003. No Separate Account Institutional Shares of these Funds were issued prior to the commencement of operations of these Funds.
 
(2)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

                                 
    Fiscal year ended October 31, 2002
    Class A, B   Institutional   Service   Administration
    and C Shares
  Shares
  Shares
  Shares
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 1,037,614     $ 639,254     $     $ 3,377  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    975,811       585,639       14,574        
Short Duration Government Fund
    419,093       99,614       3,344        
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    171,902       29,329       26        
Government Income Fund
    422,143       16,077       3,646        
Municipal Income Fund
    225,477       41,177       109        
U.S. Mortgages Fund(1)
                       
Core Fixed Income Fund
    506,213       254,178       10,655        
Investment Grade Credit Fund(1)
                       
Global Income Fund
    603,435       61,961       573        
High Yield Municipal Fund
    951,827       154,231              
High Yield Fund
    1,438,439       246,705       194        
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
                       

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(1)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003. No Separate Account Institutional Shares of these Funds were issued prior to the commencement of operation of these Funds.

(2)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

                                 
    Fiscal year ended October 31, 2001
    Class A, B   Institutional   Service   Administration
    and C Shares
  Shares
  Shares
  Shares
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 61,022     $ 155,336     $     $ 826  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    82,632       72,491       2,943        
Short Duration Government Fund
    106,870       61,717       2,918        
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    52,712       13,669       18        
Government Income Fund
    269,417       6,154       1,607        
Municipal Income Fund
    172,163       29,898       3        
U.S. Mortgages Fund(1)
                       
Core Fixed Income Fund
    273,139       143,787       8,291        
Investment Grade Credit Fund(1)
                       
Global Income Fund
    613,072       93,223       682        
High Yield Municipal Fund
    467,339       72,390              
High Yield Fund
    1,033,531       209,998       166        
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
                       

(1)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003. No Separate Account Institutional Shares of these Funds were issued prior to the commencement of operation of these Funds.

(2)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

     The foregoing distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may render similar services to others so long as the services each provides thereunder to the Funds are not impaired thereby. Each such agreement also provides that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities.

Expenses

     The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, is responsible for the payment of each Fund’s respective expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Advisers, service fees, account service fees, shareholder administration fees and administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses of the Trust’s custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trust’s shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Trust, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations, including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs, or its affiliates, with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, Additional Statements, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trust’s shareholders and regulatory authorities, shareholder expenses, any expenses assumed by a Fund pursuant to its distribution and service plans, the compensation and expenses of its “non-interested”

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Trustees, the fees and expenses of pricing services and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, account service plan, administration plan, shareholder administration plan or distribution and service plan applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.

     The imposition of the Investment Advisers’ fees, as well as other operating expenses, will have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment Advisers may waive receipt of fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Fund, which would have the effect of lowering that Fund’s overall expense ratio and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.

     As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Advisers have agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, service share fees, account service fees, shareholder administration fees, administration fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed to the following percentage (rounded) of each Fund’s average daily net assets:

         
    Other
Fund
  Expenses
Enhanced Income
    0.01 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government
    0.05 %
Short Duration Government
    0.00 %
Short Duration Tax-Free
    0.00 %
Government Income
    0.00 %
Municipal Income
    0.00 %
U.S. Mortgages Fund
    0.00 %
Core Fixed Income
    0.10 %
Investment Grade Credit Fund
    0.00 %
Global Income
    0.00 %
High Yield Municipal
    0.00 %
High Yield
    0.02 %
Emerging Markets Debt Fund
    0.04 %

     Such reductions or limits are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during the Funds’ fiscal year. The Investment Advisers may modify or discontinue such expense limitations or the limitations on the management fees, described above under “Management — Investment Advisers,” in the future at their discretion. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002 and 2001, “Other Expenses” of each Fund were reduced by the Investment Advisers in the following amounts under expense limitations that were then in effect:

Reimbursements

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    October 31,   October 31,   October 31,
Fund
  2003
  2002
  2001
Enhanced Income
  $ 231,198     $ 395,779     $ 384,314  
Ultra-Short Duration Government
                179,497  
Short Duration Government
    492,335       452,932       363,560  
Short Duration Tax-Free
    336,512       281,910       248,253  

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    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    October 31,   October 31,   October 31,
Fund
  2003
  2002
  2001
Government Income
    420,219       399,865       348,790  
Municipal Income
    306,432       273,493       311,341  
U.S. Mortgages Fund(1)
                 
Core Fixed Income
                 
Investment Grade Credit Fund(1)
                 
Global Income
    575,339       592,240       605,803  
High Yield Municipal
    422,192       388,787       355,236  
High Yield Fund
    429,120       395,015       561,737  
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
    77,210              


(1)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003.
 
(2)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

     Fees and expenses of legal counsel, registering shares of each Fund, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Fund may also bear an allocable portion of the costs incurred by the Investment Advisers in performing certain accounting services not being provided by the Trust’s custodian.

Custodian and Sub-Custodians

     State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian of the Trust’s portfolio securities and cash. State Street also maintains the Trust’s accounting records. State Street may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold certain securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Trust.

Independent Auditors

     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, have been selected as independent auditors of the Funds of the Trust for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2004. In addition to audit services, Ernst & Young LLP will prepare the Funds’ federal and state tax returns, and will provide consultation and assistance on accounting, internal control and related matters. The data set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectuses for the fiscal years or periods ended on or before October 31, 1999 were audited by the Funds’ former auditors who have ceased operations.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     The portfolio transactions for the Funds are generally effected at a net price without a broker’s commission (i.e., a dealer is dealing with a Fund as principal and receives compensation equal to the spread between the dealer’s cost for a given security and the resale price of such security). In certain foreign countries, debt securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates. In connection with portfolio transactions, the Management Agreements provide that the Investment Advisers shall attempt to obtain the most favorable execution and net price available. The Management Agreements provide that, on occasions when an Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of a Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other investment company or advisory account for

B-88


 

which an Investment Adviser or an affiliate acts as Investment Adviser), a Fund, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the applicable Investment Adviser in the manner it considers to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the applicable Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the size and price of the position obtainable for a Fund. The Management Agreements permit each Investment Adviser, in its discretion, to purchase and sell portfolio securities to and from dealers who provide the Trust with brokerage or research services in which dealers may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to the Fund. Brokerage and research services furnished by firms through which the Funds effect their securities transactions may be used by the Investment Adviser in servicing other accounts and not all of these services may be used by the Investment Advisers in connection with the specific Fund generating the brokerage credits. Such research or other services may include research reports on companies, industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; computer data bases; quotation equipment and services; and research-oriented computer hardware, software and other services. The fees received under the Management Agreements are not reduced by reason of an Investment Adviser receiving such brokerage and research services.

     Such services are used by an Investment Adviser in connection with all of its investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions of a Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be larger than those of a Fund, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by an Investment Adviser in providing management services for the Trust. On occasion, a broker-dealer might furnish an Investment Adviser with a service which has a mixed use (i.e., the service is used both for investment and brokerage activities and for other activities). Where this occurs, an Investment Adviser will reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that the portion or specific component which assists in investment and brokerage activities is obtained using portfolio commissions from the Funds or other managed accounts, and the portion or specific component which provides other assistance (for example, administrative or non-research assistance) is paid for by an Investment Adviser from its own funds.

     In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and execution capability, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of a Fund as well as shares of other investment companies or accounts managed by the Investment Advisers. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Fund.

     Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Advisers may use Goldman Sachs as a broker for a Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs to effect any portfolio transactions for a Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Goldman Sachs must be reasonable. This standard would allow Goldman Sachs to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested” Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that commissions, fees, or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.

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     For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Funds paid approximate brokerage commissions as follows:

                         
                    Amount of    
                    Transactions   Brokerage
                    Effected   Commissions
                    through   Paid to
    Total Brokerage   Total Brokerage   Total Amount of   Brokers   Brokers
    Commissions   Commissions Paid   Transactions on which   Providing   Providing
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2003
  Paid1
  to Goldman Sachs
  Commissions Paid3
  Research
  Research
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 262,380     $262,380(100%)2   $4,190,298,822(100%)4   N/A   N/A
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    532,924     532,924(100%)2   7,778,245,292(100%)4   N/A   N/A
Short Duration Government Fund
    176,256     176,256(100%)2   2,832,764,427(100%)4   N/A   N/A
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A
Government Income Fund
    89,030     89,030(100%)2   1,085,308,757(100%)4   N/A   N/A
Municipal Income Fund
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A
U.S. Mortgages Fund5
    N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
Core Fixed Income Fund
    174,676     174,676(100%)2   2,086,540,900(100%)4   N/A   N/A
Investment Grade Credit Fund5
    N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
Global Income Fund
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A
High Yield Municipal Fund
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A
High Yield Fund
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A
Emerging Markets Debt Fund6
    -     - (0%)2   - (0%)4   N/A   N/A


1   The figures in the table report broker commissions from futures transactions.
 
2   Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs.
 
3   Refers to Market Value of Futures Contracts.
 
4   Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through Goldman Sachs.
 
5   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Fund commenced operations on November 3, 2003.
 
6   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

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     For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2002, the Funds paid approximate brokerage commissions as follows:

                         
    Total   Total Brokerage    
    Brokerage   Commissions   Total Amount of
    Commissions   Paid to Goldman   Transactions on which
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2002
  Paid1
  Sachs
  Commissions Paid2
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 293,745     $ 293,745     $ 5,126,751,715  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    205,770       205,770       3,069,195,229  
Short Duration Government Fund
    82,410       82,410       399,055,621  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
                 
Government Income Fund
    35,070       35,070       86,493,341  
Municipal Income Fund
                 
Core Fixed Income Fund
    139,933       139,933       425,396,383  
Global Income Fund
                 
High Yield Municipal Fund
                 
High Yield Fund
                 


1   The figures in the table report broker commissions from futures transactions.
 
2   Refers to Market Value of Futures Contracts.

     For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2001, the Funds paid approximate brokerage commissions as follows:

                         
    Total   Total Brokerage    
    Brokerage   Commissions   Total Amount of
    Commissions   Paid to Goldman   Transactions on which
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2001
  Paid1
  Sachs
  Commissions Paid2
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 50,080     $ 50,080     $ 787,878,980  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    12,740       12,740       446,665,968  
Short Duration Government Fund
    24,485       24,485       760,760,011  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
                 
Government Income Fund
    23,275       23,275       329,058,439  
Municipal Income Fund
                 
Core Fixed Income Fund
    41,778       41,778       1,125,845,721  
Global Income Fund
                 
High Yield Municipal Fund
                 
High Yield Fund
                 


1   The figures in the table report broker commissions from futures transactions.
 
2   Refers to Market Value of Futures Contracts.

     During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, the Funds’ regular broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, were: UBS Warburg LLC, Lehman Brothers, Inc., JP Morgan Chase & Co., Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, C.S. First Boston Corp., Barclays Bank, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

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     As of October 31, 2003, Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Municipal Income Fund, High Yield Fund, Global Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund held no securities of their regular broker-dealers. As of the same date, Enhanced Income Fund, Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Government Income Fund and Core Fixed Income Fund held the following amounts of securities of their regular broker-dealers, as defined in rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents ($ in thousands):

             
Fund
  Broker/Dealer
  Amount (000s)
Enhanced Income Fund
  Bank of America
  $ 22,594  
 
  Credit Suisse FB USA, Inc.
    6,486  
 
  Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
    2,353  
 
  Morgan Stanley
    8,140  
 
  The Bear Stearns Cos., Inc.     10,862  
Ultra-Short Duration
  Bank of America   $ 5,929  
Government Fund
  Credit Suisse FB USA, Inc.     19,985  
 
  The Bear Stearns Cos., Inc.     7,032  
Government Income Fund
  Credit Suisse FB USA, Inc.   $ 4,169  
 
  Lehman Brothers Inc.     4,085  
 
  Bank of America     9,464  
 
  The Bear Stearns Cos., Inc.     405  
Core Fixed Income Fund
  Bank of America   $ 3,321  
 
  The Bear Stearns Cos., Inc.     1,881  
 
  C.S. First Boston     27,164  
 
  Lehman Brothers     11,991  
 
  Merrill Lynch     9,118  

SHARES OF THE TRUST

     Each Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust established by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Funds (except Enhanced Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund) were previously series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, and were reorganized into the Trust as of April 30, 1997.

     The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have authorized: (i) the issuance of five classes of shares of Short Duration Government Fund, Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fund: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares; (ii) the issuance of three classes of shares of Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund: Institutional Shares, Service Shares and Class A Shares;

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(iii) the issuance of three classes of shares of Enhanced Income Fund: Institutional, Administration and Class A Shares; (iv) the issuance of two classes of shares of Emerging Markets Debt Fund: Class A Shares and Institutional Shares; and (v) the issuance of three classes of shares of U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund: Class A Shares, Institutional Shares and Separate Account Institutional Shares. Additional series may be added in the future. As of October 31, 2003, no Class B or C Shares of the Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund or Enhanced Income Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund, no Administration Shares of Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund or Investment Grade Credit Fund, no Service Shares of Enhanced Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund or Investment Grade Credit Fund were offered. As of October 31, 2003, only U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund offered Separate Account Institutional Shares.

     Each Institutional Share, Service Share, Administration Share, Separate Account Institutional Shares, Class A Share, Class B Share and Class C Share of a Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the Fund. All expenses of a Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees under the Service and Shareholder Administration Plans are borne exclusively by Service Shares, fees under the Administration Plan are borne exclusively by Administration Shares, fees under Distribution and Service Plans are borne exclusively by Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, fees under Account Service Plans borne exclusively by Class A and Institutional Shares (U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds only) and transfer agency fees are borne at different rates by Class A, Class B or Class C Shares than Institutional, Administration, Separate Account Institutional and Service Shares. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the IRS. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another series. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” below. In addition, the fees and expenses set forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

     Except for the U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds, Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund for services provided to the institution’s customers. Institutional Shares of the U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain account services to its customers including maintenance of account records, processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Institutional Shares. Institutional Shares of U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund bear the cost of account service fees at the annual rate of up to 0.05% of the average daily net assets of a Fund attributable to Institutional Shares.

     Administration Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain account administration to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Administration Shares. Administration Shares bear the cost of account administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Administration Shares.

     Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service Shares bear the cost of service fees and

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shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributed to Service Shares.

     Separate Account Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund for services provided to the institution’s customers.

     Class A Shares are sold, with an initial sales charge, through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares of the Funds bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Class A Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Services Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD. Class A Shares of U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund also bear the cost of account service fees at the annual rate of up to 0.05% of the average daily net assets of a Fund attributable to Class A Shares.

     Class B and Class C Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class A (Emerging Markets Debt Fund only), Class B and Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively of the average daily net assets attributed to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Class A (Emerging Markets Debt Fund and Global Income Fund only), Class B and Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributed to such Shares.

     It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares (i.e., Institutional, Administration, Service, Separate Account Institutional, Class A, Class B and Class C Shares) to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Fund. Dividends paid by each Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for differences caused by the fact that the respective transfer agency and Plan fees relating to a particular class will be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.

     Certain aspects of the shares may be altered, after advance notice to shareholders, if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.

     When issued, for the consideration described in the Funds’ Prospectuses shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer, servicing or similar agent charges by setting of the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation of a Fund, shareholders of that Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable class of the relevant Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.

     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing the Funds’ shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent. Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Funds are reflected in account statements from the Transfer Agent.

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     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Enhanced Income Fund: Institutional Shares: Goldman Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (7%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund: Institutional Shares: Goldman Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (7%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Short Duration Government Fund; Institutional Shares; Goldman Sachs Trust — W4B, 1 Enterprise Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171-2126 (6%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Government Income Fund: Institutional Shares: Goldman Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (11%); Norton Simon Art Foundation, PO Box 92956, Chicago, IL 60675-2956 (6%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Municipal Income Fund: Class A: Edward Jones & Co., Attn: Mutual Fund Shareholder Accounting, 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 (17%); Institutional Shares: A.G. Edwards Trust Company FSB, Attn: Operations, PO Box 66734, St. Louis, MO 63166-6734 (9%).

     As of February 1, 2004, no entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Core Fixed Income Fund.

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Global Income Fund: Class A: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Special Custody Account for Benefit of Customers, Attn: Mutual Funds, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 (28%); Institutional Shares: Sentara Health Care, c/o GSAM, Attn: Concetta Sanko, 32 Old Slip, Fl 20, New York, NY 10005-3504 (9%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record of beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Emerging Markets Debt Fund: Class A: IMS & Co., for the benefit of various customers, PO Box 3865, Englewood, CO 80155-3865 (11%); Institutional Shares: State Street Bank & Trust Company, GS Trust — Growth & Income Strategy, PO Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (35%); State Street Bank & Trust Company, GS Trust — Growth Strategy, PO Box 1713, Boston, MA 02105-1713 (27%); Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (5%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record of beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of U.S. Mortgages Fund: Institutional: Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (53%); Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (13%); Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (5%); Separate Account Institutional: Bakery Workers Fund, c/o GSAM, Attn: Bhadresh Bodawala, 32 Old Slip, Floor 20, New York, NY 10005-3504 (12%).

     As of February 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record of beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Investment Grade Credit Fund: Institutional: Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (35%); Separate Account Institutional Shares: Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (15%); Goldman, Sachs &

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Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (14%); The Goldman Sachs Group LP, Seed Acct., Attn: IMD Controllers, 701 Mount Lucas Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-1911 (13%); Goldman, Sachs & Co., c/o Mutual Fund Ops, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (9%).

     The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class or series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office; or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such series, such class or their shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust or series affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or

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(iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on their business or operations of the Trust or series.

     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.

     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such series or class, but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.

Shareholder and Trustee Liability

     Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Funds are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series or the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.

     In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the following conditions are met: (i) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (ii) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Fund for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he

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or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

NET ASSET VALUE

     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Trust, the net asset value per share of each class of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributable to each class of that Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net asset value other than the Fund’s official closing net asset value (as the same may be subsequently adjusted), and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, each Fund may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

     For the purpose of calculating the net asset value of the Funds, investments are valued under valuation procedures established by the Trustees. Portfolio securities, for which accurate market quotations are readily available, other than money market instruments, are valued via electronic feeds to the custodian bank containing dealer-supplied bid quotations or bid quotations from a recognized pricing service. Securities for which a pricing service either does not supply a quotation or supplies a quotation that is believed by the Investment Adviser to be inaccurate, will be valued based on bid-side broker quotations. Securities for which the custodian bank is unable to obtain an external price as provided above or with respect to which the Investment Adviser believes an external price does not reflect accurate market values, will be valued by the Investment Adviser in good faith based on valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities (i.e., matrix pricing). Other securities are valued as follows: (i) overnight repurchase agreements will be valued at cost; (ii) term repurchase agreements (i.e., those whose maturity exceeds seven days) and swaps, caps, collars and floors will be valued at the average of the bid quotations obtained daily from at least one dealer; (iii) debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; (iv) spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts will be valued using a pricing service such as Reuters (if quotations are unavailable from a pricing service or, if the quotations by the Investment Adviser are believed to be inaccurate, the contracts will be valued by calculating the mean between the last bid and asked quotations supplied by at least one independent dealers in such contracts); (v) exchange-traded options and futures contracts will be valued by the custodian bank at the last sale price on the exchange where such contracts and options are principally traded if accurate quotations are readily available; and (vi) over-the-counter options will be valued by a broker identified by the portfolio manager/trader.

     Other securities, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at fair value as stated in the valuation procedures which were approved by the Board of Trustees.

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     The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by any major bank. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

     Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business Days in New York and days on which the Funds’ net asset values are not calculated. Such calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. If an event that affects the value of a security occurs after the publication of market quotations used by a Fund to price its securities but before the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Trust, in its discretion and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine whether to make an adjustment in light of the nature and significance of the event.

     The proceeds received by each Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund or particular series and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund or series. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Funds and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds or series except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made.

TAXATION

     The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income, and certain state and local, tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in the Funds. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his or her own tax adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Funds. This summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Additional Statement, which are subject to change.

General

     Each Fund is treated as a separate entity for tax purposes, has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company and intends to qualify for such treatment for each taxable year under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Code. To qualify as such, a Fund must satisfy certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, diversification of its assets and distribution of its income to shareholders. As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to federal income or excise tax on any net investment income and net realized capital gains that are distributed to its shareholders in accordance with certain timing requirements of the Code.

     There are certain tax requirements that all Funds must follow in order to avoid federal taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code requires, among other

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things, that (i) a Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) for its taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities, or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the “90% gross income test”); and (ii) a Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of its total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by a Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses.

     Future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions that are not directly related to the principal business of Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund in investing in stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or entering into foreign currency options, futures and forward contracts for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund or anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as “directly related” under these tests.

     As a regulated investment company, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders in any taxable year for which it distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable original issue discount income, market discount income, income from securities lending, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign exchange gains, and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain” as defined below and is reduced by deductible expenses) and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income, if any, over certain disallowed deductions (“net tax-exempt interest”). A Fund may retain for investment its “net capital gain” (which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). However, if a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, that Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount; and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by that Fund against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that amount of net capital gain. Each Fund intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (if any), net capital gain and any net tax-exempt interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors such as the Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund and may therefore make it more difficult for these Funds to satisfy the distribution requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below. However, these Funds generally expect to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy such requirements from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain at corporate rates, its net tax-exempt interest (if any) may be subject to the

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alternative minimum tax, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.

     For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. On October 31, 2003 the Funds had the following amounts of capital loss carry forwards:

                 
            Years of
    Amount
  Expiration
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 73,628,498       2009-2010  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    116,530,177       2004-2011  
Short Duration Government Fund
    9,409,373       2004-2011  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    2,041,070       2007-2008  
Government Income Fund
          N/A  
Municipal Income Fund
    5,786,169       2007-2011  
U.S. Mortgages Fund(1)
    N/A       N/A  
Core Fixed Income Fund
          N/A  
Investment Grade Credit Fund(1)
    N/A       N/A  
Global Income Fund
    59,488,201       2010-2011  
High Yield Municipal Fund
    13,066,247       2010-2011  
High Yield Fund
    183,235,006       2007-2011  
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
          N/A  


(1)   U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds commenced operations on November 3, 2003.
 
(2)   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

     These amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains to the extent permitted by the Code and applicable tax regulations.

     In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute or be deemed to have distributed by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year) and 100% of any taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the prior year that were not distributed during such year and on which the Fund did not pay federal income tax. The Funds anticipate that they will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that they will generally not be required to pay the excise tax.

     For federal income tax purposes, dividends declared by a Fund in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month that are actually paid in January of the following year will be treated as if they were received by shareholders on December 31 of the year declared.

     The Tax Exempt Funds may purchase Municipal Securities together with the right to resell the securities to the seller at an agreed-upon price or yield within a specified period prior to the maturity date of the securities. Such a right to resell is commonly known as a “put” and is also referred to as a “standby commitment.” The Tax Exempt Funds may pay for a standby commitment either separately, in cash, or in

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the form of a higher price for the securities that are acquired subject to the standby commitment, thus increasing the cost of securities and reducing the yield otherwise available. Additionally, the Tax Exempt Funds may purchase beneficial interests in Municipal Securities held by trusts, custodial arrangements or partnerships and/or combined with third-party puts and other types of features such as interest rate swaps; those investments may require the Fund to pay “tender fees” or other fees for the various features provided.

     The IRS has issued a revenue ruling to the effect that, under specified circumstances, a registered investment company will be the owner of tax-exempt municipal obligations acquired subject to a put option. The IRS has also issued private letter rulings to certain taxpayers (which do not serve as precedent for other taxpayers) to the effect that tax-exempt interest received by a regulated investment company with respect to such obligations will be tax-exempt in the hands of the company and may be distributed to its shareholders as exempt-interest dividends. The IRS has subsequently announced that it will not ordinarily issue advance ruling letters as to the identity of the true owner of property in cases involving the sale of securities or participation interests therein if the purchaser has the right to cause the security, or the participation interest therein, to be purchased by either the seller or a third party. Each of the Tax Exempt Funds intends to take the position that it is the owner of any municipal obligations acquired subject to a standby commitment or other third party put and that tax-exempt interest earned with respect to such municipal obligations will be tax-exempt in its hands. There is no assurance that the IRS will agree with such position in any particular case. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the treatment of tender fees paid by these Funds, in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions is unclear.

     Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts, options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by a Fund will be required to be “marked-to-market” for federal income tax purposes, that is, treated as having been sold at their fair market value on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of these futures contracts, forward contracts or options will (except for certain foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into by a Fund, that Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures or forward contracts and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund and the characterization of gains or losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described above applicable to options, futures and forward contracts may affect the amount, timing, and character of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Certain tax elections may be available to the Funds to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.

     Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments that may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by Core Fixed Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized by these Funds with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the Code were to exceed a Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foreign currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion

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of Core Fixed Income Fund’s, Investment Grade Credit Fund’s, Global Income Fund’s, High Yield Fund’s or Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s dividends being treated as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.

     Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield, and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of Investment Grade Credit Fund’s, Global Income Fund’s or Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations and it meets the distribution requirements described above, such Fund will generally qualify to file an election with the IRS pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund would be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund that are treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations (which excludes, for example, stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes) even though not actually received by such shareholders; and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as foreign income taxes paid by them. These Funds may or may not make this election for any particular taxable year. Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income and High Yield Funds will not satisfy the 50% requirement described above and, therefore, will not make this election. Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income and High Yield Funds and, if they do not make the election, Global Income, Emerging Markets Debt and Investment Grade Credit Fund will, however, be entitled to deduct such taxes in computing the amounts they are required to distribute.

     If Global Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund or Investment Grade Credit Fund make this election, their shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of qualified foreign taxes in computing their taxable incomes, or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their shares of such taxes in gross income if these Funds makes the election referred to above.

     If a shareholder chooses to take a credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder as a result of any such election by Global Income, Emerging Markets Debt or Investment Grade Credit Fund, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken which the shareholder’s taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder’s entire taxable income) bears to his or her entire taxable income. For this purpose, distributions from long-term and short-term capital gains or foreign currency gains by these will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which have different effects depending upon each shareholder’s particular tax situation, certain shareholders of Global Income, Emerging Markets or Investment Grade Credit Fund may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

     Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. Each year, if any, that Investment Grade Credit, Global Income or Emerging Markets Debt Fund files the election described above, its shareholders will be notified of the amount of (i) each shareholder’s pro rata share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund; and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends which represents income from each foreign country.

     If Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income, Investment Grade Credit, Global Income, High Yield or Emerging Markets Debt Funds acquire stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire

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stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations (“passive foreign investment companies”) that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the sale of such stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. Certain elections may, if available, ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but any such election would require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. Enhanced Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income and High Yield Funds may limit and/or manage their holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize their tax liability or maximize their return from these investments.

     A Fund’s investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, capital appreciation bonds or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any “mark-to-market” gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will generally cause it to realize income or gain prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. In order to obtain cash to enable it to distribute this income or gain, maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income or excise taxes, a Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold.

     Investment in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for a Fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payment received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by a Fund, if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to eliminate or minimize any adverse tax consequences.

     The federal income tax rules applicable to mortgage dollar rolls and interest rate, currency and total return swaps, options on swaps, floors, caps and collars are unclear in certain respects, and a Fund may also be required to account for these instruments under tax rules in a manner that, under certain circumstances, may limit its transactions in these instruments.

     Taxable U.S. Shareholders – Distributions

     Tax Exempt Funds. Each Tax Exempt Fund expects to qualify to pay “exempt-interest dividends,” as defined in the Code. To qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, the applicable Fund must, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, have at least 50% of the value of its total assets invested in Municipal Securities whose interest is excluded from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code. In purchasing Municipal Securities, each Tax Exempt Fund intends to rely on opinions of bond counsel or counsel to the issuers for each issue as to the excludability of interest on such obligations from gross income for federal income tax purposes. A Tax Exempt Fund will not undertake independent investigations concerning the tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor does it guarantee or represent that bond counsels’ opinions are correct. Bond counsels’ opinions will generally be based in part upon covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws not only limit the purposes for which tax-exempt bonds may be issued and the supply of such bonds, but also contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time, interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a Tax Exempt Fund’s distributions attributable to interest the Fund received on such bond

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for the current year and for prior years could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income. The availability of tax-exempt obligations and the value of a Tax Exempt Fund’s portfolio may be affected by restrictive federal income tax legislation enacted in recent years or by similar, future legislation. If a Tax Exempt Fund satisfies the applicable requirements, dividends paid by the Fund which are attributable to tax exempt interest on Municipal Securities and designated by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed to its shareholders within 60 days after the close of its taxable year may be treated by shareholders as items of interest excludable from their gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code. Exempt-interest dividends a Tax Exempt Fund receives from other regulated investment companies, including exempt-interest dividends on auction rate preferred securities of such companies held by a Fund, are treated as interest on Municipal Securities and may be distributed by a Tax Exempt Fund as exempt-interest dividends. The recipient of tax-exempt income is required to report such income on his or her federal income tax return. The Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of a Tax Exempt Fund is not deductible to the extent attributable to exempt-interest dividends.

     Although all or a substantial portion of the dividends paid by a Tax Exempt Fund may be excluded by shareholders of such Fund from their gross income for federal income tax purposes, each Tax Exempt Fund may purchase private activity bonds, the interest from which (including a Fund’s distributions attributable to such interest) may be a preference item for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax (both individual and corporate). All exempt-interest dividends from a Tax Exempt Fund, whether or not attributable to private activity bond interest, may increase a corporate shareholder’s liability, if any, for corporate alternative minimum tax, and will be taken into account in determining the extent to which a shareholder’s Social Security or certain railroad retirement benefits are taxable.

     The Tax Exempt Funds are not intended to constitute a balanced investment program and are not designed for investors seeking capital appreciation or maximum tax-exempt income irrespective of fluctuations in principal. Shares of the Tax Exempt Funds would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions and may not be suitable for retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Code, H.R. 10 plans and individual retirement accounts since such plans and accounts are generally tax-exempt and, therefore, would not gain any additional benefit from the Funds’ dividends being tax-exempt. In addition, the Tax Exempt Funds may not be an appropriate investment for persons or entities that are “substantial users” of facilities financed by private activity bonds or “related persons” thereof. “Substantial user” is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to include a non-exempt person which regularly uses a part of such facilities in its trade or business and whose gross revenues derived with respect to the facilities financed by the issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total revenues derived by all users of such facilities, which occupies more than 5% of the usable area of such facilities or for which such facilities or a part thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. “Related persons” include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, partnerships and its partners and an S corporation and its shareholders. A shareholder is advised to consult his or her tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain the exclusion under Section 103(a) if such shareholder would be treated as a “substantial user” under Section 147(a)(1) with respect to some or all of the tax-exempt obligations held by a Tax Exempt Fund.

     All Funds. Distributions from investment company taxable income, whether reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash, as defined above, are generally taxable to shareholders who are subject to tax as ordinary income whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. However, distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain foreign corporations after December 31, 2002 will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate (described below), as long as certain other requirements are met. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholders must have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date. Taxable distributions include distributions from any Fund, including the Tax Exempt Funds, that are attributable to (i) taxable income, including but not limited to dividends, taxable bond interest, recognized market discount income, original issue discount income accrued

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with respect to taxable bonds, income from repurchase agreements, income from securities lending, income from dollar rolls, income from interest rate, currency, total return swaps, options on swaps, caps, floors and collars, and a portion of the discount from certain stripped tax-exempt obligations or their coupons; or (ii) capital gains from the sale of securities or other investments (including from the disposition of rights to when-issued securities prior to issuance) or from options, futures or certain forward contracts. Any portion of such taxable distributions that is attributable to a Fund’s net capital gain, as defined above, may be designated by the Fund as a “capital gain dividend,” taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain whether received in cash or additional shares and regardless of the length of time their shares of a Fund have been held.

     It is expected that distributions made by the Funds will ordinarily not qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations because qualifying distributions may be made only from a Fund’s dividend income that it receives from stock in U.S. domestic corporations. The Funds do not intend to purchase stock of domestic corporations other than in limited instances, distributions from which may in rare cases qualify as dividends for this purpose. The dividends-received deduction, if available, is reduced to the extent the shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under the federal income tax law and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally 46 days. Receipt of certain distributions qualifying for the deduction may result in reduction of the tax basis of the corporate shareholder’s shares and may give rise to or increase its liability for federal corporate alternative minimum tax.

     Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as computed for federal income tax purposes, will first reduce a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares and, after the shareholder’s basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains to a shareholder who holds his or her shares as capital assets.

     Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of newly issued shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of cash that they would have received had they elected to receive cash and will have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount.

     After the close of each calendar year, each Fund will inform shareholders of the federal income tax status of its dividends and distributions for such year, including the portion of such dividends, if any, that qualifies as tax-exempt or as capital gain, the portion, if any, that should be treated as a tax preference item for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax and the foreign tax credits, if any, associated with such dividends. Shareholders who have not held shares of a Tax Exempt Fund for such Fund’s full taxable year may have designated as tax-exempt or as a tax preference item a percentage of distributions which is not equal to the actual amount of tax-exempt income or tax preference item income earned by the Fund during the period of their investment in the Fund.

     All distributions, whether received in shares or in cash, as well as redemptions and exchanges, must be reported by each shareholder who is required to file a U.S. federal income tax return.

     Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain prohibited transactions is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Sale of Shares

     When a shareholder’s shares are sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, the shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference

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between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the cash, or fair market value of any property, received. (To aid in computing its tax basis, a shareholder should generally retain its account statements for the period that it held shares.) If the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset at the time of sale, the character of the gain or loss should be capital, and treated as long-term if the shareholder’s holding period is more than one year, and short-term otherwise, subject to the rules described below. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their particular circumstances to determine whether a redemption (including an exchange) or other disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in this discussion. All or a portion of a sales charge paid in purchasing Class A shares of a Fund cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent shares of that Fund or another fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a sales charge pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded portion of such charge will result in an increase in the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. If a shareholder received a capital gain dividend with respect to shares and such shares have a tax holding period of six months or less at the time of the sale or redemption, then any loss the shareholder realizes on the sale or redemption will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of such capital gain dividend. Also, any losses realized by shareholders who dispose of shares of the Tax-Exempt Funds with a tax holding period of six months or less are disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

Backup Withholding

     Each Fund will be required to report to the IRS all taxable distributions, as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt recipients, i.e., corporations and certain other investors distributions to which are exempt from the information reporting provisions of the Code. Under the backup withholding provisions of Code Section 3406 and applicable Treasury regulations, all such reportable distributions and proceeds may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax at the specified rate of 28% in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Funds with their correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and with certain required certifications or if the IRS or a broker notifies the Funds that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend income. However, any taxable distributions from a Tax-Exempt Fund will not be subject to backup withholding if the applicable Fund reasonably estimates that at least 95% of its distributions will be exempt-interest dividends. A Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required taxpayer identification number or certification that the number provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. If a shareholder does not have a TIN, it should apply for one immediately by contacting the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Backup withholding could apply to payments relating to a shareholder’s account while it is waiting receipt of a TIN. Special rules apply for certain entities. For example, for an account established under a Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act, the TIN of the minor should be furnished. Investors should consult their tax advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

     The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to “U.S. persons” (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) subject to tax

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under such law. Dividends from investment company taxable income distributed by a Fund to a shareholder who is not a U.S. person will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) unless the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder, in which case the dividends will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic corporations. Distributions of net capital gain, including amounts retained by a Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains, to a shareholder who is not a U.S. person will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions are effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. Non-U.S. shareholders may also be subject to U.S. withholding tax on deemed income resulting from any election by Investment Grade Credit Fund, Global Income Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund to treat qualified foreign taxes it pays as passed through to shareholders (as described above), but they may not be able to claim a U.S. tax credit or deduction with respect to such taxes.

     Any capital gain realized by a shareholder who is not a U.S. person upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States, or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8 BEN, W-8 ECI, W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP) or an acceptable substitute may be subject to backup withholding at the specified rate of 28% on dividends (including on capital gain dividends) and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to estate tax. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of and receipt of distributions from a Fund.

State and Local Taxes

     A Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in certain jurisdictions in which the Fund may be deemed to be doing business. A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax exemption is generally available to the extent (if any) a Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, the value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. Government obligations and/or tax-exempt municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of the particular state or a political subdivision thereof, provided in some states that certain thresholds for holdings of such obligations and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. In addition, in those states or localities which have income tax laws, the treatment of a Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws, and investment in a Fund may have tax consequences for shareholders different from those of a direct investment in such Fund’s portfolio securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

     Each Fund may from time to time quote or otherwise use yield and total return information in advertisements, shareholder reports or sales literature. Thirty-day yield and average annual total return values are computed pursuant to formulas specified by the SEC. Each Fund may also from time to time quote distribution rates in reports to shareholders and in sales literature.

     Thirty-day yield is derived by dividing net investment income earned during the period by the product of the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the period

B-108


 

and the maximum public offering price per share on the last day of such period. Yield is then annualized by assuming that yield is realized each month for 12 months and is reinvested every six months. Net investment income per share is equal to the dividends and interest earned during the period, reduced by accrued expenses for the period. The calculation of net investment income for these purposes may differ from the net investment income determined for accounting purposes.

     Tax equivalent yield represents the yield an investor would have to earn to equal, after taxes, a Tax Exempt Fund’s tax-free yield. Tax equivalent yield is calculated by dividing a Tax Exempt Fund’s tax-exempt yield by one minus a stated federal and/or state tax rate.

     Distribution rate for a specified period is calculated by annualizing distributions of net investment income for such period and dividing this amount by the net asset value per share or maximum public offering price on the last day of the period.

     Average annual total return (Before Taxes) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. It also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions but not redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment but further assumes that the redemption has no federal income tax consequences. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the impact of federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income taxes rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is also taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards (i) the effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes).

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions and Redemptions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions and redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions).

B-109


 

The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards the (i) effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes). In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. The highest federal individual capital gains tax rate in effect on the redemption date is used in such calculation. The federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of any gains or losses (e.g., short-term or long-term). When the return after taxes on distributions and redemption of shares is higher than returns after taxes on distributions, it is because of realized losses. If realized losses occur upon the sale of shares, capital loss is recorded as a tax benefit which increases returns.

     Year-by-year total return and cumulative total return for a specified period are each derived by calculating the percentage rate required to make a $1,000 investment (made at the maximum public offering price per share with all distributions reinvested) at the beginning of such period equal to the actual total value of such investment at the end of such period.

     Total return calculations for Class A Shares reflect the effect of paying the maximum initial sales charge. Investment at a lower sales charge would result in higher performance figures. Total return calculations for Class B and Class C Shares reflect deduction of the applicable CDSC imposed upon redemption of Class B and Class C Shares held for the applicable period. Each Fund may also from time to time advertise total return on a cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts, graphs or schedules. In addition, each Fund may furnish total return calculations based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset value. Any performance information which is based on a Fund’s net asset value per share would be reduced if any applicable sales charge were taken into account. In addition to the above, each Fund may from time to time advertise its performance relative to certain averages, performance rankings, indices, other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services and investments for which reliable performance information is available. A Fund’s performance quotations do not reflect any fees charged by an Authorized Dealer, Service Organization or other financial intermediary to its customer accounts in connection with investments in the Fund.

     The following table presents 30-day yield, tax equivalent yield (Short Duration Tax-Free, Municipal Income and High Yield Municipal Funds only), distribution rate and average annual total return (capital plus reinvestment of all distributions) (Before Taxes) for each class of shares outstanding for the periods indicated.

     Thirty-day yield, tax equivalent yield (Short Duration Tax-Free, Municipal Income and High Yield Municipal Funds only), distribution rate and average annual total return are calculated separately for each class of shares in existence of each Fund. Each class of shares of each Fund is subject to different fees and expenses and may have different returns for the same period. Any performance data for Class A, Class B or Class C Shares which is based upon a Fund’s net asset value per share would be reduced if a sales charge were taken into account.

     The average annual total return calculation reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 1.5% for Class A Shares of Enhanced Income Fund and Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund; 2.0% for Class A Shares of Short Duration Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds; and 4.5% for Class A Shares of Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, Emerging Markets Debt, U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds; the assumed deferred sales charge for Class B Shares (2% maximum declining to 0% after three years for the Short Duration

B-110


 

Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds and 5% maximum declining to 0% after six years for the Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield Municipal and High Yield Funds); and the assumed deferred sales charge for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase).

     The Service Shares of Global Income Fund commenced operations on March 12, 1997; the Service Shares of Government Income and Municipal Income Funds commenced operations on August 15, 1997. The Service Shares of these Funds had no operating or performance history prior thereto. However, in accordance with interpretive positions expressed by the staff of the SEC, each of these Funds has adopted the performance records of its respective Class A Shares from that Class’s inception date (August 2, 1991, February 10, 1993 and July 20, 1993, respectively) to the inception dates of the Service Shares stated above. Quotations of performance data of these Funds relating to this period include the performance record of the applicable Class A Shares (excluding the impact of any applicable front-end sales charge). The performance records of the applicable Class A Shares reflect the expenses actually incurred by the Fund. These expenses include any asset-based sales charges (i.e., fees under distribution and service plans) imposed and other operating expenses. The difference in fees between Service Shares and Class A Shares may impact performance ratings and rankings for a class of shares. Total return quotations are calculated pursuant to SEC-approved methodology. The table set forth below indicates the total return (capital changes plus investment of all distributions) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in each of the Funds (other than the U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Fund, which had not commenced operation as of October 31, 2003) for the periods indicated.

     The High Yield Municipal Fund, Enhanced Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund commenced operations on April 3, 2000, August 2, 2000, August 29, 2003, November 3, 2003 and November 3, 2003, respectively. No performance information is included below for the U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund which commenced operation after October 31, 2003.

B-111


 

YIELD

                 
    Investment Period
    30-Days Ended 10/31/03
    SEC 30-Day   Pro-Forma
Fund
  Yield
  Yield(1)
Enhanced Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 1.5% sales charge)
    2.16 %     2.09 %
Institutional Shares
    2.59 %     2.52 %
Administration Shares
    2.34 %     2.25 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 1.5% sales charge)
    1.78 %     1.78 %
Institutional Shares
    2.20 %     2.20 %
Service Shares
    1.70 %     1.70 %
Short Duration Government Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 2.0% sales charge)
    2.18 %     2.13 %
Class B Shares
    1.63 %     1.43 %
Class C Shares
    1.48 %     1.43 %
Institutional Shares
    2.63 %     2.57 %
Service Shares
    2.12 %     2.07 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 2.0% sales charge)
    1.62 %     1.47 %
Class B Shares
    1.06 %     0.76 %
Class C Shares
    0.91 %     0.76 %
Institutional Shares
    2.05 %     1.90 %
Service Shares
    1.56 %     1.40 %
Government Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    2.41 %     2.21 %
Class B Shares
    1.77 %     1.57 %
Class C Shares
    1.77 %     1.56 %
Institutional Shares
    2.91 %     2.71 %
Service Shares
    2.41 %     2.21 %

B-112


 

YIELD

                 
    Investment Period
    30-Days Ended 10/31/03
    SEC 30-Day   Pro-Forma
Fund
  Yield
  Yield(1)
Municipal Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    3.76 %     3.52 %
Class B Shares
    3.19 %     2.94 %
Class C Shares
    3.19 %     2.94 %
Institutional Shares
    4.34 %     4.09 %
Service Shares
    3.84 %     3.59 %
Core Fixed Income
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    2.65 %     2.65 %
Class B Shares
    2.02 %     2.02 %
Class C Shares
    2.03 %     2.03 %
Institutional Shares
    3.17 %     3.17 %
Service Shares
    2.67 %     2.67 %
Global Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    2.02 %     1.71 %
Class B Shares
    1.61 %     1.29 %
Class C Shares
    1.61 %     1.29 %
Institutional Shares
    2.76 %     2.45 %
Service Shares
    2.26 %     1.94 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    4.91 %     4.88 %
Class B Shares
    4.39 %     4.36 %
Class C Shares
    4.39 %     4.36 %
Institutional Shares
    5.54 %     5.51 %
High Yield Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    7.40 %     7.37 %
Class B Shares
    7.00 %     6.96 %
Class C Shares
    7.00 %     6.96 %
Institutional Shares
    8.16 %     8.12 %
Service Shares
    7.66 %     7.62 %
Emerging Markets Debt Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes 4.5% sales charge)
    5.58 %     2.90 %
Institutional Shares
    6.19 %     3.76 %

B-113


 

DISTRIBUTION RATE

                 
    Investment Period
    30-Days Ended 10/31/03
            Pro-Forma
    30-Day   Distribution
Fund
  Distribution Rate
  Rate(1)
Enhanced Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    2.68 %     2.60 %
Institutional Shares
    3.08 %     3.00 %
Administration Shares
    2.83 %     2.73 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    3.06 %     3.06 %
Institutional Shares
    3.45 %     3.45 %
Service Shares
    2.94 %     2.94 %
Short Duration Government Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    3.04 %     2.99 %
Class B Shares
    2.45 %     2.25 %
Class C Shares
    2.31 %     2.26 %
Institutional Shares
    3.45 %     3.40 %
Service Shares
    2.95 %     2.90 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    1.22 %     1.06 %
Class B Shares
    0.62 %     0.31 %
Class C Shares
    0.47 %     0.31 %
Institutional Shares
    1.62 %     1.46 %
Service Shares
    1.12 %     0.96 %
Government Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    3.04 %     2.84 %
Class B Shares
    2.29 %     2.08 %
Class C Shares
    2.29 %     2.09 %
Institutional Shares
    3.45 %     3.24 %
Service Shares
    2.95 %     2.74 %

B-114


 

                 
    Investment Period
    30-Days Ended 10/31/03
            Pro-Forma
    30-Day   Distribution
Fund
  Distribution Rate
  Rate(1)
Municipal Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    3.90 %     3.65 %
Class B Shares
    3.15 %     2.90 %
Class C Shares
    3.15 %     2.90 %
Institutional Shares
    4.30 %     4.05 %
Service Shares
    3.78 %     3.53 %
Core Fixed Income
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    4.54 %     4.54 %
Class B Shares
    3.77 %     3.77 %
Class C Shares
    3.77 %     3.77 %
Institutional Shares
    4.93 %     4.93 %
Service Shares
    4.43 %     4.43 %
Global Income Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    5.32 %     5.01 %
Class B Shares
    4.84 %     4.53 %
Class C Shares
    4.84 %     4.53 %
Institutional Shares
    5.98 %     5.67 %
Service Shares
    5.49 %     5.18 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    4.79 %     4.76 %
Class B Shares
    4.05 %     4.02 %
Class C Shares
    4.05 %     4.02 %
Institutional Shares
    5.19 %     5.16 %
High Yield Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    8.22 %     8.19 %
Class B Shares
    7.47 %     7.43 %
Class C Shares
    7.48 %     7.44 %
Institutional Shares
    8.60 %     8.56 %
Service Shares
    8.11 %     8.08 %
Emerging Markets Debt Fund
               
Class A Shares (assumes no sales charge)
    5.95 %     3.27 %
Institutional Shares
    6.34 %     3.91 %


(1)   U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund commenced operations on November 3, 2003.

B-115


 

TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELD(2)

                 
    Investment Period
    30-Days Ended 10/31/03
            Pro-Forma
    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
Fund
  Yield
  Yield(1)
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund(2)
               
Class A Shares
(assumes no sales charge)
    2.55 %     2.31 %
Class B Shares
    1.63 %     1.16 %
Class C Shares
    1.40 %     1.17 %
Institutional Shares
    3.16 %     2.92 %
Service Shares
    2.40 %     2.16 %
Municipal Income Fund(2)
               
Class A Shares
(assumes no sales charge)
    6.05 %     5.67 %
Class B Shares
    4.90 %     4.53 %
Class C Shares
    4.90 %     4.52 %
Institutional Shares
    6.67 %     6.29 %
Service Shares
    5.90 %     5.52 %
High Yield Municipal Fund(2)
               
Class A Shares
(assumes no sales charge)
    7.91 %     7.86 %
Class B Shares
    6.76 %     6.71 %
Class C Shares
    6.75 %     6.71 %
Institutional Shares
    8.55 %     8.48 %


(1)   Yield, distribution rate and tax equivalent yield if the applicable Investment Adviser had not voluntarily agreed to limit its advisory fees and to maintain expenses at a specified level.
 
(2)   The tax-equivalent rate of Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, Municipal Income Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund is computed based on the 35.0% federal income tax rate.

                    The above tables should not be considered a representation of future performance.

B-116


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT

(TOTAL RETURN) (Before Taxes)

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Enhanced Income Fund
  A   8/2/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     3.81 %     4.29 %     3.64 %     4.11 %
Enhanced Income Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.29 %     1.77 %     0.22 %     1.71 %
Enhanced Income Fund
  Institutional   8/2/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.67 %     N/A       4.50 %
Enhanced Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       2.18 %     N/A       2.12 %
Enhanced Income Fund
  Administration   8/2/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.43 %     N/A       4.26 %
Enhanced Income Fund
  Administration   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       1.93 %     N/A       1.86 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  A   5/15/95-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.69 %     4.88 %     4.54 %     4.74 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.04 %     4.36 %     4.00 %     4.32 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -0.15 %     1.40 %     -0.15 %     1.40 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   7/17/91-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.11 %     N/A       5.04 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/93-10/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       5.01 %     N/A       4.96 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.77 %     N/A       4.74 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       1.69 %     N/A       1.69 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   3/27/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.36 %     N/A       4.33 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.28 %     N/A       4.24 %
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       1.29 %     N/A       1.29 %

B-117


 

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Short Duration Government Fund
  A   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.40 %     5.72 %     5.15 %     5.48 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.91 %     5.33 %     4.78 %     5.20 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.04 %     2.11 %     -0.03 %     2.05 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  B   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.09 %     5.09 %     4.76 %     4.76 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.70 %     4.70 %     4.44 %     4.44 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -0.62 %     1.41 %     -0.68 %     1.34 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.74 %     4.74 %     4.56 %     4.56 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.51 %     4.51 %     4.37 %     4.37 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.25 %     1.26 %     0.19 %     1.20 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   8/15/88-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.70 %     N/A       6.39 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/93-10/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       5.89 %     N/A       5.68 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       5.72 %     N/A       5.58 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       2.43 %     N/A       2.36 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   4/10/96-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.70 %     N/A       5.50 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       5.20 %     N/A       5.06 %
Short Duration Government Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       1.92 %     N/A       1.85 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  A   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     3.80 %     4.12 %     3.33 %     3.65 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.26 %     3.68 %     2.96 %     3.38 %

B-118


 

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.58 %     2.62 %     0.46 %     2.50 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  B   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     3.49 %     3.49 %     2.91 %     2.91 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.07 %     3.07 %     2.61 %     2.61 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -0.01 %     2.01 %     -0.29 %     1.73 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     3.19 %     3.19 %     2.79 %     2.79 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     2.93 %     2.93 %     2.63 %     2.63 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.85 %     1.86 %     0.72 %     1.73 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Institutional   10/1/92-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.36 %     N/A       3.89 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Institutional   10/1/93-10/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       4.17 %     N/A       3.75 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.10 %     N/A       3.79 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       2.93 %     N/A       2.81 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Service   9/20/94-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       4.02 %     N/A       3.57 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       3.59 %     N/A       3.28 %
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       2.62 %     N/A       2.50 %
Government Income Fund
  A   2/10/93-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.24 %     6.70 %     5.01 %     5.47 %
Government Income Fund
  A   11/1/93-10/31/03 – Ten years     5.89 %     6.38 %     4.88 %     5.36 %
Government Income Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.88 %     5.84 %     4.55 %     5.52 %
Government Income Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -1.50 %     3.11 %     -1.70 %     2.92 %
Government Income Fund
  B   5/1/96-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.15 %     6.15 %     5.62 %     5.62 %
Government Income Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.62 %     5.04 %     4.30 %     4.72 %
Government Income Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -2.78 %     2.34 %     -2.97 %     2.15 %
Government Income Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.81 %     5.81 %     5.42 %     5.42 %
Government Income Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.04 %     5.04 %     4.72 %     4.72 %
Government Income Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     1.32 %     2.34 %     1.13 %     2.15 %
Government Income Fund
  Institutional   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       7.00 %     N/A       6.61 %
Government Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       6.25 %     N/A       5.93 %
Government Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       3.60 %     N/A       3.40 %
Government Income Fund
  Service   2/10/93-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.61 %     N/A       5.41 %
Government Income Fund
  Service   11/1/93-10/31/03 – Ten years     N/A       6.28 %     N/A       5.30 %
Government Income Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       5.75 %     N/A       5.43 %
Government Income Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       3.01 %     N/A       2.82 %
Municipal Income Fund
  A   7/20/93-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.06 %     5.53 %     4.45 %     4.92 %
Municipal Income Fund
  A   11/1/93-10/31/03 – Ten years     4.82 %     5.30 %     4.27 %     4.75 %

B-119


 

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Municipal Income Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 – Five years     3.57 %     4.53 %     3.34 %     4.29 %
Municipal Income Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 – One year     0.37 %     5.10 %     0.18 %     4.91 %
Municipal Income Fund
  B   5/1/96-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.13 %     5.13 %     4.78 %     4.78 %
Municipal Income Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.33 %     3.75 %     3.10 %     3.52 %
Municipal Income Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -0.86 %     4.32 %     -1.05 %     4.12 %
Municipal Income Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.42 %     4.42 %     4.12 %     4.12 %
Municipal Income Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.75 %     3.75 %     3.52 %     3.52 %
Municipal Income Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     3.21 %     4.25 %     3.02 %     4.05 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Institutional   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.60 %     N/A       5.30 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.93 %     N/A       4.70 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       5.45 %     N/A       5.26 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Service   7/20/93-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.50 %     N/A       4.92 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Service   11/1/93-10/31/03 – Ten years     N/A       5.28 %     N/A       4.75 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.51 %     N/A       4.27 %
Municipal Income Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       4.97 %     N/A       4.77 %
Core Fixed Income
  A   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.28 %     7.04 %     6.14 %     6.90 %
Core Fixed Income
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.04 %     6.00 %     5.02 %     5.99 %
Core Fixed Income
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     2.25 %     7.03 %     2.25 %     7.03 %
Core Fixed Income
  B   5/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.27 %     6.27 %     6.18 %     6.18 %
Core Fixed Income
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     4.81 %     5.23 %     4.80 %     5.22 %
Core Fixed Income
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     1.14 %     6.31 %     1.14 %     6.31 %
Core Fixed Income
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.93 %     5.93 %     5.85 %     5.85 %
Core Fixed Income
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.22 %     5.22 %     5.21 %     5.21 %
Core Fixed Income
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     5.17 %     6.21 %     5.17 %     6.21 %
Core Fixed Income
  Institutional   1/5/94-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.96 %     N/A       6.70 %
Core Fixed Income
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       6.43 %     N/A       6.42 %
Core Fixed Income
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       7.54 %     N/A       7.54 %
Core Fixed Income
  Service   3/13/96-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.74 %     N/A       6.62 %
Core Fixed Income
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       5.89 %     N/A       5.87 %
Core Fixed Income
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       6.90 %     N/A       6.90 %
Global Income Fund
  A   8/2/91-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.40 %     6.80 %     6.03 %     6.43 %
Global Income Fund
  A   11/1/92-10/31/03 - Ten years     5.70 %     6.19 %     5.31 %     5.80 %
Global Income Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.18 %     4.13 %     2.79 %     3.75 %

B-120


 

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Global Income Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     0.67 %     5.45 %     0.27 %     5.04 %
Global Income Fund
  B   5/1/96-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.83 %     5.83 %     5.43 %     5.43 %
Global Income Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.18 %     3.60 %     2.80 %     3.22 %
Global Income Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     -0.36 %     4.87 %     -0.76 %     4.47 %
Global Income Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.09 %     5.09 %     4.70 %     4.70 %
Global Income Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     3.61 %     3.61 %     3.23 %     3.23 %
Global Income Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     3.91 %     4.96 %     3.51 %     4.55 %
Global Income Fund
  Institutional   8/1/95-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       7.51 %     N/A       7.10 %
Global Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.80 %     N/A       4.42 %
Global Income Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       6.07 %     N/A       5.66 %
Global Income Fund
  Service   8/2/91-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       6.88 %     N/A       6.51 %
Global Income Fund
  Service   11/1/93-10/31/03 - Ten years     N/A       6.28 %     N/A       5.90 %
Global Income Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       4.27 %     N/A       3.89 %
Global Income Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       5.61 %     N/A       5.21 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  A   4/3/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.26 %     7.63 %     6.17 %     7.54 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     3.68 %     8.59 %     3.65 %     8.56 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  B   4/3/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     5.98 %     6.83 %     5.89 %     6.74 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     2.56 %     7.78 %     2.53 %     7.75 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  C   4/3/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     6.83 %     6.83 %     6.74 %     6.74 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     6.74 %     7.78 %     6.71 %     7.75 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  Institutional   4/3/00-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       8.06 %     N/A       7.97 %
High Yield Municipal Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       9.02 %     N/A       8.99 %
High Yield Fund
  A   8/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.67 %     5.44 %     4.56 %     5.33 %
High Yield Fund
  A   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.70 %     6.68 %     5.66 %     6.63 %
High Yield Fund
  A   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     27.35 %     33.34 %     27.33 %     33.32 %
High Yield Fund
  B   8/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.67 %     4.67 %     4.61 %     4.61 %
High Yield Fund
  B   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.48 %     5.91 %     5.44 %     5.86 %
High Yield Fund
  B   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     26.89 %     32.31 %     26.87 %     32.29 %
High Yield Fund
  C   8/15/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     4.71 %     4.71 %     4.66 %     4.66 %
High Yield Fund
  C   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     5.89 %     5.89 %     5.84 %     5.84 %
High Yield Fund
  C   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     31.27 %     32.36 %     31.25 %     32.34 %
High Yield Fund
  Institutional   8/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.87 %     N/A       5.80 %
High Yield Fund
  Institutional   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       7.12 %     N/A       7.08 %

B-121


 

                                         
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                            Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
High Yield Fund
  Institutional   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       33.98 %     N/A       33.96 %
High Yield Fund
  Service   8/1/97-10/31/03 - Since inception     N/A       5.33 %     N/A       5.25 %
High Yield Fund
  Service   11/1/98-10/31/03 - Five years     N/A       6.56 %     N/A       6.52 %
High Yield Fund
  Service   11/1/02-10/31/03 - One year     N/A       33.16 %     N/A       33.14 %
Emerging Markets Debt
  A   8/29/03-10/31/03 – Since inception     -1.28 %     3.36 %     -5.53 %     -0.89 %
Emerging Markets Debt
  Institutional   8/29/03-10/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       3.52 %     N/A       -0.48 %

All returns are average annual total returns (except for Emerging Markets Debt Fund, which are cumulative since inception)

*     Total return reflects a maximum (i) initial sales charge of 1.5% for Class A Shares of the Enhanced Income Fund and Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, 2.0% for Class A Shares of the Short Duration Government Fund and Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, and 4.5% for Class A Shares of the Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund, High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund; (ii) an assumed deferred sales charge of 2% (declining to 0% after 3 years) for Class B Shares of the Short Duration Government Fund and Short Duration Tax-Free Fund and 5% (declining to 0% after 6 years) for the Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and High Yield Fund; and (iii) an assumed deferred sales charge of 1% (if redeemed within 12 months of purchase) for Class C Shares of each Fund.

B-122


 

     The above table should not be considered a representation of future performance.

     Performance data is based on historical results and is not intended to indicate future performance. Total return, 30-day yield, tax equivalent yield and distribution rate will vary based on changes in market conditions, portfolio expenses, portfolio investments and other factors. The value of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than their original cost upon redemption. The Trust may also, at its discretion, from time to time make a list of a Fund’s holdings available to investors upon request.

     Performance quotations will be calculated separately for each class of shares in existence. Because each class of shares is subject to different expenses, the performance of each class of shares of a Fund will differ.

PROXY VOTING

     The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Funds. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.

     The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.

Public Equity Investments. To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.

     ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable

B-123


 

regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.

     In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.

     The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.

     The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Fixed Income and Private Investments. Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

OTHER INFORMATION

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize Service Organizations and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. Certain Service Organizations or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.

     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own assets, compensation to Authorized Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds and/or servicing of these shares. These payments (“Additional Payments”) would be in addition to the payments by the Funds described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and this Additional Statement for distribution and shareholder servicing and processing, and would also be in addition to the sales commissions payable to Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectus. These Additional Payments may take the form of “due diligence” payments for an Intermediary’s examination of the Funds and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to the Funds; “listing” fees for the placement of the Funds on a dealer’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Funds; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Funds’ shares; and payments for the sale of shares and/or the maintenance of share balances. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to any shareholder administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Funds. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts

B-124


 

maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The Additional Payments may be different for different Intermediaries. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs, subject to applicable NASD regulations. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% of the amount invested.

     A Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90- day period for any one shareholder. Each Fund, however, reserves the right to pay redemptions exceeding $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of each respective Fund at the time of redemption by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from such Fund. The securities distributed in kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating each Fund’s net asset value per share. See “Net Asset Value.” If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.

     The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Fund may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of such Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, contained in each Fund’s 2003 Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference. The financial statements in each Fund’s Annual Report have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial highlights included in the Annual Report for each Fund for periods ending on or before October 31, 1999 were audited by the Funds’ former independent auditors who have ceased operations. A copy of the Annual Reports may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Fund’s Prospectus. No other portions of the Funds’ Annual Reports are incorporated herein by reference.

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OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING PURCHASES,
REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions “Shareholder Guide” and “Dividends.” Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.

Other Purchase Information

     The sales load waivers on the Funds’ shares are due to the nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such investments.

     If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

Right of Accumulation - (Class A)

     A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase price of the new investment plus the shareholder’s current holdings of existing Class A Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of the Funds and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases additional Class A Shares of the same Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.0% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of $100,000 or more). Class A Shares purchased without the imposition of a sales charge and shares of another class of the Funds may not be aggregated with Class A Shares purchased subject to a sales charge. Class A Shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse and his children; and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, Class A Shares of the Funds and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization or by groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar organizations (collectively, “eligible persons”) may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the business organization’s, group’s or firm’s agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Funds’ shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the Funds at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account,

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alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectuses.

Statement of Intention - (Class A)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $100,000 ($500,000 in the case of Enhanced Income and Ultra-Short Duration Government Funds and $250,000 in the case of Short Duration Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds), not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions, of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of Intention (the “Statement”). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an “accumulation credit” toward the completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased within 90 days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.

     The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are set forth in Appendix C to this Additional Statement.

Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

     Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund in which they have invested or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other mutual funds sponsored by Goldman Sachs (the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) or ILA Service Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund or the Tax-Exempt Diversified Fund, if they hold Class A Shares of a Fund, or ILA Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund, if they hold Class B or Class C Shares of a Fund (the “ILA Funds”).

     A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to the other Goldman Sachs Fund or ILA Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Funds is available only in states where such reinvestment may legally be made.

Automatic Exchange Program

     A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of the Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund involving either an identical account of another Goldman Sachs Fund, or an account registered in a different name or with a different address, social security or other taxpayer identification number, provided in each case that the account in the acquired fund has been established, appropriate signatures have been obtained and the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to the other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective,

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policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.

Class C Exchanges

     As stated in the Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75% distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized Dealer’s customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

     A systematic withdrawal plan (the “Systematic Withdrawal Plan”) is available to shareholders of a Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.

     Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Fund at net asset value. The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon 30 days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class B and Class C Shares redeemed under a Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be waived. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.

Offering Price of Class A Shares

     Class A Shares of Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield, Emerging Markets Debt, U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds are sold at a maximum sales charge of 4.5%, Enhanced Income Fund and Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund at 1.5% and Short Duration Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds at 2%. Using the offering price as of October 31, 2003 (or, with respect to U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds, assuming an initial offering price per share of $10.00 per share), the maximum offering price of the Class A shares of each Fund’s shares would be as follows:

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    Net Asset   Maximum   Offering Price
Fund
  Value
  Sales Charge
  to Public
Enhanced Income
  $ 9.99       1.5 %   $ 10.14  
Ultra-Short Duration Government
  $ 9.47       1.5 %   $ 9.61  
Short Duration Government
  $ 9.99       2.0 %   $ 10.19  
Short Duration Tax-Free
  $ 10.45       2.0 %   $ 10.66  
Government Income
  $ 14.88       4.5 %   $ 15.58  
Municipal Income
  $ 15.41       4.5 %   $ 16.14  
U.S. Mortgages
  $ 10.00       4.5 %   $ 10.47  
Core Fixed Income
  $ 10.31       4.5 %   $ 10.80  
Investment Grade Credit
  $ 10.00       4.5 %   $ 10.47  
Global Income
  $ 14.39       4.5 %   $ 15.07  
High Yield Municipal
  $ 10.66       4.5 %   $ 11.16  
High Yield
  $ 7.79       4.5 %   $ 8.16  
Emerging Markets Debt
  $ 10.22       4.5 %   $ 10.70  

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     Distribution and Service Plans. As described in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each Fund, distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”). See “Shareholder Guide – Distribution and Service Fees” in the Prospectus. The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds and enable the Funds to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Funds. In addition, the distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds’ operations and investments.

     The Plans for each Fund were most recently approved on May 5, 2004 by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans.

     The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75% per annum of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, respectively, of such Fund.

     Under the Plans for Class A (Global Income Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund only), Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to received a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal to an annual basis of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Currently, Goldman Sachs has voluntarily agreed to limit distribution and service fees pursuant to the Plan to 0.85% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares of the Short Duration Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds. Goldman Sachs may modify or discontinue such limitation in the future at its discretion.

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     Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds’ Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

     Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust will review at least quarterly a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and expenditures were made.

     The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation described therein without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class but may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Fund without payment of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Fund and affected share class. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of the Trust and no successor plan was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and their Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders.

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For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, each Fund then in existence paid Goldman Sachs the following distribution and service fees under the Class A Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
Fund
  October 31, 2003
  October 31, 2002
  October 31, 2001
Enhanced Income Fund
                       
With fee waivers
  $ 1,566,094     $ 1,365,281     $ 80,292  
Without fee waivers
  $ 1,566,094       1,365,281       80,292  
Ultra-Short Duration Government
                       
With fee waivers
    2,709,156       1,283,962       108,726  
Without fee waivers
    2,709,156       1,283,962       108,726  
Short Duration Government
                       
With fee waivers
    741,540       374,783       98,177  
Without fee waivers
    741,540       374,783       98,177  
Short Duration Tax-Free
                       
With fee waivers
    440,031       178,215       60,498  
Without fee waivers
    440,031       178,215       60,498  
Government Income
                       
With fee waivers
    777,036       420,554       267,226  
Without fee waivers
    777,036       420,554       267,226  
Municipal Income
                       
With fee waivers
    355,113       246,967       189,657  
Without fee waivers
    355,113       246,967       189,657  
Core Fixed Income
                       
With fee waivers
    977,764       556,181       289,996  
Without fee waivers
    977,764       556,181       289,996  
Global Income
                       
With fee waivers
    1,269,918       1,362,181       1,442,872  
Without fee waivers
    1,269,918       1,362,181       1,442,872  
High Yield Municipal
                       
With fee waivers
    1,896,357       1,097,318       525,558  
Without fee waivers
    1,896,357       1,097,318       525,558  
High Yield
                       
With fee waivers
    3,615,764       1,713,607       1,222,943  
Without fee waivers
    3,615,764       1,713,607       1,222,943  
Emerging Markets Debt(1)
                       
With fee waivers
    80       N/A       N/A  
Without fee waivers
    160       N/A       N/A  

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1   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003
 
    During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following distribution expenses under the Class A Plan on behalf of Enhanced Income, Ultra-Short Duration Government, Short Duration Government, Short Duration Tax-Free, Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield Municipal, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds.
                                         
                            Printing and    
            Compensation   Allocable   Mailing of    
            and Expenses of   Overhead,   Prospectuses to   Preparation and
            the Distributor   Telephone and   Other than   Distribution of
Fiscal Year ended   Compensation   and Its Sales   Travel   Current   Sales Literature
October 31, 2003
  to Dealers(1)
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders
  and Advertising
Enhanced Income Fund
  $ 65,249     $ 1,670,776     $ 190,112     $ 10,189     $  
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund
    1,152,824       1,913,261       372,335       14,870       49,012  
Short Duration Government Fund
    1,035,037       149,977       94,134       6,172       20,522  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    300,149       146,560       85,065       4,718       20,454  
Government Income Fund
    982,841       181,446       122,296       8,144       29,966  
Municipal Income Fund
    245,789       245,784       94,134       6,172       20,522  
Core Fixed Income Fund
    665,763       717,227       127,275       7,723       33,127  
Global Income Fund
    659,109       256,263       66,302       4,087       13,832  
High Yield Municipal Fund
    428,816       1,780,107       152,177       7,830       25,484  
High Yield Fund
    1,022,169       3,362,454       420,614       28,900       109,194  
Emerging Markets Debt Fund(2)
          8,114       9,292       345       1,089  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class A Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of eighteen months; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   Emerging Markets Debt Fund commenced operations on August 29, 2003.

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    For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, each Fund paid Goldman Sachs the following distribution and service fees under the Class B Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
Fund(1)
  October 31, 2003
  October 31, 2002
  October 31, 2001
Short Duration Government
                       
With fee waivers
  $ 471,878     $ 236,223     $ 74,697  
Without fee waivers
    555,152       277,909       87,879  
Short Duration Tax-Free
                       
With fee waivers
    51,561       29,950       16,464  
Without fee waivers
    60,658       55,235       19,370  
Government Income
                       
With fee waivers
    521,718       380,422       247,353  
Without fee waivers
    521,718       380,422       247,353  
Municipal Income
                       
With fee waivers
    162,721       137,465       100,737  
Without fee waivers
    162,721       137,465       100,737  
Core Fixed Income
                       
With fee waivers
    390,869       291,031       192,373  
Without fee waivers
    390,869       291,031       192,373  
Global Income
                       
With fee waivers
    389,596       350,859       266,384  
Without fee waivers
    389,596       350,859       266,384  
High Yield Municipal
                       
With fee waivers
    438,715       369,052       208,733  
Without fee waivers
    438,715       369,052       208,733  
High Yield
                       
With fee waivers
    778,596       532,489       426,230  
Without fee waivers
    778,596       532,489       426,230  


(1)   Enhanced Income Fund, Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund currently do not offer Class B Shares.

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    During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class B Plan on behalf of each of the following Funds:

                                         
                                    Preparation
            Compensation           Printing and   and
            and Expenses   Allocable   Mailing of   Distribution
            of the   Overhead,   Prospectuses   of Sales
            Distributor and   Telephone   to Other than   Literature
Fiscal Year ended   Compensation   Its Sales   And Travel   Current   And
October 31, 2003
  To Dealers(1)
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders(2)
  Advertising
Short Duration Government Fund
  $ 387,670     $ 18,535     $ 19,964     $ 1,343     $ 4,736  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    51,402       2,937       3,084       179       696  
Government Income Fund
    705,247       19,485       21,282       1,487       4,986  
Municipal Income Fund
    219,234       10,412       11,345       804       2,333  
Core Fixed Income Fund
    468,900       11,853       13,011       794       3,253  
Global Income Fund
    478,569       10,793       11,657       803       2,886  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
    472,513       8,434       9,059       471       1,375  
High Yield Fund
    1,029,796       21,733       23,697       1,818       6,087  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 4% on Class B Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of six years; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   Reflects credits allocated to the Funds to correct expenses over-accruals.

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    For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, each Fund paid Goldman Sachs the following distribution and service fees under the Class C Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
Fund(1)
  October 31, 2003
  October 31, 2002
  October 31, 2001
Short Duration Government
                       
With fee waivers
  $ 1,264,238     $ 428,712     $ 81,881  
Without fee waivers
    1,264,238       428,712       81,881  
Short Duration Tax-Free
                       
With fee waivers
    313,994       156,655       16,071  
Without fee waivers
    313,994       156,655       16,071  
Government Income
                       
With fee waivers
    264,919       159,172       101,725  
Without fee waivers
    264,919       159,172       101,725  
Municipal Income
                       
With fee waivers
    56,189       61,390       46,757  
Without fee waivers
    56,189       61,390       46,757  
Core Fixed Income
                       
With fee waivers
    237,261       148,524       85,215  
Without fee waivers
    237,261       148,524       85,215  
Global Income
                       
With fee waivers
    117,905       100,755       74,565  
Without fee waivers
    117,905       100,755       74,565  
High Yield Municipal
                       
With fee waivers
    368,303       251,291       148,717  
Without fee waivers
    368,303       251,291       148,717  
High Yield
                       
With fee waivers
    335,236       183,815       121,630  
Without fee waivers
    335,236       183,815       121,630  


(1)   Enhanced Income Fund, Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund currently do not offer Class C Shares.

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     During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class C Plan on behalf of each of the following Funds:

                                         
                            Printing and    
            Compensation   Allocable   Mailing of    
            and Expenses of   Overhead,   Prospectuses to   Preparation and
            the Distributor   Telephone   Other than   Distribution of
Fiscal Year ended   Compensation to   and Its Sales   and Travel   Current   Sales Literature
October 31, 2003
  Dealer(1)
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders
  and Advertising
Short Duration Government Fund
  $ 1,348,814     $ 41,613     $ 44,643     $ 2,880     $ 10,929  
Short Duration Tax-Free Fund
    338,117       14,115       15,792       927       3,444  
Government Income Fund
    304,004       9,771       10,665       730       2,570  
Municipal Income Fund
    63,811       3,704       4,061       287       779  
Core Fixed Income Fund
    219,832       7,580       7,793       464       1,992  
Global Income Fund
    119,937       3,260       3,525       244       871  
High Yield Municipal Fund
    372,333       6,977       7,493       383       1,225  
High Yield Fund
    335,182       9,090       9,874       719       2,579  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class C Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of one year; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.

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SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Service Shares Only)

     Each Fund (other than the Enhanced Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund) has adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan (the “Plans”) with respect to its Service Shares which authorize it to compensate Service Organizations for providing personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, a Fund will enter into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Service Shares of the Fund on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the Service Organizations may perform some or all of the following services:

     (i) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (a) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (b) acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (c) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (d) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (e) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Service Organization’s premises; and (f) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Service Organization.

     (ii) Shareholder administration services, including: (a) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the Service Organization’s customers; (b) establishing and maintaining or assist in establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to the Service Shares owned by each customer; (c) processing or assist in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares; (d) receiving and transmitting or assist in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (e) facilitating the inclusion of Service Shares in accounts, products or services offered to the Service Organization’s customers by or through the Service Organization; (f) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (g) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.

     As compensation for such services, a Fund will pay each Service Organization a personal and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively (on an annualized basis), of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of such Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.

     For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2001, fees were paid by the Funds to Service Organizations under Servicing Agreements as follows. Prior to January 30, 2001, the Funds had a single service plan which provided for both personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services at the same aggregate rate.

B-137


 

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
Fund(1)
  October 31, 2003
  October 31, 2002
  October 31, 2001
Ultra-Short Duration Government
  $ 342,986     $ 182,176     $ 36,791  
Short Duration Government
    50,263       41,791       36,474  
Short Duration Tax-Free
    917       316       224  
Government Income
    61,303       45,574       19,812  
Municipal Income
    1,115       1,359       45  
Core Fixed Income
    122,639       133,192       103,641  
Global Income
    4,567       7,166       8,529  
High Yield Municipal
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
High Yield
    3,424       2,427       2,073  


(1)   Enhanced Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund currently do not offer Service Shares.

     The Funds have adopted the service plan but not the shareholder administration plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that service fees paid to the Service Organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular, such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the service plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the service plan.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of such Fund. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities regulators, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service Shares of the Funds. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve each Fund’s Plans and Service Agreements (other than the Enhanced Income Fund) at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on May 5, 2004. The Enhanced Income Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund do not offer Service Shares. The Plans and Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005, and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Board of Trustees in the manner described above. The service plan may not be amended (but the shareholder administration plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the affected Fund, and all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees who are not

B-138


 

interested person of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans and Service Agreements or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of such Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements.

     The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the Trust’s Nominating Committee, which consists of all of the non-interested members of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has determined that, in its judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and the holders of Service Shares.

B-139


 

ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Administration Shares Only)

     The Enhanced Income Fund has adopted an administration plan (the “Plan”) with respect to its Administration Shares which authorizes it to compensate Service Organizations for providing certain account administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund enters into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Administration Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the Service Organizations may agree to perform some or all of the following services: (i) act, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for customers; (ii) maintain account records for customers who beneficially own Administration Shares of the Fund; (iii) receive and transmit, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds for purchases and redemptions; (iv) provide facilities to answer questions and handle correspondence from customers regarding their accounts; and (v) issue, or assist in issuing, confirmations for transactions in shares by customers. As compensation for such services, the Fund will pay each Service Organization an account administration fee in an amount up to 0.25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Administration Shares of the Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.

     For the fiscal periods ended October 31, 2001, October 31, 2002, and October 31, 2003, fees of $0, $21,108 and $48,643 were paid by the Enhanced Income Fund under the Plan, respectively.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Administration Shares of the Fund. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Administration Shares of the Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Administration Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plan and Service Agreements with respect to the Fund at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan and Service Agreements on May 5, 2004. The Plan and Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Board of Trustees in the manner described above.

     Unless approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above, the Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein and other material amendments of the Plan may not be made. The Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or the related Service Agreements or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Administration Shares. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of such Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Administration Shares of the Fund on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Board of Trustees has determined that, in its judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and the holders of its Administration Shares.

B-140


 

ACCOUNT SERVICE PLAN
(Class A and Institutional Shares Only)

     The U.S. Mortgages and Investment Grade Credit Funds have adopted account service plans (the “Plans”) with respect to their Class A and Institutional Shares which authorize them to compensate Goldman Sachs for providing certain account services, personal and account maintenance services, and other services performed and expenses incurred by Goldman Sachs that are intended to facilitate or improve the provision of account services and/or personal and account maintenance services of Authorized Dealers in the case of Class A Shares or Service Organizations in the case of Institutional Shares to their customers who are beneficial owners of such Shares (“Customers”).

     Account services under the Plans include, without limitation, (i) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of Class A or Institutional Shares beneficially owned by Customers; (ii) establishing and maintaining or assist in establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to Class A or Institutional Shares owned by each Customer; (iii) processing or assist in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class A or Institutional Shares; (iv) receiving and transmitting or assist in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Class A or Institutional Shares; (v) providing services to Customers intended to facilitate or improve their understanding of the benefits and risks of a Fund to Customers; (vi) facilitating or assist in facilitating electronic or computer trading and/or processing in a Fund or providing or assist in providing electronic, computer or other information regarding a Fund to Customers; and (vii) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.

     Personal and account maintenance services under the Plans include, without limitation, (i) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with Customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (ii) acting as liaison between Customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (iii) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (iv) responding to investor requests for Prospectuses; (v) displaying and making Prospectuses available on the Authorized Dealers’ or Service Organizations’ premises; (vi) assisting Customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and operating custody accounts with the Authorized Dealers or Service Organizations; and (vii) performing other related services which constitute “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules but do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act.

     As compensation for such services, each Fund will pay Goldman Sachs an account service fee in an amount up to 0.05% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Class A or Institutional Shares of such Fund. The Plans provide for account service fees to Goldman Sachs without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If the fees exceed Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs will determine the amount (if any) of the account service fee to be paid to one or more Authorized Dealers in the case of Class A Shares or Service Organizations in the case of Institutional Shares. Payments to Authorized Dealers or Service Organizations will be subject to agreements entered into with Goldman Sachs (“Service Agreements”). In no event will the amount paid to Goldman Sachs or any Authorized Dealer under the Plan for Class A Shares and the Trust’s Class A Distribution and Service Plan for “personal and account maintenance

B-141


 

services and expenses” exceed the maximum limit on “service fees” as those terms are defined in Section 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the NASD. Prior to the date of this Additional Statement, no Shares of the Funds had been offered and, accordingly, the Funds had paid no fees pursuant to the Plan.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to an Authorized Dealer’s or Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by Goldman Sachs in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Class A or Institutional Shares of a Fund. Authorized Dealers and Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Class A or Institutional Shares of a Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Class A or Institutional Shares on behalf of their Customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plans and related Service Agreements with respect to the Funds on May 5, 2004 in each instance at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan and Service Agreements. The Plans and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the affected Fund’s Class A and Institutional Class. All material amendments of the Plans must be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan and Service Agreements or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Class A or Institutional Shares of the affected Fund. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of such Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Class A or Institutional Shares of the affected Fund on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees. The Trustees have determined that, in its judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and the holders of Class A and Institutional Shares.

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

     “A-1” - Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

     “A-2” - Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

     “A-3” - Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” - Obligations have significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “C” - Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “D” – Obligations are in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

     Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for short-term obligations:

     “P-1” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

1-A


 

     “P-2” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “P-3” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “NP” - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

     Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings apply to time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

     “F1” - Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

     “F2” - Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

     “F3” - Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

     “B” - Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “C” - Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “D” - Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

     R-1 Prime Credit Quality

     R-2 Adequate Credit Quality

     R-3 Speculative

     All three DBRS rating categories for short-term debt use “high”, “middle” or “low” as subset grades to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area.

     “R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and

2-A


 

above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

     “R-1 (middle)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.

     “R-1 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

     “R-2 (high)”, “R-2 (middle)”, “R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “R-3 (high)”, “R-3 (middle)”, “R-3 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-3” is speculative, and within the three subset grades, the capacity for timely payment ranges from mildly speculative to doubtful. “R-3” credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with “R-3” ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

     “AAA” - An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

     “AA” - An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

     “A” - An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

     “BBB” - An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

3-A


 

     Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “CC” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

     “BB” - An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” - An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CCC” - An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CC” - An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

     “C” - The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

     “D” - An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payment will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     - PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from “AA” through “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

     “Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

     “Aa” – Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

     “A” – Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium-grade and are subject to low credit risk.

     “Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

     “Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

     “B” – Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

     “Caa” – Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

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     “Ca” - Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

     “C” – Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

     Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

     “AAA” - Securities considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

     “AA” - Securities considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

     “A” - Securities considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

     “BBB” - Securities considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

     “BB” - Securities considered to be speculative. These ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

     “B” - Securities considered to be highly speculative. These ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “CCC,” “CC” and “C” - Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. “CC” ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and “C” ratings signal imminent default.

     “DDD,” “DD” and “D” - Securities are in default. The ratings of obligations in these categories are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor.

     Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated “DDD” have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated “DD” and “D” are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or

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liquidation process; those rated “DD” are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated “D” have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.

     PLUS (+) or MINUS (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “CCC”.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

     “AAA” - Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.

     “AA” - Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

     “A” - Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.

     “BBB” - Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

     “BB” - Bonds rated “BB” are defined to be speculative, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the BB area typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support and, in many cases, small size or lack of competitive strength may be additional negative considerations.

     “B” - Bonds rated “B” are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty which exists as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

     “CCC” / “CC” / “C” - Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than bonds rated “B”. Bonds rated below “B” often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the “C” to “CCC” categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

     “D” - This category indicates bonds in default of either interest or principal.

     (“high,” “low”) grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in the middle of the category. Note that “high” and “low” grades are not used for the AAA category.

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Municipal Note Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for municipal notes:

     “SP-1” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

     “SP-2” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

     “SP-3” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

     Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels – MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation. The following summarized the ratings by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

     “MIG-1” - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

     “MIG-2” - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

     “MIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

     “SG” - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

     In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade of VMIG rating.

     When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

     VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

     “VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

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     “VMIG-3” - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

Fitch credit ratings are an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. However, Fitch credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn.

DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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APPENDIX B
ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

The following is a summary of certain of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Investment Adviser’s Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) with respect to public equity investments. Unlike the abbreviated nature of this summary, the actual ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines address additional voting matters and provide more discussion regarding the factors that may determine ISS’s position on a matter. The Investment Adviser may diverge from the ISS guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

1. Auditors

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

  An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent,
 
  Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or
 
  There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

2. Board of Directors

a. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining, among other factors, the following factors: composition of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance relative to a market index, and whether the chairman is also serving as a CEO.

b. Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

c. Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chairman to be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal.

d. Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

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Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

3. Shareholder Rights

a. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Vote FOR proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

b. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

c. Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

d. Cumulative Voting

Vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

e. Confidential Voting

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

4. Proxy Contests

a. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the factors that include, among others, the long-term financial performance, management’s track

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record, qualifications of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

b. Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

5. Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill to shareholder vote or redeem it.

6. Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions based on such features, among others, as the fairness opinion, pricing, prospects of the combined company, and the negotiating process.

7. Reincorporation Proposals

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

8. Capital Structure

a. Common Stock Authorization

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using a model developed by ISS.

Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

b. Dual-class Stock

Vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights. Vote FOR proposals to create a new class of non-voting or sub-voting common stock if:

  It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders
 
  It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

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9. Executive and Director Compensation

Votes with respect to equity based compensation plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The ISS methodology for reviewing compensation plans primarily focuses on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders instead of simply focusing on voting power dilution). Using the expanded compensation data disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, ISS will value every award type. ISS will include in its analyses an estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth, and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once ISS determines the estimated cost of the plan, ISS compares it to a company-specific dilution cap.

Vote AGAINST equity plans that explicitly permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.

a. Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

Votes on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving consideration to the following:

  Historic trading patterns

  Rationale for the repricing

  Value-for-value exchange

  Option vesting

  Term of the option

  Exercise price

  Participation

b. Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

  Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

  Offering period is 27 months or less; and

  Potential voting power dilution is ten percent or less.

  Vote AGAINST employee stock purchase plans where any of the opposite conditions obtain.

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c. Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information and shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote. Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

10. Social and Environmental Issues

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business, and workplace diversity.

Generally, ISS votes CASE-BY-CASE on such proposals. However, there are certain specific topics where ISS generally votes FOR the proposal (e.g., proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards) or AGAINST the proposal (e.g., reports on foreign military sales or offsets).

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APPENDIX C

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.

     Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.

     Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

     We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

     We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

     We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.

     We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the Firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.

     We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.

     The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.

     Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

     We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.

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     We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.

     We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.

     Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.

     Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S INVESTMENT BANKING AND SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

     Goldman Sachs is a leading financial services firm traditionally known on Wall Street and around the world for its institutional and private client services.

     With fifty offices worldwide Goldman Sachs employs over 20,000 professionals focused on opportunities in major markets.

     The number one underwriter of all international equity issues from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager of U.S. common stock offerings from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager for initial public offerings (IPOs) worldwide from 1989-2001.*

*      Source: Security Data Corporation. Common stock ranking excludes REITs, Investment Trusts and Rights. Ranking based on dollar volume issued.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

     
1869
  Marcus Goldman opens Goldman Sachs for business
 
   
1890
  Dow Jones Industrial Average first published
 
   
1896
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. joins New York Stock Exchange
 
   
1906
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Sears Roebuck & Co. public (at 97 years, the firm’s longest-standing client relationship)
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 100
 
   
1925
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. finances Warner Brothers, producer of the first talking film
 
   
1956
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-manages Ford’s public offering, the largest to date
 
   
1970
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. opens London office
 
   
1972
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 1000
 
   
1986
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Microsoft public
 
   
1988
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management is formally established
 
   
1991
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides advisory services for the largest privatization in the region of the sale of Telefonos de Mexico
 
   
1995
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces Global Tactical Asset
Allocation Program
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 5000
 
   
1996
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Deutsche Telekom public
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 6000
 
   
1997
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management increases assets under management by 100%
over 1996
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 7000

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1998
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $195.5 billion in assets under management
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 9000
 
   
1999
  Goldman Sachs becomes a public company
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management launches the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund; becomes the year’s second most successful new fund launch
 
   
2000
  Goldman Sachs CORESM Tax-Managed Equity Fund launches
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $298.5 billion
 
   
2001
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $100 billion in money market assets
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $306 billion
 
   
  Goldman Sachs acquires Spear, Leeds and Kellogg
 
   
2002
  Advises and services the wealth management needs of 45% of the Forbes 400*
 
   
2003
  Goldman Sachs acquires The Ayco Company, L.P., one of the oldest and largest financial planning firms in the United States
 
   
  Goldman Sachs combines its Australian operations with Australian securities firm JBWere, one of the most respected and oldest (having been founded in 1840) financial institutions in the region, to form Goldman Sachs JBWere
 
   
*
  Source: Forbes.com September 2002

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APPENDIX D

Statement of Intention
(applicable only to Class A Shares)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing within a 13-month period Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund in the amount of $100,000 or more in the case of the Government Income, Municipal Income, Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield Municipal and High Yield Funds; $250,000 or more in the case of the Short Duration Government and Short Duration Tax-Free Funds; and $500,000 or more in the case of the Enhanced Income Fund and Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional shares will not apply toward the completion of the Statement of Intention.

     To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investor’s purchases within 13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agreement

     Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of shares registered in the investor’s name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released.

     If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the Transfer Agent.

1-D


 

GOLDMAN SACHS MONEY MARKET FUNDS

GOLDMAN SACHS — INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID ASSETS PORTFOLIOS
FINANCIAL SQUARE FUNDS


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED APRIL 29, 2004
(AS AMENDED JUNE 4, 2004)

ILA SHARES
ILA ADMINISTRATION SHARES
ILA SERVICE SHARES
ILA CLASS B SHARES
ILA CLASS C SHARES
ILA CASH MANAGEMENT SHARES
FST SHARES
FST SERVICE SHARES
FST ADMINISTRATION SHARES
FST PREFERRED SHARES
FST SELECT SHARES
FST CAPITAL SHARES


     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company (or mutual fund) which includes the Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios and Financial Square Funds. This Statement of Additional Information relates solely to the offering of (i) ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares of: Prime Obligations Portfolio (“ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio”), Money Market Portfolio (“ILA Money Market Portfolio”), Treasury Obligations Portfolio (“ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio”), Treasury Instruments Portfolio (“ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio”), Government Portfolio (“ILA Government Portfolio”), Federal Portfolio (“ILA Federal Portfolio”), Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio (“ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio”), Tax-Exempt California Portfolio (“ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio”) and Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio (“ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio”); (ii) ILA Class B and Class C Shares of ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio (individually, an “ILA Portfolio” and collectively the “ILA Portfolios”); and (iii) FST Shares, FST Service Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select Shares and FST Capital Shares of: Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund (“FS Prime Obligations Fund”), Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Money Market Fund (“FS Money Market Fund”), Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund (“FS Treasury Obligations Fund”), Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Treasury Instruments Fund (“FS Treasury Instruments Fund”), Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Government Fund (“FS Government Fund”), Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Federal Fund (“FS Federal Fund”) and Goldman Sachs — Financial Square Tax-Free Money Market Fund (“FS Tax-Free Fund”) (individually, a “Financial Square Fund,” collectively the “Financial Square Funds” and together with the ILA Portfolios, the “Series”).

 


 

     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM” or the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the Series’ investment adviser. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) serves as distributor and transfer agent to the Series.

     The Goldman Sachs Funds offer banks, corporate cash managers, investment advisers and other institutional investors a family of professionally-managed mutual funds, including money market, fixed income and equity funds, and a range of related services. All products are designed to provide clients with the benefit of the expertise of GSAM and its affiliates in security selection, asset allocation, portfolio construction and day-to-day management.

     The hallmark of the Goldman Sachs Funds is personalized service, which reflects the priority that Goldman Sachs places on serving clients’ interests. Service organizations and other Goldman Sachs clients will be assigned an Account Administrator (“AA”), who is ready to help with questions concerning their accounts. During business hours, service organizations and other Goldman Sachs clients can call their AA through a toll-free number to place purchase or redemption orders or to obtain Series and account information. The AA can also answer inquiries about rates of return and portfolio composition/holdings, and guide service organizations through operational details. The Goldman Sachs Funds allow service organizations to purchase and redeem shares and access account information via the Internet.

     This Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”) is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Series and share classes mentioned above, each dated April 29, 2004, as those Prospectuses may be further amended and supplemented from time to time. A copy of each Prospectus may be obtained without charge from service organizations, or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co. at 1-800-621-2550 or by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

     The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants for the ILA Portfolios and Financial Square Funds, contained in the ILA Portfolios’ and Financial Square Funds’ 2003 Annual Reports are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other portions of the Series’ Annual Reports are incorporated by reference.

     Goldman Sachs Financial Square Fund SM is a service mark of Goldman Sachs & Co.

     GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     The date of this Additional Statement is April 29, 2004, as amended June 4, 2004.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
    Page in
    Statement of
    Additional
    Information
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES
    1  
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
    50  
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
    56  
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
    65  
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
    71  
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
    77  
NET ASSET VALUE
    78  
REDEMPTIONS
    80  
CALCULATION OF YIELD QUOTATIONS
    81  
TAX INFORMATION
    89  
ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION
    95  
CUSTODIAN AND SUBCUSTODIAN
    101  
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    102  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    102  
PROXY VOTING
    102  
OTHER INFORMATION
    103  
ADMINISTRATION PLANS
    105  

 


 

         
SERVICE AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLANS
    108  
SELECT PLAN
    111  
CAPITAL ADMINISTRATION PLAN
    112  
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    114  
APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES RATINGS
    A-1  
ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
    B-1  
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    C-1  

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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES

     Each Series is a separate pool of assets which pursues its investment objective through separate investment policies. Each Series other than the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio is a diversified, open-end management investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”)). The ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio are non-diversified open-end management investment companies, as defined in the Act. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectus. The following discussion elaborates on the description of each Series’ investment policies and practices contained in the Prospectus.

     All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. However, with respect to the ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government Fund, and FS Federal Fund, to the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty-days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Series’ policy to invest, under normal circumstances, in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.

     To the extent described in the Prospectus and further below, the policies of the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund and FS Tax-Free Money Market Fund to invest at least 80% of their net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in the particular type of investments suggested by their respective names are fundamental policies that may not be changed without shareholder approval.

U.S. Government Securities

     Each Series (except the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund and FS Tax-Free Fund) may invest in government securities, which are obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”). Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.

     U.S. Government Securities are deemed to include (i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities and (ii) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed. The secondary market for certain of these participations is

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extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations may therefore be regarded as illiquid.

     Each Series (except the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund) may invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The principal and interest components of selected securities are traded independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities program (“STRIPS”). Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are individually numbered and separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.

Custodial Receipts

     Each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government Fund, and FS Federal Fund) may also acquire U.S. Government Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments in the form of custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain U.S. Government Securities, municipal obligations or other debt instruments. Such securities are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the owners. These custodial receipts are known by various names, including “Treasury Receipts,” “Treasury Investors Growth Receipts” (“TIGRs”), and “Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities” (“CATS”). Although custodial receipts involving U.S. Government Securities are not considered U.S. Government Securities for certain securities law purposes, the securities underlying such receipts are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities.

Bank and Corporate Obligations

     Each Series (other than ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government Fund and FS Federal Fund) may invest in commercial paper, including variable amount master demand notes and asset-backed commercial paper. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations, and finance companies. The commercial paper purchased by the Series consists of direct U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or, in the case of ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund, foreign issuers. The ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund may invest only in tax-exempt commercial paper. Bank obligations in which the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund may invest include certificates of deposit, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other debt obligations. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.

     Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time

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deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits. Bank notes and bankers’ acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Bank notes are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other insurer. Deposit notes are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation only to the extent of $100,000 per depositor per bank.

     The ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund will invest more than 25% of their total assets in bank obligations (whether foreign or domestic), including bank commercial paper. However, if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in total deposits) these Series may, for defensive purposes, temporarily invest less than 25% of their total assets in bank obligations. As a result, the Series may be especially affected by favorable and adverse developments in or related to the banking industry. The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.

     The ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund may invest in other short-term obligations, including short-term funding agreements payable in U.S. dollars and issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, foreign corporations (with respect to the ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund) or other entities. A funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding agreements will also guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement has a fixed maturity date and may have either a fixed or variable interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed for a set time period. Because there is generally no secondary market for these investments, funding agreements purchased by a Series may be regarded as illiquid.

Repurchase Agreements

     Each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Treasury Instruments Fund and FS Tax-Free Fund) may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. A repurchase agreement is similar to a collateralized loan, but involves an arrangement under which the purchaser (i.e., the Series) purchases securities subject to the seller’s agreement, at the time of sale, to repurchase the securities at a specified time and price. These securities may include securities that could not be held by a Portfolio without the seller’s repurchase

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commitment. The ILA Federal Portfolio and FS Federal Fund may, but do not presently intend to, invest in repurchase agreements.

     Custody of the securities will be maintained by the Series’ custodian or subcustodian for the duration of the agreement. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Series, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Series together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Series is unrelated to the investment return, if any, on the securities subject to the repurchase agreement. The seller of a repurchase agreement will agree that the value of the purchased securities will at all times equal or exceed the repurchase price during the term of the repurchase agreement.

     Repurchase agreements pose certain risks for the Series that utilize them. Such risks are not unique to the Series but are inherent in repurchase agreements. The Series seek to minimize such risks by, among others, the means indicated below, but because of the inherent legal uncertainties involved in repurchase agreements, such risks cannot be eliminated.

     For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), and generally, for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Series to the seller of the securities. It is not clear whether for other purposes a court would consider the securities purchased by the Series subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Series or as being collateral for a loan by the Series to the seller.

     If, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings concerning the seller of the securities, a court holds that the Series does not have a perfected security interest in the securities, the Series may be required to return the securities to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Series would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. To minimize this risk, the Series utilize custodians and subcustodians that the Investment Adviser believes follow customary securities industry practice with respect to repurchase agreements, and the Investment Adviser analyzes the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the securities. But because of the legal uncertainties, this risk, like others associated with repurchase agreements, cannot be eliminated.

     Also, in the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the securities before repurchase of the securities under a repurchase agreement, a Series may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in the value of the securities or other collateral, in which case a Series may not recover the full amount it paid for the securities. Certain Series may enter into repurchase agreements that involve securities that would be subject to a court “stay” in the event of the seller’s bankruptcy or insolvency. A “stay” will prevent a Series from selling the securities it holds under a repurchase agreement until permitted by a court. In these situations a Series will be subject to greater risk that the value of the securities will decline before they are sold, and that the Series will experience a loss.

     Apart from the risks associated with bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security, whether or not the seller is bankrupt or insolvent. However, if the market value of the securities subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), the Series will direct the seller of the securities to

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deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. It is possible that, with respect to certain repurchase agreements, a trustee for a bankrupt or insolvent seller could be able to demand the return of any additional securities that were previously delivered to the Series for this purpose, and a Series could incur a loss for this reason.

     Each Series may not invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if, as a result thereof, more than 10% of the net assets of that Series (taken at market value) would be invested in such investments and other securities which are not readily marketable . Certain repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.

     In addition, each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Treasury Instruments Fund and FS Tax-Free Fund), together with other registered investment companies having management agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Foreign Securities

     The ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other debt obligations issued or guaranteed by major foreign banks which have more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase, U.S. branches of such foreign banks (Yankee obligations), foreign branches of such foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks. The ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio and FS Prime Obligations Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, unsecured bank promissory notes, bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks. The ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund may also invest in municipal instruments backed by letters of credit or other forms of credit enhancement issued by foreign banks which have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the U.S. Under current SEC rules relating to the use of the amortized cost method of portfolio securities valuation, the ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund are restricted to purchasing U.S. dollar-denominated securities, but are not otherwise precluded from purchasing securities of foreign issuers.

     The ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations (limited to commercial paper and other notes) issued or guaranteed by a foreign government. The ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by any entity located or organized in a foreign country that maintains a short-term foreign currency rating in the highest short-term ratings category by the requisite number of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). The ILA Money Market Portfolio and FS Money Market Fund may not invest more than 25% of their total assets in the securities of any one foreign government.

     Investments in foreign securities and bank obligations may involve considerations different from investments in domestic securities due to limited publicly available information; non-uniform accounting standards; the possible imposition of withholding or confiscatory taxes; the possible

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adoption of foreign governmental restrictions affecting the payment of principal and interest; expropriation; or other adverse political or economic developments. In addition, it may be more difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment against a foreign issuer or a foreign branch of a domestic bank and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.

Asset-Backed and Receivables-Backed Securities

     The ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund may invest in asset-backed and receivables-backed securities. Asset-backed and receivables-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as mortgages, motor vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements, corporate receivables and other categories of receivables. Such asset pools are securitized through the use of privately-formed trusts or special purpose vehicles. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution or other credit enhancements may be present. The value of a Series’ investments in asset-backed and receivables-backed securities may be adversely affected by prepayment of the underlying obligations. In addition, the risk of prepayment may cause the value of these investments to be more volatile than a Series’ other investments.

     Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various types of assets, including automobile loans, computer leases, trade receivables and credit card receivables, are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through structures. Consistent with their respective investment objectives and policies, the Series may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may be developed. This Additional Statement will be amended or supplemented as necessary to reflect the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund intention to invest in asset-backed securities with characteristics that are materially different from the securities described in the preceding paragraph. However, a Series will generally not invest in an asset-backed security if the income received with respect to its investment constitutes rental income or other income not treated as qualifying income under the 90% test described in “Tax Information” below.

     As set forth below, several types of asset-backed and receivables-backed securities are offered to investors, including for example, Certificates for Automobile Receivablessm (“CARSSM”) and interests in pools of credit card receivables. CARSSM represent undivided fractional interests in a trust (“CAR Trust”) whose assets consist of a pool of motor vehicle retail installment sales contracts and security interests in the vehicles securing the contracts. Payments of principal and interest on CARSSM are passed through monthly to certificate holders, and are guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trustee or originator of the CAR Trust. An investor’s return on CARSSM may be affected by early prepayment of principal on the underlying vehicle sales contracts. If the letter of credit is exhausted, the CAR Trust may be prevented from realizing the full amount due on a sales contract because of state law requirements and restrictions relating to foreclosure sales of vehicles and the obtaining of deficiency judgments following such sales or because of depreciation, damage or loss of a vehicle, the application of federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, or other factors. As a result, certificate holders may experience delays in payments or losses if the letter of credit is exhausted.

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     Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. There is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.

     Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, the securities may contain elements of credit support which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection, and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor or servicer. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof to ensure, subject to certain limitations that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transactions or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information reflecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss in excess of that anticipated or failure of the credit support could adversely affect the value of or return on an investment in such a security.

     The availability of asset-backed securities may be affected by legislative or regulatory developments. It is possible that such developments could require the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund to dispose of any then existing holdings of such securities.

     To the extent consistent with its investment objectives and policies, each of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund may invest in new types of mortgage-related securities and in other asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future.

Forward Commitments and When-Issued Securities

     Each Series may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and enter into forward commitments. These transactions involve a commitment by the Series to purchase or sell securities at a future date beyond the customary settlement time. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges, but may be traded over-the-counter.

     A Series will purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Series may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Series also may sell

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securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Series on the settlement date. The Series may realize capital gains or losses in connection with these transactions; distributions from any net capital gains would be taxable to its shareholders. For purposes of determining a Series’ average dollar weighted maturity, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities for fixed-rate obligations will be calculated from the commitment date.

     When a Series purchases securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Series will segregate cash or liquid assets having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of the Series’ purchase commitments. Alternatively, a Series may enter into off-setting contracts for the forward sale of securities. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Series will maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued purchases and forward commitments.

Variable Amount Master Demand Notes

     Each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, and FS Federal Fund) may purchase variable amount master demand notes. These obligations permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between a Series, as lender, and the borrower. Variable amount master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower and are not generally transferable, nor are they ordinarily rated. A Series may invest in them only if the Investment Adviser believes that the notes are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which that Series may invest.

Variable Rate and Floating Rate Obligations

     The interest rates payable on certain fixed income securities in which a Series may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.

     Each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government Fund and FS Federal Fund) may purchase variable and floating rate demand instruments that are municipal obligations or other debt securities issued by corporations and other non-governmental issuers that possess a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula. These instruments permit a Series to demand payment of the principal balance plus unpaid accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice to the issuer or its agent. The demand feature may be backed by a bank letter of credit or guarantee issued with respect to such instrument.

     The terms of the variable or floating rate demand instruments that a Series may purchase provide that interest rates are adjustable at intervals ranging from daily up to 397 calendar days, and the adjustments are based upon current market levels, the prime rate of a bank or other appropriate interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective instruments. Some of these instruments are

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payable on demand on a daily basis or on not more than seven days’ notice. Others, such as instruments with quarterly or semi-annual interest rate adjustments, may be put back to the issuer on designated days, usually on not more than thirty days’ notice. Still others are automatically called by the issuer unless the Series instructs otherwise. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, intends to exercise the demand only (i) upon a default under the terms of the debt security; (ii) as needed to provide liquidity to a Series; (iii) to maintain the respective quality standards of a Series’ investment portfolio; or (iv) to attain a more optimal portfolio structure. A Series will determine the variable or floating rate demand instruments that it will purchase in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustees to minimize credit risks. To be eligible for purchase by a Series, a variable or floating rate demand instrument which is unrated must have high quality characteristics similar to other obligations in which the Series may invest. The Investment Adviser may determine that an unrated variable or floating rate demand instrument meets a Series’ quality criteria by reason of being backed by a letter of credit, guarantee, or demand feature issued by an entity that meets the quality criteria for the Series. Thus, either the credit of the issuer of the obligation or the provider of the credit support or both will meet the quality standards of the Series.

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Series may consider the maturity of a long-term variable or floating rate demand instrument to be shorter than its ultimate stated maturity under specified conditions. The acquisition of variable or floating rate demand notes for a Series must also meet the requirements of rules issued by the SEC applicable to the use of the amortized cost method of securities valuation. The Series will also consider the liquidity of the market for variable and floating rate instruments, and in the event that such instruments are illiquid, the Series’ investments in such instruments will be subject to the limitation on illiquid investments.

     Each Series (other than ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government Fund and FS Federal Fund) may invest in variable or floating rate participation interests in municipal obligations held by financial institutions (usually commercial banks). Such participation interests provide the Series with a specific undivided interest (up to 100%) in the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of its proportional interest in the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the financial institution upon a specific number of days’ notice. In addition, the participation interest may be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee from the institution. The financial institution usually is entitled to a fee for servicing the obligation and providing the letter of credit.

Restricted and Other Illiquid Securities

     A Series may purchase securities that are not registered (“restricted securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), including restricted securities that can be offered and sold to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. However, a Series will not invest more than 10% of the value of its net assets in securities which are illiquid, which includes fixed time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days that cannot be traded on a secondary market and restricted securities. The Board of Trustees has adopted guidelines under which the Investment Adviser determines and monitors the liquidity of restricted securities subject to the oversight of the Trustees. Restricted securities (including securities issued under Rule 144A and commercial paper issued under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act) which are determined to be liquid will not be deemed to be illiquid investments for purposes of the foregoing restriction. Since it is not possible to predict with assurance that the market for restricted securities will continue to be

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liquid, the Investment Adviser will monitor each Series’ investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in a Series to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.

Municipal Obligations

     The ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund, FS Money Market Fund, and FS Tax-Free Fund may invest in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities and the District of Columbia to obtain funds for various public purposes. The interest on most of these obligations is generally exempt from regular federal income tax. The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are “notes” and “bonds.” The ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund and FS Money Market Fund may invest in municipal obligations when yields on such securities are attractive compared to other taxable investments.

     Notes. Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, tax-exempt commercial paper and certain receipts for municipal obligations.

     Tax anticipation notes are sold to finance working capital needs of municipalities. They are generally payable from specific tax revenues expected to be received at a future date. They are frequently general obligations of the issuer, secured by the taxing power for payment of principal and interest. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue such as federal or state aid. Tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes are generally issued in anticipation of various seasonal revenues such as income, sales, use, and business taxes. Bond anticipation notes are sold to provide interim financing in anticipation of long-term financing in the market. In most cases, these monies provide for the repayment of the notes. Tax-exempt commercial paper consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by a state or local government or an authority or agency thereof. The Series which invest in municipal obligations may also acquire securities in the form of custodial receipts which evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain state and local governmental and authority obligations when, in the opinion of bond counsel, if any, interest payments with respect to such custodial receipts are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and in the case of the ILA Tax-Exempt California and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolios, exempt from California and New York (city and state) personal income taxes, respectively. Such obligations are held in custody by a bank on behalf of the holders of the receipts. These custodial receipts are known by various names, including “Municipal Receipts” (“MRs”) and “Municipal Certificates of Accrual on Tax-Exempt Securities” (“M-CATS”). There are a number of other types of notes issued for different purposes and secured differently from those described above.

     Bonds. Municipal bonds, which generally meet longer term capital needs and have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two principal classifications, “general obligation” bonds and “revenue” bonds.

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     General obligation bonds are issued by entities such as states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts and are used to fund a wide range of public projects including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its faith, 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 rate or amount or special assessments.

     Revenue bonds have been issued to fund 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. The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose monies may also 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, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. In addition to a debt service reserve fund, 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. Lease rental revenue bonds issued by a state or local authority for capital projects are secured by annual lease rental payments from the state or locality to the authority sufficient to cover debt service on the authority’s obligations.

     Private activity bonds (a term that includes certain types of bonds the proceeds of which are used to a specified extent for the benefit of persons other than governmental units), although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality but are secured by the revenues of the authority derived from payments by the industrial user. Each Series (other than the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Government and FS Federal Funds) may invest in private activity bonds. The ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio will limit its investments in private activity bonds to not more than 20% of its net assets under normal market conditions. The ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund do not intend to invest in private activity bonds if the interest from such bonds would be an item of tax preference to shareholders under the federal alternative minimum tax. If such policy should change in the future, such investments would not exceed 20% of the net assets of each of the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and the FS Tax-Free Fund under normal market conditions. The ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund do not intend to invest more than 25% of the value of their respective total assets in private activity bonds or similar obligations where non-governmental entities supplying the revenues from which such bonds or obligations are to be paid are in the same industry.

     Municipal bonds with a series of maturity dates are called serial bonds. The serial bonds which the Series may purchase are limited to short-term serial bonds—those with original or remaining maturities of thirteen months or less. The Series may purchase long-term bonds provided that they have a remaining maturity of thirteen months or less or, in the case of bonds called for redemption, the date on which the redemption payment must be made is within thirteen months. The Series may also purchase long-term bonds (sometimes referred to as “Put Bonds”), which are subject to a Series’

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commitment to put the bond back to the issuer at par at a designated time within thirteen months and the issuer’s commitment to so purchase the bond at such price and time.

     The Series which invest in municipal obligations may invest in municipal leases, certificates of participation and “moral obligation” bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal leases or other instruments, such as installment contracts. Moral obligations bonds are supported by the moral commitment but not the legal obligation of a state or municipality. In particular, these instruments permit governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. If, however, the governmental issuer does not periodically appropriate money to enable it to meet its payment obligations under these instruments, it cannot be legally compelled to do so. If a default occurs, it is likely that a Series would be unable to obtain another acceptable source of payment. Some municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds may be illiquid.

     The Series which invest in municipal obligations may also invest in tender option bonds. A tender option bond is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution grants the security holder the option, at periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond’s fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the bond, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax- exempt rate. However, an institution will not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults by, or a significant downgrading in the credit rating assigned to, the issuer of the bond.

     The tender option will be taken into consideration in determining the maturity of tender option bonds and the average portfolio maturity of a Series. The liquidity of a tender option bond is a function of the credit quality of both the bond issuer and the financial institution providing liquidity. Consequently, tender option bonds are deemed to be liquid unless, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, the credit quality of the bond issuer and the financial institution is deemed, in light of the relevant Series’ credit quality requirements, to be inadequate.

     Although the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund intend to invest in tender option bonds the interest on which will, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer and sponsor or counsel selected by the Investment Adviser, be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, there is no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with such counsel’s opinion in any particular case. Consequently, there is a risk that a Series will not be considered the owner of such tender option bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. A similar risk exists for certain other investments subject to puts or similar rights. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax treatment of tender options and the associated fees, in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions is unclear. The ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-

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Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund intend to manage their respective portfolios in a manner designed to eliminate or minimize any adverse impact from the tax rules applicable to these investments.

     In addition to general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and serial bonds, there are a variety of hybrid and special types of municipal obligations as well as numerous differences in the security of municipal obligations both within and between the two principal classifications above.

     A Series may purchase municipal instruments that are backed by letters of credit issued by foreign banks that have a branch, agency or subsidiary in the United States. Such letters of credit, like other obligations of foreign banks, may involve credit risks in addition to those of domestic obligations, including risks relating to future political and economic developments, nationalization, foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls and difficulties in obtaining or enforcing a judgment against a foreign bank (including branches).

     For the purpose of investment restrictions of the Series, the identification of the “issuer” of municipal obligations that are not general obligation bonds is made by the Investment Adviser on the basis of the characteristics of the obligations as described above, the most significant of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal of and interest on such obligations.

     An entire issue of municipal obligations may be purchased by one or a small number of institutional investors such as one of the Series. Thus, the issue may not be said to be publicly offered. Unlike securities which must be registered under the 1933 Act prior to offer and sale, municipal obligations which are not publicly offered may nevertheless be readily marketable. A secondary market may exist for municipal obligations which were not publicly offered initially.

     Municipal obligations purchased for a Series may be subject to the Series’ policy on holdings of illiquid securities. The Investment Adviser determines whether a municipal obligation is liquid based on whether it may be sold in a reasonable time consistent with the customs of the municipal markets (usually seven days) at a price (or interest rate) which accurately reflects its value. The Investment Adviser believes that the quality standards applicable to each Series’ investments enhance liquidity. In addition, stand-by commitments and demand obligations also enhance liquidity.

     Yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including money market conditions, municipal bond market conditions, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the quality of the issue. High quality municipal obligations tend to have a lower yield than lower rated obligations. Municipal obligations are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions the power or ability of any one or more issuers to pay when due principal of and interest on its or their municipal obligations may be materially affected.

Special Risk Considerations Relating to California Municipal Obligations

     The financial condition of the State of California (“California” or the “State”), its public authorities and local governments could affect the market values and marketability of, and therefore

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the net asset value per share and the interest income of, the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, or result in the default of existing obligations, including obligations which may be held by the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio. The following section provides only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial condition of California, and is based on information obtained from California, as publicly available prior to the date of this Additional Statement. The information contained in such publicly available documents has not been independently verified. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local issuers may be unrelated to the creditworthiness of California, and that there is no obligation on the part of California to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default in the absence of a specific guarantee or pledge provided by California.

OVERVIEW

     Following several years of very strong growth in the late 1990’s, which produced large State revenue surpluses, the State’s financial condition started to worsen since the start of 2001, with the combination of a mild Statewide economic recession (but with a severe downturn in the high technology sector centered in the San Francisco Bay Area) and a dramatic decline in revenue from capital gains and stock option activity resulting from the decline in stock market levels since mid-2000. Revenues in the 2002-03 fiscal year proved to be substantially lower than projections, largely because of continued weakness in the economy and stock markets. By May 2003, the Governor reported that that a budget gap of over $30 billion (after about $7 billion of budget actions had been taken earlier in 2003) would have to be addressed for the balance of the 2002-03 fiscal year and the upcoming 2003-04 fiscal year. See “Recent Financial Results – Continuing Budget Shortfall” below.

     Strong partisan disagreement in the Legislature about the appropriate combination of spending reductions and revenue increases needed to close this gap led to a delay of almost one month in enactment of the 2003-04 fiscal year budget. In its final form it resembled the Governor’s proposals with a combination of large spending cuts, fund transfers, deferrals and loans, and issuance of bonds to spread out repayment over several years of an accumulated budget deficit then estimated at $10.7 billion (but subsequently recalculated at $8.6 billion). The final budget compromise recognized expressly that the balancing of the 2003-04 budget used a number of one-time budget measures and borrowings, and that there was a structural deficit of about $8 billion built into the 2004-05 fiscal year budget which would have to be addressed. The sluggish economy and cuts in State aid will adversely affect local government finances in 2004 and beyond.

     In October, 2004, a successful recall election resulting in the replacement of the prior Governor with new Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new Governor has proposed substantial additional spending reductions as part of the proposed 2004-05 Budget. On March 2, 2004, voters approved two companion ballot propositions which had been sponsored by the Governor. Proposition 57 authorizes issuance of $15 billion of economic recovery bonds to fund previous budget deficits. Proposition 58 implemented changes in state budget procedures designed to mandate adoption of balanced budgets in the future, to grant greater mid-year budget adjustment powers, to require creation of a budget reserve, and to prohibit future long-term borrowing to finance budget deficits (once the bonds approved by Proposition 57 are issued).

     The State has been facing serious cash flow difficulties since the 2001-02 fiscal year as a result of the ongoing budget deficits and severely reduced revenues. It has had to resort to external borrowing starting in the fall of 2001 to assure sufficient cash resources to pay its ongoing obligations,

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including maturing cash flow notes. The State issued $11 billion of cash flow notes in mid-June 2003, and an additional $3 billion of notes in October, 2003, both issues to mature in June, 2004. Repayment of this borrowing is expected to come from ongoing revenues and proceeds from the issuance of the deficit retirement bonds approved at the March 2004 election. The State’s ability to meet its cash requirements may continue to depend on access to capital markets until it brings revenues and expenses into closer balance. See “Recent Financial Results – Cash Flow Requirements” below.

Economic Factors

     California’s economy is the largest among the 50 states and one of the largest in the world. The State’s population of almost 36 million represents about 12-1/2% of the total United States population and grew by 26% in the 1980s, more than double the national rate. Population growth slowed to less than 1% annually in 1994 and 1995, but rose to almost 2% in the final years of the 1990’s. The bulk of population growth in the State is due to births and foreign immigration.

     Total personal income in the State, at an estimated $1,199 billion in 2003, accounts for over 13% of all personal income in the nation. Total employment is over 16 million, the majority of which is in the service, trade and manufacturing sectors.

     California began a period of strong economic growth in 1994 in virtually all sectors, particularly in high technology manufacturing and services, including computer software and other services, entertainment, tourism, and construction, and also with very strong growth in exports. The California economy outpaced the nation during this period. By the end of 2000, unemployment in the State had dropped to under 5%, its lowest level in three decades. In 2001, the State finally showed the impact of the nationwide economic slowdown, coupled with a cyclical downturn in the high technology sector (including Internet-related businesses) and entered a mild recession. International trade also slowed since the start of 2001 reflecting weakness in overseas economies (particularly in Asia). Job losses have been concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly in high technology industries; economic conditions have been better in other parts of the State. Statewide, modest job growth appeared to have begun by early 2002, but job growth stalled by summer 2002. Between December 2002 and December 2003 non-farm employment dropped by 0.2 percent, but the unemployment was reduced from 6.9% to 6.4%. Most recent indications reported by the Department of Finance suggest that employment has been increasing in the second half of 2003 and into 2004 Residential construction and existing home sales remained strong in 2003, in part due to low interest rates, but nonresidential construction was weak for the third consecutive year in 2003. In January, 2004, the State Department of Finance projected there would be only moderate growth in the economy in 2004, with stronger growth in 2004. The Department predicts the California economy will mirror the national economy. The recession, combined particularly with the decline in the stock markets since mid-2000, resulted in much weaker State revenues in Fiscal Years 2001-02 and 2002-03 than had been previously projected, as discussed further below under “Recent Financial Results.”

     Widely publicized difficulties in California’s energy supplies had been seen in early 2001 to pose some risks to the economy, but during the summers of 2001 and 2002 there were no electricity blackouts or shortages of natural gas. Although energy prices have risen from the levels of three years ago, they have now appeared to have stabilized. Energy difficulties are mitigated by the fact that California’s economy is very energy-efficient. A number of investigations and lawsuits are ongoing against energy suppliers seeking refunds for California customers for alleged overcharges during the crisis period in 2000 and 2001.

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Constitutional Limitations on Taxes, Other Charges and Appropriations

     Limitation on Property Taxes. Certain California Municipal Obligations may be obligations of issuers which rely in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on ad valorem property taxes as a source of revenue. The taxing powers of California local governments and districts are limited by Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, enacted by the voters in 1978 and commonly known as “Proposition 13.” Briefly, Article XIIIA limits the rate of ad valorem property taxes to 1% of full cash value of real property and generally restricts the reassessment of property to 2% per year, except upon new construction or change of ownership (subject to a number of exemptions). Taxing entities may, however, raise ad valorem taxes above the 1% limit to pay debt service on voter-approved bonded indebtedness.

     Under Article XIIIA, the basic 1% ad valorem tax levy is applied against the assessed value of property as of the owner’s date of acquisition (or as of March 1, 1975, if acquired earlier), subject to certain adjustments. This system has resulted in widely varying amounts of tax on similarly situated properties. Several lawsuits were filed challenging the acquisition-based assessment system of Proposition 13, but it was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1992.

     Article XIIIA prohibits local governments from raising revenues through ad valorem taxes above the 1% limit; it also requires voters of any governmental unit to give two-thirds approval to levy any “special tax.”

     Limitations on Other Taxes, Fees and Charges. On November 5, 1996, the voters of the State approved Proposition 218, called the “Right to Vote on Taxes Act.” Proposition 218 added Articles XIIIC and XIIID to the State Constitution, which contain a number of provisions affecting the ability of local agencies to levy and collect both existing and future taxes, assessments, fees and charges.

     Article XIIIC requires that all new or increased local taxes be submitted to the voters before they become effective. Taxes for general governmental purposes require a majority vote and taxes for specific purposes require a two-thirds vote.

     Article XIIID contains several new provisions making it generally more difficult for local agencies to levy and maintain “assessments” for municipal services and programs. Article XIIID also contains several new provisions affecting “fees” and “charges”, defined for purposes of Article XIIID to mean “any levy other than an ad valorem tax, a special tax, or an assessment, imposed by a [local government] upon a parcel or upon a person as an incident of property ownership, including a user fee or charge for a property related service.” All new and existing property related fees and charges must conform to requirements prohibiting, among other things, fees and charges which generate revenues exceeding the funds required to provide the property related service or are used for unrelated purposes. There are new notice, hearing and protest procedures for levying or increasing property related fees and charges, and, except for fees or charges for sewer, water and refuse collection services (or fees for electrical and gas service, which are not treated as “property related” for purposes of Article XIIID), no property related fee or charge may be imposed or increased without majority approval by the property owners subject to the fee or charge or, at the option of the local agency, two-thirds voter approval by the electorate residing in the affected area.

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     In addition to the provisions described above, Article XIIIC removes limitations on the initiative power in matters of local taxes, assessments, fees and charges. Consequently, local voters could, by future initiative, repeal, reduce or prohibit the future imposition or increase of any local tax, assessment, fee or charge. It is unclear how this right of local initiative may be used in cases where taxes or charges have been or will be specifically pledged to secure debt issues.

     The interpretation and application of Proposition 218 will ultimately be determined by the courts with respect to a number of matters, and it is not possible at this time to predict with certainty the outcome of such cases.

     Appropriations Limits. The State and its local governments are subject to an annual “appropriations limit” imposed by Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, enacted by the voters in 1979 and significantly amended by Propositions 98 and 111 in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Article XIIIB prohibits the State or any covered local government from spending “appropriations subject to limitation” in excess of the appropriations limit imposed. “Appropriations subject to limitation” are authorizations to spend “proceeds of taxes,” which consist of tax revenues and certain other funds, including proceeds from regulatory licenses, user charges or other fees, to the extent that such proceeds exceed the cost of providing the product or service, but “proceeds of taxes” exclude most State subventions to local governments. No limit is imposed on appropriations of funds which are not “proceeds of taxes,” such as reasonable user charges or fees, and certain other non-tax funds, including bond proceeds.

     Among the expenditures not included in the Article XIIIB appropriations limit are (1) the debt service cost of bonds issued or authorized prior to January 1, 1979, or subsequently authorized by the voters, (2) appropriations to comply with mandates of courts or the federal government, (3) appropriations for certain capital outlay projects, (4) appropriations by the State of post-1989 increases in gasoline taxes and vehicle weight fees, and (5) appropriations made in certain cases of emergency.

     The appropriations limit for each year is adjusted annually to reflect changes in cost of living and population, and any transfers of service responsibilities between government units. The definitions for such adjustments were liberalized in 1990 to follow more closely growth in the State’s economy.

     “Excess” revenues are measured over a two year cycle. Local governments must return any excess to taxpayers by rate reductions. The State must refund 50% of any excess, with the other 50% paid to schools and community colleges. With more liberal annual adjustment factors since 1988, and depressed revenues in the early 1990’s because of the recession, few governments have been operating near their spending limits, but this condition may change over time. Local governments may by voter approval exceed their spending limits for up to four years. Because of extraordinary revenue receipts in fiscal year 1999-2000, State appropriations were estimated to be about $975 million above the limit. However, since the State was $2.1 billion below its limit in fiscal year 2000-01, resulting in no excess over the two-year period, no refunds were made. 1999-2000 was the only fiscal year since the late 1980’s when State appropriations were above the limit. The State Department of Finance estimates the State will be about $13.4 billion below its appropriation limit in fiscal year in 2003-04 and about $12.8 billion below the limit in 2004-05.

     Because of the complex nature of Articles XIIIA, XIIIB, XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution, the ambiguities and possible inconsistencies in their terms, and the impossibility of

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predicting future appropriations or changes in population and cost of living, and the probability of continuing legal challenges, it is not currently possible to determine fully the impact of these Articles on California municipal obligations or on the ability of the State or local governments to pay debt service on such California municipal obligations. It is not possible, at the present time, to predict the outcome of any pending litigation with respect to the ultimate scope, impact or constitutionality of these Articles or the impact of any such determinations upon State agencies or local governments, or upon their ability to pay debt service on their obligations. Further initiatives or legislative changes in laws or the California Constitution may also affect the ability of the State or local issuers to repay their obligations.

Obligations of the State of California

     Under the California Constitution, debt service on outstanding general obligation bonds is the second charge to the General Fund after support of the public school system and public institutions of higher education. As of February 1, 2004, the State had outstanding approximately $31.3 billion of long-term general obligation bonds and $6.9 billion of lease-purchase debt supported by the State General Fund. The State issued $2.0 billion of general obligation bonds in late February 2004 and plans an additional sale of $1.75 billion in April 2004 As of February 1, 2004 the State had about $22.2 billion of authorized and unissued long-term general obligation bonds and $4.3 billion of authorized and unissued lease-purchase debt. Voters approved a $12.3 billion bond authorization for public school and university construction at the March 2, 2004 election, plus $15 billion of deficit financing bonds (Proposition 57) which are additionally secured by a portion of the State’s sales tax. The State plans to sell about $12.3 billion of the deficit financing bonds before the end of the 2003-04 fiscal year. In FY 2002-03, debt service on general obligation bonds and lease purchase debt was approximately 3.5% of General Fund revenues. Additional bond authorizations may be on the ballot in November 2004. See also “Bond Ratings” below.

Recent Financial Results

     The principal sources of General Fund tax revenues in 2002-03 were the California personal income tax (48 percent of total tax revenues), the sales tax (35 percent), corporation taxes (8 percent), and the gross premium tax on insurance (2 percent). A large portion of personal income tax receipts was derived from capital gains realizations and stock option income. While these sources have been extraordinarily strong in the late 1990’s and 2000, they are particularly volatile. In preparing the most recent budget, the State took account of the recent drop in stock market levels and reduced its estimated receipts from these revenues as compared to prior years. The Department of Finance has projected that this source of revenue dropped from 25% of all General Fund revenues in 2000-01 to 11% in 2001-02 and 8% in 2002-03; this represents the bulk of the total General Fund revenue shortfall in these two fiscal years.

     The State maintains a Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (the “SFEU”), derived from General Fund revenues, as a reserve to meet cash needs of the General Fund, but which is required to be replenished as soon as sufficient revenues are available. Year-end balances in the SFEU are included for financial reporting purposes in the General Fund balance.

     Throughout the 1980’s, State spending increased rapidly as the State population and economy also grew rapidly, including increased spending for many assistance programs to local governments, which were constrained by Proposition 13 and other laws. The largest State program is assistance to

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local public school districts. In 1988, an initiative (Proposition 98) was enacted which (subject to suspension by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature and the Governor) guarantees local school districts and community college districts a minimum share of State General Fund revenues (currently about 35 percent).

     The substantial declines in the stock markets have adversely affected the earnings of State pension funds, and have created unfunded future pension liabilities, where there had been surpluses several years ago. The State’s annual contributions to the Public Employee’s Retirement System have increased from $157 million in FY 2000-01 to $2.2 billion in FY 2003-04.

     Balanced Budget Amendment

     On March 2, 2004, voters approved Proposition 58, a constitutional amendment called the “Balanced Budget Amendment,” which will affect future State budgeting procedures. This amendment was linked to Proposition 57, also approved by the voters, which authorized issuance of $15 billion of long-term general obligation bonds, additionally secured by a 1/4 cent increment of the State’s sales tax, which will eliminate the accumulated budget deficits through June 30, 2004 and certain additional obligations incurred by the State.

     The Balanced Budget Amendment will require the Legislature, starting in the 2004-05 fiscal year, to enact a budget bill in which General Fund expenditures do not exceed estimated General Fund revenues and available reserves After passage of the budget act, if the Governor determines that the State is facing substantial revenue shortfalls or spending deficiencies, the Governor may declare a fiscal emergency, and propose legislation to address the emergency. The Legislature would be called in to special session to address this proposal. If the Legislature failed to send legislation to the Governor to address the fiscal emergency within 45 days, it would be prohibited from acting on any other bills or adjourning until fiscal legislation is passed.

     The Amendment also creates a special reserve called the Budget Stabilization Account in the State General Fund. Beginning in FY 2006-07, a portion of estimated annual General Fund revenues would be transferred by the Controller into the Account not later than September 30 of each year. The transfer begins at 1 percent of revenues, and increases annually to reach a level of 3 percent. The transfers would continue until the Budget Stabilization Account reaches a balance of the greater of $8 billion or 5 percent of General Fund revenue. Moneys in the Account may be used to make up for unexpected budget imbalances, but will then have to be replenished with future transfers until the target level is reached. The annual transfer can be suspended by the Governor by an executive order issued not later than June 1 of the preceding fiscal year. The Amendment requires that one half of the Budget Stabilization Account deposits, up to an aggregate of $5 billion, shall be transferred to the State Treasurer to provide for early redemption of the deficit retirement bonds approved by Proposition 57.

     A final provision of the Amendment will prohibit future long-term bond issuances for the purpose of funding budget deficits, once the bonds authorized by Proposition 57 are issued. Short term borrowing for cash flow management will continue to be authorized.

     Recent Budgets.

     The economy, and especially the stock markets, grew strongly during the second half of the 1990’s, and as a result, the General Fund took in substantially greater tax revenues (an aggregate of

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more than $20 billion over the six fiscal years 1995-96 through 2000-01) than were initially planned when the budgets were enacted. These additional funds were largely directed to school spending as mandated by Proposition 98, and to make up shortfalls from reduced federal health and welfare aid in 1995-96 and 1996-97. In 1998-99 through 2000-01, new spending programs were also enacted, particularly for education, new capital outlay projects were funded from current receipts, and significant tax reductions were enacted. The Department of Finance estimates that the State’s budget reserve (the SFEU) reached a high point of $8.7 billion at June 30, 2000. In the ensuing three years, the combination of continuing high spending levels and substantially reduced revenues resulting from the economic slowdown and stock market decline brought the estimated balance of the SFEU to a negative $8.6 billion by June 30, 2003.

     The growth in General Fund revenues since 1994-95 resulted in significant increases in State funding for local school districts under Proposition 98. From the 1994-95 level of about $4,200 per pupil, annual State funding has increased to just below $7,000 per pupil in FY 2003-04. A significant amount of the new moneys have been directed to specific educational reforms, including reduction of class sizes in many grade levels.

     Part of the 1997-98 Budget Act was completion of State welfare reform legislation to implement the new federal law passed in 1996. The new State program, called “CalWORKs,” became effective January 1, 1998, and emphasizes programs to bring aid recipients into the workforce. As required by federal law, new time limits are placed on receipt of welfare aid. Generally, health and welfare costs have been contained even during the recent period of economic recovery, with the first real increases (after inflation) in welfare support levels occurring in 1999-2000 and additional increases in 2000-01.

     An important element of recent Budget Acts (during the years of large capital gains receipts) was agreement on substantial tax cuts. The largest of these was a phased-in cut in the Vehicle License Fee (an annual tax on the value of cars registered in the State, the “VLF”). Starting on January 1, 1999, the VLF was reduced by 25 percent, which was increased in steps to a 67.5% reduction effective January 1, 2001. Under pre-existing law, VLF funds were automatically transferred to cities and counties, so the new legislation provided for the General Fund to make up the reductions. The full 67.5% percent VLF cut was offset by transfers of about $4.2 billion annually from the General Fund. Other miscellaneous business and personal tax cuts and tax credits were of a much smaller overall amount.

     The previous Governor attempted to raise the VLF back to its 1998 level because of shortfalls in General Fund money to make the “offset” to cities and counties This action was challenged in court. Subsequently, the newly elected Governor Schwarzenegger reversed this action and committed to retain the VLF cut and the offset to local governments. This action, too, has been challenged in court.

     Fiscal Year 2002-03 Budget

     The magnitude of the budget gap which had to be addressed led to a substantial delay in enactment of the 2002-03 Budget Act (“2003 Budget Act”) until September 5, 2002, more than two months into the fiscal year. Despite delay in approval of the 2003 Budget Act, most State operations continued based on continuing appropriation legislation, constitutional requirements or court orders. Debt service on State debt was paid, most health and welfare programs and education payments were

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funded, and State employees, other than elected officials and senior management employees, were paid.

     The 2002 Budget Act addressed a $23.6 billion gap between expenditures and resources through a combination of program reductions, internal loans, bond issuances, fund shifts, accelerations and transfers, and modest tax changes. Some of these actions and assumptions ultimately proved to be unavailable, and revenues in the 2002-03 fiscal year continued to decline from original projections, as economic growth stalled instead of increasing, as had been expected.

     By November, 2002, reports both from the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance made clear that the 2002-03 budget would fall far short of projections. As part of the 2003-04 Governor’s Budget proposal, released January 10, 2003 (the “2004 Governor’s Budget”), the Governor called for immediate actions to reduce the budget gap by about $10.2 billion, of which $5.5 billion would be seen in 2002-03 and the balance in 2003-04. In March and April 2003, the Legislature passed budget adjustment legislation including spending reductions, deferrals, bond authorization and funding transfers totaling about $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2002-03 and about $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2003-04.

     Fiscal Year 2003-04 Budget

     Original Budget Proposal The Proposed 2003-04 Governor’s Budget released on January 10, 2003 (the “2004 Governor’s Budget”) projected a continuing, significant downward revision of estimated State revenues, and indicated that for the combined 2002-03 and 2003-04 period, the nominal budget “gap” to be addressed was in the neighborhood of $35 billion. This consisted of about $17.7 billion of reduced revenues compared to earlier projections, $4.5 billion of additional expenditures, and the “loss” of $12.6 billion in budgetary resources allocated to one-time budgetary actions taken in the 2002 Budget Act which could not be duplicated (such as the sale of future tobacco settlement receipts).

     The 2004 Governor’s Budget sought to close the entire $35 billion gap in the context of actions which would be completed by the end of the 2003-04 fiscal year. The plan included about $20.8 billion of spending reductions, a plan to transfer responsibility for many health and social services programs to local governments, relieving the State of over $8.1 billion of costs, and about $5.8 billion of additional funding shifts and transfers, loans, and other revenues. Certain new taxes were proposed to fund the local governments’ increased costs for the programs to be shifted.

     May Revision As noted above some budget reductions were passed by the Legislature in March and April, 2003, but less than the amounts requested by the Governor. In May 2003, the Governor released the May Revision to the 2004 Governor’s Budget (“2004 May Revision”), which updated forecasts and provided a substantially revised budget plan for 2003-04. First, the 2004 May Revision estimated that the budget gap had grown to about $38.2 billion (not counting the actions already taken), largely due to the cancellation of the $2 billion tobacco securitization scheduled in April 2003, and higher caseloads in certain programs. Actual tax revenues were reported to be very close to the projections made in the 2004 Governor’s Budget in January, with some small signs of recovery in personal income tax withholding and corporate tax receipts.

     In the 2004 May Revision, the Governor recognized that many of his earlier proposals required more analysis, and that many parties preferred to solve the budget problem over more than one year.

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     Accordingly, the 2004 May Revision divided the $38.2 billion gap into three main components:

     1. The Governor proposed to fund the estimated accumulated budget deficit as of June 30, 2003 of $10.7 billion with issuance of deficit retirement bonds during 2003-04, to be repaid from a dedicated one-half cent increase in the State sales tax, which would disappear once the bonds were repaid. Repayment of these bonds would be based on annual appropriations.

     2. Once the accumulated deficit was removed from the books, the 2003-04 budget would be balanced with a combination of spending cuts, interfund loans and transfers, and some additional borrowing. A major assumption in the 2004 May Revision was that the State would terminate its payments to local governments to “backfill” the offset to vehicle license fees enacted several years ago, which costs the State $4.2 billion per year. The Administration expected that action could be taken under existing law to terminate the backfill and have the vehicle license fee paid by drivers increased back to the original level, so that local governments would not be harmed by this shift. The overall budget plan for 2003-04 called for revenues and transfers of $70.9 billion and expenditures of $70.4 billion, leaving a budget reserve of about $500 million.

     3. The 2004 May Revision explicitly recognized that balancing the 2003-04 budget still left an ongoing “structural deficit,” which would cause the 2004-05 budget to be about $7.9 billion out of balance in the absence of corrective action.

     Final Budget Act Members of the Legislature and the Governor were unable to reach agreement on a budget package before the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2003, with strong partisan disagreements about the necessary elements of spending cuts and revenue increases needed to complete the budget. Without budget authorization, a number of spending programs were suspended as of July 1, including payments to vendors for new goods and services, some aid to local governments and schools and others; however high-priority obligations such as debt service payments continued to be made.

     The 2003-04 Budget Act was finally passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on August 2, 2003. It resolved the budget gap with a combination of external borrowing, spending reductions, new revenues, funding shifts and internal loans and deferrals. It assumed a year-end budget reserve at June 30, 2004 of almost $2 billion, and also assumed the 2004-05 fiscal year budget would have at least a $7.9 billion structural deficit to be closed. The principal features of the budget were as follows:

     1. As proposed by the Governor in the 2004 May Revision, the Legislature authorized the issuance of “fiscal recovery bonds” designed to provide an estimated $10.7 billion of cash into the General Fund, representing the accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2003. (The new Administration has subsequently estimated that because of stronger revenue results than anticipated, the June 30, 2003 budget deficit was only about $8.6 billion.) Issuance of these bonds had been delayed because of a legal challenge which was pending in court, but on March 2, 2004, voters approved Proposition 57 to authorize $15 billion of general obligation “economic recovery bonds” to replace the fiscal recovery bonds approved in July.

     2. The budget also assumed two other external borrowings. The first was the second part of a tobacco securitization sale, postponed from spring, 2003 This sale was completed in September

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2003 and produced about $2.2 billion of General Fund revenue. The second was the sale of pension obligation bonds (“POBs”) to make the 2003-04 payments due to the State Public Employee’s Retirement System, in the amount of about $1.9 billion. The POB sale was prevented from going ahead by an adverse court decision, which is presently being appealed, but the time needed to complete the appeal means this financing cannot occur in time to assist the 2003-04 budget.

     3. As noted, the budget relied on substantial savings in program costs, spread across most programs. K-12 schools will receive the minimum funding required by Proposition 98, but this will result in a small decrease in per-pupil spending, to about $6,900 per pupil. Significant cuts were made in higher education support, to be offset in part by student fee increases in the range of 30%. Other fee increases will offset reductions in support for trial courts and resources programs. Health and social service costs were limited by foregoing cost of living increases and reducing Medi-Cal provider rates. State personnel costs were to be reduced by voluntary agreements to be negotiated with employee unions or layoffs.

     4. The budget assumed receipt of about $1.8 billion in new federal funding as a result of federal law passed to assist States. The budget also assumed the $4.2 billion annual savings resulting from the increase of the vehicle license fee. Another major one-time budget action was a shift in Medi-Cal accounting to add about $930 million in 2003-04. There were no other tax or revenue increases, aside from certain fees. The Governor’s realignment proposal to transfer certain health and social services programs to local governments was not enacted.

     Proposed 2004-05 Governor’s Budget

     The Proposed 2004-05 Governor’s Budget (the “2005 Governor’s Budget”) released on January 9, 2004 by the new Schwarzenegger Administration, reported that, in the absence of corrective action to change existing policies, operating deficits of about $14 billion would be incurred for FY 2004-05. The Governor proposed about $3.9 billion of mid-year budget actions which were still under consideration by the Legislature as of March 15, 2004.

     The original 2003-04 Budget Act estimated a budget reserve (SFEU) at June 30, 2004 of about $2 billion. The 2004 Governor’s Budget revised this estimate to about $290 million, assuming enactment of the mid-year budget adjustment proposals. Some of the others major changes in the 2003-04 budget estimate include the following:

     1. $2 billion in increased revenues from stronger economic activity.

     2. $3 billion in additional resources from sale of the Proposition 57 economic recovery bonds, as compared to the earlier fiscal recovery bond plan. Under the current plan, the State plans to issue about $12.3 billion of economic recovery bonds by June, 2004, of which about $9.3 billion will be allocated to repayment of prior budget deficits.

     3. Loss of revenues from sale of pension obligation bonds, and elimination of the expected receipt of revenue from renegotiating gaming compacts with Indian tribes (although these negotiations are currently ongoing).

     4. Additional expenditures of about $2.65 billion to maintain the payment of the VLF offsets to local governments.

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     The Governor’s proposed 2004-05 Budget will be subject to negotiations with the Legislature over the coming months. The major elements of the Governor’s proposal include the following:

     1. Resetting the minimum Proposition 98 funding guarantee for public schools to save about $2 billion. This will still provide an increase in funding for public schools. Additional funding cuts will be made for higher education units, to be offset by higher student fees.

     2. Major reforms of the Medi-Cal program to reduce costs. The Governor also proposes to increase work incentives to allow reduced expenditures under the CalWORKS welfare program. The Governor proposes a wide range of reductions in health and social services programs.

     3. Proposed reform of public pension costs, to be negotiated with employees, to reduce future costs. The Governor also proposed a $929 million pension obligation bond issuance assuming timely and successful appeal of the lawsuit which blocked the 2003 pension obligation bond issue.

     4. Use of about $3 billion of Proposition 57 economic recovery bond proceeds.

     5. Reduced General Fund payments to schools by transferring an additional $1.3 billion of city and county property taxes to school districts, to be a permanent shift.

     6. Reduction of $1.1 billion by suspending planned General Fund expenditures for the Transportation Investment Fund enacted several years earlier in better fiscal times. Overall, the 2004 Governor’s Budget projects General Fund revenues of $76.4 billion, a decrease of $1.2 billion from revised estimates for 2003-04. Expenditures are projected at $76.1 billion, also a decrease of $1.2 billion from 2003-04. The year-end budget reserve (SFEU) is projected to be about $635 billion.

     The Governor has implemented a California Performance Review, which will carry out a comprehensive analysis of State government. The major areas for review will include: executive branch reorganization, program performance assessment and budgeting, improved services and productivity, and acquisition reform.

     Ongoing “Structural Deficit”

     The independent Legislative Analyst’s Office (“LAO”) has reported for several years that the State is facing a “structural deficit,” because of a continuing imbalance between its basic level of revenues and its mandated spending levels for enacted programs. While the LAO reported in February 2004 that the 2004 Governor’s Budget represented a “solid starting point for budgetary negotiations,” it noted that a number of the solutions proposed by the Governor might not be realized, which could increase the budget gap by up to another $4 billion. The LAO also reported that going forward, a gap of about $7 billion would occur in FY 2005-06 and subsequent years, absent additional corrective actions to bring revenues and expenditures into balance.

     Cash Flow Requirements

     The State typically funds its day-to-day operating requirements of the General Fund from revenue receipts, interfund borrowing from special funds, and external borrowing in the form of

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revenue anticipation notes (“RANs”), which fund annual cash flow requirements and are repaid within the same fiscal year, and revenue anticipation warrants (“RAWs”) which are issued only when it is necessary to bridge a budgetary deficit over the end of a fiscal year. The State’s ongoing revenue shortfalls and budget deficits incurred in the last three fiscal years, along with certain unique factors associated with the State’s energy crisis in 2001, placed severe pressure on the State’s cash resources, and required an unprecedented amount of short-term cash flow borrowing

     The State sold a record $12.5 billion of RANs in October 2002, due in June 2003, to cover its cash flow needs. By mid-winter 2003 it became evident that the State would have a cash shortfall by the end of June 2003, when the $12.5 billion RANs came due. Accordingly, the State issued $11 billion of RAWs, also a record, on June 18, 2003 to pay the RANs and other obligations coming due in June 2003, and to cover cash flow requirements through late August. To sell these RAWs, the State was required to obtain credit support from a group of financial institutions. The State issued $3 billion of RANs in October 2003 to fund the remainder of its cash management needs for FY2003-04. For the first time, the entire State RAN issue was supported by external bank credit. The RAWs mature on June 16, 2004 and the RANs mature on June 23, 2004.

     The State anticipates that it will repay the RAWs and RANs in June 2004 with a combination of current revenues and proceeds of the Proposition 57 economic recovery bonds. If for any reason this sale cannot be accomplished, the RAWs and RANs will all be paid by drawing on available credit support instruments, but such an action will require the State to immediately divert all revenues (after payment of constitutionally mandated Priority Payments, such as school funding and general obligation bond debt service) to start repaying the financial institutions. This would severaly restrict the State’s ongoing cash management process. Until the State brings the “structural imbalance” between its revenue sources and spending obligations into balance, it may continue to depend on having access to the public debt markets in order to fund its ongoing cash obligations and to repay cash flow borrowings.

Bond Ratings

     The ratings on California’s long-term general obligation bonds were reduced in the early 1990’s from “AAA” levels which had existed prior to the recession. After 1996, through the end of 2000, the three major rating agencies raised their ratings of California’s general obligation bonds as high as “AA” from Standard & Poor’s, “Aa2” from Moody’s and “AA” from Fitch. Starting in December 2002, as the State’s budget and cash condition worsened, all three rating agencies reduced the ratings of California’s general obligation bonds. As of March 1, 2004, Standard & Poor’s had reduced California’s senior ratings to “BBB,” Fitch had reduced the ratings to “BBB” and Moody’s had reduced its ratings to “Baa2.” Fitch maintained the State’s credit ratings on watch with negative implications. S&P considers the State’s rating outlook as “positive.” The State anticipates that the upcoming sale of economic recovery bonds will bear higher ratings than the regular general obligations bonds, because of the additional pledge of a dedicated stream of sales tax revenues.

     There can be no assurance that current ratings will be maintained in the future. It should be noted that the creditworthiness of obligations issued by local California issuers may be unrelated to creditworthiness of obligations issued by the State of California, and that there is no obligation on the part of the State to make payment on such local obligations in the event of default.

Legal Proceedings

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     The State is involved in certain legal proceedings (described in the State’s recent financial statements) that, if decided against the State, may require the State to make significant future expenditures or may substantially impair revenues. If the State eventually loses any of these cases, the final remedies may not have to be implemented in one year.

Obligations of Other Issuers

     Other Issuers of California Municipal Obligations. There are a number of State agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the State that issue Municipal Obligations, some of which may be conduit revenue obligations payable from payments from private borrowers. These entities are subject to various economic risks and uncertainties, and the credit quality of the securities issued by them may vary considerably from the credit quality of obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the State.

     State Assistance. Property tax revenues received by local governments declined more than 50% following passage of Proposition 13. Subsequently, the California Legislature enacted measures to provide for the redistribution of the State’s General Fund surplus to local agencies, the reallocation of certain State revenues to local agencies and the assumption of certain governmental functions by the State to assist municipal issuers to raise revenues. Total local assistance from the State’s General Fund was budgeted at approximately 75% of General Fund expenditures in recent years, including the effect of implementing reductions in certain aid programs. To reduce State General Fund support for school districts, the 1992-93 and 1993-94 Budget Acts caused local governments to transfer $3.9 billion of property tax revenues to school districts, representing loss of the post-Proposition 13 “bailout” aid. Local governments have in return received greater revenues and greater flexibility to operate health and welfare programs. The Governor has proposed a further $1.3 billion annual property tax shift for 2004-05 and subsequent years.

     In 1997, a new program provided for the State to substantially take over funding for local trial courts (saving cities and counties some $400 million annually). In recent years, the State has provided over $350 million to support local law enforcement costs. The current fiscal crisis may result in some reductions in these payments in 2003-04 and beyond.

     To the extent the State should be constrained by its Article XIIIB appropriations limit, or its obligation to conform to Proposition 98, or other fiscal considerations, the absolute level, or the rate of growth, of State assistance to local governments may continue to be reduced. Any such reductions in State aid could compound the serious fiscal constraints already experienced by many local governments, particularly counties. The recent economic slowdown in the State, with its corresponding reduction in State and local revenues, will put additional pressure on local government finances in the coming years. See “Recent Financial Results—Continuing Budget Shortfall” and “—Fiscal Year 2004-05 Budget.”

     Counties and cities may face further budgetary pressures as a result of changes in welfare and public assistance programs, which were enacted in August, 1997 in order to comply with the federal welfare reform law. Generally, counties play a large role in the new system, and are given substantial flexibility to develop and administer programs to bring aid recipients into the workforce. Counties are also given financial incentives if either at the county or statewide level, the “Welfare-to-Work” programs exceed minimum targets; counties are also subject to financial penalties for failure to meet such targets. Counties remain responsible to provide “general assistance” for able-bodied indigents

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who are ineligible for other welfare programs. The long-term financial impact of the new CalWORKs system on local governments is still unknown.

     Local governments are facing substantial increases in future pension liabilities and health care costs for retirees, and increases in current contribution rates, as a result of (a) generous new retirements benefits granted to employees during recent economic boom times, and (b) reduced earnings resulting from the stock market declines during the 2000-2003 period.

     Assessment Bonds. California Municipal Obligations which are assessment bonds may be adversely affected by a general decline in real estate values or a slowdown in real estate sales activity. In many cases, such bonds are secured by land which is undeveloped at the time of issuance but anticipated to be developed within a few years after issuance. In the event of such reduction or slowdown, such development may not occur or may be delayed, thereby increasing the risk of a default on the bonds. Because the special assessments or taxes securing these bonds are not the personal liability of the owners of the property assessed, the lien on the property is the only security for the bonds. Moreover, in most cases the issuer of these bonds is not required to make payments on the bonds in the event of delinquency in the payment of assessments or taxes, except from amounts, if any, in a reserve fund established for the bonds.

     California Long Term Lease Obligations. Based on a series of court decisions, certain long-term lease obligations, though typically payable from the general fund of the State or a municipality, are not considered “indebtedness” requiring voter approval. Such leases, however, are subject to “abatement” in the event the facility being leased is unavailable for beneficial use and occupancy by the municipality during the term of the lease. Abatement is not a default, and there may be no remedies available to the holders of the certificates evidencing the lease obligation in the event abatement occurs. The most common cases of abatement are failure to complete construction of the facility before the end of the period during which lease payments have been capitalized and uninsured casualty losses to the facility (e.g., due to earthquake). In the event abatement occurs with respect to a lease obligation, lease payments may be interrupted (if all available insurance proceeds and reserves are exhausted) and the certificates may not be paid when due. Although litigation is brought from time to time which challenges the constitutionality of such lease arrangements, the California Supreme Court issued a ruling in August, 1998 which reconfirmed the legality of these financing methods.

Other Considerations

     The repayment of industrial development securities secured by real property may be affected by California laws limiting foreclosure rights of creditors. Securities backed by health care and hospital revenues may be affected by changes in State regulations governing cost reimbursements to health care providers under Medi-Cal (the State’s Medicaid program), including risks related to the policy of awarding exclusive contracts to certain hospitals.

     Limitations on ad valorem property taxes may particularly affect “tax allocation” bonds issued by California redevelopment agencies. Such bonds are secured solely by the increase in assessed valuation of a redevelopment project area after the start of redevelopment activity. In the event that assessed values in the redevelopment project decline (e.g., because of a major natural disaster such as an earthquake), the tax increment revenue may be insufficient to make principal and interest payments on these bonds. Both Moody’s and S&P suspended ratings on California tax allocation bonds after the enactment of Articles XIIIA and XIIIB, and only resumed such ratings on a selective basis.

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     Proposition 87, approved by California voters in 1988, requires that all revenues produced by a tax rate increase go directly to the taxing entity which increased such tax rate to repay that entity’s general obligation indebtedness. As a result, redevelopment agencies (which, typically, are the issuers of tax allocation securities) no longer receive an increase in tax increment when taxes on property in the project area are increased to repay voter-approved bonded indebtedness.

     The effect of these various constitutional and statutory changes upon the ability of California municipal securities issuers to pay interest and principal on their obligations remains unclear. Furthermore, other measures affecting the taxing or spending authority of California or its political subdivisions may be approved or enacted in the future. Legislation has been or may be introduced which would modify existing taxes or other revenue-raising measures or which either would further limit or, alternatively, would increase the abilities of state and local governments to impose new taxes or increase existing taxes. It is not possible, at present, to predict the extent to which any such legislation will be enacted. Nor is it possible, at present, to determine the impact of any such legislation on California Municipal Obligations in which the Fund may invest, future allocations of state revenues to local governments or the abilities of state or local governments to pay the interest on, or repay the principal of, such California Municipal Obligations.

     Substantially all of California is within an active geologic region subject to major seismic activity. Northern California in 1989 and Southern California in 1994 experienced major earthquakes causing billions of dollars in damages. The federal government provided more than $13 billion in aid for both earthquakes, and neither event has had any long-term negative economic impact. Any California Municipal Obligation in the Fund could be affected by an interruption of revenues because of damaged facilities, or, consequently, income tax deductions for casualty losses or property tax assessment reductions. Compensatory financial assistance could be constrained by the inability of (i) an issuer to have obtained earthquake insurance coverage rates; (ii) an insurer to perform on its contracts of insurance in the event of widespread losses; or (iii) the federal or State government to appropriate sufficient funds within their respective budget limitations.

Special Risk Considerations Relating to New York Municipal Obligations

     Some of the significant financial considerations relating to the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio’s investments in New York Municipal Obligations are summarized below. This summary information is not intended to be a complete description and is principally derived from the Annual Information Statement of the State of New York as supplemented and contained in official statements relating to issues of New York Municipal Obligations that were available prior to the date of this Statement of Additional Information. The accuracy and completeness of the information contained in those official statements have not been independently verified.

     The State of New York’s most recent fiscal year began on April 1, 2003 and ends on March 31, 2004. The most recent published Update to the Annual Information Statement was dated January 26, 2004.

     Special Considerations. Many complex political, social and economic forces influence the State’s economy and finances, which may in turn affect the State’s Financial Plan. These forces may affect the State unpredictably from fiscal year to fiscal year and are influenced by governments, institutions, and events that are not subject to the State’s control. The Financial Plan is also necessarily

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based upon forecasts of national and State economic activity. Economic forecasts have frequently failed to predict accurately the timing and magnitude of changes in the national and State economies. The Division of the Budget (“DOB”) believes that its current estimates related to the performance of the State and national economies are reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially and adversely from the current forecast.

     In the Enacted Budget of 2003-04, DOB projected a potential imbalance in the State’s General Fund of roughly $900 million in 2003-04 prior to the anticipated receipt of Federal funds from the Federal economic stimulus legislation. The stimulus package provided $1.07 billion of fiscal relief to the State, including $645 million in one-time Federal revenue sharing payments and $422 million from a 15-month increase in the Federal matching rate on Medicaid costs (“FMAP”). An additional $170 million of fiscal savings occurred from the delay in providing payments to New York City associated with the Local Government Assistance Corporation (“LGAC”)/Municipal Assistance Corporation (“MAC”) transaction for a total benefit of $1.24 billion. All other revisions since the Enacted Budget resulted in no significant change to the budget balance, and incorporate a slightly improved receipts forecast, higher spending in Medicaid, welfare and the Tuition Assistance Program (“TAP”), and lower spending in State Operations and debt service. DOB’s current receipts projection assumes significant growth in tax receipts for the remainder of the year.

     Thus, the net positive impact of $1.24 billion, mostly from the Federal stimulus package, eliminated the potential $912 million General Fund Enacted Budget imbalance, allowed a maximum deposit of $84 million to the rainy day fund and generated a $261 million surplus to help lower the 2004-05 budget gap.

     The State is negotiating new labor contracts with several State employee unions. The recently expired four-year agreements included a $500 nonrecurring lump sum payment and salary increases of 3.0 percent in 1999-2000 (effective mid-year), 3.0 percent in 2000-01 and 3.5 percent in 2001-02 and 2002-03, at a cost to the General Fund of approximately $2.5 billion over the life of the agreement. Each future one percent salary increase would cost the General Fund roughly $75 million annually. The Financial Plan does not set aside specific reserves to cover potential costs that could materialize as a result of future collective bargaining agreements.

     On August 6, 2003, the LGAC board of directors, which is comprised of the LGAC chairperson, the State Comptroller, and the Director of the DOB, unanimously approved a resolution objecting to the annual payments of $170 million to the City of New York and the refinancing of MAC bonds. The resolution directed LGAC to not participate in the New York City transaction, authorized the co-executive directors of LGAC to engage the services of litigation counsel, and declared that LGAC has no intention to pay such $170 million payments until legal issues with the transaction (including but not limited to potential LGAC bond covenant violations) are resolved either by litigation or action by the Legislature. The 2004-05 Executive Budget has proposed an alternative approach to provide New York City the fiscal relief it sought, but without the legal uncertainty associated with the current legislation. Please see the section below entitled “Litigation” for the status of this litigation.

     The State Comptroller is the Administrative Head of the State Retirement Systems, and Trustee of the assets of those Systems. The proposed 2004-05 Financial Plan assumes pension reforms will be enacted that reduce the annual increase in employer contribution rates from 137 percent to 38 percent of employee salary base. If these pension reform changes are authorized by the State Legislature, any proposed changes to the method of computing employer contributions would have to be reviewed and

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approved by the State Comptroller to ensure that such changes (i) do not violate the State Constitution and (ii) are consistent with his fiduciary responsibilities to System members and beneficiaries. The State Comptroller has advised the DOB that, in his opinion, a number of these changes that would produce the most significant savings could not be implemented without violating the State Constitution, his fiduciary duty or both.

     The Federal government is currently auditing Medicaid claims submitted since 1993 under the school supportive health services program. At this point, these audits have not been finalized and, as a result, the liability of the State and/or school districts for any disallowances that may result from these audits cannot be determined. Federal regulations include an appeals process that could postpone repayment of any disallowances. The Financial Plan assumes the Federal government will fully reimburse these costs.

     In addition, through December 2003, a portion of Federal Medicaid payments related to school supportive health services have been deferred by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pending finalization of audits. Since the State has continued to reimburse school districts for these costs, these Federal deferrals, if not resolved, could negatively impact future health care spending.

     In December 2003, the State received partial Federal approval of the Medicaid State Plan Amendment necessary to make disproportionate share hospital (“DSH”) payments over two years to public hospitals throughout the State, including the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (“HHC”), State University of New York (“SUNY”) and other State and county-operated hospitals. Although full payment for SUNY and State-operated hospitals was secured with the initial approval, the State continues to seek Federal approval of the balance of anticipated payments totaling roughly $1.3 billion for HHC and other county hospitals. Failure of the Federal government to approve these remaining payments could have an adverse impact on the State’s health care financing system.

     The 2004-05 Financial Plan does not set aside specific reserves to cover potential costs that could materialize as a result of adverse rulings in pending litigation, future collective bargaining agreements with State employee unions, Federal disallowances, or other Federal actions that could adversely affect the State’s projections of receipts and disbursements.

     The State is a defendant in several court cases that could ultimately result in costs to the State Financial Plan. The most significant litigation is the State Court of Appeals ruling that the State’s financing system for New York City public schools is unconstitutional. This ruling directs the State to submit a remedy to the Court by July 30, 2004. The 2004-05 Executive Budget provides $100 million in General Fund support and reserves all video lottery terminal (“VLT”) revenues to provide Sound Basic Education (“SBE”) funding while the Governor’s Commission on Educational Reform outlines a series of options for the State to consider. The VLT revenues are projected to increase from $240 million in 2004-05 to $950 million in 2005-06 and $1.3 billion in 2006-07.

     Other litigation includes ongoing claims by several Indian Nations alleging wrongful possession of lands by the State and several counties, as well as claims involving the adequacy of shelter allowances for families on public assistance. The State has implemented a court-ordered increase in the shelter allowance schedule for public assistance families that became effective on November 1, 2003. The Court has also directed the parties to return on March 30, 2004 for further

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proceedings. For a complete summary of significant litigation affecting the State, please refer to the State’s Annual Information Statement, as updated.

     The State projects that balances in its principal reserves to guard against unbudgeted risks will total $815 million at the close of 2003-04 and will remain unchanged through 2004-05. The reserves include $794 million in the TSRF (the State’s rainy day fund) and $21 million in the Contingency Reserve Fund (“CRF”) for litigation. To permanently improve the State’s reserve levels, the Governor’s Executive Budget for 2004-05 includes legislation to gradually increase both the maximum size of the State’s rainy day fund from 2 percent to 5 percent of General Fund spending, and the maximum annual deposits from two-tenths of one percent to five-tenths of one percent of spending. Absent this legislation, the State will reach its statutory maximum balance in the fund of 2 percent or $840 million with the next annual deposit.

     State Economy. The New York State economy is slowly emerging from recession. The long recovery from September 11th and the loss of momentum in the national recovery due to corporate governance scandals and international tensions resulted in a lengthening of the State’s recession. However, employment losses have stabilized and growth is evident in several sectors. State nonagricultural employment is projected to rise 0.8 percent in 2004, the first increase in four years. Moreover, with the first sustained rise in equity prices in three years and interest rates remaining low, the outlook for the finance industry has brightened, improving prospects for bonuses and wages. Bonuses in the finance and insurance sector are projected to rise 11.7 percent in 2004-05, following growth of 23.2 percent for 2003-04. Total New York wages are expected to grow 5.1 percent in 2004, the best performance in four years. Personal income is also expected to increase by 5.1 percent in 2004, primarily reflecting the strength in wage growth. Consistent with national trends, inflation in New York is projected to fall from 2.8 percent in 2003 to 2.1 percent in 2004.

     The volatility of the financial markets remains a significant source of risk to the New York forecast. If the recent rise in equity prices and financial services activity fails to be sustained, industry profitability and associated compensation could be lower than anticipated. In addition, weaker than expected growth for both the national and international economies would, in turn, weaken the State’s recovery. This would result in even slower employment and income growth than projected. In contrast, stronger financial services sector growth or stronger national and international growth could result in a healthier economic recovery for the State than projected.

     New York is the third most populous state in the nation and has a relatively high level of personal wealth. The State’s economy is diverse with a comparatively large share of the nation’s finance, insurance, transportation, communications and services employment, and a very small share of the nation’s farming and mining activity. The State’s location and its air transport facilities and natural harbors have made it an important link in international commerce. Travel and tourism constitute an important part of the economy. Like the rest of the nation, New York has a declining proportion of its workforce engaged in manufacturing, and an increasing proportion engaged in service industries.

     Services: The services sector, which includes entertainment, personal services, such as health care and auto repairs, and business-related services, such as information processing, law and accounting, is the State’s leading economic sector. The services sector accounts for more than three of every ten nonagricultural jobs in New York and has a noticeably higher proportion of total jobs than does the rest of the nation.

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     Manufacturing: Manufacturing employment continues to decline in New York, as in most other states, and New York’s economy is less reliant on this sector than in the past. However, it remains an important sector of the State economy, particularly for the upstate economy, as high concentrations of manufacturing industries for transportation equipment, optics and imaging, materials processing, and refrigeration, heating and electrical equipment products are located in the upstate region.

     Trade: Wholesale and retail trade is the second largest sector in terms of nonagricultural jobs in New York but is considerably smaller when measured by income share. Trade consists of wholesale businesses and retail businesses, such as department stores and eating and drinking establishments.

     Finance, Insurance and Real Estate: New York City is the nation’s leading center of banking and finance and, as a result, this is a far more important sector in the State than in the nation as a whole. Although this sector accounts for under one-tenth of all nonagricultural jobs in the State, it contributes about one-fifth of total wages.

     Agriculture: Farming is an important part of the economy in rural areas, although it constitutes a very minor part of total State output. Principal agricultural products of the State include milk and dairy products, greenhouse and nursery products, fruits and vegetables. New York ranks among the nation’s leaders in the production of these commodities.

     Government: Federal, State and local governments together are the third largest sector in terms of nonagricultural jobs, with the bulk of the employment accounted for by local governments. Public education is the source of nearly one-half of total State and local government employment.

     State Budget. The State Constitution requires the Governor to submit to the Legislature a balanced executive budget which contains a complete plan of expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year and all moneys and revenues estimated to be available therefor, accompanied by bills containing all proposed appropriations or reappropriations and any new or modified revenue measures to be enacted in connection with the executive budget. The entire plan constitutes the proposed State financial plan for that fiscal year. The Governor is required to submit to the Legislature quarterly budget updates which include a revised cash-basis state financial plan, and an explanation of any changes from the previous state financial plan.

     In recent years, the State has closed projected budget gaps which DOB estimated at $5.0 billion (1995-96), $3.9 billion (1996-97), $2.3 billion (1997-98), less than $1 billion (in each of the fiscal years 1998-99 through 2000-01) and $6.8 billion in 2002-03. The 2003-04 Financial Plan projected a budget gap of $2.8 billion in 2003-04 and the 2004-2005 Financial Plan projects budget gaps of $5.1 billion in 2004-05, $6.7 billion in 2005-06 and $7.8 billion in 2006-07.

     Four governmental fund types comprise the State Financial Plan: the General Fund, the Special Revenue Funds, the Capital Projects Funds and the Debt Service Funds. The State’s fund structure adheres to the accounting standards of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

     General Fund. The General Fund is the principal operating fund of the State and is used to account for all financial transactions except those required to be accounted for in another fund. It is the State’s largest fund and receives almost all State taxes and other resources not dedicated to particular purposes. In the State’s 2003-04 fiscal year, the General Fund is expected to account for

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approximately 41 percent of All Governmental Funds disbursements. General Fund moneys are also transferred to and from other funds, primarily to support certain capital projects and debt service payments in other fund types.

     Total General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds and tobacco securitization proceeds, are projected to total $42.26 billion in fiscal year 2003-04, an increase of $4.86 billion from the 2002-03 fiscal year. The increase over the prior year is largely attributable to the expected receipt of $4.20 billion in tobacco securitization proceeds and $645 million from the Federal revenue sharing grants.

     All Governmental Funds receipts are estimated to reach $99.05 billion in 2003-04, an increase of $10.98 billion (12.5 percent) from 2002-03. The increase reflects both gradually improving economic conditions and significant policy actions taken with the 2003-04 Enacted Budget. These actions included $4.20 billion in tobacco securitization proceeds as well as temporary increases in Personal Income Tax (“PIT”) rates and in the base and rate of the sales tax.

     Spending in the General Fund is projected to total $42.06 billion in 2003-04, a decrease of $392 million from the Mid-Year Financial Plan Update issued October 28, 2003 (the “October Update”). The revisions include lower estimated spending from the Community Projects Fund (“CPF”) ($200 million) now projected to occur in 2004-05, which does not affect budget balance since the resources required to pay this spending have already been set aside in a separate account. The remaining decrease of $192 million primarily reflects: a net reduction in State Operations spending ($87 million) including increased mental hygiene offsets, lower spending for the Judiciary, and a net reduction in costs across several agencies from the ongoing statewide austerity measures; lower debt service costs provided from debt management actions ($73 million); and downward reestimates to all other transfers ($41 million), offset by a projected deficiency in nonpublic school aid ($16 million).

     The projected 2003-04 General Fund closing balance of $1.01 billion consists of $794 million in the TSRF (the Rainy Day Fund), $200 million in CPF, and $20 million in the CRF. The projected increase of $284 million from the October Update reflects an additional $200 million balance in the CPF resulting from spending delays and a planned deposit of $84 million to the Rainy Day Fund (the eighth deposit in the last nine years). In addition, an additional deposit of $661 million to the Tax Refund Reserve Account will be made at year-end to account for the movement of $400 million in tobacco securitization proceeds planned for use in 2004-05 and the 2003-04 cash surplus of $261 million to help balance the 2004-05 fiscal year.

     While the current fiscal year is balanced, the magnitude of future budget gaps requires timely and aggressive measures to restore structural balance. The Governor is continuing implementation of a fiscal management plan that includes measures intended to reduce costs and generate recurring savings in the outyears. The State faces potential General Fund budget gaps of $5.1 billion in 2004-05, $6.7 billion in 2005-06, and $7.8 billion in 2006-07. The $5.1 billion gap is consistent with estimates provided by DOB at the time of the 2003-04 Enacted Budget. Those projections indicated that the original 2004-05 Executive Budget gap of $2.8 billion would increase to between $5 billion and $6 billion primarily as a result of additional recurring spending adds in the Enacted Budget. The current $5.1 billion gap is at the lower end of the projected range due to modestly improved economic conditions and the expectation of continue increases in financial services incomes.

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     The Governor’s Executive Budget for 2004-05 fully closes the $5.1 billion General Fund budget gap in 2004-05 with a mix of spending restraint, revenue actions and transitional financing. Actions of nearly $3.9 billion in 2005-06 and $3.5 billion in 2006-07 reduce the outyear gaps to more manageable levels of $2.9 billion in 2005-06 and $4.3 billion in 2006-07. In addition, $240 million in 2004-05 ($325 million on a school year basis), growing to $2 billion annually over the next five years is reserved from new VLT resources to fund the SBE requirements.

     All Governmental Funds spending in 2003-04 is projected at $98.29 billion. The increase of $314 million from the October Update for Federally-funded programs consists of: higher than anticipated disbursements for education ($518 million); Medicaid costs relating to the 15-month increase in the Federal matching rate ($379 million); and child care spending ($142 million). These Federal increases are partially offset by the State Funds decline described above.

     PIT net receipts for 2003-04 are estimated to reach $24.08 billion, an increase of $385 million (1.6 percent) from 2002-03 due largely to a modestly improved economic environment and the first-year impact of the temporary three-year PIT increase enacted in 2003. The increase is partially offset by a $1.63 billion lower contribution from the Refund Reserve account. Net of Refund Reserve transactions, All Funds income tax receipts are expected to grow 8.9 percent over 2002-03 results. The estimate is $235 million above the October Update forecast (adjusting for Refund Reserve transactions).

     PIT General Fund receipts for 2003-04 are estimated to reach $15.79 billion, a decrease of $1 billion (5.9 percent) from 2002-03, due to the positive factors affecting All Funds receipts, more than offset by increased Revenue Bond Tax Fund (“RBTF”) and School Tax Relief (“STAR”) deposits of $1.2 billion and $171 million, respectively.

     The historical financial results for the prior three fiscal years are presented below.

     2002-03 Fiscal Year. In the revised Financial Plan dated February 28, 2003 (the “February Financial Plan”), the State projected a 2002-03 budgetary imbalance of $2.4 billion in the General Fund attributable primarily to a projected revenue shortfall of $2.2 billion. The State achieved $700 million in administrative savings during the year to reduce the imbalance to $1.7 billion. To help close the remaining projected 2002-03 imbalance, improve the State’s cash flow position, and reduce the projected budget gaps in 2003-04 and 2004-05, the Governor proposed selling a portion of the State’s future share of tobacco settlement payments to a statutorily created, bankruptcy-remote corporation. However, the State Legislature did not enact legislation authorizing the tobacco settlement sale during 2002-03. Therefore, to eliminate the remaining $1.7 billion imbalance in 2002-03 and maintain reserves at a level consistent with the February Financial Plan, the State implemented a contingency plan in which it deferred $1.9 billion in planned spending to 2003-04.

     After these actions, the State ended the 2002-03 fiscal year with available General Fund cash resources of $1.01 billion. The General Fund cash balance at year-end totaled $815 million and the refund reserve account had $200 million in resources not budgeted for other purposes. The General Fund balance was comprised of $710 million in the TSRF, $20 million in the CRF to pay costs related to litigation against the State, and $85 million in the CPF, which pays primarily for legislative “member items.”

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     The closing balance excluded amounts on deposit in the refund reserve account. The State ended the 2002-03 fiscal year with $627 million on deposit in the refund reserve account, an increase of $200 million above budgeted levels. The refund reserve account is used to pay for tax refunds across fiscal years and to help accomplish other Financial Plan objectives, including the movement of resources from one year to the next. Changes to the refund reserve affect the level of reported personal income tax receipts.

     General Fund receipts and transfer from other funds totaled $37.4 billion in 2002-03, a decrease of $2.3 billion from the February Financial Plan forecast. The February Financial Plan had counted on $1.9 billion in revenues from the tobacco settlement sale. General Fund disbursements and transfer to other funds totaled $37.6 billion, a decrease of $2.2 billion from the February Financial Plan. The substantial decline resulted from the deferral of $1.9 billion in payments originally scheduled for 2002-03 and $253 million in one-time savings. After adjusting for the payment deferrals, General Fund disbursements would have totaled $39.5 billion in 2002-03 (a decrease of $1.7 billion or 4 percent from 2001-02 results).

     2001-02 Fiscal Year. The State ended its 2001-02 fiscal year on March 31, 2002 in balance on a cash basis. There was no General Fund surplus reported by DOB. After year-end adjustments related to the refund reserve account, the closing balance in the General Fund was $1.03 billion, a decrease of $67 million from the 2000-01 fiscal year. Of this balance, $710 million was held in the TSRF (after a deposit of $83 million in fiscal year 2001-02), $157 million in the CRF, $159 million in the CPF, and $5 million in the Universal Pre-kindergarten Fund. The closing fund balance excludes $1.68 billion on deposit in the refund reserve account at the end of the 2001-02 fiscal year.

     General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds, totaled $41.4 billion for the 2001-02 fiscal year, an increase of $1.26 billion (3.3. percent) over fiscal year 2000-01 results. Receipts results for fiscal year 2001-02 reflect refund reserve transactions that had the effect of reducing personal income tax receipts in the 2001-02 fiscal year and increasing them in the 2002-03 fiscal year. In comparison to the 2001-02 Financial Plan projected in January 2002 (the January Financial Plan), receipts were $1.3 billion lower than projected. When the refund reserve is adjusted for the set-aside of $1.07 billion for economic uncertainties, General Fund receipts and transfers from other funds totaled $42.21 billion, a decrease of $225 million from the January Financial Plan (the January Financial Plan also adjusted the refund reserve for a projected deposit of $1.13 billion for economic uncertainties). The decrease of $225 million in receipts reflected lower-than-expected personal income and business tax collections due from 2001 tax year liability.

     General Fund disbursements, including transfers to other funds, totaled $41.22 billion for the 2001-02 fiscal year, an increase of $1.52 billion (3.8 percent) for the 2000-01 fiscal year. In comparison to the January Financial Plan, disbursements were $233 million lower than projected. A portion of the lower amount of spending was attributable to the timing of payments and these payments are expected to occur in the 2002-03 fiscal year.

     2000-01 Fiscal Year. The State ended its 2000-01 fiscal year on March 31, 2001 in balance on a cash basis with a General Fund surplus of $2.73 billion as reported by DOB. After year-end adjustments described below, the closing balance in the General Fund was $1.10 billion, a decrease of $69 million from the 1999-2000 fiscal year. Of this balance, $627 million was held in the TSRF (after a deposit of $80 million in fiscal year 2000-01), $150 million in the CRF, $292 million in the CPF, and $29 million in the Universal Pre-kindergarten Fund.

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     The closing fund balance excluded $3.52 billion on deposit in the tax refund reserve account at the end of the 2000-01 fiscal year. The State retained $2.65 billion of the $3.52 billion balance for reserves, with $2.4 billion set aside for economic uncertainties and $250 million deposited into the Debt Reduction Reserve Fund in 2001-02. The remaining balance of $865 million was comprised of $293 million in resources to pay for costs incurred in 2000-01 but disbursed in 2001-02, $521 million from the LGAC that was used to pay tax refunds during fiscal year 2001-02 and $51 million in additional funds used to pay refunds related to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Dependent Care Tax Credit.

     The 2000-01 General Fund closing balance also excluded $1.2 billion that was on deposit in the STAR Special Revenue Fund at the end of the 2000-01 fiscal year (to meet a portion of the STAR payments in fiscal year 2001-02) and $250 million on deposit in the Debt Reduction Reserve Fund (“DRRF”) for debt reduction in fiscal year 2001-02.

     General Fund receipts, including transfers from other funds, totaled $39.88 billion for the 2000-01 fiscal year, an increase of $2.49 million (6.7 percent) over fiscal year 1999-2000 results. General Fund disbursements, including transfers to other funds, totaled $39.70 billion for the 2000-01 fiscal year, an increase of $2.53 billion (6.8 percent) from the 1999-2000 fiscal year.

     Debt Limits and Outstanding Debt. There are a number of methods by which the State of New York may incur debt. The State may issue general obligation bonds. Under the State Constitution, the State may not, with limited exceptions for emergencies, undertake long-term general obligation borrowing (i.e., borrowing for more than one year) unless the borrowing is authorized in a specific amount for a single work or purpose by the Legislature and approved by the voters. There is no constitutional limitation on the amount of long-term general obligation debt that may be so authorized and subsequently incurred by the State. However, the Debt Reform Act of 2000 (the “Debt Reform Act”) imposes statutory limitations on new State-supported debt outstanding, which apply to general obligations bonds as well as other State-supported bonds issued on and after April 1, 2000. The State Constitution also provides that general obligation bonds must be paid in equal annual installments or installments that result in substantially level or declining debt service payments, within 40 years after issuance, and beginning not more than one year after issuance of such bonds. General obligation housing bonds must be paid within 50 years after issuance, commencing no more than three years after issuance. However, the Debt Reform Act limits the maximum term of State-supported bonds, including general obligation bonds, to thirty years.

     The Debt Reform Act implemented statutory initiatives intended to improve the State’s borrowing practices by imposing phased-in caps on new debt outstanding and new debt service costs. The Act also limited the use of debt to capital works and purposes only.

     The cap on new State-supported debt outstanding began at 0.75 percent of personal income in 2000-01 and is gradually increasing until it is fully phased in at 4 percent of personal income in 2010-11. Similarly, the cap on new State-supported debt service costs began at 0.75 percent of total governmental funds receipts on 2000-01 and is gradually increasing until it is fully phased in at 5 percent in 2013-14.

     The Debt Reform Act requires the limitations on the issuance of State-supported debt and debt services costs to be calculated by October 31 of each year and reported in the quarterly Financial Plan

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Update most proximate to October 31st of each year. If the calculations for new State-supported debt outstanding and debt service costs are less than the State-supported debt outstanding and debt service costs permitted under the Debt Reform Act, new State-supported debt may continue to be issued. However, if either the debt outstanding or the debt service cap is met or exceeded, the State would be precluded from contracting new State-supported debt until the next annual cap calculation is made and State-supported debt is found to be within the appropriate limitations. The DOB expects that the prohibition on issuing new State-supported debt if the caps are met or exceeded will provide an incentive to treat the debt caps as absolute limits that should not be reached, and therefore DOB intends to manage subsequent capital plans and issuance schedules under these limits.

     Pursuant to the provisions of the Debt Reform Act, the first calculation of the Debt Reform Act’s limitations was reported in the Financial Plan Update most proximate to October 31, 2001. For the 2001-02 fiscal year, both caps are set at 1.25 percent. On October 30, 2002, the State reported that it was in compliance with both debt caps, with new debt outstanding at 0.67 percent of personal income and new debt service at 0.36 percent of total governmental receipts. For the 2002-03 fiscal year, the debt outstanding and debt service caps are 1.65 percent each. The DOB expects that debt outstanding and debt service costs for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 fiscal years will also be within the statutory caps.

     The State has also enacted statutory limits on the amount of variable rate obligations and interest rate exchange agreements that authorized issuers of State-supported debt may enter into. The statute limits the use of debt instruments which result in a variable rate exposure (e.g., variable rate obligations and interest rate exchange agreements) to no more than 15 percent of total outstanding State-supported debt, and limits the use of interest rate exchange agreements to a total notional amount of no more than 15 percent of total outstanding State-supported debt. All interest rate exchange agreements are subject to various statutory restrictions such as minimum counterparty ratings, monthly reporting requirements, and the adoption of interest rate exchange agreement guidelines. All the authorized issuers have adopted uniform guidelines as required by statute. As of March 31, 2004, the State expects to have approximately $3.7 billion in net variable rate exposure, including amounts reserved for LIBOR swaps (or about 9 percent of total State-supported debt outstanding), and have entered into a total notional amount of $5.2 billion in interest rate exchange agreements (or about 13 percent of total State-supported debt outstanding). These ratios are expected to increase over the five-year projections but remain below the 15 percent limitations.

     The State may undertake short-term borrowings without voter approval (i) in anticipation of the receipt of taxes and revenues, by issuing tax and revenue anticipation notes, and (ii) in anticipation of the receipt of proceeds from the sale of duly authorized but unissued general obligation bonds, by issuing bond anticipation notes. The State may also, pursuant to specific constitutional authorization, directly guarantee certain obligations of the State of New York’s authorities and public benefit corporations (“Authorities”). The State has never been called upon to make any direct payments pursuant to any such guarantees. Payments of debt service on New York State general obligation and New York State-guaranteed bonds and notes are legally enforceable obligations of the State of New York.

     State Finance Law requires the Governor to submit a five-year Capital Program and Financing Plan (the “Capital Plan”) with the Executive Budget, and update the Capital Plan by the later of July 30 or 90 days after the enactment of the State Budget. The Governor submitted the Capital Plan as part of the Executive Budget on January 20, 2004. Total capital spending is projected to be $29.6 billion

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across the five years of the Capital Plan, an average of $5.9 billion annually. Transportation continues to be largest area of spending, which is projected at $17.1 billion or 58 percent of total capital spending over the five-year Capital Plan. Spending for education ($4.1 billion), the environment ($3 billion), economic development ($1.7 billion), mental health ($1.4 billion), public protection ($1.1 billion), and health, welfare, and other programs ($1.2 billion) constitutes the remainder of the five-year Capital Plan.

     For the five-year period 2004-05 through 2008-09, the Capital Plan projects total issuances of: $686 million in general obligation bonds; $4.9 billion in Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Bonds issued by the Thruway Authority to finance capital projects for transportation; $964 million in Mental Health Facilities Improvement Revenue Bonds issued by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to finance capital projects at mental health facilities; $383 million in SUNY Dormitory Facilities Revenue Bonds to finance capital projects related to student dormitories; $23 million in Department of Health Revenue Bonds to finance the construction of a new veteran’s nursing home at Oxford; and $8.8 billion in State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds to finance various capital programs including school construction, university facilities, SUNY community colleges, State court facilities, local highway improvements, prisons, housing, economic development and environmental programs, homeland security and State facilities. Total debt outstanding is projected to rise from $41.7 billion in 2004-05 to $44.2 billion in 2008-09, or by an annual average of 1.5 percent. The projections of State borrowings are subject to change as market conditions, interest rates and other factors vary throughout the fiscal year.

     In 2001, legislation was enacted to provide for the issuance by certain State authorities of State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds, which are expected to become the primary financing vehicle for a broad range of State-supported debt programs authorized to be secured by service contract or lease-purchase payments. These State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds are expected to reduce borrowing costs by improving the marketability and creditworthiness of State-supported obligations and by permitting the consolidation of multiple bonding programs to reduce administrative costs.

     The legislation provides that 25 percent of personal income tax receipts (excluding refunds owed to taxpayers and deposits to STAR) be deposited to the RBTF for purposes of making debt service payments on these bonds, with excess amounts returned to the General Fund. In the event that (i) the State Legislature fails to appropriate amounts required to make all debt service payments on the State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds or (ii) having been appropriated and set aside pursuant to a certificate of the Director of the Budget, financing agreement payments have not been made when due on the bonds, the legislation requires that personal income tax receipts continue to be deposited to the RBTF until amounts on deposit in the Fund equal the greater of 25 percent of annual personal income tax receipts or $6 billion.

     The State issued its first State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds (in an aggregate principal amount of $225 million) on May 9, 2002. As of March 31, 2003, approximately $2.4 billion of State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds have been issued and outstanding.

     The State employs additional long-term financing mechanisms, lease-purchase and contractual-obligation financings, which involve obligations of public authorities or municipalities that are State-supported but are not general obligations of the State. Under these financing arrangements, certain public authorities and municipalities have issued obligations to finance the construction and rehabilitation of facilities or the acquisition and rehabilitation of equipment, and expect to meet their

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debt service requirements through the receipt of rental or other contractual payments made by the State. Although these financing arrangements involve a contractual agreement by the State to make payments to a public authority, municipality or other entity, the State’s obligation to make such payments is generally expressly made subject to appropriation by the Legislature and the actual availability of money to the State for making the payments. The State has also entered into a contractual-obligation financing arrangement with the LGAC to restructure the way the State makes certain local aid payments.

     On January 13, 1992, S&P reduced its ratings on the State’s general obligation bonds from A to A- and, in addition, reduced its ratings on the State’s moral obligation, lease purchase, guaranteed and contractual obligation debt. On August 28, 1997, S&P revised its ratings on the State’s general obligation bonds from A- to A and revised its ratings on the State’s moral obligation, lease purchase, guaranteed and contractual obligation debt. On March 5, 1999, S&P affirmed its A rating on the State’s outstanding bonds. On March 10, 2000, S&P assigned its A+ rating on New York State’s long-term general obligations. On December 19, 2000, S&P assigned its AA rating on New York State’s long-term general obligations.

     On January 6, 1992, Moody’s reduced its ratings on outstanding limited-liability State lease purchase and contractual obligations from A to Baa1. On February 28, 1994, Moody’s reconfirmed its A rating on the State’s general obligation long-term indebtedness. On March 20, 1998, Moody’s assigned the highest commercial paper rating of P-1 to the short-term notes of the State. On March 5, 1999, Moody’s affirmed its A2 rating with a stable outlook to the State’s general obligations. In June 2000, Moody’s revised its outlook on the State’s general obligations from stable to positive. On December 6, 2002, Moody’s changed its outlook on the State’s general obligation bonds from stable to negative but retained its A2 rating.

     On June 5, 2003, Fitch Ratings assigned its AA- rating on New York’s long-term general obligations.

     New York State has never defaulted on any of its general obligation indebtedness or its obligations under lease-purchase or contractual-obligation financing arrangements and has never been called upon to make any direct payments pursuant to its guarantees.

     Litigation. The legal proceedings listed below involve State finances and programs and miscellaneous civil rights, real property, contract and other tort claims in which the State is a defendant and the potential monetary claims against the State are deemed to be material, generally in excess of $100 million. These proceedings could adversely affect the financial condition of the State in the 2003-04 fiscal year or thereafter. The State will describe newly initiated proceedings which the State believes to be material, as well as any material and adverse developments in the listed proceedings, in updates or supplements to its Annual Information Statement.

     Certain litigation pending against New York State or its officers or employees could have a substantial or long-term adverse effect on New York State finances. Among the more significant of these cases are those that involve (1) the validity of agreements and treaties by which various Indian tribes transferred title to New York State of certain land in central and upstate New York; (2) certain aspects of New York State’s Medicaid policies, including its rates, regulations and procedures; (3) a challenge to the Governor’s application of his constitutional line item veto authority; (4) a challenge to the funding for New York City public schools; (5) the Governor seeking a judgment declaring that the

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actions of the Senate and the Assembly in voting and passing 46 budget bills violated the State Constitution, because they deleted provisions of appropriations proposed by the Governor, substituted other appropriations, and considered other bills prior to taking action on the appropriation bills submitted by the Governor; and (6) the constitutionality of those portions of Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2002 which relate to the authorization of the conversion of Empire Health Choice, d/b/a Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield from a not-for-profit corporation to a for-profit corporation.

     Adverse developments in the proceedings described above, other proceedings for which there are unanticipated, unfavorable and material judgments, or the initiation of new proceedings could affect the ability of the State to maintain a balanced 2003-04 Financial Plan. The State believes that the 2003-04 Financial Plan includes sufficient reserves to offset the costs associated with the payment of judgments that may be required during the 2003-04 fiscal year. These reserves include (but are not limited to) amounts appropriated for Court of Claims payments and projected fund balances in the General Fund. In addition, any amounts ultimately required to be paid by the State may be subject to settlement or may be paid over a multi-year period. There can be no assurance, however, that adverse decisions in legal proceedings against the State would not exceed the amount of all potential 2003-04 Financial Plan resources available for the payment of judgments, and could therefore affect the ability of the State to maintain a balanced 2003-04 Financial Plan.

     On November 23, 1998, the attorneys general for 46 states (including New York) entered into a master settlement agreement (“MSA”) with the nation’s largest tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the states agreed to release the manufacturers from all smoking-related claims in exchange for specified payments and the imposition of restrictions on tobacco advertising and marketing. New York is projected to receive $25 billion over 25 years under the MSA, with payments apportioned among the State (51 percent), counties (22 percent), and New York City (27 percent). The projected payments are an estimate and subject to adjustments for, among other things, the annual change in the volume of cigarette shipments and the rate of inflation. From 1999-2000 through 2002-03, the State expects to receive $1.54 billion under the nationwide settlement with cigarette manufacturers. Counties, including New York City, will receive settlement payments of $1.47 billion over the same period.

     On June 26, 2003, the State Court of Appeals ruled that the State’s financing system for New York City schools was unconstitutional. The Court found that the system denied students in New York City schools a sound basic education, which it generally described as the “opportunity for a meaningful high school education, one which prepares them to function productively as civic participants.” The Court directed the State to implement a remedy by July 30, 2004. The 2004-05 Executive Budget provides $100 million in General Fund support and reserves all VLT revenues to provide SBE funding while the Governor’s Commission on Educational Reform outlines a series of options for the State to consider. The VLT revenues are projected to increase from $240 million in 2004-05 to $950 million in 2005-06 and $1.3 billion in 2006-07.

     In Local Government Assistance Corporation et al. v. Sales Tax Asset Receivable Corporation and The City of New York (Supreme Court, Albany County), the petitioners challenge, inter alia, the constitutionality of Public Authorities Law section 3238-a, which requires LGAC to annually transfer $170 million to The City of New York. Section 3238-a was enacted in 2003 as part of legislation (Part A4 of Chapter 62 and Part V of Chapter 63 of the Laws of 2003) authorizing the refinancing of debt incurred by the Municipal Assistance Corporation (the “MAC Refinancing Act”). By decision and order dated September 17, 2003, the court held that the MAC Refinancing Act was constitutional.

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Petitioners have appealed from the decision and order to the Appellate Division, Third Department. By decision and order entered August 27, 2003, the Appellate Division, Third Department granted a preliminary injunction restraining defendants, inter alia, from issuing any bonds pursuant to the MAC Refinancing Act pending appeal.

     In Silver v. Pataki, the Speaker of the Assembly of the State of New York challenges the Governor’s application of his constitutional line item veto to certain portions of budget bills adopted by the State Legislature contained in Chapters 56, 57 and 58 of the Laws of 1998. By decision dated July 20, 2000, the Appellate Division reversed the January 7, 1999 order of the Supreme Court, New York County, and dismissed the petition. By opinion dated July 10, 2001, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the Appellate Division, holding that plaintiff has the capacity and standing to sue as a member of the Assembly. By order dated June 17, 2002, the Supreme Court, New York County, granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing the complaint. Plaintiff has appealed to the Appellate Division, First Department. On July 22, 2002, the Senate of the State of New York moved in Supreme Court to intervene and for reargument. By decision entered December 11, 2003, the Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed the decision of the Supreme Court, New York County, dismissing the complaint.

     Several cases challenge provisions of Chapter 81 of the Laws of 1995 which alter the nursing home Medicaid reimbursement methodology on and after April 1, 1995. Included are New York State Health Facilities Association, et al., v. DeBuono, et al., St. Luke’s Nursing Center, et al. v. DeBuono, et al., New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging v. DeBuono, et al. (three cases), Healthcare Association of New York State v. DeBuono and Bayberry Nursing Home et al. v. Pataki, et al. Plaintiffs allege that the changes in methodology have been adopted in violation of procedural and substantive requirements of State and Federal law.

     In a decision dated June 3, 2003, involving seven consolidated cases (Matter of St. James Nursing Home v. DeBuono), the Supreme Court, Albany County, partially granted petitioners claims that the State violated the procedural requirements of the Boren Amendment and directed the State to recalculate the Medicaid rates associated with State Plan Amendment 95-23. The court dismissed petitioners’ claims as to the Medicaid rates associated with State Plan Amendments 95-24 and 96-24. The State has appealed from this decision.

     In related cases, New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Inc. v. Novello, et al., Valley Health Services v. State and Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, Inc., et al. v. SONY, et al., plaintiffs seek judgments declaring as unconstitutional, under provisions of the Constitutions of the United States and the State, amendments to Public Health Law § 2907-d, enacted as part of Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2002, also known as the Health Care Workforce Recruitment & Retention Act of 2002, or “HCRA 2002,” which impose a 6 percent assessment on nursing home gross receipts from patient care services and operating income. In a decision dated April 24, 2003, the Court granted summary judgment to defendants dismissing the Sitrin case. Plaintiffs have appealed from this decision.

     In Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. v. State, plaintiffs challenge the constitutionality of those portions of Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2002 which relate to the authorization of the conversion of Empire Health Choice, d/b/a Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield from a not-for-profit corporation to a for-profit corporation. Chapter 1 requires, in part, that upon such conversion, assets representing 95 percent of the fair market value of the not-for-profit corporation be transferred to a fund designated as the “public asset fund” to be used for the purpose set forth in § 7317 of the Insurance Law. The State

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and private defendants have separately moved to dismiss the complaint. On November 6, 2002, the Supreme Court, New York County, granted a temporary restraining order, directing that the proceeds from the initial public offering of the for-profit corporation be deposited with the State Comptroller in an interest-bearing account, pending the hearing of a motion for a preliminary injunction, which was returnable simultaneously with the motions to dismiss, on November 26, 2002.

     By decision dated February 28, 2003, the Supreme Court, New York County, granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss. In its decision, the court also granted plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint to assert a new cause of action and deferred decision on plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs and defendants have appealed from the February 28, 2003 decision. Plaintiffs served an amended complaint on April 1, 2003. On April 15, 2003, the defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. By decision dated October 1, 2003, the court denied defendants’ motions to dismiss, except for the motions to dismiss brought by the individually named members of the board of directors of Empire Healthchoice, Inc. The court also declined to vacate the temporary restraining order directing that the proceeds from the initial public offering of the for-profit corporation be deposited with the State Comptroller in an interest-bearing account. Defendants intend to appeal this decision.

     In the Canadian St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians case, plaintiffs seek ejectment and monetary damages with respect to their claim that approximately 15,000 acres in Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties were illegally transferred from their predecessors-in-interest. By decision dated July 28, 2003, the District Court granted, in most respects, a motion by plaintiffs to strike defenses and dismiss counterclaims contained in defendants’ answers. By decision dated October 20, 2003, the District Court denied the State’s motion for reconsideration of that portion of the July 28, 2003 decision which struck a counterclaim against the United States for contribution.

     In the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York case, plaintiffs seek monetary damages for their claim that approximately 64,000 acres in Seneca and Cayuga Counties were illegally purchased by the State in 1795. Prior to trial, the court held that plaintiffs were not entitled to seek the remedy of ejectment. In October 1999, the District Court granted the Federal government’s motion to have the State held liable for any damages owed to the plaintiffs. In February 2000, at the conclusion of the damages phase of the trial of this case, a jury verdict of $35 million in damages plus $1.9 million representing the fair rental value of the tract at issue was rendered against the defendants. By decision and judgment dated October 2, 2001, the District Court also granted plaintiffs $211 million in prejudgment interest. The State has appealed from the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On October 1, 2003, the State served the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Department of Justice with a statement of claim asserting that the United States is jointly and severally liable with the State for the $248 million judgment and post-judgment interest. A statement of claim is a precursor to filing a proceeding in the United States Court of Claims.

     Authorities. The fiscal stability of New York State is related, in part, to the fiscal stability of its Authorities, which generally have responsibility for financing, constructing and operating revenue-producing public benefit facilities. Authorities are not subject to the constitutional restrictions on the incurrence of debt which apply to the State itself, and may issue bonds and notes within the amounts of, and as otherwise restricted by, their legislative authorization. The State’s access to the public credit markets could be impaired, and the market price of its outstanding debt may be materially

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and adversely affected, if any of the Authorities were to default on their respective obligations, particularly with respect to debt that is State-supported or State-related.

     Authorities are generally supported by revenues generated by the projects financed or operated, such as fares, user fees on bridges, highway tolls and rentals for dormitory rooms and housing. In recent years, however, New York State has provided financial assistance through appropriations, in some cases of a recurring nature, to certain of the Authorities for operating and other expenses and, in fulfillment of its commitments on moral obligation indebtedness or otherwise, for debt service. This operating assistance is expected to continue to be required in future years. In addition, certain statutory arrangements provide for State local assistance payments otherwise payable to localities to be made under certain circumstances to certain Authorities. The State has no obligation to provide additional assistance to localities whose local assistance payments have been paid to Authorities under these arrangements. However, in the event that such local assistance payments are so diverted, the affected localities could seek additional State funds.

     For purposes of analyzing the financial condition of the State, debt of the State and of certain public authorities may be classified as State-supported debt, which includes general obligation debt of the State and lease-purchase and contractual obligations of public authorities (and municipalities) where debt service is paid from State appropriations (including dedicated tax sources, and other revenues such as patient charges and dormitory facilities rentals). In addition, a broader classification, referred to as State-related debt, includes State-supported debt, as well as certain types of contingent obligations, including moral obligation financings, certain contingent contractual-obligation financing arrangements, and State-guaranteed debt described above, where debt service is expected to be paid from other sources and State appropriations are contingent in that they may be made and used only under certain circumstances.

     New York City and Other Localities. The fiscal health of the State may also be affected by the fiscal health of New York City, which continues to receive significant financial assistance from the State. State aid contributes to the city’s ability to balance its budget and meet its cash requirements. The State may also be affected by the ability of the City, and certain entities issuing debt for the benefit of the City, to market their securities successfully in the public credit markets.

     On September 11, 2001, two hijacked passenger jetliners flew into the World Trade Center, resulting in a substantial loss of life, destruction of the World Trade Center, and damage to other buildings in the vicinity. Trading on the major New York stock exchanges was suspended until September 17, 2001, and business in the financial district was interrupted. Recovery efforts were completed on May 30, 2002.

     Recovery, cleanup, and repair efforts will result in substantial expenditures. The U.S. Congress passed emergency legislation that authorized $40 billion for disaster assistance, increased security costs, the rebuilding of infrastructure systems and other public facilities, and disaster recovery and related activities. Congress and the President have already appropriated over $10 billion of this amount for disaster assistance in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The President has submitted a bill to congress that would bring the total commitment of Federal disaster assistance for New York to $21.4 billion. In addition, the State legislature increased the financing capacity of the New York City Transitional Finance Authority (“TFA”) by $2.5 billion to fund recovery costs, and has authorized the TFA to issue debt without limit as to principal amount that is payable solely from State or Federal aid received on account of the disaster.

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     On March 9, 2002, the President signed nationwide stimulus legislation that includes $5.5 billion toward the $21.4 billion commitment, in the form of temporary tax provisions aimed at creating redevelopment incentives for businesses located in the Liberty Zone, the area surrounding the World Trade Center site. The Liberty Zone provisions expand the work opportunity tax credit, provide a bonus 30 percent depreciation deduction, authorize the issuance of $8 billion in tax-exempt private activity bonds, allow for advance refunding of certain bonds for facilities in New York City, and increase the small business expensing limit.

     The City is seeking to be reimbursed by the Federal government for all of its direct costs for response and remediation of the World Trade Center site. These costs are now expected to be substantially below previous estimates. The City also expects to receive Federal funds for costs of economic revitalization and other needs, not directly payable through the City budget, relating to the September 11 attack.

     The City has achieved balanced operating results for each of its fiscal years since 1981 as measured by the GAAP standards in force at that time. The City prepares a four-year financial plan annually and updates it periodically, and prepares a comprehensive annual financial report each October describing its most recent fiscal year.

     In 1975, New York City suffered a fiscal crisis that impaired the borrowing ability of both the City and New York State. In that year the City lost access to the public credit markets. The City was not able to sell short-term notes to the public again until 1979. In 1975, S&P suspended its A rating of City bonds. This suspension remained in effect until March 1981, at which time the City received an investment grade rating of BBB from S&P.

     On July 2, 1985, S&P revised its rating of City bonds upward to BBB+ and on November 19, 1987, to A-. On February 3, 1998 and again on May 27, 1998, S&P assigned a BBB+ rating to the City’s general obligation debt and placed the ratings on CreditWatch with positive implications. On March 9, 1999, S&P assigned its A- rating to Series 1999H of New York City general obligation bonds and affirmed the A- rating on various previously issued New York City bonds. On November 27, 2002, S&P changed its outlook for the City’s general obligation debt to “negative” from “stable” but maintained its single-A rating.

     Moody’s ratings of City bonds were revised in November 1981 from B (in effect since 1977) to Ba1, in November 1983 to Baa, in December 1985 to Baa1, in May 1988 to A and again in February 1991 to Baa1. On February 25, 1998, Moody’s upgraded approximately $28 billion of the City’s general obligations from Baa1 to A3. On June 9, 1998, Moody’s affirmed its A3 rating to the City’s general obligations and stated that its outlook was stable. In August 2000, Moody’s upgraded approximately $26 billion of the City’s general obligations from A3 to A2. On September 19, 2001, as a result of the attacks of September 11th, Moody’s changed the outlook on the City’s bonds from stable to uncertain. Shortly thereafter, on November 16, 2001, this outlook was changed again by Moody’s from uncertain to negative. On January 28, 2004, Moody’s upgraded its outlook on the City’s bonds from negative to stable in light of the City’s improving economy and revenue picture.

     On March 8, 1999, Fitch IBCA upgraded New York City’s $26 billion outstanding general obligation bonds from A- to A. Subsequent to that time, the City’s general obligation bonds have not been downgraded by Fitch IBCA.

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     In response to the City’s fiscal crisis in 1975, the State took action to assist the City in returning to fiscal stability. Among those actions, the State established the Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York (“NYC MAC”) to provide financing assistance to the City; the New York State Financial Control Board (the “Control Board”) to oversee the City’s financial affairs; and the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York (“OSDC”) to assist the Control Board in exercising its powers and responsibilities. A “control period” existed from 1975 to 1986, during which the City was subject to certain statutorily-prescribed fiscal controls. The Control Board terminated the control period in 1986 when certain statutory conditions were met. State law requires the Control Board to reimpose a control period upon the occurrence, or “substantial likelihood and imminence” of the occurrence, of certain events, including (but not limited to) a City operating budget deficit of more than $100 million or impaired access to the public credit markets.

     Currently, the City and its Covered Organizations (i.e., those organizations which receive or may receive moneys from the City directly, indirectly or contingently) operate under the City’s Financial Plan. The City’s Financial Plan summarizes its capital, revenue and expense projections and outlines proposed gap-closing programs for years with projected budget gaps. The City’s projections set forth in its Financial Plan are based on various assumptions and contingencies, some of which are uncertain and may not materialize. Unforeseen developments (such as the World Trade Center attack) and changes in major assumptions could significantly affect the City’s ability to balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its annual cash flow and financing requirements.

     For the 2000-01 and 2001-02 fiscal years (ending June 30), the City had operating surpluses of $2.9 billion and $686 million, respectively, before discretionary and other transfers, and achieved balanced operating results after discretionary and other transfers, in accordance with GAAP. Prior to its gap-closing program, the City projected a $4.8 billion budget gap for fiscal year 2003, and even larger gaps in subsequent years.

     On June 30, 2003, the City submitted the June 2003 Financial Plan, which projects revenues and expenditures for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 fiscal years balanced in accordance with GAAP, after discretionary and other transfers. The June 2003 Financial Plan reflects changes since the June 2002 Financial Plan, as subsequently modified by the Financial Plans submitted on November 18, 2002, January 31, 2003 and April 23, 2003.

     Compared to the June 2002 Financial Plan, the June 2003 Financial Plan prior to implementation of the tax increase program, projects significantly lowered tax revenues due to a continued weak economy, which has resulted in lower wage earnings and lower corporate earnings, and reflects other revised forecasts, such as higher pension costs.

     The City’s June Financial Plan, which incorporates the enacted budget for 2002-03, includes gap-closing actions of $4.8 billion that balance the 2002-03 budget. The gap-closing program includes resources from agency actions and anticipates actions to be taken by the Federal and State governments and the municipal unions. The 2002-03 budget also includes $1.5 billion in bond proceeds from the TFA to mitigate a portion of the lost tax revenues related to the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. The financial plan does not include wage increases for any City employees beyond the current round of collective bargaining.

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     The June 2003 Financial Plan includes a program to close a budget gap of $8.1 billion in fiscal year 2003-04. The gap-closing program included in the June 2003 Financial Plan reflects the implementation of an 18.49 percent property tax increase, an increase in personal income tax rates, both effective January 1, 2003, an enacted increase in the City portion of the sales tax by one-eighth percent for two years, commencing in June 2003 and a program to reduce agency expenditures and increase agency revenues by $950 million in fiscal year 2002-03 and $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2003-04. The June 2003 Financial Plan also assumes retroactive and ongoing payments for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for airport leases. As a result of the 2003-04 fiscal year State Budget that was enacted in May 2003, the June 2003 Financial Plan includes State Assistance in the amount of $2.7 billion. Included in the $2.7 billion of State Assistance, the June 2003 Financial Plan assumes the saving of $500 million from refinancing debt of MAC for the City of New York by a local development corporation with funds provided by the State pursuant to State legislation. The Governor has stated that he believes such legislation is unconstitutional.

     On April 15, 2003 the City released the Executive Budget for the fiscal year 2003-04 and, primarily as a result of the continued decline in the tax revenue forecast and added costs arising from the State’s Executive Budget (published after the January preliminary budget) the budget gap was projected to be $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2003-04. The plan anticipated closing this budget gap through a $600 million gap-closing program, State actions totaling $2.7 billion (included a request for restoration of executive budget cuts, personal income tax reform and other State legislative proposals), $1 billion contingency plan if the State failed to act on these proposals, a streamlining of the delivery of social services saving $75 million, a Federal program worth $200 million and $200 million in revenue as part of the phased-in payment for the airport leases.

     On August 13, 2003, LGAC, its Chairperson, the DOB and its Director sued the City and the Sales Tax Asset Receivable Corporation (“STAR Corp.”) seeking to prevent the issuance of bonds by STAR Corp., the local development corporation expected to finance the cost of debt service on MAC debt otherwise payable from City sales tax revenue. STAR Corp. debt is expected to be paid from the annual payment of $170 million from LGAC which the City would assign to STAR Corp. The State Supreme Court granted the City’s and STAR Corp.’s motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs appealed that decision to the State Appellate Division which had previously issued a preliminary injunction preventing STAR Corp. from issuing its bonds pending appeal. The outcome of this litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. If the $500 million in annual savings in MAC debt service for fiscal years 2004 through 2008 from the STAR Corp. financing is not available to the City, the City would be forced to reduce expenditures or increase revenues to maintain balanced operating results for fiscal year 2004 and would be faced with larger than forecasted budget gaps in the subsequent years of the Financial Plan.

     The Financial Plan does not make any provision for wage increases, other than the pay increases for the 2000-02 round of bargaining and pay increases to be funded by productivity initiatives. It is estimated that each one percent wage increase for all City employees for subsequent contract periods would cost approximately $212 million annually (including benefits). The City Comptroller and others have issued reports identifying various risks. In addition, the economic and financial condition of the City may be affected by various financial, social, economic, geo-political and other factors which could have a material effect on the City.

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     On October 3, 2003, the City’s Office of Management and Budget directed City agencies to detail how they would sustain a three percent reduction in City-funded expenditures, with the goal of achieving budgetary savings of $300 million in fiscal year 2004.

     On October 15, 2003, the Mayor and the Governor announced that the City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (the “Port Authority”) had reached an agreement to extend the current lease on John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports through 2050. The agreement secures a minimum upfront payment to the City of approximately $700 million and a minimum annual rent payment of $93.5 million. The upfront payment, which consists of an approximately $500 million lump sum payment and the annual rent payments for 2002 and 2003, is expected to be received late in fiscal year 2004 or in fiscal year 2005. This agreement is subject to the approval of the Port Authority Board and other closing conditions.

     The City has recognized $2.7 billion in State assistance as a result of the fiscal year 2003-04 State Budget that was enacted in May 2003.

     On January 15, 2004, the City issued the January Financial Plan for the 2004 through 2008 fiscal years, which is a modification to the June Financial Plan. The January Plan reflects the Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2005 and changes since the June Financial Plan.

     The January Financial Plan projects revenues and expenditures balanced in accordance with GAAP for both the 2004 and 2005 fiscal years, and projects gaps of $2.0 billion, $2.9 billion and $2.2 billion in fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The January Financial Plan includes proposed discretionary transfers and prepayments in fiscal year 2004 of $1.39 billion, reflecting prepayments of debt service of $695 million due in each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.

     Potential risks to the January Financial Plan include the loss of City savings due to the legal challenge concerning the payment of MAC debt with funds provided by the State, the potential for higher uniform overtime costs, and the failure of the Metropolitan Transit Authority to assume operation of private bus services funded by the City, which total $531 million in fiscal year 2004 and $800 million annually in the 2005 through 2008 fiscal years, as well as assumed State and Federal assistance.

     New York City is heavily dependent on New York State and Federal assistance to cover insufficiencies in its revenues. There can be no assurance that in the future Federal and State assistance will enable the City to make up its budget deficits. Although the City has consistently maintained balanced budgets and is projected to achieve balanced operating results for the current fiscal year, there can be no assurance that the gap-closing actions proposed in its Financial Plan can be successfully implemented or that the City will maintain a balanced budget in future years without additional State aid, revenue increases or expenditure reductions. Additional tax increases and reductions in essential City services could adversely affect the City’s economic base.

     The projections set forth in the City’s Financial Plan are based on various assumptions and contingencies which are uncertain and which may not materialize. Changes in major assumptions could significantly affect the City’s ability to balance its budget as required by State law and to meet its annual cash flow and financing requirements. Such assumptions and contingencies include the condition of the regional and local economies, the impact on real estate tax revenues of the real estate market, wage increases for City employees consistent with those assumed in the Financial Plan,

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employment growth, the ability to implement proposed reductions in City personnel and other cost reduction initiatives, the ability of the HHC to take actions to offset reduced revenues, the ability to complete revenue generating transactions, provision of State and Federal aid and mandate relief and the impact on City revenues and expenditures of Federal and State welfare reform and any future legislation affecting Medicare or other entitlements.

     To successfully implement its Financial Plan, the City and certain entities issuing debt for the benefit of the City must market their securities successfully. This debt is issued to finance the rehabilitation of the City’s infrastructure and other capital needs and to refinance existing debt, as well as to finance seasonal needs and recovery costs related to the World Trade Center. In recent years, the State Constitutional debt limit would have prevented the City from entering into new capital contracts. To prevent disruptions in the capital program, two actions were taken to increase the City’s capital financing capacity: (i) the State Legislature created the New York City Transitional Finance Authority in 1997, and (ii) in 1999, the City created TSASC, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation empowered to issue tax-exempt debt backed by tobacco settlement revenues. The City expects that these actions, combined with the City’s remaining capacity, will provide sufficient financing capacity to continue its capital program through City fiscal year 2011.

     The City Comptroller and other agencies and public officials have issued reports and made public statements which, among other things, state that projected revenues and expenditures may be different from those forecast in the City’s financial plans. It is reasonable to expect that such reports and statements will continue to be issued and to engender public comment.

     Certain localities, in addition to the City, have experienced financial problems and have requested and received additional New York State assistance during the last several State fiscal years. The potential impact on the State of any future requests by localities for additional assistance is not included in the State’s projections of its receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year.

     Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial short-term and long-term borrowings. State law requires the Comptroller to review and make recommendations concerning the budgets of those local government units other than New York City that are authorized by State law to issue debt to finance deficits during the period that such deficit financing is outstanding.

     From time to time, Federal expenditure reductions could reduce, or in some cases eliminate, Federal funding of some local programs and accordingly might impose substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected localities. If the State, the City or any of the Authorities were to suffer serious financial difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit markets, the marketability of notes and bonds issued by localities within the State could be adversely affected. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems resulting from certain pending litigation, judicial decisions and long-range economic trends. Long-range potential problems of declining urban population, increasing expenditures and other economic trends could adversely affect localities and require increasing State assistance in the future.

Standby Commitments

     In order to enhance the liquidity, stability or quality of municipal obligations, the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Prime Obligations Fund, FS

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Money Market Fund and FS Tax-Free Fund each may acquire the right to sell a security to another party at a guaranteed price and date. Such a right to resell may be referred to as a put, demand feature or “standby commitment,” depending on its characteristics. The aggregate price which a Series pays for securities with standby commitments may be higher than the price which otherwise would be paid for the securities. Standby commitments may not be available or may not be available on satisfactory terms.

     Standby commitments may involve letters of credit issued by domestic or foreign banks supporting the other party’s ability to purchase the security from the Series. The right to sell may be exercisable on demand or at specified intervals, and may form part of a security or be acquired separately by the Series.

     Management of the Trust understands that the Internal Revenue Service has issued a favorable revenue ruling to the effect that, under specified circumstances, a registered investment company will be the owner of tax-exempt municipal obligations acquired subject to a put option. Institutional Tax-Exempt Assets, the predecessor company of which ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio were series, has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it is considered the owner of the municipal obligations subject to standby commitments so that the interest on such instruments will be tax-exempt income to it. (Such rulings do not, however, serve as precedent for other taxpayers, are applicable only to the taxpayer requesting the ruling and have, on occasion, been reversed by the Internal Revenue Service.) The Internal Revenue Service has subsequently announced that it will not ordinarily issue advance ruling letters as to the identity of the true owner of property in cases involving the sale of securities or participation interests therein if the purchaser has the right to cause the security, or the participation interest therein, to be purchased by either the seller or a third party. Each of the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund intends to take the position that it is the owner of any municipal obligations acquired subject to a standby commitment or acquired or held with certain other types of put rights and that its distributions of tax-exempt interest earned with respect to such municipal obligations will be tax-exempt for its shareholders. There is no assurance that standby commitments will be available to a Series nor has any Series assumed that such commitments will continue to be available under all market conditions.

Borrowings

     A Series can borrow money from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets. Borrowings involve leveraging. If the securities held by a Series decline in value while these transactions are outstanding, the Series’ market value will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the securities.

Non-Diversified Status

     Although the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio are “non-diversified” under the Act, each is subject to applicable tax requirements relating to portfolio diversification. Under federal tax laws, the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio may, with respect to 50% of their total assets, invest up to 25% of their total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of each Series’ total assets, (i) the Series may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. Government), and (ii) the Series may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting

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securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of its taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). These restrictions do not apply to securities of the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises and regulated investment companies

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

     The following investment restrictions have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to any Series without the approval of the majority of outstanding voting securities of that Series. The investment objective of each ILA Portfolio (except the ILA Tax-Exempt California and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolios’ objective of providing shareholders with income exempt from California State and New York State and New York City personal income tax, respectively) cannot be changed without approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of that ILA Portfolio. In addition, the policy of ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio and FS Treasury Obligations Fund to limit their investments to U.S. Treasury Obligations (as defined in Appendix A of their Prospectuses) and related repurchase agreements is fundamental. The investment objective of each Financial Square Fund, and all other investment policies or practices of the Series, except as stated in this paragraph, are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. As a matter of fundamental policy, at least 80% of the Net Assets of each of the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA California Tax-Exempt Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, and FS Tax-Free Fund will be invested in municipal obligations, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel, if any, excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. In addition, as a matter of fundamental policy, at least 80% of the Net Assets of each of the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio will be invested in California and New York municipal obligations, respectively, except in extraordinary circumstances. Each of these four Series may temporarily invest in taxable money market instruments or, in the case of the ILA Tax-Exempt California and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, in municipal obligations that are not California or New York municipal obligations, respectively, when acceptable California and New York obligations are not available or when the Investment Adviser believes that the market conditions dictate a defensive posture.

     As defined in the Act and the rules thereunder and as used in the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement, “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a Series means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% of the shares of that Series present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Series are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Series. Investment restrictions that involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets are not considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by or on behalf of, a Series, with the exception of borrowings permitted by Investment Restriction (3).

     Accordingly, the Trust may not, on behalf of any Series (except for FS Government Fund):

     (1) Make any investment inconsistent with the Series’ classification as a diversified company under the Act. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Series classified as a non-diversified company under the Act.

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     (2) Purchase securities if such purchase would cause more than 25% in the aggregate of the market value of the total assets of a Series to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that there is no limitation with respect to, and each Series (other than the FS Money Market Fund) reserves freedom of action, when otherwise consistent with its investment policies, to concentrate its investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, obligations (other than commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks and U.S. branches of U.S. or foreign banks and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by such U.S. government obligations or such bank obligations. The FS Money Market Fund may concentrate its investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by such obligations and will invest more than 25% of its total assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by banks (whether foreign or domestic) and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by such obligations. However, if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry, the FS Money Market Fund may, for defensive purposes, temporarily invest less than 25% of the value of its total assets in such obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ILA Money Market Portfolio will invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in bank obligations (whether foreign or domestic) except that if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry, the ILA Money Market Portfolio may, for defensive purposes, temporarily invest less than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations. For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their agencies, authorities and instrumentalities are not deemed to be industries; telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities; personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries; and wholly owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents.

     (3) Borrow money, except that (a) the Series may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) and each Series may borrow through reverse repurchase agreements, in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) the Series may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Series may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (d) the Series may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law.

     (4) Make loans, except (a) through the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with each Series’ investment objective and policies, (b) through repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, (c) with respect to the Financial Square Funds, loans of securities as permitted by applicable law, and (d) with respect to the ILA Portfolios, loans of securities.

     (5) Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Series may be deemed to be an underwriting.

     (6) Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Series may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment

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trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Series as a result of the ownership of securities.

     (7) Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Series may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.

     (8) Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

     FS Government Fund may not:

     (1) With respect to 75% of its total assets taken at market value, invest more than 5% of the value of the total assets of that Series in the securities of any one issuer, except U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Series classified as a non-diversified company under the Act.

     (2) With respect to 75% of its total assets taken at market value, purchase the securities of any one issuer if, as a result of such purchase, that Series would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. This restriction does not, however, apply to any Series classified as a non-diversified company under the Act.

     (3) Borrow money, except from banks on a temporary basis for extraordinary or emergency purposes, provided that a Series is required to maintain asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and that no purchases of securities will be made if such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the Series’ assets. This restriction does not apply to cash collateral received as a result of portfolio securities lending.

     (4) Mortgage, pledge or hypothecate its assets except to secure permitted borrowings.

     (5) Act as underwriter of the securities issued by others, except to the extent that the purchase of securities in accordance with a Series’ investment objective and policies directly from the issuer thereof and the later disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting.

     (6) Purchase securities if such purchase would cause more than 25% in the aggregate of the market value of the total assets of a Series to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that there is no limitation with respect to, and the Series reserves freedom of action, when otherwise consistent with its investment policies, to concentrate its investments in U.S. Government Securities, obligations (other than commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks, and U.S. branches of foreign banks and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by U.S. Government Securities or such bank obligations. (For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their agencies and authorities are not deemed to be industries, and telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities, personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries and wholly-owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of

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their parents. Such concentration may be effected when the Investment Adviser determines that risk adjusted returns in such industries are considered favorable relative to other industries.)

     (7) Issue senior securities, except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness that a Series is permitted to incur and except for shares of existing or additional Series of the Trust.

     (8) Purchase or sell real estate (excluding securities secured by real estate or interests therein), interests in oil, gas or mineral leases, commodities or commodities contracts. The Trust reserves the freedom to hold and to sell real estate acquired for any Series as a result of the ownership of securities.

     (9) Make loans to other persons, except loans of portfolio securities and except to the extent that the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with such Series’ investment objective and policies may be deemed to be loans.

     (10) Purchase securities on margin (except for delayed delivery or when-issued transactions or such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions), make short sales of securities, maintain a short position, or invest in or write puts, calls or combinations thereof (except that a Series may acquire puts in connection with the acquisition of a debt instrument).

     (11) Invest in other companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.

     Each Series may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions and policies as the Series.

     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted the following non-fundamental policies with respect to the Financial Square Funds which may be changed or amended by action of the Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders. Accordingly, the Trust may not, on the behalf of any Series:

  (a)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
 
  (b)   Invest more than 10% of a Series’ net assets in illiquid investments including repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
 
  (c)   Purchase additional securities if the Series’ borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
  (d)   Make short sales of securities, except short sales against the box.

     As money market funds, all of the Series must also comply, as a non-fundamental policy, with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. While a detailed and technical rule, Rule 2a-7 has three basic requirements: portfolio maturity, portfolio quality and portfolio diversification. Portfolio maturity. Rule 2a-7 requires that the maximum maturity (as determined in accordance with Rule 2a-7) of any security in a

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Series’ portfolio may not exceed 13 months and a Portfolio’s average portfolio maturity may not exceed 90 days. Portfolio quality. A money market fund may only invest in First Tier and Second Tier securities (as defined in the Rule and the Prospectuses). Each Series, other than the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, and FS Tax-Free Fund (the “Tax-Exempt Series”), as a matter of non-fundamental policy, only invests in First Tier securities. Portfolio diversification. The ILA Prime Obligations, ILA Money Market, ILA Government, ILA Treasury Obligations, ILA Treasury Instruments, ILA Federal and ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolios, FS Prime Obligations, FS Government, FS Treasury Obligations, FS Money Market, FS Federal, FS Treasury Instruments and FS Tax-Free Funds may not invest more than 5% of their total assets in the securities of any one issuer (except U.S. Government Securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities and certain securities subject to a guarantee or unconditional demand feature). Each of such Series may, however, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the First Tier Securities of a single issuer for a period of up to three business days after the purchase thereof. ILA Tax-Exempt New York and ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolios, with respect to 75% of their respective total assets, may not invest more than 5% of their total assets in the securities of any one issuer (except U.S. Government Securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities and certain securities subject to a guarantee or unconditional demand feature); provided that such Series may not invest more than 5% of their respective total assets in the securities of a single issuer unless the securities are First Tier Securities. Subject to certain exceptions, immediately after the acquisition of any demand features or guarantees (i.e., generally, the right to sell the security at a price equal to its approximate amortized cost (for a demand feature) or principal amount (for a guarantee) plus accrued interest), with respect to 75% of the assets of a Series, no more than 10% of the Series’ total assets may be invested in securities issued by or subject to demand features or guarantees issued by the same issuer. In the case of the Tax-Exempt Series (which are the only Series that are permitted to invest in Second Tier securities), subject to certain exceptions immediately after the acquisition of a demand feature or guarantee that is a Second Tier security, no more than 5% of the Tax-Exempt Series’ total assets may be invested in securities or demand features or guarantees issued by the institution that issued the demand feature or guarantee. The Tax-Exempt Series’ investments in Second Tier securities that are conduit securities (which, generally, are municipal securities involving an agreement or arrangement providing for payment by a person other than the issuer of the municipal security) that are not U.S. Government Securities or securities with a guarantee by a non-controlled person, are limited, and may not exceed, with respect to a particular issuer, the greater of $1 million or 1% of the Series’ total assets. Also, the Tax-Exempt Series’ investments in Second Tier conduit securities of all issuers combined may not exceed 5% of the Series’ total assets. Securities which are rated in the highest short-term rating category by at least two NRSROs, or if only one NRSRO has assigned a rating, by that NRSRO are “First Tier securities.” Securities rated in the top two short-term rating categories by at least two NRSROs or by the only NRSRO which has assigned a rating, but which are not First Tier securities are “Second Tier securities.” Unrated securities may also be First Tier or Second Tier securities if they are of comparable quality as determined by the Investment Adviser. In accordance with certain rules, the rating of demand feature or guarantee of a security may be deemed to be the rating of the underlying security. NRSROs include Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch and Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited. For a description of their rating categories, see Appendix A.

     “Value” for the purposes of all investment restrictions means the value used in determining a Series’ net asset value. “U.S. Government Securities” shall mean securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

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     Although the fundamental policies mentioned above would allow the Series to borrow through reverse repurchase agreements, as of the date of this Additional Statement, the Series do not engage in reverse repurchase transactions as a matter of non-fundamental policy.

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The business and affairs of the Series are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Series’ daily business operations.

     Trustees of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios    
        Office and       in Fund   Other
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex   Directorships
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Held by
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Trustee5
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 62
  Chairman & Trustee   Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994–March 1996 and November 1998–Present); Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996–November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984–1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989-Present); Member of Cornell University Council (1992-Present); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992-Present); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors–III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002-Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Chairman of the Board and Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 – May 2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios    
        Office and       in Fund   Other
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex   Directorships
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Held by
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Trustee5
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 45
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000-Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-Present); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997–August 2000).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 68
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997-Present); Director, Smith College (1998-Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977-Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985-Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986–1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993-February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993-1998); and Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Wilma J. Smelcer
Age: 55
  Trustee   Since 2001   Chairman, Bank of America, Illinois (banking) (1998-January 2001); and Governor, Board of Governors, Chicago Stock Exchange (national securities exchange) (April 2001-April 2004).     63     Lawson Products Inc. (distributor of industrial products).
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios    
        Office and       in Fund   Other
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex   Directorships
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Held by
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Trustee5
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 64
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003-Present); President, COO and Director, Unext, Inc. (1999-2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999-Present); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987-Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990–1999).     63     Gildan Activewear Inc. (an activewear clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (53 Portfolios).
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Interested Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios    
        Office and       in Fund   Other
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex   Directorships
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Held by
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Trustee5
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 54
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director – GSAM (May 1999-Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 – May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 – May 1999).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
*Kaysie P. Uniacke
Age: 43
  Trustee   Since 2001   Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                     
  President   Since 2002   Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
          President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2002-Present) (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997 – 2002) ( registered investment companies).            


*   These persons are considered to be “Interested Trustees” because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
 
1   Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Howard B. Surloff.
 
2   The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.
 
3   Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.
 
4   The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of May 31, 2004, the Trust consisted of 57 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
5   This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

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Officers of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.

             
Officers of the Trust
        Term of    
    Position(s)   Office    
    Held   and Length    
Name, Age   With the   of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  President
&
Trustee
  Since 2002

Since 2001
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997–2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 – Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995-November 2003).

Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992-Present).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 46
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985–June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 40
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995–October 1998).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
        Term of    
    Position(s)   Office    
    Held   and Length    
Name, Age   With the   of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
James A. Fitzpatrick
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
  Vice President   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999– Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997–December 1999).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 40
  Vice President   Since 1998   Vice President, GSAM (June 1998-Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996–June 1998).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control – Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Christopher Keller
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 38
  Vice President   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 1997–Present).

Vice President –Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Vice President


  Since
2001
  Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998-Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998–December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 – April 1998).

Vice President—Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Howard B. Surloff
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 38
  Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2002–Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs and General Counsel to the U.S. Funds Group (December 1997–Present).

Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001-Present) and Assistant Secretary prior thereto.
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001–Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997–December 2001).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
        Term of    
    Position(s)   Office    
    Held   and Length    
Name, Age   With the   of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987–Present).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 – Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996–Present).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Amy E. Curran
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1999   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (June 1999–Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1998–2000); and Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads (law firm) (September 1996–1998).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).


1   Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

Standing Board Committees

     The Board of Trustees has established six standing committees in connection with their governance of the Series – Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compensation, Valuation, Dividend and Schedule E.

     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees a firm of independent certified public auditors to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (1) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (2) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (3) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the

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Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held six meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of the Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.

     The Compliance Committee consists of each of the Independent Trustees. The Compliance Committee’s functions, among other things, are: (i) to review and recommend for adoption certain policies and procedures for the Funds and their service providers; (ii) to review and recommend to the Board the designation of a chief compliance officer of the Funds; and (iii) to review material compliance matters that are reported to it and to take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Compliance Committee was formed on May 6, 2004 and, therefore did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. Mr. Shuch and Ms. Uniacke serve on the Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held twenty-one meetings.

     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Ms. Uniacke. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Dividend Committee held no meetings with respect to the Series included in this Additional Statement and twenty-seven with respect to all of the Series of the Trust (including the Series included in this Additional Statement).

     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Currently, the Independent Trustees are alternate members of this committee. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Trustee Ownership of Series Shares

     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Series and other portfolios of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

         
        Aggregate Dollar Range
        of Equity Securities
    Dollar Range of   in All Portfolios
    Equity Securities   in Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  in the Series1
  Overseen By Trustee2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
Gary D. Black3
  None   None
 
       
John P. Coblentz, Jr.4
  None   None
 
       
Patrick T. Harker
  None   Over $100,000

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        Aggregate Dollar Range
        of Equity Securities
    Dollar Range of   in All Portfolios
    Equity Securities   in Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  in the Series1
  Overseen By Trustee2
James McNamara3
  ILA Money Market Portfolio   Over $10,000 — 50,000
  Over $1 — 10,000    
 
       
Mary P. McPherson
  FS Cash Portfolio:   Over $100,000
  $10,001 – 50,000    
 
       
Alan A. Shuch
  FS Money Market Fund: Over $100,000   Over $100,000
  FS Federal Fund: Over $100,000    
 
       
Wilma J. Smelcer
  None   $50,001 — $100,000
 
       
Richard P. Strubel
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  ILA Federal Portfolio   $50,001 — $100,000
  None    


1   Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Series described in this Additional Statement as of December 31, 2003.
 
2   Includes the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2002, the Trust consisted of 58 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

     As of April 1, 2004, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Series.

Board Compensation

     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Audit Committee meeting and Governance and Nominating Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003:

                         
            Pension or Retirement    
    Aggregate   Benefits Accrued as   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Part of the   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  from the Series
  Trust’s Expenses
  (including the Funds)1
Ashok N. Bakhru2
  $ 44,637     $     $ 171,000  
Gary D. Black3
    0             0  
John P. Coblentz, Jr.4
    0             0  
David B. Ford
    0             0  

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            Pension or Retirement    
    Aggregate   Benefits Accrued as   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Part of the   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  from the Series
  Trust's Expenses
  (including the Funds)1
Patrick T. Harker
    32,784             126,000  
James McNamara3
    0             0  
Mary P. McPherson
    32,784             126,000  
Alan A. Shuch
    0             0  
Wilma J. Smelcer
    32,784             126,000  
Richard P. Strubel
    32,784             126,000  
Kaysie P. Uniacke
    0             0  

 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 


1   The Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Trust consisted of 58 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios as of December 31, 2003.
 
2   Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust effective October 30, 2003.

Code of Ethics

     The Trust, its Investment Advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Series.

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT

The Investment Adviser

     As stated in the Series’ Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), 32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005 serves as Investment Adviser to the Series. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division (“IMD”) of Goldman Sachs, served as the Series’ Investment Adviser. On or about April 26, 2003, GSAM assumed Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s investment advisory responsibilities for the Series. Under the Management Agreement between GSAM and the Trust on behalf of the Series, GSAM, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and in conformity with the stated policies of each Series, acts as investment adviser and directs the investments of the Series. In addition, GSAM administers the Series’ business affairs and, in connection therewith, furnishes the Trust with office facilities and (to the extent not provided by the Trust’s custodian, transfer agent, or other organizations) clerical, recordkeeping and bookkeeping services and maintains the financial and account records required to be maintained by the Trust. As compensation for these services and for assuming expenses related thereto, GSAM is entitled to receive a fee from the Trust, computed daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of .35% and .205% of each ILA Portfolio’s and each Financial Square Fund’s average daily net assets, respectively. GSAM has agreed to reduce or otherwise limit the operating expenses of the respective Series, excluding, among other categories of expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary

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expenses, on an annualized basis, as described in the Series’ Prospectus. The amount of such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly and are based on the cumulative difference between a Series’ estimated annualized expense ratio and the expense limit for that Series. This amount will be reduced by any prior payments related to the current fiscal year. Goldman Sachs Asset Management voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for each Financial Square Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the Financial Square Funds and the ILA Portfolios to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of their names for as long as the Management Agreement is in effect.

     Goldman Sachs and GSAM have authorized any of its directors, partners, officers and employees who have been elected or appointed to the position of Trustee or officer of the Trust to serve in the capacities in which they have been elected and appointed.

     The Trust, on behalf of each Series, is responsible for all expenses other than those expressly borne by GSAM under the Series’ Management Agreements. The expenses borne by shares of each Series include, without limitation, the fees payable to GSAM, the fees and expenses under the Trust’s distribution, administration, service, select, capital administration and other plans, the fees and expenses of the Series’ custodian, fees and expenses of the Series’ transfer agent, filing fees for the registration or qualification of shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Series, taxes (including income and excise taxes, if any), interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds, indemnification or contribution, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Series for violation of any law, legal and auditing and tax fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs with respect to the Series), expenses of preparing and setting in type prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy material, reports and notices, the printing and distribution of the same to shareholders and regulatory authorities, each Series’ proportionate share of the compensation and expenses of its “non-interested” Trustees (defined below), and extraordinary expenses incurred by the Series.

     The Management Agreement entered into on behalf of the ILA Portfolios (the “ILA Management Agreement”) was most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the ILA Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”), on February 4, 2004. The ILA Management Agreement was approved by the shareholders of each ILA Portfolio (other than the ILA Treasury Instruments and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolios) on April 19, 1990 and by the shareholders of the ILA Treasury Instruments and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolios on June 3, 1991. The ILA Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2004 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular ILA Portfolio, as defined in the Act, and, in either case, by a majority of non-interested Trustees.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the amount of the management fee incurred by each ILA Portfolio was as follows:

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ILA Portfolio
  2003
  2002
  2001
Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 2,802,206     $ 3,039,376     $ 3,157,546  
Money Market Portfolio
    6,200,669       7,094,847       8,994,228  
Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    5,833,433       9,073,579       4,533,137  
Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    1,796,385       1,797,362       1,396,813  
Government Portfolio
    629,284       647,289       839,441  
Federal Portfolio
    11,636,096       15,448,787       20,051,818  
Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    6,445,097       6,334,117       6,924,343  
Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    2,093,894       1,642,265       1,854,188  
Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    1,005,506       987,109       973,950  

     In addition, Goldman Sachs Asset Management assumed certain expenses related to the operations of each ILA Portfolio during various periods of 2003, 2002 and 2001 to the extent such expenses would have caused each ILA Portfolio’s total expenses to exceed, on an annualized basis, certain contractual or voluntary expense limitations. Had these expenses not been assumed, the following additional expenses (which include expenses assumed by GSAM with respect to certain service and distribution plans that are described separately under the “Service and Shareholder Administration Plans” and “Distribution and Service Plans”) would have been incurred for such years:

                         
ILA Portfolio
  2003
  2002
  2001
Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 338,704     $ 142,274     $ 127,293  
Money Market Portfolio
    1,417,367       1,351,872       1,699,037  
Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    237,916       421,019       163,656  
Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    175,888       123,724       213,566  
Government Portfolio
    219,298       278,382       261,903  
Federal Portfolio
    3,287,855       3,717,123       4,538,030  
Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    2,183,580       1,811,111       1,219,820  
Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    525,949       402,828       373,343  
Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    579,778       486,622       224,696  

     Each ILA Portfolio has entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the custodian resulting in a reduction in the ILA Portfolio’s expenses. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 each ILA Portfolio’s custody fees were reduced by the following amounts under such arrangement:

                         
ILA Portfolio
  2003
2002
2001
Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 302     $ 711     $ 1,610  
Money Market Portfolio
    348       677       1,744  
Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    340       686       1,667  
Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    752       622       1,607  
Government Portfolio
    338       690       1,738  
Federal Portfolio
    1,169       2,921       27,364  
Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    141,412       161,029       176,015  
Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    52,519       47,394       54,395  
Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    25,555       28,535       28,282  

     The FS Management Agreement entered into on behalf of the Financial Square Funds (the “FS Management Agreement”) was most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the

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non-interested Trustees, on February 4, 2004. The shareholders approved the FS Management Agreement on April 21, 1997. The FS Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2004 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular Financial Square Fund (as defined in the Act) and, in either case, by a majority of non-interested Trustees.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the amounts of the management fee incurred by each Financial Square Fund were as follows:

                         
Financial Square Fund
  2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 45,412,691     $ 46,161,798     $ 39,073,649  
FS Money Market Fund
    18,430,819       22,287,656       22,384,513  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    8,682,385       10,747,812       9,587,854  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    2,151,327       2,141,224       2,173,366  
FS Government Fund
    7,373,443       9,280,106       8,166,390  
FS Federal Fund
    15,887,781       22,697,869       25,578,959  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    11,204,155       7,430,801       5,193,574  

     During the periods presented, Goldman Sachs Asset Management agreed voluntarily that it would not impose a portion of its management fee. Had such fees been imposed, the following additional fees (including both advisory and administration fees) would have been incurred by these Series for the periods indicated:

                         
Financial Square Fund
  2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 9,349,672     $ 9,503,900     $ 8,044,575  
FS Money Market Fund
    3,794,580       4,588,635       4,608,576  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    685,451       848,511       1,109,729  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    169,842       169,039       236,075  
FS Government Fund
    1,518,062       1,910,610       1,681,316  
FS Federal Fund
    1,254,298       1,791,937       2,019,392  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    2,306,738       1,529,871       1,069,265  

     In addition, Goldman Sachs Asset Management assumed certain expenses related to the operations of each Financial Square Fund during various periods of 2003, 2002 and 2001 to the extent such expenses would have caused each Fund’s total expenses to exceed, on an annualized basis, certain contractual or voluntary expense limitations. Had these expenses not been assumed, the Series would have incurred the following additional expenses:

                         
Financial Square Fund
  2003
2002
2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,601,959  
FS Money Market Fund
    0       0       2,172,233  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    270,698       170,689       643,324  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    377,368       380,932       491,366  
FS Government Fund
    260,018       146,047       976,354  
FS Federal Fund
    0       0       977,481  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    0       0       168,228  

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     The Financial Square Funds have entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the custodian resulting in a reduction in the Funds’ expenses. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 each Fund’s custody fees were reduced by the following amounts under such arrangement:

                         
Financial Square Fund
  2003
2002
2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 505     $ 4,789     $ 35,766  
FS Money Market Fund
    475       13,180       4,506  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    539       722       1,703  
FS Government Fund
    6,135       742       1,886  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    345,067       300,525       249,575  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    1,681       1,103       2,293  
FS Federal Fund Fund
    848       18,068       6,274  

     The ILA Management and FS Management Agreements provide that GSAM shall not be liable to an ILA Portfolio or Financial Square Fund for any error of judgment by GSAM or for any loss sustained by the ILA Portfolio or Financial Square Fund except in the case of GSAM’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The ILA Management and FS Management Agreements also provide that they shall terminate automatically if assigned and that they may be terminated with respect to any particular ILA Portfolio or Financial Square Fund without penalty by vote of a majority of the Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that ILA Portfolio or Financial Square Fund on 60 days’ written notice to GSAM or by GSAM without penalty at any time on 90 days’ (60 days with respect to the Financial Square Funds) written notice to the Trust.

     In managing the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds, GSAM will draw upon the Goldman Sachs Credit Department. The Credit Department provides credit risk management for our portfolios through a team of 108 professionals who contribute a combination of industry analysis, fund-specific expertise and global capacity (through their local presence in foreign markets). The Credit Department continuously monitors all issuers approved for investment by the money market funds by monitoring news stories, business developments, financial information and ratings, as well as occasional discussion with issuer management and rating agency analysts. The Credit Department receives rating agency reports and rating change information electronically and via fax as well as reports from Goldman’s Research Department. Specifically with respect to managing the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Money Market Fund, GSAM will draw upon the extensive research generated by Goldman Sachs’ Municipal Credit Group. The Credit Group’s research team continually reviews current information regarding the issuers of municipal and other tax-exempt securities, with particular focus on long-term creditworthiness, short-term liquidity, debt service costs, liability structures, and administrative and economic characteristics.

     In connection with their latest approval of the ILA Management Agreement and FS Management Agreement, the Board of Trustees reviewed the written and oral presentations provided by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Trustees’ consideration of the Management Agreements. The Trustees also reviewed, with the advice of legal counsel, their responsibilities under applicable law. At the meeting held on February 4, 2004, the Trustees considered, in particular, the restructuring of the Investment Adviser and the assumption of investment advisory responsibilities by GSAM, including the assurances that the same personnel and resources would be committed to the

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management of the Series. The Trustees also considered, in particular, the regulatory settlement that had been reached by Goldman Sachs regarding investment bank and research department conflicts of interest. The Trustees considered, in particular, the respective management fee rates; the Series’ respective operating expense ratios; the Investment Adviser’s current and prospective fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the respective Series and pricing philosophy; and the investment performance of the Series for the prior year and longer time periods. The information on these matters was also compared to similar information for other mutual funds. In addition, the Trustees considered the Series’ management fee structure in comparison to the structures used by other mutual funds; the revenues received by the Investment Adviser and their affiliates from the Series for their investment management services and for other, non-investment management services, and their expenses in providing such services; and the Series’ asset levels and possible economies of scale. The Trustees also considered the personnel and resources of the Investment Adviser, the overall nature and quality of the Investment Adviser’s services and the specific provisions of the respective Management Agreements. After consideration of the Investment Adviser’s presentations, the non-interested Trustees discussed at greater length in executive session the fairness and reasonableness of the ILA Management Agreement to the ILA Portfolios and their shareholders and the FS Management Agreement to the Financial Square Funds and their shareholders, including the trends in expense levels and investment performance, and concluded that the ILA Management Agreement and the FS Management Agreement should be reapproved and continued in the interests of the Series and their shareholders.

The Distributor and Transfer Agent

     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004, acts as principal underwriter and distributor of each Series’ shares. Shares of the Series are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. The Distribution Agreement between Goldman Sachs and the Trust was most recently approved by the Trustees on February 4, 2004. Goldman Sachs retained approximately $25,000, $11,000 and $2,000 of commissions on redemptions of ILA Class B, ILA Class C and ILA Service Unit shares of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio during 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Goldman Sachs also serves as the Series’ transfer agent. Goldman Sachs provides customary transfer agency services to the Series, including the handling of shareholder communications, the processing of shareholder transactions, the maintenance of shareholder account records, payment of dividends and distributions and related functions. For these services, Goldman Sachs receives .04% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets with respect to each class of each ILA Portfolio. Goldman Sachs currently imposes no fees under its transfer agency agreements with the Financial Square Funds.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the ILA Portfolios incurred transfer agency fees as follows:

                         
ILA Portfolio
  2003
  2002
  2001
Prime Obligations Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 187,228     $ 223,934     $ 242,776  
Administration Shares
    28,901       31,597       38,175  
Service Shares
    77,399       64,622       52,136  
Class B Shares
    14,141       13,914       10,532  
Class C Shares
    7,481       6,813       5,402  
Cash Management Shares
    5,102       6,478       11,841  

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ILA Portfolio
  2003
  2002
  2001
Money Market Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 262,888     $ 384,133     $ 596,591  
Administration Shares
    208,682       166,129       137,113  
Service Shares
    120,038       134,822       136,158  
Cash Management Shares
    117,040       125,756       158,050  
Treasury Obligations Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 72,481     $ 158,125     $ 155,777  
Administration Shares
    6,950       4,973       6,245  
Service Shares
    568,519       834,718       355,164  
Cash Management Shares
    18,728       39,164       886  
Treasury Instruments Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 28,363     $ 51,323     $ 74,687  
Administration Shares
    12,159       9,720       8,938  
Service Shares
    156,347       139,855       69,553  
Cash Management Shares
    8,432       4,515       6,458  
Government Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 34,551     $ 39,189     $ 62,569  
Administration Shares
    5,064       2,893       1,760  
Service Shares
    27,633       27,686       21,437  
Cash Management Shares
    4,670       7,294       10,170  
Federal Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 584,927     $ 960,269     $ 1,466,442  
Administration Shares
    363,638       351,388       295,467  
Service Shares
    108,383       108,140       107,585  
Cash Management Shares
    272,891       345,779       422,142  
Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 344,372     $ 454,326     $ 570,968  
Administration Shares
    252,698       150,558       94,477  
Service Shares
    7,127       12,479       12,458  
Cash Management Shares
    132,385       106,536       113,450  
Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 128,466     $ 130,052     $ 159,292  
Administration Shares
    81,388       33,321       21,235  
Service Shares
    16       1,235       95  
Cash Management Shares
    29,432       23,079       31,285  
Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
                       
ILA Shares
  $ 44,566     $ 51,525     $ 62,158  
Administration Shares
    39,732       37,940       36,325  
Service Shares
    51       94       429  
Cash Management Shares
    30,568       23,253       12,397  

     Goldman Sachs is one of the largest international investment banking firms in the United States. Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is a major investment banking and brokerage firm providing a broad range of financing and investment services both in the United States and abroad. As of December 31, 2003, GSAM, along with other units of IMD, had assets under management of approximately $375.7 billion.

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POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities and business operations of the Series, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Series. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in accounts, securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Series and their service providers. These are considerations of which investors in the Series should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Series.

     Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs in addition to those described in this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

     Certain Activities and Interests of Goldman Sachs and Clients

     Goldman Sachs is a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Series directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Series will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from Goldman Sachs and from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. In addition, it is likely that the Series will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has direct or indirect interests. The Investment Adviser makes decisions for a Series in accordance with its obligations as Investment Adviser. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Series.

     Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to current or future accounts or funds that it manages or advises, including accounts or funds that may provide greater fees or other compensation, including performance-based fees, to Goldman Sachs or the Investment Adviser or in which Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”) or proprietary accounts, that may compete or conflict with the advice given to the Series, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken than with respect to the Series. For example, the Series may be competing for investment opportunities with Goldman Sachs, or with other current or future Client/GS Accounts. Goldman Sachs and its Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell the securities of issuers while a Series is undertaking the same or a different, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could increase the cost of that strategy to the Series or otherwise disadvantage the Series. For example, the Series may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may establish a short position in the same security. That subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Series holds. Conversely, the Series may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may buy that same security. That subsequent purchase may result in impairment of the price of the short sale position which the Series holds. In addition, transactions in investments by one or

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more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other accounts, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies.

     In addition, conflicts may arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Series may benefit other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Series may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Series may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account.

     The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by Goldman Sachs). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Series. To lessen the possibility that a Series will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Series and Goldman Sachs, as the Series’ Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Series’ portfolio transactions. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

     Goldman Sachs and its clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Series has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Series. Prices, availability, liquidity and terms of Series investments may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and its clients’ activities, and transactions for the Series may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case. The results of the investment activities of the Series may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts or accounts managed by it and from the results achieved by the Investment Adviser for other advised accounts. In addition, other client transactions may also adversely impact the Series. Subject to applicable law, clients of the Investment Adviser may also have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Adviser’s transactions or views which may affect their transactions outside of accounts controlled by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs and in connection therewith negatively impact the performance of the Series. Further, the Series may be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchases and redemptions of Series shares, as well as increases of capital in and withdrawals of capital from other accounts advised by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate.

     The Investment Adviser’s management of the Series may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Series may, subject to applicable law, invest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. Subject to applicable law, the Series may engage in investment transactions which may result

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in Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of an investment. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Series may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or its Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.

     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Series, it is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts, which are favorable to Goldman Sachs. In such circumstances, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no fees or other compensation payable by the Series will be reduced thereby. When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Series, it may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Series. In addition, when Goldman Sachs acts in such capacities, its representatives may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, including the Investment Adviser, and such representatives may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Series. When acting in such capacity, Goldman Sachs is under no obligation to disseminate such information to the Investment Adviser or to others. Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may from time to time in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services to the Series in investment management and administrative capacities.

     Goldman Sachs, and its sales personnel and other dealers, have interests in promoting sales of the Series. For example, Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel and other dealers may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the investors in the Series. Such fees and commissions may vary by product or service, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of the Series may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other products. Further, Goldman Sachs may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, dealers, consultants and others who recommend, sell, or have interests or relationships associated with sales or recommendations of Series shares or portfolio transactions for the Series. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its employees and its businesses. In addition, Goldman Sachs employees, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have board, advisory or other relationships with issuers, dealers, consultants and charitable organizations which may own or which may recommend or sell shares of the Series or portfolio transactions for the Series. As a result, those persons and institutions may have conflicts associated with the promotion of Series shares and portfolio investment-related matters that would create incentives for them to promote such sales or raise other conflicts.

     Certain Regulatory Matters

     From time to time, the activities of a Series may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. An investment fund not affiliated with Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations in relation to transactions with Goldman Sachs. There may be periods when the Investment Adviser may not initiate or recommend

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certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Series may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Series wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Series may purchase investments that are issued, or the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs-related personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.

     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs, for its proprietary accounts and for other clients may also limit investment strategies and rights of Client/GS Accounts. For example, in certain regulated industries, in emerging markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, its Client/GS Accounts and other clients to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, Goldman Sachs may limit purchases in Client/GS Accounts, sell existing investments for Client/GS Accounts, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) for Client/GS Accounts, when Goldman Sachs, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate in light of potential regulatory restrictions on ownership or other impairments resulting to the Client/GS Account, Goldman Sachs, or other clients arising from reaching investment thresholds.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Investment Adviser may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Series in which Goldman Sachs, acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Series may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Series and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. The Series will only consider engaging in a principal or cross transaction with Goldman Sachs or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Investment Adviser will, to the extent required by law, obtain necessary consents prior to entering into such transactions.

     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, non-public information or other information that could limit the ability of the Series to buy and sell investments. The Series’ investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence. In making investment decisions for a Series, the Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Goldman Sachs in the course of their activities.

     Other Investment Management-Related Activities

     In determining the allocation of investment opportunities among the Series and other Client/GS Accounts, a number of factors may be considered by the Investment Adviser, which may include the

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relative size of the applicable accounts or funds and their expected futures sizes, the investments available for allocation at any given time and the investment objectives of the Series and such Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Adviser will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Series and Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable and equitable. Although allocating orders among the Series and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interest of Goldman Sachs or its personnel in such other Client/GS Accounts or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from such Client/GS Accounts, the Investment Adviser will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or such greater fees and compensation. The Investment Adviser may determine that an investment opportunity or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for itself or an affiliate, but not for the Series, or is appropriate for, or available to, the Series but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for others. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Series may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.

     Purchases and sales of securities for the account of the Series may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other accounts of Goldman Sachs, including other Client/GS Accounts. Because of the prevailing trading activity, it is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged which may be disadvantageous to the Series.

     The Series and the Investment Adviser or their affiliates or personnel may from time to time receive research products and services in connection with the brokerage services that brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Adviser) may provide to the Series or one or more Client/GS Accounts. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Series based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Series and such other Client/GS Accounts. In addition, Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefit, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Series and to Client/GS Accounts.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Series may invest all or some of their short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs, and may invest in other investment funds advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other dealers) will be entitled to retain any fees accruing to it in connection with any such investments, and the fees or allocations from the Series will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with a Shareholder’s direct purchase of underlying investments).

     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Series or with respect to which the underlying securities, currencies or instruments may be those in which the Series invest, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Series. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may, from time to time, invest in the Series, hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling Series shares and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its Series and other positions at any time. These investments and redemptions will be made without notice to the shareholders. These derivative related activities, as well as such investment and redemption activities may have an adverse effect on the Series’ investment management, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through a Series by the shareholders.

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     The Series will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on the Series’ own credit standing. Neither Goldman Sachs nor the Investment Adviser or any of their affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Series’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Series’ counterparties will rely on the credit of such entities in evaluating the Series’ creditworthiness. In addition, the Series, when the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate, may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs or its affiliates, at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.

     Subject to applicable law, in connection with its management of the Series, the Investment Adviser may utilize investment policy advisors or a committee which may include personnel of Goldman Sachs or of unaffiliated firms. Those individuals may, as a result, obtain information regarding the Series’ proposed investment activities which is not generally available to the public. Goldman Sachs and the Investment Adviser may also have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and other affiliates. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Series in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Series any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.

     The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Series, and to ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Investment Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to its clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, the Investment Adviser’s actual proxy voting decisions may have the effect of favoring the interests of clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that the Investment Adviser believes such voting decision to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     GSAM places the portfolio transactions of the Series and of all other accounts managed by GSAM for execution with many firms. GSAM uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio transactions at prices which are advantageous to each Series and at reasonably competitive spreads or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates. In seeking such execution, GSAM will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including without limitation the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the broker-dealer, the general execution and operational capabilities of the firm, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the firm, the value and quality of the services rendered by the firm in this and other transactions, and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any. Securities purchased and sold by the Series are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of such securities.

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     Goldman Sachs is active as an investor, dealer and/or underwriter in many types of municipal and money market instruments. Its activities in this regard could have some effect on the markets for those instruments which the Series buy, hold or sell. Orders have been granted by the SEC under the Act which permit the Series to deal with Goldman Sachs in transactions in certain securities in which Goldman Sachs acts as principal. As a result, the Series may trade with Goldman Sachs as principal subject to the terms and conditions of such exemptions.

     Under the Act, the Series are prohibited from purchasing any instrument of which Goldman Sachs is a principal underwriter during the existence of an underwriting or selling syndicate relating to such instrument, absent an exemptive order (the order referred to in the preceding paragraph will not apply to such purchases) or the adoption of and compliance with certain procedures under the Act. The Trust has adopted procedures which establish, among other things, certain limitations on the amount of debt securities that may be purchased in any single offering and on the amount of the Trust’s assets that may be invested in any single offering. Accordingly, in view of Goldman Sachs’ active role in the underwriting of debt securities, a Series’ ability to purchase debt securities in the primary market may from time to time be limited.

     In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for more than one Series as well as for one or more of the other clients of GSAM. Investment decisions for each Series and for GSAM’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 other 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 in a particular transaction as far as a Series is concerned. Each Series believes that over time its ability to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Series.

     As of December 31, 2003, the following ILA Portfolios held the following amounts of securities of its regular broker/dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents ($ in thousands): ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio: Morgan Stanley ($15,000); ILA Money Market Portfolio: Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. ($35,008), Barclays Bank ($9,997) and Westdeutsche ($39,995).

     As of December 31, 2003, the following Financial Square Funds held the following amounts of securities of its regular broker/dealers as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents ($ in thousands): FS Prime Obligations Fund: JP Morgan Chase & Co. ($150,000) and Morgan Stanley ($585,000); FS Money Market Fund: JP Morgan Chase & Co. ($300,000), Greenwich Capital ($89,926), Morgan Stanley ($99,933) and Deutsche Bank ($211,531).

NET ASSET VALUE

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     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each Series (except for FS Prime Obligations Fund, FS Money Market Fund, FS Treasury Obligations Fund, and FS Government Fund) is determined by the Series’ custodian on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. In the case of the FS Money Market Fund, FS Prime Obligations Fund, FS Government Fund and FS Treasury Obligations Fund, net asset value is determined normally, but not always, at 5:00 p.m. New York time on each Business Day. A Business Day means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open, except for days on which Chicago, Boston or New York banks are closed for local holidays. Such holidays include: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

     Each Series’ securities are valued using the amortized cost method of valuation in an effort to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, which the Board of Trustees has determined to be in the best interest of each Series and its shareholders. This method involves valuing a security at cost on the date of acquisition and thereafter assuming a constant accretion of a discount or amortization of a premium to maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price a Series would receive if it sold the instrument. During such periods, the yield to an investor in a Series may differ somewhat from that obtained in a similar investment company which uses available market quotations to value all of its portfolio securities. During periods of declining interest rates, the quoted yield on shares of a Series may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a fund with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio instruments. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Series resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Series would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield if he or she purchased shares of the Series on that day, than would result from investment in a fund utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in the Series would receive less investment income. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates.

     The Trustees have established procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, each Series’ price per share as computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions at $1.00. Such procedures include review of each Series by the Trustees, at such intervals as they deem appropriate, to determine whether the Series’ net asset value calculated by using available market quotations (or an appropriate substitute which reflects market conditions) deviates from $1.00 per share based on amortized cost, as well as review of methods used to calculate the deviation. If such deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Trustees will promptly consider what action, if any, will be initiated. In the event the Trustees determine that a deviation exists which may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders, they will take such corrective action as they regard to be necessary and appropriate, including the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding part or all of

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dividends or payment of distributions from capital or capital gains; redeeming shares in kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations or equivalents. In addition, in order to stabilize the net asset value per share at $1.00, the Trustees have the authority (i) to reduce or increase the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis, and (ii) to offset each shareholder’s pro rata portion of the deviation between the net asset value per share and $1.00 from the shareholder’s accrued dividend account or from future dividends. Each Series may hold cash for the purpose of stabilizing its net asset value per share. Holdings of cash, on which no return is earned, would tend to lower the yield on such Series’ shares.

     In order to continue to use the amortized cost method of valuation for each Series’ investments, the Series must comply with Rule 2a-7. See “Investment Restrictions.”

     The proceeds received by each Series for each issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Series and constitute the underlying assets of that Series. The underlying assets of each Series will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect to such Series and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses with respect to the Series are to be allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Series except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made. In addition, within each Series, ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares, ILA Class B and Class C Shares, ILA Cash Management Shares, FST Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Service Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Capital Shares and FST Select Shares (if any) will be subject to different expense structures (see “Organization and Capitalization”).

REDEMPTIONS

     The Trust may suspend the right of redemption of shares of a Series and may postpone payment for any period: (i) during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed for regular trading other than customary weekend and holiday closings or during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; (ii) when an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a Series or the determination of the fair value of the Series’ net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Trust.

     The Trust agrees to redeem shares of each Series solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Series during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Trust reserves the right to pay other redemptions, either total or partial, by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from the applicable Series’ portfolio. The securities distributed in such a distribution would be valued at the same value as that assigned to them in calculating the net asset value of the shares being redeemed. If a shareholder receives a distribution in kind, he or she should expect to incur transaction costs when he or she converts the securities to cash.

     A FST shareholder of any Financial Square Fund with balances in excess of $100 million may elect to have a special account with State Street Bank and Trust Company for the purpose of redeeming shares from its account in that Series by check. When State Street Bank and Trust Company receives a completed signature card and authorization form, the shareholder will be provided with a supply of checks. Checks drawn on this account may be payable to the order of any person in any amount of $500 or more, but cannot be certified. The payee of the check may cash or deposit it

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like any other check drawn on a bank. When such a check is presented to State Street Bank and Trust Company for payment, a sufficient number of full and fractional shares will be redeemed to cover the amount of the check. Cancelled checks will be returned to the shareholder by State Street Bank and Trust Company. The Trust and Goldman Sachs each reserves the right to waive the minimum requirement.

     The check redemption privilege enables a shareholder to receive the dividends declared on the shares to be redeemed until such time as the check is processed. Because of this feature, the check redemption privilege may not be used for a complete liquidation of an account. If the amount of a check is greater than the value of shares held in the shareholder’s account, the check will be returned unpaid, and the shareholder may be subject to extra charges.

     Goldman Sachs reserves the right to impose conditions on, limit the availability of or terminate the check redemption privilege at any time with respect to a particular shareholder or shareholders in general. The Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company reserve the right at any time to suspend the check redemption privilege and intend to do so in the event that federal legislation or regulations impose reserve requirements or other restrictions deemed by the Trustees to be adverse to the interests of the Series.

CALCULATION OF YIELD QUOTATIONS

     From time to time, each Series may advertise its yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield, tax-equivalent effective yield and total return. Yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield, tax-equivalent effective yield and total return are calculated separately for each class of shares of a Series. Each type of share is subject to different fees and expenses and may have differing yields for the same period.

     Each Series’ yield quotations are calculated by a standard method prescribed by the rules of the SEC. Under this method, the yield quotation is based on a hypothetical account having a balance of exactly one share at the beginning of a seven-day period.

     The yield of a Series refers to the income generated by an investment in that Series over a seven-day period (which period will be stated in the advertisement). This income is then annualized; that is, the amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to be generated each week over a 52 week period and is shown as a percentage of the investment. The yield quotation is computed as follows: the net change, exclusive of capital changes and income other than investment income (i.e., realized gains and losses from the sale of securities and unrealized appreciation and depreciation), in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the base period is determined by dividing the net change in account value by the value of the account at the beginning of the base period. This base period return is then multiplied by 365/7 with the resulting yield figure carried to the nearest 100th of 1%. Such yield quotation shall take into account all fees that are charged to a Series.

     Each Series also may advertise a quotation of effective yield for a 7-calendar day period. Effective yield is computed by compounding the unannualized base period return determined as in the preceding paragraph by adding 1 to that return, raising the sum to the 365/7 power and subtracting one from the result, according to the following formula:

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     Effective Yield = [(base period return + 1)365/7] – 1

     The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield because of the compounding effect of reinvestment.

     The ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, FS Treasury Instruments Fund, FS Federal Fund, and FS Tax-Free Fund may also advertise a tax-equivalent yield and tax-equivalent effective yield. Tax-equivalent yield is computed by dividing that portion of a Series’ yield (as computed above) which is tax-exempt by one minus a stated income tax rate and adding the quotient to that portion, if any, of the yield of the Series that is not tax-exempt. Tax-equivalent effective yield is computed by dividing that portion of a Series’ effective yield (as computed above) which is tax-exempt by one minus a stated income tax rate and adding the quotient to that portion, if any, of the effective yield of the Series that is not tax-exempt.

     Total return is determined by computing the percentage change in value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for a specified period, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value. The total return calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the relevant period. Each Series may furnish total return calculations based on cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts, graphs or schedules.

     Unlike bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield or return for a stated period of time, the investment results for a Series are based on historical performance and will fluctuate from time to time. Any presentation of a Series’ yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield, tax-equivalent effective yield or total return for any prior period should not be considered a representation of what an investment may earn or what a Series’ yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield, tax-equivalent effective yield or total return may be in any future period. Return is a function of portfolio quality, composition, maturity and market conditions as well as of the expenses allocated to each Series. The return of a Series may not be comparable to other investment alternatives because of differences in the foregoing variables and differences in the methods used to value portfolio securities, compute expenses and calculate return.

     The yield performance below is for each class of shares of the ILA Portfolios, which should have similar yields because each class of shares will be invested in the same portfolio of securities. Yields will differ only to the extent that classes do not have the same expenses. In reviewing this performance information, you should be aware that ILA Shares have no plan fees, ILA Administration Shares have a maximum .15% administration fee, ILA Service Shares have a maximum .25% service fee and a .15% shareholder administration fee, ILA Class B and Class C Shares have a maximum .75% distribution fee and a maximum .25% service fee with respect to ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio and ILA Cash Management Shares have a maximum .50% service fee and a maximum .50% distribution fee. The yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield and tax-equivalent effective yield of each ILA Portfolio for the seven-day period ended December 31, 2003 were as follows:

-82-


 

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.70 %     0.70 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.55 %     0.55 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.30 %     0.30 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Class B Shares
    0.23 %     0.23 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Class C Shares
    0.23 %     0.23 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.23 %     0.23 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Money Market Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.72 %     0.72 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.57 %     0.57 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.32 %     0.32 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.25 %     0.25 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.59 %     0.59 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.44 %     0.44 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.19 %     0.19 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.17 %     0.17 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.47 %     0.47 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.32 %     0.32 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.07 %     0.07 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.07 %     0.07 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Government Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.63 %     0.63 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.48 %     0.48 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.23 %     0.23 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.23 %     0.23 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Federal Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.67 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.52 %     0.52 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.27 %     0.27 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.20 %     0.20 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.78 %     0.79 %     1.20 %     1.22 %
ILA Administration Shares
    0.63 %     0.64 %     0.97 %     0.98 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.46 %     0.47 %     0.71 %     0.72 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.46 %     0.47 %     0.71 %     0.72 %
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio*
                               
ILA Shares
    0.70 %     0.70 %     1.08 %     1.08 %
ILA Administration Shares
    0.55 %     0.55 %     0.85 %     0.85 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.43 %     0.43 %     0.66 %     0.66 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.43 %     0.43 %     0.66 %     0.66 %
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio**
                               
ILA Shares
    0.71 %     0.71 %     1.09 %     1.09 %

-83-


 

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
ILA Administration Shares
    0.56 %     0.56 %     0.86 %     0.86 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.44 %     0.44 %     0.68 %     0.68 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.44 %     0.44 %     0.68 %     0.68 %

* Tax-equivalent yields would be 1.19%, 0.93%, 0.73% and 0.73% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking California State taxes into account. Tax-equivalent effective yields would be 1.19%, 0.93%, 0.73% and 0.73% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking California State taxes into account.

** Tax-equivalent yields would be 1.18%, 0.93%, 0.73% and 0.73% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking New York State taxes into account, and 1.24%, 0.98%, 0.77% and 0.77%, respectively, when taking New York City taxes into account. Tax equivalent effective yields would be 1.18%, 0.93%, 0.73% and 0.73%, respectively, when taking New York State taxes into account, and 1.24%, 0.98%, 0.77% and 0.77%, respectively, when taking New York City taxes into account.

     The information set forth in the foregoing table reflects certain fee reductions and expense limitations voluntarily agreed to by the Investment Adviser. See “The Investment Adviser, Distributor and Transfer Agent.” In the absence of such fee reductions and expense limitations, the yield of each ILA Portfolio for the same period would have been as follows:

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.66 %     0.66 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.51 %     0.51 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.26 %     0.26 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Class B Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Class C Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Money Market Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.72 %     0.72 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.57 %     0.57 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.32 %     0.32 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.59 %     0.59 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.44 %     0.44 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.19 %     0.19 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.45 %     0.45 %     N/A       N/A  

-84-


 

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
ILA Administration Shares
    0.30 %     0.30 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.05 %     0.05 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Government Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.53 %     0.53 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.38 %     0.38 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.13 %     0.13 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Federal Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.67 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Administration Shares
    0.52 %     0.52 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Service Shares
    0.27 %     0.27 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     N/A       N/A  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio:
                               
ILA Shares
    0.78 %     0.79 %     1.21 %     1.21 %
ILA Administration Shares
    0.63 %     0.64 %     0.98 %     0.98 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.38 %     0.38 %     0.59 %     0.59 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio*
                               
ILA Shares
    0.70 %     0.70 %     1.08 %     1.08 %
ILA Administration Shares
    0.55 %     0.55 %     0.85 %     0.85 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.30 %     0.30 %     0.46 %     0.47 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio**
                               
ILA Shares
    0.69 %     0.69 %     1.06 %     1.06 %
ILA Administration Shares
    0.54 %     0.54 %     0.83 %     0.83 %
ILA Service Shares
    0.29 %     0.29 %     0.44 %     0.44 %
ILA Cash Management Shares
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %

* Tax-equivalent yields would be 1.19%, 0.94%, 0.51%, and 0.00% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking California State taxes into account. Tax-equivalent effective yields would be 1.20%, 0.94%, 0.51% and 0.00% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, when taking California State taxes into account.

** Tax-equivalent yields would be 1.14%, 0.89%, 0.48% and 0.00% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking New York State taxes into account, and 1.20%, 0.94%, 0.50% and 0.00%, respectively, when taking New York City taxes into account. Tax-equivalent effective yields would be 1.15%, 0.89%, 0.48% and 0.00% for the ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares, respectively, when taking New York State taxes into account, and 1.20%, 0.94%, 0.50% and 0.00%, respectively, when taking New York City taxes into account.

-85-


 

     The yield performance below is for each class of shares of the Financial Square Funds, which should have similar yields because each class of shares will be invested in the same portfolio of securities. Yields will differ only to the extent that classes do not have the same expenses. In reviewing this performance information, you should be aware that FST Shares have no plan fees, FST Administration Shares have a .25% administration fee, FST Service Shares have a .25% service fee and a .25% shareholder administration fee, FST Preferred Shares have a .10% preferred administration fee, FST Select Shares have a service fee of .03% and FST Capital Shares have an .15% capital administration fee. The yield, effective yield, tax-equivalent yield and tax-equivalent effective yield of each Financial Square Fund for the seven-day period ended December 31, 2003 were as follows:

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
FS Prime Obligations Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.95 %     0.96 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.70 %     0.71 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.45 %     0.45 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.85 %     0.86 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.92 %     0.93 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.80 %     0.81 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Money Market Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.96 %     0.96 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.71 %     0.71 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.46 %     0.46 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.86 %     0.86 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.93 %     0.93 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.81 %     0.81 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.81 %     0.81 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.56 %     0.56 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.31 %     0.31 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.71 %     0.71 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.78 %     0.78 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.66 %     0.66 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.72 %     0.72 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.47 %     0.47 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.22 %     0.22 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.62 %     0.62 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.69 %     0.69 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.57 %     0.57 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Government Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.91 %     0.92 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.66 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.41 %     0.41 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.81 %     0.82 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.88 %     0.89 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.76 %     0.77 %     N/A       N/A  

-86-


 

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
FS Federal Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.87 %     0.87 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.62 %     0.62 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.37 %     0.37 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.77 %     0.77 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.84 %     0.84 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.72 %     0.72 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Tax-Free Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.99 %     1.00 %     1.52 %     1.54 %
FST Administration Shares
    0.74 %     0.75 %     1.14 %     1.15 %
FST Service Shares
    0.49 %     0.50 %     0.75 %     0.77 %
FST Preferred Shares
    0.89 %     0.90 %     1.37 %     1.38 %
FST Select Shares
    0.96 %     0.97 %     1.48 %     1.49 %
FST Capital Shares
    0.84 %     0.85 %     1.29 %     1.31 %

     Information set forth in the foregoing table reflects certain fee reductions and expense limitations voluntarily agreed to by the Investment Adviser. See “The Investment Adviser, Distributor and Transfer Agent.” In the absence of such fee reductions, the yield, effective yield, the tax-equivalent yield and tax-equivalent effective yield of each Financial Square Fund for the same period would have been as follows:

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
FS Prime Obligations Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.92 %     0.92 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.67 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.42 %     0.42 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.82 %     0.82 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.89 %     0.89 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.77 %     0.77 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Money Market Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.92 %     0.93 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.67 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.42 %     0.42 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.82 %     0.82 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.89 %     0.90 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.77 %     0.77 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.79 %     0.79 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.54 %     0.54 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.29 %     0.29 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.69 %     0.69 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.76 %     0.76 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.64 %     0.64 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.67 %     0.67 %     N/A       N/A  

-87-


 

                                 
                    Tax-Equivalent   Tax-Equivalent
    Yield
  Effective Yield
  Yield
  Effective Yield
FST Administration Shares
    0.42 %     0.42 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.17 %     0.17 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.57 %     0.57 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.64 %     0.64 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.52 %     0.52 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Government Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.87 %     0.87 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.62 %     0.62 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.37 %     0.37 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.77 %     0.77 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.84 %     0.84 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.72 %     0.72 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Federal Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.86 %     0.86 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Administration Shares
    0.61 %     0.61 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Service Shares
    0.36 %     0.36 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Preferred Shares
    0.76 %     0.76 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Select Shares
    0.83 %     0.83 %     N/A       N/A  
FST Capital Shares
    0.71 %     0.71 %     N/A       N/A  
FS Tax-Free Fund:
                               
FST Shares
    0.96 %     0.96 %     1.47 %     1.48 %
FST Administration Shares
    0.71 %     0.71 %     1.09 %     1.09 %
FST Service Shares
    0.46 %     0.46 %     0.70 %     0.70 %
FST Preferred Shares
    0.86 %     0.86 %     1.32 %     1.32 %
FST Select Shares
    0.93 %     0.93 %     1.43 %     1.43 %
FST Capital Shares
    0.81 %     0.81 %     1.24 %     1.25 %

     The quotations of tax-equivalent yield set forth above for the seven-day period ended December 31, 2003 are based on a federal marginal tax rate of 35.0%.

     With respect to the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, the California top marginal State personal income tax rate of 9.3% is being assumed in addition to the 35.0% federal tax rate, for an effective combined tax rate of 41.05%. With respect to the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, the tax-equivalent and tax-equivalent effective yields are being shown under three scenarios. The first scenario assumes, as noted above, a federal marginal tax rate of 35.0%, the second scenario assumes a New York State top marginal personal income tax rate of 7.50% for a combined effective tax rate of 39.88% (adjusted for the federal income tax benefit of deductible state and local taxes). The third scenario assumes a New York City top marginal personal income tax rate of 4.25% (which includes the additional New York City surcharge) in addition to the above federal and New York State tax rates, for a combined effective tax rate of 42.64% (adjusted for the federal income tax benefit of deductible state and local taxes). The combined tax rates assume full deductibility of state and, if applicable, city taxes in computing federal tax liability and do not incorporate the 3% phase-out for itemized deductions.

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TAX INFORMATION

     Note: The following summary and the tax summary in the Prospectuses are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. You should consult your tax adviser for information regarding all tax consequences applicable to your investments in the Funds.

     Each Series is treated as a separate entity for tax purposes, has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company and intends to qualify for such treatment for each taxable year under Subchapter M of the Code. If for any taxable year a Series does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains at corporate rates without any deduction for dividends paid, its net tax-exempt interest (if any) may be subject to the alternative minimum tax, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.

     There are certain tax requirements that all Series must follow in order to avoid federal taxation. In its efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Series may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, each Series must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income for the taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or certain other income (the “90% Test”); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Series’ total gross assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Series’ total assets, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Series’ total (gross) assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer. For purposes of these requirements, participation interests will be treated as securities, and the issuer will be identified on the basis of market risk and credit risk associated with any particular interest. Certain payments received with respect to such interests, such as commitment fees and certain facility fees, may not be treated as income qualifying under the 90% test.

     Each Series, as a regulated investment company, will not be subject to federal income tax on any of its taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains that are distributed to shareholders with respect to any taxable year in accordance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, provided that the Series distributes at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, all of its net taxable income other than “net capital gain,” which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for such year and, in the case of any Series that earns tax-exempt interest, at least 90% of the excess of the tax-exempt interest it earns over certain disallowed deductions. A Series will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates on any investment company taxable income or net capital gain that it does not distribute for a taxable year.

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     In order to avoid a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax, each Series must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the previous year that were not distributed in such year and on which the Series paid no federal income tax.

     Dividends paid by a Series from taxable net investment income (including income attributable to accrued market discount and a portion of the discount on certain stripped tax-exempt obligations and their coupons) and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be treated as ordinary income in the hands of shareholders. Dividends paid by a Series from the excess of net long-term capital gain (if any) over net short-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of a Series have been held by such shareholders. Such distributions will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

     For federal income tax purposes, each Series is permitted to carryforward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the loss. At December 31, 2003, the following Series had approximately the following amounts of capital loss carryforwards:

                 
    Amount
  Year of Expiration
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
  $ 34,400     2007, 2008 & 2011  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    11,900       2011  
Financial Square Tax-Free Money Market
    187,000       2011  

     Distributions paid by the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified, ILA Tax-Exempt California, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolios or FS Tax-Free Fund from tax-exempt interest received by them and properly designated as “exempt-interest dividends” will generally be exempt from regular federal income tax, provided that at least 50% of the value of the applicable Series’ total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year consists of tax-exempt obligations, i.e., obligations described in Section 103(a) of the Code (not including shares of other regulated investment companies that may pay exempt-interest dividends, because such shares are not treated as tax-exempt obligations for this purpose). Dividends paid by the other Series from any tax-exempt interest they may receive will not be tax-exempt, because they will not satisfy the 50% requirement described in the preceding sentence. Tax-exempt distributions attributable to interest on certain “private activity bonds,” if any, received by a Series may constitute tax preference items and may give rise to, or increase liability under, the alternative minimum tax for particular shareholders. In addition, all tax-exempt distributions of the Series may be considered in computing the “adjusted current earnings” preference item of their corporate shareholders in determining the corporate alternative minimum tax, and will be taken into account in determining the extent to which a shareholder’s social security or certain railroad retirement

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benefits are taxable. To the extent that the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund invest in certain short-term instruments, including repurchase agreements, the interest on which is not exempt from federal income tax, or earn other taxable income, any distributions of income from such investments or other taxable income will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. All or substantially all of any interest on indebtedness incurred directly or indirectly to purchase or carry shares of these Series will generally not be deductible. The availability of tax-exempt obligations and the value of the Series may be affected by restrictive tax legislation enacted in recent years.

     In purchasing municipal obligations, the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund rely on opinions of bond counsel as to the excludability of interest on such obligations from gross income for federal income tax purposes and, where applicable, the tax-exempt nature of such interest under the personal income tax laws of a particular state. These Series do not undertake independent investigations concerning the tax-exempt status of such obligations, nor do they guarantee or represent that bond counsels’ opinions are correct. Bond counsels’ opinions will generally be based in part upon covenants by the issuers and related parties regarding continuing compliance with federal tax requirements. Tax laws not only limit the purposes for which tax-exempt bonds may be issued and the supply of such bonds, but also contain numerous and complex requirements that must be satisfied on a continuing basis in order for bonds to be and remain tax-exempt. If the issuer of a bond or a user of a bond-financed facility fails to comply with such requirements at any time, interest on the bond could become taxable, retroactive to the date the obligation was issued. In that event, a portion of a Series’ distributions attributable to interest the Series received on such bond for the current year and for prior years could be characterized or recharacterized as taxable income.

     Distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis in each share so received equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive cash.

     Certain Series may be subject to foreign taxes on their income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) from securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. However, neither the Series nor its shareholders will be able to claim foreign tax credits with respect to any such taxes.

     Redemptions (including exchanges) and other dispositions of shares in transactions that are treated as sales for tax purposes will generally not result in taxable gain or loss, provided that the Series successfully maintain a constant net asset value per share, but a loss may be recognized to the extent a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) is imposed on the redemption or exchange of ILA Class B or Class C Shares. All or a portion of such a loss may be disallowed under applicable Code provisions in certain circumstances. For example, any loss realized by a shareholder of the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio, and FS Tax Free Fund upon the sale

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of shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares. Moreover, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of purchase of such shares and following receipt of a long-term capital gains distribution will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such long-term capital gains distribution. Finally, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within thirty days before or after the acquisition of other shares of the same Portfolio may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their circumstances to determine whether a redemption, exchange, or other disposition of Series’ shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes.

     All distributions (including exempt-interest dividends), whether received in shares or cash, must be reported by each shareholder who is required to file a federal income tax return. The Series will inform shareholders of the federal income tax status of their distributions after the end of each calendar year, including, in the case of the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and FS Tax-Free Fund, the amounts that qualify as exempt-interest dividends and any portions of such amounts that constitute tax preference items under the federal alternative minimum tax. Shareholders who receive exempt-interest dividends and have not held their shares of the applicable Series for its entire taxable year may have designated as tax-exempt or as a tax preference item a percentage of their distributions which is not exactly equal to a proportionate share of the amount of tax-exempt interest or tax preference income earned during the period of their investment in such Series. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser to determine the tax consequences of an investment in a Series in the shareholder’s own state and locality.

     Shares of a Series that pays primarily exempt-interest dividends would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions and may not be suitable for retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Code, and individual retirement accounts or other tax-qualified plans because such plans and accounts or other tax-qualified plans are generally tax-exempt and, therefore, not only would the shareholder not gain any additional benefit from the Series’ dividends being tax-exempt, but such dividends would be ultimately taxable to the beneficiaries when distributed. In addition, a Series that pays primarily exempt-interest dividends may not be an appropriate investment for entities which are “substantial users” of facilities financed by “private activity bonds” or “related persons” thereof. “Substantial user” is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to include a non-exempt person who (i) regularly uses a part of such facilities in his or her trade or business and whose gross revenues derived with respect to the facilities financed by the issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total revenues derived by all users of such facilities, (ii) occupies more than 5% of the usable area of such facilities, or (iii) are persons for whom such facilities or a part thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. “Related persons” include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a partnership and its partners and an S corporation and its shareholders.

     The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) subject to tax under such law. The discussion does not address special tax rules

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applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Series with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8 BEN, W-8 ECI, W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP) or an acceptable substitute may be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate on any dividends and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to estate tax. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of and receipt of distributions from a Series.

State and Local

     The Trust may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which the Trust may be deemed to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities which have income tax laws, the treatment of a Series and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws, and an investment in the Series may have tax consequences for shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Series’ securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters. For example, in such states or localities it may be appropriate for shareholders to review with their tax advisers the state income and, if applicable, intangible property tax consequences of investments by the Series in securities issued by the particular state or the U.S. government or its various agencies or instrumentalities, because many states (i) exempt from personal income tax distributions made by regulated investment companies from interest on obligations of the particular state or on direct U.S. government obligations and/or (ii) exempt from intangible property tax the value of the shares of such companies attributable to such obligations, subject to certain state-specific requirements and/or limitations. See also the discussion below of these applicable provisions in California and New York.

     Provided that the Series qualify as regulated investment companies and incur no federal income tax liability, the Series may still be subject to New York State and City minimum taxes, which are small in amount.

     California State Taxation. The following discussion of California tax law assumes that the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio will be qualified as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and will be qualified thereunder to pay exempt-interest dividends. The ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio intends to qualify for each taxable year under California law to pay “exempt-interest dividends” which will be exempt from the California personal income tax.

     Individual shareholders of the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio who reside in California will not be subject to California personal income tax on distributions received from the Portfolio to the extent such distributions are exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on obligations the interest on which is exempt from California personal income tax provided that the Portfolio satisfies the requirement of California law that at least 50% of its assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year be invested in such obligations and properly designates such exempt-interest dividends under California law.

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     Distributions from the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio which are attributable to sources other than those described in the preceding sentence will generally be taxable to such shareholders as ordinary income. Moreover, California legislation which incorporates Subchapter M of the Code provides that capital gain dividends may be treated as long-term capital gains. Such gains are currently subject to personal income tax at ordinary income tax rates. Distributions other than exempt-interest dividends are includible in income subject to the California alternative minimum tax.

     Distributions from investment income and long-term and short-term capital gains will generally not be excluded from taxable income in determining California corporate franchise taxes for corporate shareholders and will be treated as ordinary dividend income for such purposes. In addition, such distributions may be includible in income subject to the alternative minimum tax.

     Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by shareholders to purchase or carry shares of the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio will not be deductible for California personal income tax purposes.

     New York City and State Taxation. Individual shareholders who are residents of New York State will be able to exclude for New York State personal income tax purposes the portion of any ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio dividend that is properly designated as an exempt-interest dividend and that is derived from interest on obligations of New York State and its political subdivisions and obligations of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Exempt-interest dividends may be properly designated as such only if, as anticipated, at least 50% of the value of the assets of the Portfolio are invested at the close of each quarter of its taxable year in obligations of issuers the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Individual shareholders who are residents of New York City will also be able to exclude such income for New York City personal income tax purposes. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio is not deductible for New York State or New York City personal income tax purposes. Distributions from the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio that are attributable to sources other than those described in this paragraph will generally be taxable to such shareholders as ordinary income.

     Long-term capital gains, if any, that are distributed by the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio and are properly designated as capital gain dividends will be treated as capital gains for New York State and New York City personal income tax purposes in the hands of New York State and New York City residents.

     Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the application of the provisions of tax law described in this Additional Statement in light of their particular tax situations.

     This discussion of the tax treatment of the Portfolio and its shareholders is based on the tax laws in effect as of the date of this Additional Statement.

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ORGANIZATION AND CAPITALIZATION

     Each Series is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, established by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Series were each previously a series of Goldman Sachs Money Market Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, and were reorganized into the Trust as of April 30, 1997.

     The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of up to four classes of shares of each of the ILA Portfolios: ILA Shares, ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares and ILA Cash Management Shares. In addition, the Trustees have authorized a fifth and sixth class of shares, ILA Class B Shares and ILA Class C Shares, with respect to the Prime Obligations Portfolio. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of up to six classes of shares of each of the Financial Square Funds: FST Shares, FST Service Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select Shares and FST Capital Shares. Additional series may be added in the future.

     Each ILA Share, ILA Administration Share, ILA Service Share, ILA Class B Share, ILA Class C Share, ILA Cash Management Share, FST Share, FST Service Share, FST Administration Share, FST Preferred Share, FST Select Share and FST Capital Share of a Series represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to that class. It is contemplated that most shares (other than ILA Class B or Class C Shares) will be held in accounts of which the record owner is a bank or other institution acting, directly or through an agent, as nominee for its customers who are the beneficial owners of the shares or another organization designated by such bank or institution. ILA Class B and Class C Shares generally are only issued upon exchange from Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of other Series of the Goldman Sachs mutual funds. ILA Shares and FST Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by the Trust for services provided to the institution’s investors.

     ILA Administration Shares and FST Administration Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an investor or an institution that provides certain shareholder administration services as described below to its customers who beneficially own ILA Administration Shares or FST Administration Shares.

     ILA Administration Shares of each ILA Portfolio bear the cost of administration fees at the annual rate of up to .15 of 1% of the average daily net assets of such Shares. FST

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Administration Shares of a Financial Square Fund bear the cost of administration fees at the annual rate of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of such shares.

     ILA Service Shares and FST Service Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain shareholder administration and personal and account maintenance services to its customers who beneficially own ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares. ILA Service shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to .25% and .15%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to ILA Service Shares. FST Service Shares of a Financial Square Fund bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to .25% and .25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of such shares.

     FST Preferred Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST Preferred Shares. FST Preferred Shares of a Financial Square Fund bear the cost of preferred administration fees at an annual rate of up to .10 of 1% of the average daily net assets of such shares of the particular Fund involved.

     FST Select Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST Select Shares. FST Select Shares of a Financial Square Fund bear the cost of select service fees at an annual rate of up to .03 of 1% of the average daily net assets of such shares.

     FST Capital Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain shareholder administration services to its customers who beneficially own FST Capital Shares. FST Capital Shares of a Financial Square Fund bear the cost of capital administration fees at an annual rate of up to .15 of 1% of the average daily net assets of such shares.

     ILA Class B Shares of the Prime Obligations Portfolio are sold subject to a CDSC up to 5.0%, and ILA Class C Shares are sold subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. ILA Class B and Class C Shares are sold primarily through brokers and dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. ILA Class B and Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to ILA Class B and Class C Shares, respectively. ILA Class B and Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Prime Obligations Portfolio attributable to ILA Class B and Class C Shares.

     ILA Cash Management Shares may be purchased for accounts held in the name of an institution that provides certain account administration and personal and account maintenance services to its customers who beneficially own ILA Cash Management Shares. ILA Cash Management Shares bear the cost of account service fees at an annual rate of up to .50% of the average daily net assets of the Series attributable to such shares. ILA Cash Management Shares

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also bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at a maximum annual rate of .50 of 1% of the average daily net assets attributable to ILA Cash Management Shares.

     In addition, each class of ILA Shares bears its own transfer agency expenses.

     It is possible that an institution or its affiliates may offer different classes of shares to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of the same Series. In the event a Series is distributed by salespersons or any other persons, they may receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of the Series. ILA Administration Shares, ILA Service Shares, ILA Class B Shares, ILA Class C Shares, ILA Cash Management Shares, FST Service Shares, FST Administration Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Select Shares and FST Capital Shares each have certain exclusive voting rights on matters relating to their respective plans. Shares of each class may be exchanged for shares of the same class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Except as described above, the classes of shares are identical. Certain aspects of the shares may be altered, after advance notice to shareholders, if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.

     Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class or series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

     When issued for the consideration described in the Series’ Prospectus, shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer, servicing or similar agent charges by setting off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable Series available for distribution to the shareholders of such class. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require shareholders to redeem shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.

     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing interests in the Series’ or shares. Instead, the transfer agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the transfer agent. Shares representing interests in a particular Series and any dividends and distributions paid by a Series are reflected in account statements from the transfer agent.

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     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such shares on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such Series, such class or their shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they in their sole discretion deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any respective series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, or any series or class thereof, or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on their business or operations.

     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a

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“master-feeder” structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.

     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust; (to the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of the Series Trustees) may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such series or class; but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio: Goldman Sachs & Co., Attn: IMD Controllers, 701 Mt. Lucas Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-1911 (37%); Goldman, Sachs Philanthropy Fund, One New York Plaza, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10004-1901 (6%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Government Portfolio: The Oakmark Funds, Anne Regan, c/o Harris Associates, 2 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602-3702 (35%); J.P. Morgan Chase as Custodian for the AT&T Foundation, Attn: Richard Murray, 3 Chase MetroTech Center, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11245-0001 (15%); Goldman Sachs & Co., FBO Acct # 027012194, c/o Mutual Fund OPS, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (16%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entity noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio: Hare & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, STIF Department. 2nd Floor, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057-1382 (77%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entity noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio: Hare & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, STIF Department, 2nd Floor, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057-1382 (77%).

     As of March 31, 2004, no entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Money Market Portfolio, ILA Federal Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio or ILA Tax-Exempt Portfolio.

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     As of March 31, 2004, the entity noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio: Goldman, Sachs & Co., FBO Acct # 026514927, c/o Mutual Fund OPS, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (5%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Money Market Fund: Goldman, Sachs & Co., FBO Acct # 012092086, c/o Mutual Fund OPS, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (7%); William Street Funding Corporation, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, 32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005-3504 (13%); Hare & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, Attn: STIF Department, 2nd Floor, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057-1382 (7%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Treasury Obligations Fund: Goldman, Sachs & Co., FBO Acct # 026267401, c/o Mutual Fund OPS, 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004-2434 (7%); Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, Attn: Debra Outlaw, 3rd Floor, One West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603-5384 (5%); Mori & Co., Attn: Trust Operations, Commerce Bank of Kansas City, P.O. Box 13366, Kansas City, MO 64199-3366 (9%); Hare & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, STIF Department, 2nd Floor, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057-1382 (14%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Prime Obligations Fund: William Street Funding Corporation, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, 32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005-3504 (11%); Hare & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, Attn: STIF Department, 2nd Floor, 111 Sanders Creek Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057-1382 (13%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entities noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Treasury Instrument Fund: City National Bank, Fiduciary for Various Accounts, Attn: Trust OPS/ACM Funds, P.O. Box 60520, Los Angeles CA 90060-0520 (7%); Harris Trust & Savings Bank, Attn: Elliott A. Yurman, Mutual Funds Unit – LLE, P.O. Box 71940, Chicago, IL 60694-1940 (19%); Esor & Co., c/o Associated Bank Green Bay, Attn: Trust Operations, P.O. Box 19006, Green Bay, WI 54307-9006 (7%); Calhoun & Co., c/o Comerica Bank, Attn: Fund Production Unit, Mail Code 3455, 411 Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226-3120 (6%); Trustmark National Bank, TTEE FBO Various Trust Accounts, 248 E Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39201-2503 (10%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the entity noted below owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Government Fund: Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, Attn: Debra Outlaw, 3rd Floor, One West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603-5384 (5%).

     As of March 31, 2004, no entities owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the FS Federal Fund or FS Tax-Free Money Market Fund.

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Shareholder and Trustee Liability

     Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Series are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a Series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a Series or the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant Series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of the Series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a Series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.

     In addition to the requirements set forth under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a Series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Series only if the following conditions are met: (i) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (ii) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such investment advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

CUSTODIAN AND SUBCUSTODIAN

     State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) has been retained to act as custodian of the Series’ assets. In that capacity, State Street maintains the accounting records and calculates the daily net asset value per share of the Series. Its mailing address is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. State Street has appointed The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675 as subcustodian to hold cash and certain securities purchased by the Trust.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, have been selected as auditors of the Series of the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will prepare the Series’ federal and state tax returns, and will provide consultation and assistance on accounting, internal control and related matters. The financial statements of the Series for the fiscal years or periods ended on or before December 31, 1999, and the data set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectuses for the fiscal years or periods ended on or before December 31, 1999, were audited by the Series’ former auditors who have ceased operations.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, contained in the 2003 Annual Reports for the Financial Square Funds and the ILA Portfolios are hereby incorporated by reference. The financial statements in the Annual Reports for these Series have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in auditing. No other portions of the Series’ Annual Reports are incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Annual Reports may be obtained without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Series’ Prospectus.

PROXY VOTING

     The Trust, on behalf of the Series, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Series. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.

     The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.

     Public Equity Investments. To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain

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circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a copy of the Guidelines.

     ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.

     In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.

     The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.

     The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

     Fixed Income and Private Investments. Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

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OTHER INFORMATION

     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own assets, compensation to Authorized Dealers, service organizations and financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) in connection with the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Series. These payments (“Additional Payments”) would be in addition to the payments by the Series described in the Series’ Prospectuses and this Additional Statement for distribution and shareholder servicing and processing. These Additional Payments may take the form of “due diligence” payments for an institution’s examination of the Series and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to the Series; “listing” fees for the placement of the Series on a dealer’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Series; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Series’ shares; and payments for the sale of shares and/or the maintenance of share balances. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to any shareholder servicing and processing fees paid by the Series. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved, and may be different for different Intermediaries. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs, subject to applicable NASD regulations. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% of the amount invested.

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize service organizations and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. In some, but not all, cases these payments will be pursuant to an Administration, Distribution, Service, Shareholder Administration, Capital Administration or Select Plan described in the Prospectuses and the following sections. Certain Service organizations or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.

     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

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     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

ADMINISTRATION PLANS
(ILA Administration,
FST Administration and FST Preferred Shares Only)

     The Trust, on behalf of each ILA Portfolio and Financial Square Fund, has adopted an administration plan with respect to the ILA Administration Shares (the “ILA Administration Plan”), FST Administration Shares (the “FST Administration Plan”) and FST Preferred Shares (the “FST Preferred Plan,” together with the ILA Administration Plan and the FST Administration Plan, the “Administration Plans”). The Administration Plans authorize the ILA Series and Financial Square Funds to compensate service organizations for providing certain shareholder administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such shares.

     Pursuant to the Administration Plans, the Trust, on behalf of each Series, enters into agreements with service organizations which purchase ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations may agree to: (i) act, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for customers, (ii) maintain, or assist in maintaining, account records for customers who beneficially own ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares, (iii) receive and transmit, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds for share purchases and redemptions, (iv) process or assist in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Administration Shares, and (iv) facilitate the inclusion of the Funds in accounts, products or services offered to customers by or through service organizations. In addition, with respect to ILA Administration Shares and FST Administration Shares, service organizations may agree to: (i) process, or assist in processing, dividend payments on behalf of customers, and (ii) perform other related services which do not constitute “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.’s Conduct Rules.

     As compensation for such services, the Trust on behalf of each ILA Portfolio and Financial Square Fund pays each service organization an administration fee in an amount up to .15% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the ILA Administration Shares of each ILA Portfolio, .25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST Administration Shares and .10% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST Preferred Shares of each Financial Square Fund, attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made to a service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Preferred Shares should be directed to the owners’ service organization.

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     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the amount of the administration fees paid by each ILA Portfolio under its ILA Administration Plan to service organizations was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 108,378     $ 118,489     $ 143,157  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    782,560       662,983       514,172  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    26,063       18,649       23,420  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    45,597       36,450       33,518  
ILA Government Portfolio
    18,991       10,850       6,600  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    1,363,645       1,317,704       1,108,002  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    947,642       564,593       354,288  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    305,205       124,956       79,633  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    148,995       142,277       136,217  

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the amount of administration fees paid by each Financial Square Fund under its FST Administration Plan to service organizations was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 8,026,896     $ 7,237,392     $ 5,916,863  
FS Money Market Fund
    1,045,986       1,436,698       1,239,269  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    3,728,654       3,664,553       3,736,162  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    482,424       213,795       473,379  
FS Government Fund
    2,570,073       3,222,660       2,479,853  
FS Federal Fund
    1,359,606       1,821,661       2,339,589  
FS Tax Free Fund
    732,157       426,097       285,756  

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 the amount of administration fees paid by each Financial Square Fund under its FST Preferred Plan was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 1,787,993     $ 1,409,235     $ 793,217  
FS Money Market Fund
    125,563       171,982       220,363  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    574,158       539,513       268,557  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    23,431       43,798       41,373  
FS Government Fund
    433,744       923,680       647,613  
FS Federal Fund
    99,995       82,636       174,105  
FS Tax Free Fund
    212,579       219,515       13,695  

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a service organization’s receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Preferred Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in ILA Administration Shares, FST

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Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, most recently voted to approve the Administration Plans and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Administration Plans and Service Agreements on February 4, 2004. The Administration Plans and Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2004, and continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above.

     An Administration Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein, and other material amendments of the Administration Plan may not be made, unless approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. An Administration Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of the outstanding ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares or FST Preferred Shares of the affected Series on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Administration Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Administration Plans will benefit the Series and holders of ILA Administration Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Preferred Shares of such Series.

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SERVICE AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLANS
(ILA Service Shares and FST Service Shares Only)

     The Trust has adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan on behalf of each Financial Square Fund with respect to the FST Service Shares (the “FST Plans”) and on behalf of each ILA Portfolio with respect to the ILA Service Shares (the “ILA Plans” and together with the FST Plans, the “Service Plans”). The Service Plans authorize the Series to compensate service organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such shares. Pursuant to the Service Plans, the Trust, on behalf of each ILA Portfolio or Financial Square Fund, enters into agreements with service organizations which purchase ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations may perform some or all of the following services:

     (i) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (a) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Series; (b) acting as liaison between the service organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (c) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (d) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (e) displaying and making prospectuses available on the service organization’s premises; and (f) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the service organization.

     (ii) Shareholder administration services, including: (a) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the service organization’s customers; (b) establishing and maintaining, or assist in establishing and maintaining, individual accounts and records of customers who beneficially own ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares; (c) processing, or assist in processing, confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares; (d) receiving and transmitting, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares; (e) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; (f) facilitating the inclusion of Funds in accounts, products or services offered to customers by or through Service Organizations; and (g) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.’s Conduct Rules.

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     As compensation for such services, (i) the Trust on behalf of each ILA Portfolio pays each service organization a service fee in an amount up to .25% (on an annualized basis) and a shareholder administration fee in an amount up to .15% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the ILA Service Shares of each ILA Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers; and (ii) the Trust, on behalf of each Financial Square Fund, pays each service organization a service fee in an amount up to .25% (on an annualized basis) and a shareholder administration fee in an amount up to .25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST Service Shares of each Financial Square Fund attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers. As of December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs had voluntarily agreed to limit the shareholder administration fee for the ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and the ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio to 0.08%, 0.13% and 0.07%, on an annual basis of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of those respective Portfolios. This waiver may be terminated at any time at Goldman Sachs’ option. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made to a service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of ILA Service Shares and FST Service Shares should be directed to the owners’ service organization.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of the fees paid by each ILA Portfolio then in existence to service organizations pursuant to the ILA Plans was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 773,992     $ 646,217     $ 521,363  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    1,200,376       1,348,222       1,361,584  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    5,684,513       8,347,177       3,551,645  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    1,563,474       1,398,546       695,529  
ILA Government Portfolio
    276,327       276,856       214,372  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    1,083,828       1,081,403       1,075,851  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    60,395       124,794       124,583  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    85       12,350       949  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    372       947       4,287  

     During the periods presented, GSAM agreed voluntarily to waive a portion of the fee to which it was entitled pursuant to the ILA Plans. Had such fees been imposed, the following additional fees would have been incurred by these Series for the periods indicated:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    0       0       0  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    680       0       0  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    0       0       0  
ILA Government Portfolio
    0       0       0  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    0       0       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    10,873       0       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    78       0       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    121       0       0  

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     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of fees paid by each Financial Square Fund to service organizations pursuant to the FST Plans was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 4,901,376     $ 5,782,105     $ 5,432,515  
FS Money Market Fund
    1,730,813       2,241,815       2,103,663  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    3,143,134       5,145,410       3,816,336  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    420,265       452,615       337,325  
FS Government Fund
    1,430,285       1,855,738       2,604,608  
FS Federal Fund
    2,583,311       3,309,871       3,650,938  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    300,900       332,978       388,709  

     The Trust has adopted each Service Plan (but not the Shareholder Administration Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that payments to the service organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company such as the Trust may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its securities. In particular, such an investment company cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of securities issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Service Plans and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Service Plans.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a service organization’s receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, most recently voted to approve the Plans and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on February 4, 2004. The ILA Plan and FST Plan and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2004. The Plans and related Service Agreements will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above.

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     A Service Plan may not be amended (but the Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the ILA Service Shareholders or FST Service Shareholders of the affected Series, and all material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. A Service Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Board of Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of the outstanding ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding ILA Service Shares or FST Service Shares of the affected Series on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Service Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons shall be determined by the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Service Plans will benefit the Series and holders of ILA Service Shares and FST Service Shares of such Series.

SELECT PLAN
(FST Select Shares Only)

     The Trust, on behalf of the FS Prime Obligations, FS Money Market, FS Treasury Obligations, FS Treasury Instruments, FS Government, FS Federal and FS Tax-Free Funds has adopted a select plan with respect to the FST Select Shares (the “FST Select Plan “) which authorizes the Financial Square Funds to compensate service organizations for providing certain shareholder administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such shares. Pursuant to the Select Plan, the Trust, on behalf of such Series, enters into agreements with service organizations that purchase FST Select Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations may agree to: (i) act, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for customers, (ii) maintain, or assist in maintaining, account records for customers who beneficially own FST Select Shares, and (iii) receive and transmit, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds for share purchases and redemptions. As compensation for such services, the Trust on behalf of each Financial Square Fund pays each service organization an administration fee in an amount up to         .03 of 1% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST Select Shares of each Financial Square Fund, attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of Select Shares should be directed to the owners’ service organizations.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of fees paid by each Financial Square Fund to service organizations pursuant to the FST Select Plan was as follows:

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    2003
  2002
  2001
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 40,272     $ 40,342     $ 37,484  
FS Money Market Fund
    17,919       23,698       12,362  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    20,321       16,386       633  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    155       842       527  
FS Government Fund
    40,732       52,626       8,586  
FS Federal Fund
    6       46       38,618  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    7,174       755        

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a service organization’s receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in FST Select Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in FST Select Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing FST Select Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, most recently voted to approve the Select Plan and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Select Plan and Service Agreements on February 4, 2004. The FST Select Plan and Service Agreements will remain in effect until Jnue 30, 2004. The Select Plan and Service Agreements will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above.

     The Select Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein, and other material amendments of the Plan may not be made, unless approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Select Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Select Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Select Shares of the affected Series on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Select Plan are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons shall be determined by the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Select Plan will benefit the Series and holders of FST Select Shares of such Series.

CAPITAL ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(FST Capital Shares Only)

     The Trust, on behalf of each Financial Square Fund, has adopted a capital administration plan with respect to the FST Capital Shares (the “Capital Administration Plan”). The Capital Administration Plan authorizes the Financial Square Funds to compensate service organizations for providing certain shareholder administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such shares.

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     Pursuant to the Capital Administration Plan, the Trust, on behalf of each Financial Square Fund, enters into agreements with service organizations which purchase FST Capital Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the service organizations may agree to: (i) act, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for customers, (ii) maintain, or assist in maintaining, account records for customers who beneficially own FST Capital Shares, (iii) receive and transmit, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds for share purchases and redemptions, (iv) process or assist in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange FST Capital Shares, and (v) facilitating the inclusion of the Funds in accounts, products or services offered to customers by or through the service organization, for example, retirement, asset allocation, bank trust, private banking, cash management or sweep accounts, programs or services.

     As compensation for such services, the Trust on behalf of each Financial Square Fund pays each service organization an administration fee in an amount up to .15% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the FST Capital Shares of each Financial Square Fund, attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers. The Trust, on behalf of the Series, accrues payments made to a service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. All inquiries of beneficial owners of FST Capital Shares should be directed to the owners’ service organization.

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and the fiscal period ended December 31, 2002, the amount of the fees paid by each Financial Square Fund to service organizations pursuant to the Capital Administration Plan was as follows:

                 
    2003
  2002*
FS Prime Obligations Fund
  $ 460,117     $ 80,776  
FS Money Market Fund
    30,823       0  
FS Treasury Obligations Fund
    12,671       0  
FS Treasury Instruments Fund
    4,906       3,383  
FS Government Fund
    204,172       4,921  
FS Federal Fund
    5,704       0  
FS Tax-Free Fund
    4,569       1,156  


*   FST Capital Shares commenced operations August 12, 2002.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a service organization’s receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in FST Capital Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in FST Capital Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing FST Capital Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

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     The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, initially voted to approve the Capital Administration Plan and Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Capital Administration Plan and Service Agreements on February 4, 2004. The Capital Administration Plan and Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2004 and continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above.

     The Capital Administration Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein, and other material amendments of the Capital Administration Plan may not be made, unless approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Capital Administration Plan may be terminated at any time by a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Capital Shares of the affected Series. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding FST Capital Shares of the affected Series on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Capital Administration Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Capital Administration Plan will benefit the Financial Square Funds and holders of FST Capital Shares of such Funds.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS

     ILA Class B and Class C Distribution and Service Plans. As described in the Prospectuses, the Trust has adopted distribution and service plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act with respect to ILA Class B and Class C Shares on behalf of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio (the “Distribution and Service Plans”). See “Shareholder Guide – Distribution and Service Fees” in the Prospectus. The Plans finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds and enable the Funds to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Funds. In addition, the Plans are intended to assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds’ operations and investments.

     The Distribution and Service Plans were most recently approved on February 4, 2004 by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Distribution and Service Plans.

     The compensation for distribution services payable under the Distribution and Service Plans to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.75% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to ILA Class B and Class C Shares, respectively, of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio. In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying

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the 0.75% distribution fee as an ongoing commission to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

     Under the Distribution and Service Plans for ILA Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal to an annual basis of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to ILA Class B or Class C Shares. This fee is for personal and account maintenance services, and may be used to make payments to Goldman Sachs, Authorized Dealers and their officers, sales representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of, and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership of their shares of their accounts or similar services not otherwise provided on behalf of the Funds. In connection with the sales of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. As of December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs has voluntarily agreed to waive 0.53% of the distribution and service fees attributable to Class B and Class C Shares. This waiver may be terminated at any time at Goldman Sachs’ option.

     The Distribution and Service Plans are compensation plans which provide for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Distribution and Service Plans and CDSC on ILA Class B Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of ILA Class B Shares. Goldman Sachs may also pay up to the entire amount of its fee under the Class C Distribution and Service Plan to service organizations or other institutions for providing services in connection with the sale of Class C Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fee as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing ILA Class B Shares and Class C Shares. If such fees exceed Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of distribution and service fees paid by the ILA Prime Obligation Portfolio’s Class B Shares to and Class C Shares to Goldman Sachs was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligation Portfolio
                       
Class B Shares
  $ 197,736     $ 333,907     $ 263,288  
Class C Shares
    103,487       164,165       135,062  

     During the periods presented, GSAM agreed voluntarily to waive a portion of the distribution and service fees to which it was entitled pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plans. Had such fees been imposed, the following additional fees would have been incurred by the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio for the periods indicated:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligation Portfolio
                       
Class B Shares
  $ 155,781     $ 13,945     $ 0  
Class C Shares
    83,537       6,164       0  

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     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution activities under the Distribution and Service Plan of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio with respect to ILA Class B Shares and ILA Class C Shares, respectively: compensation to dealers, $108,310 and $168,063; compensation and expenses of the Distributor and its sales personnel, $63,292 and $33,554; allocable overhead, telephone and travel expenses, $139,598 and $73,935; printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders, $441 and $234; and preparation and distribution of sales literature and advertising, $5,066 and $2,683. These amounts reflect expenses incurred by Goldman Sachs. The payments under the Distribution and Service Plan were used by Goldman Sachs to compensate it for the expenses shown above on a pro-rata basis. Compensation to dealers includes advance commissions paid to dealers of 4% on ILA Class B Shares and 1% on ILA Class C Shares which are considered deferred assets and amortized over a period of 6 years and one year (or until redemption), respectively, for such classes. The amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented in addition to payments remitted directly to dealers.

     The Distribution and Service Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2004 and from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution and Service Plans. The Distribution and Service Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation described therein as to a particular Portfolio without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class B or Class C Shareholders, as applicable, of the affected Portfolio and Share class. All material amendments to the Distribution and Service Plans must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. The Distribution and Service Plans may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty by a vote of the majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Class B or Class C Shares, as applicable, of the applicable Portfolio. If the Distribution and Service Plans were terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and no successor plan were adopted, the Series would cease to make distribution payments to Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed distribution expenditures. So long as the Distribution and Service Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Distribution and Service Plans will benefit the applicable Series and their respective Shareholders.

     Cash Management Shares Distribution Plan and Service Plan. As described in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act with respect to ILA Cash Management Shares on behalf of each ILA Portfolio (the “Cash Management Distribution Plan”). The Trust has also adopted a separate service plan with respect to ILA Cash Management Shares on behalf of each ILA Portfolio (the “Cash Management Service Plan” and together with the Cash Management Distribution Plan, the “Plans”).

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     The Plans were most recently approved on February 4, 2004 on behalf of each ILA Portfolio by a majority vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans. The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2004 and from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees. Neither Plan may be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein as to a particular Series without approval of a majority of the outstanding ILA Cash Management Shareholders of that Portfolio. All material amendments to the Plans must also be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty by a vote of the majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the ILA Cash Management Shares of the applicable Portfolio. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the applicable Portfolios and their respective Shareholders.

     The compensation payable under the Cash Management Distribution Plan may not exceed 0.50% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to ILA Cash Management Shares of the ILA Portfolios. As of the date of this Additional Statement, Goldman Sachs was voluntarily limiting a portion of the fees payable under the Plan. Goldman Sachs may modify or discontinue such limitation in the future at its discretion.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of the distribution fees paid by each ILA Portfolio then in existence pursuant to the Cash Management Shares Distribution Plan was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 8,930     $ 11,336     $ 20,722  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    204,820       220,072       276,587  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    32,774       68,538       1,550  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    14,755       7,899       11,302  
ILA Government Portfolio
    8,173       12,764       17,798  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    477,558       605,113       738,749  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    231,648       186,438       198,307  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    51,520       40,388       54,307  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    53,494       40,692       21,695  

     During the period presents, GSAM agreed voluntarily to waive a portion of the distribution fees to which it was entitled pursuant to the Cash Management Shares Distribution Plan. Had such fees been imposed, the following additional fees would have been incurred by these Series for the periods indicated:

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    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 54,852     $ 69,632     $ 127,294  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    1,258,183       1,351,872       1,699,035  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    201,325       421,019       9,524  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    90,641       48,537       69,425  
ILA Government Portfolio
    50,207       78,410       109,328  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    2,933,573       3,717,123       4,538,030  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    1,423,164       1,145,261       1,219,820  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    316,377       248,096       336,750  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    328,604       249,968       133,273  

     Goldman Sachs may pay up to the entire amount of its fee under the Cash Management Distribution Plan to service organizations or other institutions for providing services in connection with the sale of ILA Cash Management Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fee as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing ILA Cash Management Shares. If such fee exceeds its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements.

     The Cash Management Distribution Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of specified distribution fees without regard to the distribution expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If the Cash Management Distribution Plan was terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and no successor plan were adopted, the ILA Portfolios would cease to make distribution payments to Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed distribution expenditures.

     Pursuant to the Cash Management Service Plan, the Trust, on behalf of each ILA Portfolio, enters into agreements with service organizations which purchase ILA Cash Management Shares on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the service organizations may agree to: (i) act, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for customers; (ii) maintain, or assist in maintaining, account records for customers who beneficially own ILA Cash Management Shares; (iii) receive and transmit, or assist in receiving and transmitting, funds for share purchases and redemptions; (iv) provide facilities to answer questions and handle correspondence from customers regarding their accounts; (v) process, or assist in processing, confirmations for transactions in shares by customers; (vi) receive and answer investor correspondence, including requests for prospectuses and statements of additional information; (vii) display and make prospectuses available on the service organization’s premises; (viii) assist customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the service organization; (ix) act as liaison between customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust, working with the Trust to correct errors and resolve problems and providing statistical and other information to the Trust; (x) provide services to customers intended to facilitate or improve their understanding of the benefits and risks of an ILA Portfolio, (xi) facilitate the inclusion of an ILA Portfolio in investment, retirement, asset allocation, cash management or sweep accounts or similar products or services offered to customers by or through service organizations, (xii)

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facilitate electronic or computer trading and/or processing in an ILA Portfolio or providing electronic, computer or other database information regarding an ILA Portfolio to customers, and (xiii) develop, maintain and support systems necessary to support ILA Cash Management Shares.

     As compensation for such services, the Trust on behalf of each ILA Portfolio pays each service organization a service fee in an amount up to .50% (on an annual basis) of the average daily net assets of the ILA Cash Management Shares of each ILA Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of such service organization for its customers; provided, however, that the fee paid for personal and account maintenance services shall not exceed .25% of such average daily net assets. The Trust, on behalf of an ILA Portfolio, accrues payments made to a service organization pursuant to a Service Agreement daily. The Service Agreements shall terminate automatically if assigned. All inquiries of beneficial owners of ILA Cash Management Shares should be directed to the owners’ service organization. As of December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs has voluntarily agreed to limit Cash Management service fees to 0.10%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.17%, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.30% and 0.30%, respectively, of the average daily net assets (on an annual basis) of the Cash Management Shares of the ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio, ILA Money Market Portfolio, ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio, ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio, ILA Government Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio and ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amount of the fees paid by each ILA Portfolio then in existence pursuant to the Cash Management Shares Service Plan was as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 56,997     $ 80,968     $ 148,016  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    1,303,938       1,571,944       1,975,622  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    198,334       489,557       11,074  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    73,999       56,436       80,727  
ILA Government Portfolio
    48,376       91,174       127,126  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    3,057,006       4,322,236       5,276,779  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    904,615       665,850       1,418,396  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    158,403       144,242       391,057  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    180,161       145,330       154,968  

     During the period presents, GSAM agreed voluntarily to waive a portion of the fees to which it was entitled pursuant to the Cash Management Shares Service Plan. Had such fees been imposed, the following additional fees would have been incurred by these Series for the periods indicated:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Prime Obligations Portfolio
  $ 6,785     $ 0     $ 0  
ILA Money Market Portfolio
    159,065       0       0  
ILA Treasury Obligations Portfolio
    35,765       0       0  
ILA Treasury Instruments Portfolio
    31,397       0       0  

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    2003
  2002
  2001
ILA Government Portfolio
  $ 10,004     $ 0     $ 0  
ILA Federal Portfolio
    354,125       0       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio
    750,197       665,849       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt California Portfolio
    209,494       144,242       0  
ILA Tax-Exempt New York Portfolio
    201,937       145,330       0  

     The Trust has adopted the Cash Management Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that payments to the service organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company such as the Trust may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its securities. In particular, such an investment company cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of securities issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Cash Management Service Plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of ILA Cash Management Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Cash Management Service Plan.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a service organization’s receipt of compensation paid by the Trust in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in ILA Cash Management Shares. Service organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or State Securities Commissions, are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in ILA Cash Management Shares. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing ILA Cash Management Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

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Appendix A
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

     “A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

     “A-2” — Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

     Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor senior financial obligations and contracts. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for short-term obligations:

     “Prime-1” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

     “Prime-2” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

     Fitch short-term ratings apply to time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

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     “F1” — Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

     “F2” — Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

     “D” — Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

     R-1 Prime Credit Quality

     R-2 Adequate Credit Quality

     All DBRS rating categories for short-term debt use “high”, “middle” or “low” as subset grades to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area.

     “R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

     “R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.

     “R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

     “R-2 (high)”, “R-2 (middle)”, “R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable

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ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

     “AAA” — An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

     “AA” — An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

     “A” — An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

     “BBB” — An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     • PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) — The ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

     “Aaa” — Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

     “Aa” — Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or

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fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the “Aaa” securities.

     “A” — Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

     “Baa” — Bonds are considered as medium-grade obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

     Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of its generic rating category.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

     “AAA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

     “AA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

     “A” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

     “BBB” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

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     PLUS (+) or MINUS (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “CCC”.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

     “AAA” — Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.

     “AA” — Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

     “A” — Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.

     “BBB” — Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

     “B” — Bonds rated “B” are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty which exists as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

     “CCC” / “CC” / “C” — Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than bonds rated “B”. Bonds rated below “B” often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the “C” to “CCC” categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

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Notes to Short-Term and Long-Term Credit Ratings

Standard & Poor’s

     CreditWatch: CreditWatch highlights the potential direction of a short- or long-term rating. It focuses on identifiable events and short-term trends that cause ratings to be placed under special surveillance by Standard & Poor’s analytical staff. These may include mergers, recapitalizations, voter referendums, regulatory action, or anticipated operating developments. Ratings appear on CreditWatch when such an event or a deviation from an expected trend occurs and additional information is necessary to evaluate the current rating. A listing, however, does not mean a rating change is inevitable, and whenever possible, a range of alternative ratings will be shown. CreditWatch is not intended to include all ratings under review, and rating changes may occur without the ratings having first appeared on CreditWatch. The “positive” designation means that a rating may be raised; “negative” means a rating may be lowered; and “developing” means that a rating may be raised, lowered or affirmed.

     Rating Outlook: A Standard & Poor’s Rating Outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate to longer term. In determining a Rating Outlook, consideration is given to any changes in the economic and/or fundamental business conditions. An Outlook is not necessarily a precursor of a rating change or future CreditWatch action.

    Positive means that a rating may be raised.
 
    Negative means that a rating may be lowered.
 
    Stable means that a rating is not likely to change.
 
    Developing means a rating may be raised or lowered.
 
    N.M. means not meaningful.

Moody’s

     Watchlist: Watchlists list the names of credits whose ratings have a likelihood of changing. These names are actively under review because of developing trends or events which, in Moody’s opinion, warrant a more extensive examination. Inclusion on this Watchlist is made solely at the discretion of Moody’s Investors Service, and not all borrowers with ratings presently under review for possible downgrade or upgrade are included on any one Watchlist. In certain cases, names may be removed from this Watchlist without a change in rating.

     Rating Outlooks: A Moody’s rating outlook is an opinion regarding the likely direction of an issuers rating over the medium term. Rating outlooks fall into the following four categories: Positive, Negative, Stable and Developing (contingent upon an event). In the few instances where an issuer has multiple outlooks of differing directions, Moody’s written research will describe any differences in the outlooks for the issuer and the reasons for these differences. If no outlook is present, the following designations will be used: Rating(s) Under Review or No Outlook. Rating(s) Under Review indicates that the issuer has one or more ratings under review for possible change, and this over-rides the Outlook designation. If an analyst has not yet assigned an Outlook, then No Outlook will be displayed.

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Fitch

     Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

     Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.

     Rating Outlook: A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two-year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, companies whose outlooks are “stable” could be upgraded or downgraded before an outlook moves to a positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.

DBRS

Rating Trends

     With the exception of ratings in the securitization area, each DBRS rating is appended with a rating trend. Rating trends give the investor an understanding of DBRS’ opinion regarding the outlook for the rating in question, with trends falling into one of three categories – Positive, Negative or Stable. Ratings in the securitization area are not given trends because these ratings are determined by the parameters on each transaction, for which the issues are relatively black and white – these parameters are either met or not. When trends are used, they give an indication of what direction the rating in question is headed should the given conditions and tendencies continue.

     Although the trend opinion is often heavily based on an evaluation of the issuing entity or guarantor itself, DBRS also considers the outlook for the industry or industries in which the entity operates and to varying degrees, specific terms of an issue or its hierarchy in the capital structure when assigning trends. DBRS assigns trends to each security, rather than to the issuing entity, as some rating classification scales are broader than others and the duration and ranking of securities can impact the strengths and challenges that affect the entity. As a result, it is not unusual for securities of the same entity to have different trends; however, the presence of a Positive trend and a Negative trend on securities issued by the same entity is a rare occurrence.

Rating Actions

     In addition to confirming ratings, releasing new ratings or making rating changes, other DBRS rating actions include:

A-7


 

     Suspended Ratings: Rating opinions are forward looking. Although rating opinions will consider the historical performance of an issuer, a rating is an assessment of the issuer’s future ability and willingness to meet outstanding obligations. In order for a complete credit quality assessment, DBRS requires the cooperation of the issuer so that management strategies and projections may be evaluated and qualified. Since the availability of such information is critical to the rating assessment, any changes in management’s willingness to supply such information (either perceived or actual) may cause a rating to be changed or even suspended. The eventual action will depend upon DBRS’s assessment of the degree of accuracy of a rating possible without the cooperation of management. DBRS will suspend ratings when the level of concern reaches a point that an informed rating opinion of the credit quality of the outstanding obligation cannot be provided.

     Discontinued Ratings: When an entity retires all of its outstanding debt within a particular category and has no plans to re-issue in the near future, DBRS will normally discontinue its rating on the security in question. Should the entity ultimately reconsider its decision and re-issue new debt, the rating will be re-instated pending a full review of the credit quality of the issuer.

     It should be noted that there are cases when DBRS will assign a rating even if there is no outstanding debt obligation and the entity in question has no firm plans to issue debt in the future. These cases are often driven by the fact that assigning a rating to the “non-security” provides support to other DBRS ratings, either in the same entity or within the same family of companies. Such ratings are generally referred to as “corporate ratings” and are not publicly disclosed by DBRS.

     Ratings “Under Review” : DBRS maintains continuous surveillance of all rated entities; therefore, all ratings are always under review. Accordingly, when a significant event occurs that may directly impact the credit quality of a particular entity or group of entities, DBRS will attempt to provide an immediate rating opinion. If there is high uncertainty regarding the outcome of the event and DBRS is unable to provide an objective, forward-looking opinion in a timely manner, then the rating(s) of the issuer(s) will be placed “Under Review”. Ratings may also be placed “Under Review” by DBRS when changes in credit status occur for any other reason that brings DBRS to the conclusion that the present ratings may no longer be appropriate.

     Ratings which are “Under Review” are qualified with one of the following three provisional statements: “negative implications”, “positive implications”, or “developing implications”, indicating DBRS’ preliminary evaluation of the impact on the credit quality of the issuer/security. As such, the ratings that were in effect prior to the review process can be used as the basis for the relative credit quality implications. It must be stressed that a rating change will not necessarily result from the review process.

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Municipal Note Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for municipal notes:

     “SP-1” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

     “SP-2” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

     In municipal debt issuance, Moody’s three rating categories for short-term obligations that are considered investment grade are designated Moody’s Investment Grade (“MIG”). In the case of variable rate demand obligations, a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature, using the MIG rating scale. The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature is designated as VMIG. MIG ratings expire at note maturity. By contrast, VMIG ratings expirations will be a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features. The following summarizes the ratings by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

     “MIG-1"/“VMIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

     “MIG-2"/“VMIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample although not as large as in the preceding group.

     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

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Fitch credit ratings are an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. However, Fitch credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn.

DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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Appendix B

ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

The following is a summary of certain of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Investment Adviser’s Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) with respect to public equity investments. Unlike the abbreviated nature of this summary, the actual ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines address additional voting matters and provide more discussion regarding the factors that may determine ISS’s position on a matter. The Investment Adviser may diverge from the ISS guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

1. Auditors

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

    An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent,
 
    Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or
 
    There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

2. Board of Directors

a. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining, among other factors, the following factors: composition of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance relative to a market index, and whether the chairman is also serving as a CEO.

b. Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

c. Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

     Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chairman to be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal.

d. Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

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Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

3. Shareholder Rights

a. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Vote FOR proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

b. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

c. Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

d. Cumulative Voting

Vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

e. Confidential Voting

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

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4. Proxy Contests

a. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the factors that include, among others, the long-term financial performance, management’s track record, qualifications of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

b. Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

5. Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill to shareholder vote or redeem it.

6. Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions based on such features, among others, as the fairness opinion, pricing, prospects of the combined company, and the negotiating process.

7. Reincorporation Proposals

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

8. Capital Structure

a. Common Stock Authorization

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using a model developed by ISS.

Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

b. Dual-class Stock

Vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights.

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Vote FOR proposals to create a new class of non-voting or sub-voting common stock if:

  It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders
 
  It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

9. Executive and Director Compensation

Votes with respect to equity based compensation plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The ISS methodology for reviewing compensation plans primarily focuses on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders instead of simply focusing on voting power dilution). Using the expanded compensation data disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, ISS will value every award type. ISS will include in its analyses an estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth, and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once ISS determines the estimated cost of the plan, ISS compares it to a company-specific dilution cap. Vote AGAINST equity plans that explicitly permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.

a. Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

Votes on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving consideration to the following:

  Historic trading patterns
 
  Rationale for the repricing
 
  Value-for-value exchange
 
  Option vesting
 
  Term of the option
 
  Exercise price
 
  Participation

b. Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

  Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;
 
  Offering period is 27 months or less; and
 
  Potential voting power dilution is ten percent or less.

Vote AGAINST employee stock purchase plans where any of the opposite conditions obtain.

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c. Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information and shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

10. Social and Environmental Issues

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business, and workplace diversity.

Generally, ISS votes CASE-BY-CASE on such proposals. However, there are certain specific topics where ISS generally votes FOR the proposal (e.g., proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards) or AGAINST the proposal (e.g., reports on foreign military sales or offsets.)

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APPENDIX C

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

     Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.

     Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.

     Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

     We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

     We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

     We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.

     We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.

     We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.

     The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.

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     Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

     We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.

     We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.

     We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.

     Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.

     Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S INVESTMENT BANKING AND SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

     Goldman Sachs is a leading financial services firm traditionally known on Wall Street and around the world for its institutional and private client services.

  With fifty offices worldwide Goldman Sachs employs over 20,000 professionals focused on opportunities in major markets.
 
  The number one underwriter of all international equity issues from 1989-2001.
 
  The number one lead manager of U.S. common stock offerings from 1989-2001.*
 
  The number one lead manager for initial public offerings (IPOs) worldwide from 1989-2001.


*   Source: Securities Data Corporation. Common stock ranking excludes REITS, Investment Trusts and Rights. Rankings based on dollar volume issued.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

     
1869
  Marcus Goldman opens Goldman Sachs
 
   
1890
  Dow Jones Industrial Average first published
 
   
1896
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. joins New York Stock Exchange
 
   
1906
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Sears Roebuck & Co. public (at 96 years, the firm’s longest-standing client relationship)
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 100
 
   
1925
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. finances Warner Brothers, producer of the first talking film
 
   
1956
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-manages Ford’s public offering, the largest to date
 
   
1970
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. opens London office
 
   
1972
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 1000
 
   
1981
  Enters money market mutual fund business for institutional clients
 
   
1986
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Microsoft public
 
   
1988
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management is formally established
 
   
1991
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides advisory services for the largest privatization in the region of the sale of Telefonos de Mexico
 
   
1995
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces Global Tactical Asset
Allocation Program
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 5000
 
   
1996
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Deutsche Telekom public
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 6000
 
   
1997
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 7000
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management increases assets under management by
100% over 1996

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1998
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $195.5 billion in assets under management
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 9000
 
   
1999
  Goldman Sachs becomes a public company
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management launches the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund; becomes the year’s second most successful new mutual fund launch
 
   
2000
  Goldman Sachs CORESM Tax-Managed Equity Fund launches
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $298.5 billion
 
   
2001
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $100 billion in money market assets
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $306 billion
 
   
  Goldman Sachs acquires Spear, Leeds and Kellogg
 
   
2002
  Advises and services the wealth management needs of 45% of the Forbes 400*
 
   
2003
  Goldman Sachs acquires The Ayco Company, L.P., one of the oldest and largest financial planning firms in the United States
 
   
  Goldman Sachs combines its Australian operations with Australian securities firm JBWere, one of the most respected and oldest (having been founded in 1840) financial institutions in the region, to form Goldman Sachs JBWere


*   Source: Forbes.com, September, 2002.

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PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Institutional Shares
Service Shares
GOLDMAN SACHS BALANCED STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
GOLDMAN SACHS GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
GOLDMAN SACHS GROWTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
GOLDMAN SACHS AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
(Each a portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust)

4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303

     This Statement of Additional Information (the “Additional Statement”) is not a prospectus. This Additional Statement should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Institutional Shares and Service Shares of Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy Portfolio, Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy Portfolio, Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy Portfolio and Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio (collectively, the “Portfolios” and each individually, a “Portfolio”) dated April 29, 2004, and as may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectuses”), which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions (“Service Organizations”) acting on behalf of their customers.

     The audited financial statements and related Report of Ernst & Young LLP, the independent accountants for each Portfolio, contained in each Portfolio’s 2003 Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other portions of the Portfolios’ Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.

GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

The date of this Additional Statement is April 29, 2004, as amended June 4, 2004.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
    Page
INTRODUCTION
    B-4  
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
    B-4  
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND PRACTICES
    B-15  
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
    B-65  
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
    B-67  
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
    B-86  
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
    B-93  
NET ASSET VALUE
    B-95  
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
    B-97  
SHARES OF THE TRUST
    B-106  
TAXATION
    B-111  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    B-119  
PROXY VOTING
    B-120  
OTHER INFORMATION
    B-121  
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
    B-123  
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    B-128  
SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
    B-134  
APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
    1-A  
APPENDIX B ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
    1-B  
APPENDIX C BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    1-C  
APPENDIX D STATEMENT OF INTENTION
    1-D  

 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Transfer Agent
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Toll free .......800-621-2550

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INTRODUCTION

     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this Additional Statement: Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy Portfolio (“Balanced Strategy Portfolio”), Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy Portfolio (“Growth and Income Strategy Portfolio”), Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy Portfolio (“Growth Strategy Portfolio”) and Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio (“Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio”) (each a “Portfolio” and collectively the “Portfolios”). The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have created the Portfolios and other series. Each Portfolio is authorized to issue five classes of shares: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Additional series and classes may be added in the future from time to time.

     Each Portfolio is a separately managed, diversified open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), with its own investment objectives and policies. Each Portfolio has been constructed as a “fund of funds,” which means that it pursues its investment objective primarily by allocating its investments among other investment portfolios of the Trust (the “Underlying Funds”).

     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) serves as investment adviser to each Portfolio. In this Additional Statement, GSAM is sometimes referred to as the “Investment Adviser.” Goldman Sachs serves as each Portfolio’s distributor and transfer agent. Each Portfolio’s custodian is State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”).

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

     Each Portfolio has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio’s objective will be achieved. The investment objective and policies of each Portfolio, and the associated risks of each Portfolio are discussed in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses, which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. Normally, each of the Portfolios will be predominantly invested in shares of the Underlying Funds. These Underlying Funds currently consist of the: CORE{H} SM {/H}Large Cap Value Fund, CORE{H} SM {/H} Large Cap Growth Fund, CORE{H} SM {/H} Small Cap Equity Fund, Real Estate Securities Fund, CORE{H} SM {/H} International Equity Fund, and Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Underlying Equity Funds”); Short Duration Government Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund, Global Income Fund, High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund (the “Underlying Fixed-Income Funds”); and the Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund. The value of the Underlying Funds’ investments, and the net asset value of the shares of both the Underlying Funds and the Portfolios will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Portfolios may be worth more or less

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when redeemed than when purchased. The following description provides additional information regarding the Underlying Funds and the types of investments that the Underlying Funds may make, and supplements the information in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses.

Description of Underlying Funds

CORE Large Cap Value Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap U.S. issuers that are selling at low to modest valuations relative to general market measures, such as earnings, book value and other fundamental accounting measures, and that are expected to have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. These issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 1000® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 1000® Value Index is currently between $340 million and $243 billion.

     The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 1000® Value Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and low to moderate valuations as measured by price/earnings ratios, book value and other fundamental accounting measures.

     Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

CORE Large Cap Growth Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap U.S. issuers that are expected to have better prospects for earnings growth than the growth rate of the general domestic economy. Dividend income is a secondary consideration.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. These issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 1000® Growth Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the

B-5


 

Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 1000® Growth Index is currently between $340 million and $284 billion.

     The Fund’s investment adviser emphasizes a company’s growth prospects in analyzing equity investments to be purchased by the Fund. The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with above average capitalizations and earnings growth expectations and below average dividend yields.

     Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

CORE Small Cap Equity Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. These issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell 2000® Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000® Index. In addition, if the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index is currently between $57 million and $2.3 billion.

     The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000® Index. The Fund seeks a portfolio consisting of companies with small market capitalizations, strong expected earnings growth and momentum, and better valuation and risk characteristics than the Russell 2000® Index.

     Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

Real Estate Securities Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks total return comprised of long-term growth of capital and dividend income.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all and at least 80% of its Net Assets in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of its assets will be invested in REITs and real estate industry companies. A “real estate industry

B-6


 

company” is a company that derives at least 50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development, construction, financing, management or sale of commercial, industrial or residential real estate or interests therein.

     The Fund’s investment strategy is based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary determinant of growth, underlying the success of companies in the real estate industry. The Fund’s investment adviser focuses on companies that can achieve sustainable growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. The investment adviser attempts to purchase securities so that its underlying portfolio will be diversified geographically and by property type.

     Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs.

     Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skill, may not be diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income and failing to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration. REITs whose underlying properties are concentrated in a particular industry or geographic region are also subject to risks affecting such industries and regions.

     REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected to decline.

     Shares of REITs. The Fund may invest without limitation in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Similar to investment companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses directly by the Fund.

     Other. This Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in fixed-income investments, such as government, corporate debt and bank obligations, that offer the potential to further the Fund’s investment objective. In addition, although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 15% of its total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries and securities quoted in foreign currencies.

B-7


 

CORE International Equity Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.

     The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by its investment adviser from time to time, provided the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies.

     The Fund seeks broad representation of large-cap issuers across major countries and sectors of the international economy. The Fund’s investments are selected using both a variety of quantitative techniques and fundamental research in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return, while maintaining risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the EAFE® Index. In addition, the Fund seeks a portfolio composed of companies with attractive valuations and stronger momentum characteristics than the EAFE® Index.

     Other. The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered to be cash equivalents.

Emerging Markets Equity Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its Net Assets in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in emerging country issuers. The Fund’s investment adviser may consider classifications by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations and its agencies in determining whether a country is emerging or developed. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations. The Fund’s investment adviser currently intends that the Fund’s investment focus will be in the following emerging countries as well as any other emerging country to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela.

     An emerging country issuer is any company that either: (i) has a class of its securities whose principal securities markets is in an emerging country; (ii) is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging country; (iii) derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in one or more emerging countries; or (iv) maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more emerging countries.

B-8


 

     Under normal circumstances, this Fund maintains investments in at least six emerging countries, and will not invest more than 35% of its Net Assets in securities of issuers in any one emerging country. Allocation of the Fund’s investments will depend upon the relative attractiveness of the emerging country markets and particular issuers. In addition, macro-economic factors and the portfolio managers’ and Goldman Sachs economists’ views of the relative attractiveness of emerging countries and currencies are considered in allocating the Fund’s assets among emerging countries.

     Other. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its Net Assets in (i) fixed-income securities of private and government emerging country issuers; and (ii) equity and fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations, of issuers in developed countries.

Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.

     Primary Investment Focus. This Fund invests in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury; securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities and instrumentalities; obligations of U.S. banks; commercial paper and other short-term obligations of U.S. companies, states, municipalities and other entities; repurchase agreements; certain asset-backed and receivables-backed securities; obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies authorities and instrumentalities; custodial receipts and securities issued by other investment companies. Securities purchased by the Fund will be determined by its investment adviser to present minimal credit risks, and will have remaining maturities (as determined in accordance with regulatory requirements) of 13 months or less at the time of purchase. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the Fund will not exceed 90 days.

     Other. The investments of this Fund are limited by regulations applicable to money market funds as described in its prospectus, and do not include many of the types of investments that are permitted for the other Underlying Funds. Although this Fund attempts to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so on a continuous basis. Like investments in the other Underlying Funds, an investment in this Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any governmental authority.

Short Duration Government Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks a high level of current income and secondarily, in seeking current income, may also consider the potential for capital appreciation.

     Duration. Under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s duration is expected to be equal to that of the Fund’s benchmark, the two-year U.S. Treasury Note Index, plus or minus 0.5 years. In addition, under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s maximum duration will not exceed three years. The approximate interest rate sensitivity of the Fund is expected to be comparable to a two-year U.S. Treasury note.

B-9


 

     Investment Sector. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in U.S. Government Securities (as defined below) and in repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. Substantially all of the Fund’s Net Assets will be invested in U.S. Government Securities. 100% of the Fund’s portfolio will be invested in U.S. dollar-denominated securities.

     Credit Quality. The Fund invests in U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities.

     Other. This Fund may employ certain active management techniques to manage its duration and term structure and to seek to enhance returns. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of financial futures contracts, option contracts (including options on futures), mortgage, credit, total return and interest rate swaps, options on swaps, and interest rate floors, caps and collars. The Fund may also employ other investment techniques to seek to enhance returns, such as lending portfolio securities and entering into mortgage dollar rolls, repurchase agreements and other investment practices.

Core Fixed Income Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks a total return consisting of capital appreciation and income that exceeds the total return of the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”).

     Duration. Under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s duration is expected to be equal to that of the Fund’s benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, plus or minus one year. In addition, under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s maximum duration will not exceed six years. The approximate interest rate sensitivity of the Fund is expected to be comparable to a five-year U.S. Treasury note.

     Investment Sector. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, including U.S. Government Securities, corporate debt securities, privately issued Mortgage-Backed Securities, and Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may also invest in custodial receipts, Municipal Securities (as defined below) and convertible securities. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated obligations will not exceed 25% of its total assets at the time of investment, of which 10% may be invested in obligations of issuers in countries with emerging markets or economies. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund uses the Index as its performance benchmark, but the Fund will not attempt to replicate the Index. The Fund may, therefore, invest in securities that are not included in the Index.

     The Index currently includes U.S. Government Securities and fixed-rate, publicly issued, U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (if a Moody’s rating is unavailable, the comparable Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“Standard & Poor’s”) rating is used). The securities currently included in the Index have at least one year remaining to maturity; have an outstanding principal amount of at least $150 million; and are issued by the following types of issuers, with each category receiving a different weighting in the Index: U.S. Treasury; agencies, authorities or instrumentalities of the U.S. government; issuers of mortgage-backed securities; utilities; industrial issuers; financial institutions; foreign issuers; and issuers of asset-backed securities. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund uses the Index as its

B-10


 

performance benchmark, but the Fund will not attempt to replicate the Index. The Fund, therefore, may invest in securities that are not included in the Index. The Index is a trademark of Lehman Brothers. Inclusion of a security in the Index does not imply an opinion by Lehman Brothers as to its attractiveness or appropriateness for investment. Although Lehman Brothers obtains factual information used in connection with the Index from sources which it considers reliable, Lehman Brothers claims no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of such information and has no liability to any person for any loss arising from results obtained from the use of the Index data.

     Credit Quality. All U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least BBB- or Baa3 by an NRSRO or, if unrated, will be determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest will be rated, at the time of investment, at least AA or Aa by an NRSRO or, if unrated, will be determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality.

     Other. This Fund may employ certain active management techniques to manage its duration and term structure, to seek to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies and to seek to enhance returns. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of financial futures contracts, option contracts (including options on futures), forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency options and futures, options on foreign currencies, currency, credit, mortgage, total return and interest rate swaps, options on swaps, and interest rate floors, caps and collars. Currency management techniques involve risks different from those associated with investing solely in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities of U.S. issuers. It is expected that the Fund will use certain currency techniques to seek to hedge against currency exchange rate fluctuations or to seek to increase total return. The Fund may also employ other investment techniques to seek to enhance returns, such as lending portfolio securities and entering into mortgage dollar rolls, repurchase agreements and other investment practices.

Global Income Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks a high total return, emphasizing current income, and, to a lesser extent, providing opportunities for capital appreciation.

     Duration. Under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s duration is expected to be equal to that of the Fund’s benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Global Government Bond Index (hedged), plus or minus 2.5 years. In addition, under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s maximum duration will not exceed 7.5 years. The approximate interest rate sensitivity of the Fund is expected to be comparable to a six-year government bond.

     Investment Sector. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a portfolio of fixed-income securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Fund also enters into transactions in foreign currencies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will (i) have at least 30% of its Net Assets, after considering the effect of currency positions, denominated in U.S. dollars and (ii) invest in securities of issuers in at least three countries. The Fund seeks to meet its investment objective by pursuing investment opportunities in foreign and domestic fixed-income securities

B-11


 

markets and by engaging in currency transactions to seek to enhance returns and to seek to hedge its portfolio against currency exchange rate fluctuations.

     The fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest include: (i) U.S. Government Securities and custodial receipts therefor; (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by a foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or by supranational entities (i.e., international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, such as the World Bank); (iii) corporate debt securities; (iv) certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued or guaranteed by, or time deposits maintained at, U.S. or foreign banks (and their branches wherever located) having total assets of more than $1 billion; (v) commercial paper; and (vi) Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities.

     Credit Quality. All securities purchased by the Fund will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least BBB- or Ba3 by an NRSRO. However, the Fund will invest at least 50% of its total assets in securities rated, at the time of purchase, AAA or Aaa by an NRSRO. Unrated securities will be determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

     Other. This Fund may employ certain active management techniques to manage its duration and term structure, to seek to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies and to seek to enhance returns. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of financial futures contracts, option contracts (including options on futures), forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency options and futures, options on foreign currencies, currency, credit, mortgage, total return and interest rate swaps, options on swaps, and interest rate floors, caps and collars. Currency management techniques involve risks different from those associated with investing solely in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities of U.S. issuers. It is expected that the Fund will use certain currency techniques to seek to hedge against currency exchange rate fluctuations or to seek to increase total return. While the Fund will have both long and short currency positions, its net long and short foreign currency exposure will not exceed the value of the Fund’s total assets. To the extent that the Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk. The Fund’s net currency positions may expose it to risks independent of its securities positions. The Fund may also employ other investment techniques to seek to enhance returns, such as lending portfolio securities and entering into mortgage dollar rolls, repurchase agreements and other investment practices. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis.

     The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of corporate and governmental issuers located in each of Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom as well as in the securities of U.S. issuers. Concentration of the Fund’s investments in such issuers will subject the Fund, to a greater extent than if investment was more limited, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political or economic events which may occur in those countries. Not more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities of issuers in any other single foreign country. The Fund may also invest up to 10% of its total assets in issuers in emerging countries.

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High Yield Fund

     Objective. This Fund seeks a high level of current income and may also consider the potential for capital appreciation.

     Duration. Under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s duration is expected to be equal to that of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index, plus or minus 2.5 years. In addition, under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s maximum duration will not exceed 7.5 years. The approximate interest rate sensitivity of the Fund is expected to be comparable to a 6-year U.S. Treasury note.

     Investment Sector. This Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in high-yield, fixed-income securities that, at the time of purchase, are non-investment grade securities. Non-investment grade securities are securities rated BB, Ba or below by an NRSRO, or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest in all types of fixed-income securities, including senior and subordinated corporate debt obligations (such as bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper), convertible and non-convertible corporate debt obligations, loan participations, custodial receipts, Municipal Securities and preferred stock. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in obligations of domestic and foreign issuers which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and in securities of issuers located in emerging countries denominated in any currency. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in investment grade fixed-income securities, including U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may also invest in common stocks, warrants, rights and other equity securities, but will generally hold such equity investments only when debt or preferred stock of the issuer of such equity securities is held by the Fund or when the equity securities are received by the Fund in connection with a corporate restructuring of an issuer.

     Credit Quality. This Fund invests at least 80% of its Net Assets in securities rated BB or Ba or lower at the time of purchase or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may purchase securities of issuers in default. Non-investment grade securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with similar maturities. Non-investment grade fixed-income securities are, however, considered speculative and generally involve greater price volatility and greater risk of loss of principal and interest than higher rated securities. See “Description of Investment Securities and Practices.” A description of the corporate bond ratings is contained in Appendix A to this Additional Statement.

     Other. This Fund may employ certain active management techniques to manage its duration and term structure, to seek to hedge its exposure to foreign securities and to seek to enhance returns. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of financial futures contracts, option contracts (including options on futures), forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency options and futures, and currency, credit, mortgage, total return and interest rate swaps, options on swaps, and interest rate floors, caps and collars. Currency management techniques involve risks different from those associated with investing solely in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities of U.S. issuers. It is expected that the Fund will use certain currency techniques to seek to hedge against currency exchange rate fluctuations or to seek to increase total return. The Fund may also employ other

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investment techniques to seek to enhance returns, such as lending portfolio securities and entering into repurchase agreements and other investment practices.

Emerging Markets Debt Fund

     Objective: This Fund seeks a high level of total return consisting of income and capital appreciation.

     Duration: Under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s duration is expected to be equal to that of the JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Index plus or minus 2 years. In addition, under normal interest rate conditions, the Fund’s maximum duration will not exceed 7 years. The approximate interest rate sensitivity of the Fund is expected to be comparable to a 10 year government bond.

     Investment Sector: The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in fixed income securities of issuers located in Emerging Countries. The Investment Adviser may consider, but is not bound by, classifications by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations and its agencies in determining whether a country is emerging or developed. Currently, Emerging Countries include, among others, most African, Asian, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, South and Central American nations. The Investment Adviser currently intends that the Fund’s investment focus will be in the following Emerging Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela as well as other Emerging Countries to the extent that foreign investors are permitted by applicable law to make such investments.

     The Fund may invest in all types of Emerging Country fixed income securities, including the following: Brady bonds and other debt issued by governments, their agencies and instrumentalities or by their central banks; interests issued by entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued by Emerging Country issuers, fixed and floating rate, senior and subordinated corporate debt obligations (such as bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper), loan participations and repurchase agreements with respect to the foregoing.

     Credit Quality: Fixed income securities purchased by the Fund will be rated at the time of purchase at least D by Standard & Poor’s or C by Moody’s or if unrated will be determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The majority of the countries in which the Fund invests will have sovereign ratings that are below investment grade or are unrated.

     Other: Although a majority of the Fund’s assets may be denominated in U.S. Dollars, the Fund may invest in securities denominated in any currency and may be subject to the risk of adverse currency fluctuations.

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DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND PRACTICES

     The Short Duration Government Fund invests in U.S. Government Securities and related repurchase agreements, and neither this Fund nor the Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund makes foreign investments. The investments of the Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund are limited by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations applicable to money market funds as described in its prospectus, and do not include many of the types of investments discussed below that are permitted for the other Underlying Funds. With these exceptions, and the further exceptions noted below, the following description applies generally to the Underlying Funds.

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Portfolios may also invest a portion of their assets in high quality, short-term debt obligations and engage in certain other investment practices. Further information about the Underlying Funds and their respective investment objectives and policies is included in their respective prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information. There is no assurance that any Portfolio or Underlying Fund will achieve its objective.

Corporate Debt Obligations

     Each Underlying Fund (other than the Short Duration Government Fund) may, under normal market conditions, invest in corporate debt obligations, including obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Small Cap Equity and CORE International Equity Funds may only invest in debt securities that are cash equivalents. Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.

     Fixed-income securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Medium to lower rated and comparable non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. Since medium to lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on defaulted issues. The investment advisers of the Underlying Funds will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments. The investment adviser for each Underlying Fund continually monitors the investments in the Underlying Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

     Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations payable in U.S. dollars and issued or

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guaranteed by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies.

     Trust Preferreds. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in trust preferred securities. A trust preferred or capital security is a long dated bond (for example 30 years) with preferred features. The preferred features are that payment of interest can be deferred for a specified period without initiating a default event. From a bondholder’s viewpoint, the securities are senior in claim to standard preferred but are junior to other bondholders. From the issuer’s viewpoint, the securities are attractive because their interest is deductible for tax purposes like other types of debt instruments.

     High Yield Securities. Bonds rated BB or below by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or below by Moody’s (or comparable rated and unrated securities) are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered speculative. The ability of their issuers to make principal and interest payments may be questionable. In some cases, such bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will entail greater risks than those associated with investment grade bonds (i.e., bonds rated AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard and Poor’s or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s). Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities, and the ability of an Underlying Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of its investments in high yield securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Underlying Fund were investing in higher quality securities. See Appendix A to this Additional Statement for a description of the corporate bond and preferred stock ratings by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) and Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”).

     The amount of high yield, fixed-income securities proliferated in the 1980s and early 1990s as a result of increased merger and acquisition and leveraged buyout activity. Such securities are also issued by less-established corporations desiring to expand. Risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is the case with higher rated securities because such issuers are often less creditworthy companies or are highly leveraged and generally less able than more established or less leveraged entities to make scheduled payments of principal and interest. High yield securities are also issued by governmental issuers that may have difficulty in making all scheduled interest and principal payments.

     The market values of high yield, fixed-income securities tends to reflect those individual corporate or municipal developments to a greater extent than do those of higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Issuers of such high yield securities are often highly leveraged, and may not be able to make use of more traditional methods of financing. Their ability to service debt obligations may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated securities by economic downturns, specific corporate developments or the issuers’ inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. These non-investment grade securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher-rated securities. Negative publicity about the junk bond market and investor perceptions regarding lower-rated securities, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may depress the prices for such securities.

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     Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with non-investment grade securities of the type in which the Underlying Funds may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher-rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

     Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of high yield, fixed-income securities is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in an Underlying Fund’s net asset value.

     The risk of loss from default for the holders of high yield, fixed-income securities is significantly greater than is the case for holders of other debt securities because such high yield, fixed-income securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to the rights of other creditors of the issuers of such securities. Investment by an Underlying Fund in already defaulted securities poses an additional risk of loss should nonpayment of principal and interest continue in respect of such securities. Even if such securities are held to maturity, recovery by an Underlying Fund of its initial investment and any anticipated income or appreciation is uncertain. In addition, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent that it is required to seek recovery relating to the default in the payment of principal or interest on such securities or otherwise protect its interests. An Underlying Fund may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to satisfy the Underlying Fund’s annual distribution obligations in respect of accrued interest income on securities which are subsequently written off, even though the Underlying Fund has not received any cash payments of such interest.

     The secondary market for high yield, fixed-income securities is concentrated in relatively few markets and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as and is more volatile than the secondary market for higher-rated securities. In addition, the trading volume for high-yield, fixed-income securities is generally lower than that of higher rated securities and the secondary market for high yield, fixed-income securities could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of an Underlying Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating an Underlying Fund’s net asset value. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for an Underlying Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its portfolio.

     The adoption of new legislation could adversely affect the secondary market for high yield securities and the financial condition of issuers of these securities. The form of any future legislation, and the probability of such legislation being enacted, is uncertain.

     Non-investment grade or high-yield, fixed-income securities also present risks based on payment expectations. High yield, fixed-income securities frequently contain “call” or buy-back features which permit the issuer to call or repurchase the security from its holder. If an issuer exercises

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such a “call option” and redeems the security, an Underlying Fund may have to replace such security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. In addition, if an Underlying Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions of its shares, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the Underlying Fund’s portfolio and increasing the exposure of the Underlying Fund to the risks of high yield securities.

     Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of non-investment grade securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. Investments in non-investment grade and comparable unrated obligations will be more dependent on the credit analysis of an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser than would be the case with investments in investment-grade debt obligations. An Underlying Fund’s investment adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of an issuer’s existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and current trend of earnings. The Underlying Fund’s investment adviser monitors the investments in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain non-investment grade and comparable unrated securities whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

     Because the market for high yield securities is still relatively new and has not weathered a major economic recession, it is unknown what effects such a recession might have on such securities. A widespread economic downturn could result in increased defaults and losses.

     Loan Participations. The High Yield Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in loan participations. A loan participation is an interest in a loan to a U.S. or foreign company or other borrower which is administered and sold by a financial intermediary. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a number of lenders, usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of the co-lenders usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan.

     Participation interests acquired by the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller’s share of the loan. When the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund acquires certain participation interests, the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund lacks direct recourse, it will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. In these cases, the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Underlying Fund had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. For example, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses by the borrower as a result

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of improper conduct by the agent bank. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund may also be subject to the risk that the agent bank may become insolvent. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is limited and any loan participations purchased by the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund will normally be regarded as illiquid.

     For purposes of certain investment limitations pertaining to diversification of the High Yield Fund’s or Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s portfolio investments, the issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. However, in cases where the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund does not have recourse directly against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender interposed between the High Yield Fund or Emerging Markets Debt Fund and the borrower will be deemed issuers of a loan participation.

Obligations of the United States, Its Agencies, Instrumentalities and Sponsored Enterprises

     Each Underlying Fund may invest in U.S. government securities which are obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”). Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.

     U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.

     Each Underlying Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements, subject to the Underlying Fund’s limitation on investment in illiquid securities. The Underlying Funds may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities program (“STRIPS”).

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Bank Obligations

     Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or government regulation.

     Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of this industry.

Deferred Interest, Pay-in-Kind and Capital Appreciation Bonds

     Certain of the Underlying Funds expect to invest in deferred interest and capital appreciation bonds and pay-in-kind (“PIK”) securities. Deferred interest and capital appreciation bonds are debt securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value and which do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date. The original issue discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. These securities also may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves or receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations or coupons. The market prices of deferred interest, capital appreciation bonds and PIK securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than interest bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality.

     PIK securities may be debt obligations or preferred shares that provide the issuer with the option of paying interest or dividends on such obligations in cash or in the form of additional securities rather than cash. Similar to zero coupon bonds and deferred interest bonds, PIK securities are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. PIK securities that are debt securities can either be senior or subordinated debt and generally trade flat (i.e., without accrued interest). The trading price of PIK debt securities generally reflects the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last interest payment.

     Deferred interest, capital appreciation and PIK securities involve the additional risk that, unlike securities that periodically pay interest to maturity, an Underlying Fund will realize no cash until a specified future payment date unless a portion of such securities is sold and, if the issuer of such securities defaults, an Underlying Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. In addition, even though such securities do not provide for the payment of current interest in cash, the Underlying Funds are nonetheless required to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year and generally are required to distribute such accrued amounts (net of deductible expenses, if any) to avoid being subject to tax. Because no cash is generally received at the time of the accrual, an Underlying Fund may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy federal tax distribution

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requirements applicable to the Underlying Fund. A portion of the discount with respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or their coupons may be taxable.

Zero Coupon Bonds

     Each Underlying Fund’s investment in fixed-income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by an Underlying Fund defaults, the Underlying Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. An Underlying Fund will accrue income on such investments for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the Underlying Fund’s distribution obligations.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

     The interest rates payable on certain fixed-income securities in which an Underlying Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation.

     Permissible investments for certain of the Underlying Funds include “leveraged” inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”), including “leveraged inverse floaters.” The interest rate on inverse floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed to be illiquid securities for purposes of each Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments.

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates

     Each Underlying Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates (which may be underwritten by securities dealers or banks), representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities, Municipal Securities or other types of securities in which an Underlying Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future interest payments,

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principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities law purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, an Underlying Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Underlying Funds may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.

     Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate an Underlying Fund would be typically authorized to assert its rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, the Underlying Fund could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, an Underlying Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Underlying Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custodial account in which the underlying securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.

     Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an issuer or the issuer’s credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest received on the derivative instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments.

Municipal Securities

     Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in bonds, notes and other instruments issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities (“Municipal Securities”). Dividends paid by the Underlying Funds that are derived from interest paid on both tax-exempt and taxable Municipal Securities will be taxable to the Underlying Funds’ shareholders.

     Municipal Securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes including refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses, and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal Securities also include certain “private activity bonds” or industrial development bonds, which are issued by or on behalf of public authorities

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to provide financing aid to acquire sites or construct or equip facilities within a municipality for privately or publicly owned corporations.

     The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities are “general obligations” and “revenue obligations.” General obligations are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith and credit for the payment of principal and interest, although the characteristics and enforcement of general obligations may vary according to the law applicable to the particular issuer. Revenue obligations, which include, but are not limited to, private activity bonds, resource recovery bonds, certificates of participation and certain municipal notes, are not backed by the credit and taxing authority of the issuer, and are payable solely from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Nevertheless, the obligations of the issuer of a revenue obligation may be backed by a letter of credit, guarantee or insurance. General obligations and revenue obligations may be issued in a variety of forms, including commercial paper, fixed, variable and floating rate securities, tender option bonds, auction rate bonds, zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds and capital appreciation bonds.

     In addition to general obligations and revenue obligations, there is a variety of hybrid and special types of Municipal Securities. There are also numerous differences in the security of Municipal Securities both within and between these two principal classifications.

     An entire issue of Municipal Securities may be purchased by one or a small number of institutional investors, including one or more Underlying Funds. Thus, the issue may not be said to be publicly offered. Unlike some securities that are not publicly offered, a secondary market exists for many Municipal Securities that were not publicly offered initially and such securities may be readily marketable.

     The credit rating assigned to Municipal Securities may reflect the existence of guarantees, letters of credit or other credit enhancement features available to the issuers or holders of such Municipal Securities.

     The obligations of the issuer to pay the principal of and interest on a Municipal Security are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest or imposing other constraints upon the enforcement of such obligations. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of the issuer to pay when due principal of or interest on a Municipal Security may be materially affected.

     From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities. For example, under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, interest on certain private activity bonds must be included in an investor’s federal alternative minimum taxable income, and corporate investors must include all tax-exempt interest in their federal alternative minimum taxable income. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards the federal income tax status of interest on Municipal Securities or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might

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materially and adversely affect the liquidity and value of the Municipal Securities in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio.

     Municipal Leases, Certificates of Participation and Other Participation Interests. Municipal Securities include leases, certificates of participation and other participation interests. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations is generally exempt from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Municipal leases frequently involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover an Underlying Fund’s original investment. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

     Certificates of participation represent undivided interests in municipal leases, installment purchase agreements or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a trust or other entity which has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements.

     Certain municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation may be deemed to be illiquid for the purpose of an Underlying Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Other municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation acquired by an Underlying Fund may be determined by its investment adviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees of the Trust, to be liquid securities for the purpose of such limitation. In determining the liquidity of municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation, the investment adviser will consider a variety of factors including: (i) the willingness of dealers to bid for the security; (ii) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the obligation and the number of other potential buyers; (iii) the frequency of trades or quotes for the obligation; and (iv) the nature of the marketplace trades. In addition, the investment adviser will consider factors unique to particular lease obligations and certificates of participation affecting the marketability thereof. These include the general creditworthiness of the issuer, the importance to the issuer of the property covered by the lease and the likelihood that the marketability of the obligation will be maintained throughout the time the obligation is held by an Underlying Fund.

     Certain Underlying Funds may purchase participations in Municipal Securities held by a commercial bank or other financial institution. Such participations provide an Underlying Fund with

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the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying Municipal Securities. In addition, such participations generally provide an Underlying Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days’ notice, of all or any part of such Fund’s participation interest in the underlying Municipal Securities, plus accrued interest. An Underlying Fund will only invest in such participations if, in the opinion of bond counsel, counsel for the issuers of such participations or counsel selected by the investment advisors, the interest from such participation is exempt from regular federal income tax.

     Auction Rate Securities. Municipal Securities also include auction rate Municipal Securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in Municipal Securities (collectively, “auction rate securities”). Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is some risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities.

     An Underlying Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of closed-end funds are subject to the limitations prescribed by the Act. An Underlying Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other fees paid by such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Underlying Funds.

     Other Types of Municipal Securities. Other types of Municipal Securities in which certain of the Underlying Funds may invest include municipal notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, pre-refunded municipal bonds, industrial development bonds, tender option bonds and insured municipal obligations.

     Call Risk and Reinvestment Risk. Municipal Securities may include “call” provisions which permit the issuers of such securities, at any time or after a specified period, to redeem the securities prior to their stated maturity. In the event that Municipal Securities held in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio are called prior to the maturity, the Underlying Fund will be required to reinvest the proceeds on such securities at an earlier date and may be able to do so only at lower yields, thereby reducing the Underlying Fund’s return on its portfolio securities.

Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities

     General Characteristics. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in Mortgage-Backed Securities as described in the Prospectuses. Each mortgage pool underlying Mortgage-Backed Securities consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multi-family (i.e., five or more) properties, agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the “Mortgaged Properties”). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units, multi-family dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, individual units in planned unit developments and other attached dwelling units. The Mortgaged Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes.

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     The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on Mortgage-Backed Securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities. As a result, if an Underlying Fund purchases Mortgage-Backed Securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value. Conversely, if an Underlying Fund purchases Mortgage-Backed Securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce yield to maturity and market values. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in Mortgage-Backed Securities, its investment adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by investing in a variety of Mortgage-Backed Securities and by using certain hedging techniques.

     Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”). ARMs generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time. Thereafter, the interest rates (the “Mortgage Interest Rates”) may be subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the applicable index rate (the “Index Rate”). The adjusted rate would be equal to the Index Rate plus a fixed percentage spread over the Index Rate established for each ARM at the time of its origination. ARMs allow an Underlying Fund to participate in increases in interest rates through periodic increases in the securities coupon rates. During periods of declining interest rates, coupon rates may readjust downward resulting in lower yields to an Underlying Fund.

     Adjustable interest rates can cause payment increases that some mortgagors may find difficult to make. However, certain ARMs may provide that the Mortgage Interest Rate may not be adjusted to a rate above an applicable lifetime maximum rate or below an applicable lifetime minimum rate for such ARM. Certain ARMs may also be subject to limitations on the maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate may adjust for any single adjustment period (the “Maximum Adjustment”). Other ARMs (“Negatively Amortizing ARMs”) may provide instead or as well for limitations on changes in the monthly payment on such ARMs. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments which are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a Negatively Amortizing ARM by its maturity at the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect in any particular month. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a Negatively Amortizing ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the loan, causing negative amortization, and will be repaid through future monthly payments. It may take borrowers under Negatively Amortizing ARMs longer periods of time to build up equity and may increase the likelihood of default by such borrowers. In the event that a monthly payment exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate and the principal payment which would have been necessary to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess (or “accelerated amortization”) further reduces the principal balance of the ARM. Negatively Amortizing ARMs do not provide for the extension of their original maturity to accommodate changes in their Mortgage Interest Rate. As a result, unless there is a periodic recalculation of the payment amount (which there generally is), the final payment may be substantially larger than the other payments. These limitations on periodic increases in interest rates and on changes in monthly

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payments protect borrowers from unlimited interest rate and payment increases but may result in increased credit exposure and prepayment risks for lenders.

     ARMs also have the risk of prepayments. The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs has fluctuated in recent years. The value of Mortgage-Backed Securities that are structured as pass through mortgage securities that are collateralized by ARMs are less likely to rise during periods of declining interest rates to the same extent as fixed rate securities. Accordingly, ARMs may be subject to a greater rate of principal repayments in a declining interest rate environment resulting in lower yields to an Underlying Fund. For example, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly, ARMs could be subject to higher prepayment rates (than if prevailing interest rates remain constant or increase) because the availability of low fixed-rate mortgages may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARMs to “lock-in” a fixed-rate mortgage. On the other hand, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of ARMs will lag behind changes in the market rate. ARMs are also typically subject to maximum increases and decreases in the interest rate adjustment which can be made on any one adjustment date, in any one year, or during the life of the security. In the event of dramatic increases or decreases in prevailing market interest rates, the value of an Underlying Fund’s investment in ARMs may fluctuate more substantially since these limits may prevent the security from fully adjusting its interest rate to the prevailing market rates. As with fixed-rate mortgages, ARM prepayment rates vary in both stable and changing interest rate environments.

     There are two main categories of indices which provide the basis for rate adjustments on ARMs: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the 180-day Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate, the prime rate of a specific bank or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile. The degree of volatility in the market value of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio that holds ARMs and, therefore, in the net asset value of such Underlying Fund’s shares, will be a function of the length of the interest rate reset periods and the degree of volatility in the applicable indices.

     Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans. Generally, fixed-rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool (the “Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans”) will bear simple interest at fixed annual rates and have original terms to maturity ranging from 5 to 40 years. Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans generally provide for monthly payments of principal and interest in substantially equal installments for the term of the mortgage note in sufficient amounts to fully amortize principal by maturity, although certain Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans provide for a large final “balloon” payment upon maturity.

     Legal Considerations of Mortgage Loans. The following is a discussion of certain legal and regulatory aspects of the mortgage loans. These regulations may impair the ability of a mortgage lender to enforce its rights under the mortgage documents. These regulations may adversely affect the Underlying Funds’ investments in Mortgage-Backed Securities (including those issued or guaranteed

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by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) by delaying the Underlying Funds’ receipt of payments derived from principal or interest on mortgage loans affected by such regulations.

1.   Foreclosure. A foreclosure of a defaulted mortgage loan may be delayed due to compliance with statutory notice or service of process provisions, difficulties in locating necessary parties or legal challenges to the mortgagee’s right to foreclose. Depending upon market conditions, the ultimate proceeds of the sale of foreclosed property may not equal the amounts owed on the Mortgage-Backed Securities.
 
    Furthermore, courts in some cases have imposed general equitable principles upon foreclosure generally designed to relieve the borrower from the legal effect of default and have required lenders to undertake affirmative and expensive actions to determine the causes for the default and the likelihood of loan reinstatement.
 
2.   Rights of Redemption. In some states, after foreclosure of a mortgage loan, the borrower and foreclosed junior lienors are given a statutory period in which to redeem the property, which right may diminish the mortgagee’s ability to sell the property.
 
3.   Legislative Limitations. In addition to anti-deficiency and related legislation, numerous other federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy laws and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or affect the ability of a secured mortgage lender to enforce its security interest. For example, a bankruptcy court may grant the debtor a reasonable time to cure a default on a mortgage loan, including a payment default. The court in certain instances may also reduce the monthly payments due under such mortgage loan, change the rate of interest, reduce the principal balance of the loan to the then-current appraised value of the related mortgaged property, alter the mortgage loan repayment schedule and grant priority of certain liens over the lien of the mortgage loan. If a court relieves a borrower’s obligation to repay amounts otherwise due on a mortgage loan, the mortgage loan servicer will not be required to advance such amounts, and any loss may be borne by the holders of securities backed by such loans. In addition, numerous federal and state consumer protection laws impose penalties for failure to comply with specific requirements in connection with origination and servicing of mortgage loans.
 
4.   “Due-on-Sale” Provisions. Fixed-rate mortgage loans may contain a so-called “due-on-sale” clause permitting acceleration of the maturity of the mortgage loan if the borrower transfers the property. The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 sets forth nine specific instances in which no mortgage lender covered by that Act may exercise a “due-on-sale” clause upon a transfer of property. The inability to enforce a “due-on-sale” clause or the lack of such a clause in mortgage loan documents may result in a mortgage loan being assumed by a purchaser of the property that bears an interest rate below the current market rate.
 
5.   Usury Laws. Some states prohibit charging interest on mortgage loans in excess of statutory limits. If such limits are exceeded, substantial penalties may be incurred and, in some cases, enforceability of the obligation to pay principal and interest may be affected.

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     Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are several types of government guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (“REMIC Certificates”), other collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. An Underlying Fund is permitted to invest in other types of Mortgage-Backed Securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.

     An Underlying Fund’s investments in Mortgage-Backed Securities may include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a result, they are generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low risks. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities and the liquidity and value of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio.

     There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. An Underlying Fund may purchase U.S. Government Securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by an Underlying Fund may greatly exceed such issuers’ current resources, including such issuers’ legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

     Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA”), or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the United States Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due on Ginnie Mae certificates.

     Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an act of the United States Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae Certificates are issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans (a “Pool”) formed by Fannie Mae. A Pool consists of residential mortgage loans either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the formation of the Pool. The mortgage loans may be either

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conventional mortgage loans (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency) or mortgage loans that are either insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. However, the mortgage loans in Fannie Mae Pools are primarily conventional mortgage loans. The lenders originating and servicing the mortgage loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.

     Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie Mae’s servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full principal balance of any foreclosed mortgage loan, whether or not such principal balance is actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae.

     Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. Government sponsored enterprise. The principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form of mortgage securities, primarily Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a “Freddie Mac Certificate group”) purchased by Freddie Mac.

     Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered Certificate holder ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac.

     The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Conventional Mortgage Loans. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. As described in the Prospectuses, certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in both government guaranteed and privately issued mortgage pass-through securities (“Mortgage Pass-Throughs”); that is, fixed or adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities

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which provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. The seller or servicer of the underlying mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to certificate-holders as to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of certain information furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach of any representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related certificate-holders in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer generally will be obligated either to cure the breach in all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the related agreement so provides, to substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the conditions set forth therein. Such a repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole remedy available to the related certificate-holders or the trustee for the material breach of any such representation or warranty by the seller or servicer.

     The following discussion describes only a few of the wide variety of structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.

     Description of Certificates. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.

     Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or disproportionate basis, or any combination thereof. The stated interest rate on any such subclass of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an objective interest index.

     Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Since certain ARMs included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest (i.e., negative amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.

     Ratings. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s

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ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a rating organization to a certificate may not address the remote possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such certificates may be affected.

     Credit Enhancement. Mortgage pools credited by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher yield than government and government-related pools because of the absence of direct or indirect government or agency payment guarantees. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may contain elements of credit support. Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.

     Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund. In order to achieve ratings on one or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate-holders. If so structured, the subordination feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (“shifting interest credit enhancement”). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the subordinate certificates. In addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal prepayments on the mortgage loans will have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.

     In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such certificates (the “Reserve Fund”). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a specified amount.

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     The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest due to them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary shortfalls could result. In the event the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent of the then outstanding subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses realized with respect to the mortgage loans (“Realized Losses”). Realized Losses remaining after application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero, Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.

     Alternative Credit Enhancement. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be provided by mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, by the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances, such as where credit enhancement is provided by guarantees or a letter of credit, the security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to an external credit enhancement provider.

     Voluntary Advances. In the event of delinquencies in payments on the mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer may agree to make advances of cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but generally will do so only to the extent that it determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the mortgage loans or otherwise.

     Optional Termination. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time as the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.

     Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. An Underlying Fund may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or, to the extent consistent with an Underling Fund’s investment policies, by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or

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Mortgage-Backed Securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities.

     Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.

     Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal of certain PCs.

     CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.

     CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the mortgage loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

     The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.

     Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.

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     A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

     Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiclass mortgage securities, issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or, to the extent consistent with an Underlying Fund’s investment policies, non-governmental originators. Certain SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid for purposes of an Underlying Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. An Underlying Fund’s investment adviser may determine that SMBS which are U.S. Government Securities are liquid for purposes of each Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from Mortgage Assets are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other Mortgage-Backed Securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Asset-Backed Securities

     Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present.

     Certain Underlying Funds may invest in asset-backed securities. Such securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, an Underlying Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at

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that time. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of such Fund’s portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.

     Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to Mortgage Assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, an Underlying Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that an Underlying Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

     Each Underlying Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write options on futures contracts. The CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Large Cap Growth and CORE Small Cap Equity Funds may only enter into such transactions with respect to a representative index. The other Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. An Underlying Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent an Underlying Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Underlying Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Underlying Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Underlying Funds. The investment adviser of the Underlying Fixed Income Funds will also use futures contracts and options on futures contracts to manage the Underlying Funds’ target duration in accordance with their benchmark or benchmarks.

     Futures contracts entered into by an Underlying Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or, with respect to certain Underlying Funds, on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may also be traded over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow based security index futures may be traded over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets,

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derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.

     Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these reasons, an Underlying Fund’s investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular, persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC’s regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, these persons may not have the protection of the U.S. securities laws.

     Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments or currencies for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

     When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, an Underlying Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, an Underlying Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, certain Underlying Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, certain Underlying Funds may purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in such currency that such Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, certain Underlying Funds may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Underlying Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Underlying Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While an Underlying Fund will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner, an Underlying Fund may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Underlying Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

     Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or

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securities that an Underlying Fund owns or proposes to acquire or the exchange rate of currencies in which portfolio securities are denominated or quoted. An Underlying Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of the Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery securities held by an Underlying Fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, certain Underlying Funds may sell futures contracts on any currency in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Underlying Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in an Underlying Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, its investment adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the Underlying Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

     On other occasions, an Underlying Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing such futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when an Underlying Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.

     Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give an Underlying Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, an Underlying Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

     The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of an Underlying Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, an Underlying Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that an Underlying Fund intends to purchase. However, an Underlying Fund becomes obligated (upon exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by an Underlying Fund in writing options on

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futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. An Underlying Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.

     The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. An Underlying Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

     Other Considerations. An Underlying Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options from transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in certain cases, require an Underlying Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.

     While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for an Underlying Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between an Underlying Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and an Underlying Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

     Perfect correlation between an Underlying Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be difficult to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed-income securities are currently not available. In addition, it is not possible for an Underlying Fund to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability of an Underlying Fund’s trading in futures depends upon the ability of its investment adviser to analyze correctly the futures markets.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

     Writing Covered Options. Certain of the Underlying Funds may write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities in which they may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. An Underlying Fund may purchase and write such options on securities that are listed on national domestic securities exchanges or foreign securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. A call option written by an Underlying Fund obligates such Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. All call options written by an Underlying Fund are covered, which means that such Fund will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or such Fund will use the other methods described below. An Underlying Fund’s purpose

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in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, an Underlying Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.

     A put option written by an Underlying Fund would obligate such Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. All put options written by an Underlying Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option or will use the other methods described below. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Underlying Fund. However, in return for the option premium, an Underlying Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the securities’ market value at the time of purchase.

     In the case of a call option, the option is “covered” if an Underlying Fund owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also covered if an Underlying Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Underlying Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A put option is also covered if an Underlying Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Underlying Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.

     An Underlying Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

     An Underlying Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration which has been segregated by the Underlying Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. An Underlying Fund may cover put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets with a value equal to the exercise price or by owning offsetting options as described above.

     An Underlying Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”

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     Purchasing Options. Each Underlying Fund (other than Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund) may purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. An Underlying Fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.

     An Underlying Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle an Underlying Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. An Underlying Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise such an Underlying Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     An Underlying Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio (“protective puts”), or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle an Underlying Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of an Underlying Fund’s securities. Put options may also be purchased by an Underlying Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. An Underlying Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise such an Underlying Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

     An Underlying Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities indices, see “Writing Covered Options” above.

     Yield Curve Options. Each Underlying Fixed-Income Fund and the Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

     An Underlying Fund may purchase or write yield curve options for the same purposes as other options on securities. For example, an Underlying Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two securities if the Underlying Fund owns one of the securities and anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. An Underlying Fund may also purchase or write yield curve options in an effort to increase current income if, in the judgment of its investment adviser, the Underlying Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield

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curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such options present risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

     Yield curve options written by an Underlying Fund will be “covered.” A call (or put) option is covered if an Underlying Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and segregates cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover the Underlying Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, an Underlying Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of the Underlying Fund’s liability under the option written by the Underlying Fund less the value of the option held by the Underlying Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter, and established trading markets for these options may not exist.

     Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on a domestic or foreign options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If an Underlying Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Underlying Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if an Underlying Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

     An Underlying Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

     Transactions by an Underlying Fund in options will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the options are written or

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purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which an Underlying Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

     The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if an investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of an investment adviser to predict future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. If an investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in an Underlying Fund’s investment portfolio, the Underlying Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The writing of options could increase an Underlying Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.

Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights

     Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest a portion of their assets in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. An Underlying Fund will invest in warrants and rights only if such securities are deemed appropriate by its investment adviser for investment by the Underlying Fund. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Foreign Investments

     Investments in foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments solely in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may include the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser, to offer the potential for better long-term growth of capital and income than investments in U.S. securities, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign securities markets that do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets.

     Investing in foreign securities also involves, however, certain special risks, including those discussed in the Portfolio’s Prospectuses and those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly, an Underlying Fund that invests in foreign securities may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various

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currencies. An Underlying Fund may be subject to currency exposure independent of its securities positions.

     Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the failure to intervene or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. To the extent that a substantial portion of an Underlying Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Underlying Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Underlying Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries. In addition, if the currency in which an Underlying Fund receives dividends, interest or other payment declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Underlying Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.

     Since foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a comparable U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although each Underlying Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.

     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when some of an Underlying Fund’s assets are uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of an Underlying Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Underlying Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to an Underlying Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Underlying Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets between different countries, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect an Underlying Fund’s investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

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     Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers (together, “Depositary Receipts”).

     ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs are traded on domestic exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in registered form. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank similar to that for ADRs and are designed for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

     To the extent an Underlying Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may be an increased possibility that the Underlying Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the Depositary receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, an Underlying Fund may avoid currency risks during the settlement period for purchases and sales.

     As described more fully below, certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries may have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See “Investing in Emerging Markets” below.

     Investing in Emerging Markets. The CORE International Equity and Emerging Markets Equity Funds are intended for long-term investors who can accept the risks associated with investing primarily in equity and equity-related securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers, as well as the risks associated with investments quoted or denominated in foreign currencies. The Real Estate Securities Fund may invest, to a lesser extent, in equity and equity-related securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers. The Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may invest in debt securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers, and in fixed income securities quoted or denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars.

     Investments in securities of emerging market issuers involve special risks. The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer

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publicly traded securities, and the market may be dominated by a few issuers or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.

     Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. An Underlying Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of particular instruments, or instruments generally in such countries, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of the securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control prices in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect an Underlying Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of such securities at the price and times it wishes to do so. The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute to the extent that an Underlying Fund needs cash to meet redemption requests, to pay dividends and other distributions or to pay its expenses.

     Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.

     With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Underlying Funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder of a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.

     Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit an Underlying Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Underlying Fund. Certain emerging

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countries require government approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of an Underlying Fund. An Underlying Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.

     Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Underlying Funds may invest and adversely affect the value of the Underlying Funds’ assets. An Underlying Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

     Certain Funds may seek investment opportunities within the former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

     The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.

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     An Underlying Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates. See “Taxation.”

     Foreign markets may also have different clearance and settlement procedures and in certain U.S. markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of an Underlying Fund’s assets is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of an Underlying Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Underlying Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Underlying Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability of the Underlying Fund to the purchaser. The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by an Underlying Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries, thus subjecting Underlying Fund to a greater risk if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.

     Sovereign Debt Obligations. Investments in sovereign debt obligations involve special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and an Underlying Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign debt, and an Underlying Fund’s net asset value, may be more volatile than prices of debt obligations of U.S. issuers. In the past, the governments of certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts.

     A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multinational agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of the third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts.

     Brady Bonds. Certain foreign debt obligations, customarily referred to as “Brady Bonds,” are created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations in connection with debt restructuring under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the “Brady Plan”). Brady Bonds may be fully or partially collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although most are U.S. dollar denominated). In the event of a default on collateralized Brady Bonds for which obligations are accelerated, the collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of

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the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. In light of the residual risk of the Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of default with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds may be speculative.

     Investing in Central and South American Countries

     A significant portion of the Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s portfolio may be invested in companies located in Central and South American countries. The economies of Central and South American countries have experienced considerable difficulties in the past decade, including high inflation rates, high interest rates and currency devaluations. As a result, Central and South American securities markets have experienced great volatility. In addition, a number of Central and South American countries are among the largest Emerging Country debtors. There have been moratoria on, and reschedulings of, repayment with respect to these debts. Such events can restrict the flexibility of these debtor nations in the international markets and result in the imposition of onerous conditions on their economies.

     In the past, many Central and South American countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. High inflation rates have also led to high interest rates. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and could, in the future, have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain Central and South American countries. Many of the currencies of Central and South American countries have experienced steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have historically occurred in certain countries. Any devaluations in the currencies in which the Fund’s portfolio securities are denominated may have a detrimental impact on the Fund. There is also a risk that certain Central and South American countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into other currencies. Some Central and South American countries may have managed currencies which are not free floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain Central and South American currencies may not be internationally traded and it would be difficult for the Fund to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of the Fund’s interests in securities denominated in such securities. In addition, substantial limitations may exist in certain countries with respect to the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments.

     The emergence of the Central and South American economies and securities markets will require continued economic and fiscal discipline that has been lacking at times in the past, as well as stable political and social conditions. Governments of many Central and South American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. The political history of certain Central and South American countries has been characterized by political uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres and political corruption. Such developments, if they were to recur, could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization and removal of trade barriers.

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     International economic conditions, particularly those in the United States, as well as world prices for oil and other commodities may also influence the recovery of the Central and South American economies.

     Certain Central and South American countries have entered into regional trade agreements that would, among other things, reduce barriers between countries, increase competition among companies and reduce government subsidies in certain industries. No assurance can be given that these changes will result in the economic stability intended. There is a possibility that these trade arrangements will not be implemented, will be implemented but not completed or will be completed but then partially or completely unwound. It is also possible that a significant participant could choose to abandon a trade agreement, which could diminish its credibility and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including share appreciation or depreciation of participant’s national currencies and a significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the Central and South American markets, an undermining of Central and South American economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the drive towards Central and South American economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of such trade agreements. Such developments could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments in Central and South American countries generally or in specific countries participating in such trade agreements.

     Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Certain of the Underlying Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. Certain of the Underlying Funds may also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to seek to increase total return. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.

     At the maturity of a forward contract an Underlying Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing purchase transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing purchase transactions with respect to forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

     An Underlying Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances. First, when an Underlying Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or quoted in a foreign currency, or when an Underlying Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Underlying Fund may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions, the Underlying Fund will attempt to protect itself against an

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adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.

     Additionally, when an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. 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 those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which an Underlying Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of an Underlying Fund’s foreign assets.

     Certain of the Underlying Funds may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if the Underlying Fund’s investment adviser determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the two currencies. In addition, certain Underlying Funds may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between an Underlying Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Underlying Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Unless otherwise covered, cash or liquid assets of an Underlying Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Underlying Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts requiring the Underlying Fund to purchase foreign currencies and forward contracts entered into to seek to increase total return. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market. If the value of the segregated assets declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated so that the value of the account will equal the amount of an Underlying Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts. Certain of the Underlying Funds will not enter into a forward contract with a term of greater than one year.

     While an Underlying Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while an Underlying Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Underlying Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between an Underlying Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by such Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause an Underlying Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Underlying Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Underlying Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.

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     Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive an Underlying Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Underlying Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in forward currency contracts are not required to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity.

     Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive an Underlying Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Underlying Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. An Underlying Fund will not enter into such transactions unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by its investment adviser. To the extent that a substantial portion of an Underlying Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Underlying Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Underlying Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.

     Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. Certain of the Underlying Funds may, to the extent they invest in foreign securities, write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and when an Underlying Fund seeks to close out an option, the Underlying Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to an Underlying Fund’s position, the Underlying Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.

     Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not included in the Underlying Fund’s portfolio.

     A call option written by an Underlying Fund obligates an Underlying Fund to sell a specified currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A put option written by an Underlying Fund would obligate an Underlying Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the

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expiration date. The writing of currency options involves a risk that an Underlying Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currency’s market value or be required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currency’s market value. Written put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered in a manner similar to written put and call options on securities and securities indices described under “Writing Covered Options” above.

     An Underlying Fund may terminate its obligations under a written call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.” An Underlying Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options purchased by the Underlying Fund.

     An Underlying Fund would normally purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by an Underlying Fund are quoted or denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Underlying Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. An Underlying Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Underlying Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     An Underlying Fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (“protective puts”). The purchase of a put option would entitle an Underlying Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is usually designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. An Underlying Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Underlying Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying currency or portfolio securities.

     As noted, in addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, certain Underlying Funds may use options on currency to seek to increase total return. These Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, an Underlying Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying currency. Also, when writing put options, an Underlying Fund accepts, in return for the option premium, the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the currency’s market value at the time of purchase.

     Special Risks Associated with Options on Currency. An exchange traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although an Underlying Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options,

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no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that an Underlying Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If an Underlying Fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it may not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.

     There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customers’ orders.

     An Underlying Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by an Underlying Fund.

     The amount of the premiums which an Underlying Fund may pay or receive may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option purchasing and writing activities.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

     Certain of the Underlying Funds may enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which an Underlying Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity), but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, an Underlying Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, an Underlying Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of an Underlying Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the applicable Fund. An Underlying Fund will segregate until the settlement date cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, in an amount equal to its forward purchase price.

     For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Underlying Funds treat mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Underlying Funds do not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls for financing and do not treat them as borrowings.

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     Mortgage dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the broker-dealer to whom an Underlying Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, an Underlying Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase the mortgage-related securities subject to the mortgage dollar roll may be restricted. Also the instrument which an Underlying Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than an instrument which an Underlying Fund originally held. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls will depend upon the ability of an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser to manage an Underlying Fund’s interest rate and mortgage prepayments exposure. For these reasons, there is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

Convertible Securities

     Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock (or other securities) of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

     The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.

     A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by an Underlying Fund is called for redemption, the Underlying Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on an Underlying Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective, which, in turn, could result in losses to the Underlying Fund.

     In evaluating a convertible security, the Investment Adviser will give primary emphasis to the attractiveness of the underlying common stock. Covertible debt securities are equity investments for

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purposes of each Fund’s investment policies. Convertible debt securities are equity investments for purposes of each Underlying Fund’s investment policies.

Currency Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Index Swaps, Interest Rate Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on Swaps, and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars

     Certain Underlying Funds may enter into currency swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. In addition, certain of the Underlying Funds may enter into mortgage, credit, index, interest rate and total return swaps and other interest rate swap arrangements such as rate caps, floors and collars, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. Certain Underlying Funds may also purchase and write (sell) options on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. Currency swaps involve the exchange by an Underlying Fund with another party of their respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by an Underlying Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Index swaps involve the exchange by an Underlying Fund with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional principal amount at interest rates equal to two specified indices. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive a payment from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index, or an index component. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates. Since interest rate, mortgage and currency swaps and interest rate caps, floors and collars are individually negotiated, each Fund expects to achieve an acceptable degree of correlation between its portfolio investments and its swap, cap, floor and collar positions.

     A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, generally an Underlying Fund will enter into interest rate, total return, mortgage and index swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Underlying Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate, total return, index and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate, total return, index and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Underlying Fund is

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contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate, total return, index or mortgage swap defaults, the Underlying Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Underlying Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that an Underlying Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving a swap, a swaption or an interest rate floor, cap or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise, the Underlying Funds and their investment advisers believe that the transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to an Underlying Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     An Underlying Equity Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by its investment adviser. The Underlying Fixed-Income Funds will not enter into any mortgage, interest rate or credit swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party is rated either A or A-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s or A or P-1 or better by Moody’s or their equivalent ratings. The Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds will not enter into any currency swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s or their equivalent ratings or, if unrated by such rating agencies, determined to be of comparable quality by the applicable investment adviser. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, an Underlying Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments which are traded in the interbank market. The investment advisers, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, are responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Underlying Funds’ transactions in swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and collars.

     The use of interest rate, total return, mortgage, credit, index and currency swaps, as well as swaptions and interest rate caps, floors and collars is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of an Underlying Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used.

Equity Swaps

     Each Underlying Equity Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impracticable or disadvantageous. Equity swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. Equity swaps may be structured in different ways. For

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example, a counterparty may agree to pay the Underlying Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Underlying Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap contract plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Underlying Fund on the equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Underlying Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Underlying Fund may each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).

     An Underlying Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Underlying Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that an Underlying Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an equity swap defaults, an Underlying Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Underlying Fund’s potential exposure, the Underlying Funds and their investment advisers believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to an Underlying Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     An Underlying Equity Fund will not enter into equity swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the investment adviser. An Underlying Fund’s ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited by tax considerations.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     The Underlying Equity Funds may invest in shares of REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the Underlying Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. An Underlying Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by an Underlying Fund.

     Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by

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the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from the Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

     Each Underlying Fund may lend portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions such as brokers or dealers (including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs), and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities maintained on a current basis at an amount, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Underlying Funds may invest cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions in short-term investments. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and an Underlying Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. An Underlying Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of the loan, an Underlying Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. An Underlying Fund will not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but an Underlying Fund may call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken by the holders of the securities or the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral and loaned securities should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to firms deemed to be of good standing, and when the consideration which can be earned currently from securities loans of this type is deemed to justify the attendant risk. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, and during the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower will be considered and monitored. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by an Underlying Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of the Underlying Fund’s total assets (including the loan collateral).

     The Underlying Funds’ Board of Trustees has approved each Underlying Fund’s participation in a securities lending program and adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the securities lending program, the Underlying Funds have retained an affiliate of their respective investment advisers to serve as the securities lending agent for the Underlying Funds. For these services the lending agent may receive a fee from the Underlying Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Underlying Funds’ investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. The lending agent may, on behalf of the Underlying Funds, invest cash collateral received by the Underlying Funds for securities loans in, among other things, other registered or unregistered funds. These funds include private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates for the purpose of investing cash collateral generated from securities lending activities and which pay the investment adviser or its affiliates for these services. The Underlying Funds’ Board of Trustees will periodically review securities loan transactions for which the Goldman Sachs affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with the Underlying Fund’s

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securities lending procedures. Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under the Underlying Funds’ securities lending program, subject to certain conditions.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments

     Each Underlying Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a commitment by an Underlying Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date beyond the customary settlement time. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. An Underlying Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, an Underlying Fund may dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. An Underlying Fund may also sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Underlying Fund on the settlement date. The Underlying Funds may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining an Underlying Fund’s duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities for fixed-rate obligations will be calculated from the commitment date. Each Underlying Fund is generally required to segregate, until three days prior to the settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless the Underlying Fund’s obligations are otherwise covered. Alternatively, each Underlying Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.

Investment in Unseasoned Companies

     Certain Underlying Funds may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.

Other Investment Companies

     Each of the Underlying Funds may make limited investments in the securities of other investment companies including, pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, money market funds for which the Underlying Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. An Underlying Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the management fees and other expenses paid by the Underlying Fund. However, to the extent that the Underlying Fund invests in a money market fund for which the Underlying Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates acts as investment adviser, the

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management fees payable by the Underlying Fund to the investment adviser or its affiliates will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Underlying Fund’s proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment adviser. Although the Underlying Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Underlying Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Underlying Fund.

     Each Underlying Equity Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds such as Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™(“SPDRs”). Exchange-traded funds are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System. SPDRs are interests in a unit investment trust (“UIT”) that may be obtained from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market (SPDRs are listed on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”)). The UIT was established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500® Index. The UIT is sponsored by a subsidiary of the AMEX. SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price activity of the S&P 500® Index. The UIT will issue SPDRs in aggregations known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (i) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the S&P 500® Index, (ii) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the UIT’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the UIT, net of expenses and liabilities, and (iii) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the S&P 500® Index and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.

     SPDRs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, an investor must accumulate enough SPDRs to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of SPDRs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, an investor will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.

     The price of SPDRs is derived from and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a SPDR is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for SPDRs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying SPDRs purchased or sold by the Underlying Funds could result in losses on SPDRs.

     Certain Underlying Funds may also purchase shares of investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign countries or regions. Certain Underlying Funds may also invest in iSharessm and similar securities that invest in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iSharessm are listed on the AMEX and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iSharessm are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iSharessm on the AMEX. However, iSharessm have a limited operating history and

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information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iSharessm for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the AMEX necessary to maintain the listing of iSharessm will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iSharessm should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of an Underlying Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, an Underlying Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iSharessm as part of its investment strategy.

Repurchase Agreements

     Each Underlying Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, and dealers which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of the repurchase obligation. Certain Underlying Funds may also enter into repurchase agreements involving certain foreign government securities. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which an Underlying Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by an Underlying Fund’s custodian (or sub-custodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to an Underlying Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to an Underlying Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to an Underlying Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.

     A repurchase agreement is similar to a collateralized loan, but is structured as a purchase of securities by an Underlying Fund subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The difference between the original purchase price and the repurchase price is normally based on prevailing short-term interest rates. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller is required to furnish securities and other collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of the seller’s repurchase obligation.

     Custody of the underlying securities and other collateral will be maintained by the Underlying Fund’s custodian or subcustodian for the duration of the agreement. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Underlying Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Underlying Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Underlying Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities and other collateral subject to the repurchase agreement. The value of the purchased securities will at all times equal or exceed the value of the repurchase agreement.

     Repurchase agreements pose certain risks for all entities, including the Underlying Fund, that utilize them. Such risks are not unique to the Underlying Fund but are inherent in repurchase agreements. For instance, if the seller under a repurchase agreement defaults, an Underlying Fund could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of underlying securities and other collateral held by the Underlying Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Underlying Fund’s cost associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. The Underlying Fund seeks to minimize such risks by, among others, the means indicated below, but because of the inherent legal uncertainties involved in repurchase agreements, such risks cannot be eliminated.

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     For purposes of the Act, and generally, for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from the Underlying Fund to the seller of the underlying securities and other collateral. It is not clear whether for other purposes a court would consider the underlying securities and other collateral purchased by the Underlying Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by the Underlying Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Underlying Fund to the seller.

     If, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the seller of the underlying securities and other collateral, a court holds that the Underlying Fund does not have a perfected security interest in the underlying securities and other collateral, the Underlying Fund may be required to return the underlying securities and other collateral to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, an Underlying Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income involved in the transaction. To minimize this risk, the Underlying Funds utilize custodians and subcustodians that the Investment Adviser believes follow customary securities industry practice with respect to repurchase agreements, and the Investment Adviser analyzes the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the underlying securities and other collateral. But because of the legal uncertainties, this risk, like others associated with repurchase agreements, cannot be eliminated.

     Also, in the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller before repurchase of the underlying securities and other collateral under a repurchase agreement, an Underlying Fund could suffer additional losses if an Underlying Fund encounters delay that prevents the Underlying Fund from promptly selling the underlying securities and other collateral (such as if the underlying securities and other collateral is subject to a court “stay”) and incur costs before being able to sell the security. If this occurs, an Underlying Fund will bear the risk that the value of the collateral will decline below the repurchase price.

     Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), an Underlying Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.

     The Underlying Funds, together with other registered investment companies having management agreements with the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     Certain Underlying Funds may borrow money by entering into transactions called reverse repurchase agreements. Under these arrangements, an Underlying Fund will sell portfolio securities to banks and other financial institutions, with an agreement to repurchase the security on an agreed date,

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price and interest payment. The Core Fixed Income, Global Income, High Yield and Emerging Markets Debt Funds may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements involving certain foreign government securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the possible risk that the value of portfolio securities an Underlying Fund relinquishes may decline below the price the Underlying Fund must pay when the transaction closes. Borrowings may magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested resulting in an increase in the speculative character of an Underlying Fund’s outstanding shares.

     When an Underlying Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it segregates cash or liquid assets that have a value equal to or greater than the repurchase price. The account is then continuously monitored by its investment adviser to make sure that an appropriate value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings under the Act.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities

     The Underlying Funds may not invest more than 15% (10% in the case of Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund) of their net assets in illiquid investments, which include securities (both foreign and domestic) that are not readily marketable, certain SMBS, certain municipal leases and participation interests, certain over-the-counter options, repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, and certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for the specific instrument, that such instrument is liquid. The Trustees have adopted guidelines under which the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers determine and monitor the liquidity of the Underlying Funds’ portfolio securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in an Underlying Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these instruments.

     The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted securities may reflect a discount from the price at which such securities trade when they are not restricted, since the restriction may make them less liquid. The amount of the discount from the prevailing market price is expected to vary depending upon the type of security, the character of the issuer, the party who will bear the expenses of registering the restricted securities and prevailing supply and demand conditions.

Short Sales

     The Underlying Funds (other than the CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE Large Cap Value, CORE Small Cap Equity and CORE International Equity Funds) may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the seller sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. While a short sale is made by selling a security the seller does not own, a short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the seller contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. It may be entered into by an Underlying Fund, for example, to lock in a sales price for a security the Underlying Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If an Underlying Fund sells securities short against the box, it may protect itself from loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises.

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     If an Underlying Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if an Underlying Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which an Underlying Fund may effect short sales.

Non-Diversified Status

     The Global Income Fund is “non-diversified” under the Act and may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds. The Global Income Fund is subject only to certain federal tax diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, the Global Income Fund may, with respect to 50% of its total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect to the remaining 50% of the Global Income Fund’s total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests do not apply to investments in United States Government Securities and regulated investment companies.

Portfolio Turnover

     Each Underlying Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for equity or fixed-income securities, or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover rate of each Underlying Fund will vary from year to year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Underlying Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Underlying Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Portfolio. The investment objective of each Portfolio and all other investment policies or practices of each Portfolio are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of a Portfolio present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares of a Portfolio. For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Portfolio. With respect to the Portfolios’ fundamental investment restriction no. 3,

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asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

     As a matter of fundamental policy, a Portfolio may not:

  (1)   make any investment inconsistent with the Portfolio’s classification as a diversified company under the Act;
 
  (2)   invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding investment companies and the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities). (For the purposes of this restriction, state and municipal governments and their agencies, authorities and instrumentalities are not deemed to be industries; telephone companies are considered to be a separate industry from water, gas or electric utilities; personal credit finance companies and business credit finance companies are deemed to be separate industries; and wholly-owned finance companies are considered to be in the industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents.) This restriction does not apply to investments in Municipal Securities which have been pre-refunded by the use of obligations of the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities;
 
  (3)   borrow money, except (a) the Portfolio may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) the Portfolio may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (d) the Portfolio may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law and (e) the Portfolio may engage transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings;
 
  (4)   make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions and (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law;
 
  (5)   underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriting;
 
  (6)   purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although a Portfolio may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by a Portfolio as a result of the ownership of securities;

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  (7)   invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Portfolio may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts; and
 
  (8)   issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

     Notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, each Portfolio may invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Portfolio.

     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees without approval of shareholders.

     A Portfolio may not:

  (a)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management (but this does not prevent a Portfolio from purchasing a controlling interest in one or more of the Underlying Funds consistent with its investment objective and policies).
 
  (b)   Invest more than 15% of the Portfolio’s net assets in illiquid investments, including illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”).
 
  (c)   Purchase additional securities if the Portfolio’s borrowings (excluding covered mortgage dollar rolls) exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
  (d)   Make short sales of securities, except short sales against the box.

     The Underlying Funds in which the Portfolios may invest have adopted certain investment restrictions which may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby allowing a Portfolio to participate in certain investment strategies indirectly that are prohibited under the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions and policies listed above. The investment restrictions of these Underlying Funds are set forth in their respective Additional Statements.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The business and affairs of the Portfolios are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Portfolio’s daily business operations.

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     Trustees of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Office and       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Length of   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Time Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
 
                       
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 62
  Chairman &
Trustee
  Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994-March 1996 and November 1998-Present); Executive Vice President — Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996-November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984-1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989-Present); Member of Cornell University Council (1992-Present); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992-Present); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors-III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002-Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Chairman of the Board and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 - May 2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Office and       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Length of   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Time Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
 
                       
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 45
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000-Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-Present); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997-August 2000).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 68
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997-Present); Director, Smith College (1998-Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977-Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985-Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986-1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993-February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993-1998); and Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Wilma J. Smelcer
Age: 55
  Trustee   Since 2001   Chairman, Bank of America, Illinois (banking) (1998-January 2001); and Governor, Board of Governors, Chicago Stock Exchange (national securities exchange) (April 2001-April 2004).     63     Lawson Products Inc. (distributor of industrial products).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Office and       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Length of   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Time Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
 
                       
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003-Present); President, COO and Director, Unext, Inc. (1999-2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999-Present); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987-Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990-1999).     63     Gildan Activewear Inc. (an activewear clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (53 Portfolios).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Interested Trustees
                Number of    
                Portfolios    
        Term of       in Fund    
    Position(s)   Office and       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Length of   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Time Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
 
                       
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 54
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director – GSAM (May 1999-Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 – May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 - May 1999).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
*Kaysie P. Uniacke
Age: 43
  Trustee    Since 2001    Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).      63     None
  &       Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund            
          Complex (registered investment companies).            
  President   Since 2002    President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2002-Present) (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997 – 2002) ( registered investment companies).            

* These persons are considered to be “Interested Trustees” because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Howard B. Surloff.

2 The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.

3 Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.

4 The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of May 31, 2004, the Trust consisted of 57 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.

5 This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

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     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.

             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)   Term of Office and    
Name, Age   Held   Length of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  With the Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
 
           
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
  President
&
  Since 2002   Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  Trustee   Since 2001   Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
          President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997–2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 – Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995-November 2003).
          Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992-Present). 
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
          Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 46
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985–June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).
 
           
          Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 40
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995–October 1998). 
          Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)   Term of Office and    
Name, Age   Held   Length of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  With the Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
 
           
James A. Fitzpatrick
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
  Vice President   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999– Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997–December 1999). 
Age: 44
          Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 40
  Vice President   Since 1998   Vice President, GSAM (June 1998-Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996–June 1998). 
          Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
  Vice President   Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control – Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present). 
Age: 41
          Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Christopher Keller
4900 Sears Tower
  Vice President   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 1997–Present). 
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 38
          Vice President –Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
  Vice President   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998-Present);
32 Old Slip
          Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April
New York, NY 10005
          1998–December 2000); and Senior Vice President and
Age: 41
          Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 – April 1998).
 
           
          Vice President—Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)   Term of Office and    
Name, Age   Held   Length of Time   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  With the Trust
  Served1
  During Past 5 Years
 
           
Howard B. Surloff
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
  Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2002–Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs and General Counsel to the U.S. Funds Group (December 1997–Present). 
Age: 38
          Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001-Present) and Assistant Secretary prior thereto.
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001–Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997–December 2001). 
Age: 39
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987–Present). 
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 34
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 – Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996–Present). 
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Amy E. Curran
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 34
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 1999   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (June 1999–Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1998–2000); and Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads (law firm) (September 1996–1998). 
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

1 Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

Standing Board Committees

     The Board of Trustees has established six standing committees in connection with their governance of the Portfolios — Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Schedule E.

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     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees a firm of independent certified public auditors to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (1) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (2) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (3) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held six meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.

     The Compliance Committee consists of each of the Independent Trustees. The Compliance Committee’s functions, among other things, are: (i) to review and recommend for adoption certain policies and procedures for the Funds and their service providers; (ii) to review and recommend to the Board the designation of a chief compliance officer of the Funds; and (iii) to review material compliance matters that are reported to it and to take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Compliance Committee was formed on May 6, 2004 and, therefore did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Trust’s Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. Mr. Shuch and Ms. Uniacke serve on the Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held 21 meetings.

     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Ms. Uniacke. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Dividend Committee held three meetings with respect to the Portfolios included in this Additional Statement.

     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc (“NASD”). Currently, the Independent Trustees are alternate members of this committee. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

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Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Portfolios and other portfolios of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

                 
            Aggregate Dollar Range of
            Equity Securities in All
            Portfolios in Fund
    Dollar Range of   Complex Overseen By
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Portfolios1
  Trustee2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  None   over $100,000
Gary D. Black3
  None   None
John P. Coblentz, Jr. 4
  None   None
Patrick T. Harker
  None   Over $100,000
James McNamara3
  None   $ 10,000 - $50,000  
Mary P. McPherson
  None   Over $100,000
Alan A. Shuch
  None   Over $100,000
Wilma J. Smelcer
  None   $ 50,001 - $100,000  
Richard P. Strubel
  None   Over $100,000
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  None   Over $100,000


1   Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Portfolio described in this Additional Statement as of December 31, 2003.
 
2   Includes the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2003, the Trust consisted of 58 portfolios, including the Portfolios described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

     As of April 1, 2004, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Portfolio.

Board Compensation

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     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance and Nominating Committee meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003:

                         
            Pension or    
            Retirement   Total Compensation
    Aggregate   Benefits Accrued as   From Fund Complex
    Compensation   Part of the Trust's   (including the
Name of Trustee
  from the Portfolios
  Expenses
  Portfolios)2
Ashok N. Bakhru1
  $ 11,159     $     $ 171,000  
Gary D. Black3
                 
John P. Coblentz, Jr.4
                 
Patrick T. Harker
    8,196             126,000  
James McNamara3
                 
Mary P. McPherson
    8,196             126,000  
Alan A. Shuch
                 
Wilma J. Smelcer
    8,196             126,000  
Richard P. Strubel
    8,196             126,000  
Kaysie P. Uniacke
                 


1   Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
2   The Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Trust consisted of 58 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios as of December 31, 2003.
 
3   Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
4   Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

Miscellaneous

     Class A Shares of the Portfolios may be sold at net asset value without payment of any sales charge to Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above individuals. These and the Portfolios’ other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.

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     The Trust, its investment advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Portfolios or the Underlying Funds.

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

     As stated in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), 32 Old Slip, New York, New York 10005, serves as Investment Adviser to the Portfolios and to each Underlying Fund. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April, 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs served as the investment adviser to the Portfolios and to each Underlying Fund except that Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (subsequently renamed Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.) served as investment adviser to the Short Duration Government Fund. On or about April 26, 2003, GSAM assumed investment advisory responsibilities for the Portfolios and the Underlying Funds that had been advised by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street, London, England EC1A7HD, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Emerging Markets Equity and Global Income Funds. As a company with unlimited liability under the laws of England, GSAMI is regulated by the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited, a United Kingdom self-regulatory organization, in the conduct of its investment advisory business. See “Service Provides” in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses for a description of the Investment Adviser’s duties to the Portfolios.

     Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is among the oldest and largest investment banking firms in the United States. Goldman Sachs is a leader in developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. Goldman Sachs also is among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a wide range of equity and debt securities 24-hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York and has offices throughout the United States and in Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Calgary, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, George Town, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, and Zurich. It has trading professionals throughout the United States, as well as in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the world’s financial markets enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the Portfolios and Underlying Funds to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of each Portfolio’s and Fund’s name for as long as a Portfolio’s or Fund’s Management Agreement is in effect.

     The Underlying Funds’ investment advisers are able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of Goldman Sachs whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 2,400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 markets. The in-depth information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs’ research analysts are available to the investment advisers.

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     For more than a decade, Goldman Sachs has been among the top-ranked firms in Institutional Investor’s annual “All-America Research Team” survey. In addition, many of Goldman Sachs’ economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using quantitative analytics to structure and evaluate portfolios.

     In managing the Underlying Funds, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers have access to Goldman Sachs’ economics research. The Economics Research Department, based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide. The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures, balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman Sachs’ international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Extel, Institutional Investor, and Reuters. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firm’s economists, strategists and equity analysts.

     In structuring Short Duration Government Fund’s securities portfolio, the Fund’s investment adviser will review the existing overall economic and mortgage market trends. The investment adviser will then study yield spreads, the implied volatility and the shape of the yield curve. The investment adviser will then apply this analysis to a list of eligible securities that meet the Fund’s investment guideline.

     With respect to Short Duration Government Fund, Core Fixed Income Fund and High Yield Fund, the applicable investment advisers expect to utilize Goldman Sachs’ sophisticated option-adjusted analytics to help make strategic asset allocations within the markets for U.S. government, Mortgage-Backed and other securities and to employ this technology periodically to re-evaluate the Funds’ investments as market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has also developed a prepayment model designed to estimate mortgage prepayments and cash flows under different interest rate scenarios. Because a Mortgage-Backed Security incorporates the borrower’s right to prepay the mortgage, the investment advisers use a sophisticated option-adjusted spread (OAS) model to measure expected returns. A security’s OAS is a function of the level and shape of the yield curve, volatility and the particular investment adviser’s expectation of how a change in interest rates will affect prepayment levels. Since the OAS model assumes a relationship between prepayments and interest rates, the investment advisers consider it a better way to measure a security’s expected return and absolute and relative values than yield to maturity. In using OAS technology, the investment advisers will first evaluate the absolute level of a security’s OAS and consider its liquidity and its interest rate, volatility and prepayment sensitivity. The investment advisers will then analyze its value relative to alternative investments and to its own investments. The investment advisers will also measure a security’s interest rate risk by computing an option adjusted duration (OAD). The investment advisers believe a security’s OAD is a better measurement of its price sensitivity than cash flow duration, which systematically misstates portfolio duration. The investment advisers also evaluate returns for different mortgage market sectors and evaluates the credit risk of individual securities. This sophisticated technical analysis allows the investment advisers to develop portfolio and trading strategies using Mortgage-Backed Securities that are believed to be superior investments on a risk-adjusted basis and

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which provide the flexibility to meet the respective Funds’ duration targets and cash flow pattern requirements.

     Because the OAS is adjusted for the differing characteristics of the underlying securities, the OAS of different Mortgage-Backed Securities can be compared directly as an indication of their relative value in the market. The investment advisers also expect to use OAS-based pricing methods to calculate projected security returns under different, discrete interest rate scenarios, and Goldman Sachs’ proprietary prepayment model to generate yield estimates under these scenarios. The OAS, scenario returns, expected returns, and yields of securities in the mortgage market can be combined and analyzed in an optimal risk-return matching framework.

     The investment advisers will use OAS analytics to choose what they believe is an appropriate portfolio of investments for an Underlying Fund from a universe of eligible investments. In connection with initial portfolio selections, in addition to using OAS analytics as an aid to meeting each Fund’s particular composition and performance targets, the investment advisers will also take into account important market criteria like the available supply and relative liquidity of various mortgage securities in structuring the portfolio.

     The Underlying Funds’ investment advisers also expect to use OAS analytics to evaluate the mortgage market on an ongoing basis. Changes in the relative value of various Mortgage-Backed Securities could suggest tactical trading opportunities for the Underlying Funds. The investment advisers will have access to both current market analysis as well as historical information on the relative value relationships among different Mortgage-Backed Securities. Current market analysis and historical information is available in the Goldman Sachs database for most actively traded Mortgage-Backed Securities.

     Goldman Sachs has agreed to provide the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers, on a non-exclusive basis, use of its mortgage prepayment model, OAS model and any other proprietary services which it now has or may develop, to the extent such services are made available to other similar customers. Use of these services by the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers with respect to an Underlying Fund does not preclude Goldman Sachs from providing these services to third parties or using such services as a basis for trading for its own account or the account of others.

     The fixed-income research capabilities of Goldman Sachs available to the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers include the Goldman Sachs Fixed-Income Research Department and the Credit Department. The Fixed-Income Research Department monitors developments in U.S. and foreign fixed-income markets, assesses the outlooks for various sectors of the markets and provides relative value comparisons, as well as analyzes trading opportunities within and across market sectors. The Fixed-Income Research Department is at the forefront in developing and using computer-based tools for analyzing fixed-income securities and markets, developing new fixed-income products and structuring portfolio strategies for investment policy and tactical asset allocation decisions. The Credit Department tracks specific governments, regions and industries and from time to time may review the credit quality of an Underlying Fund’s investments.

     In allocating assets among foreign countries and currencies for the Underlying Funds which can invest in foreign securities, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers will have access to the

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Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model, the investment advisers will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs’ research professionals to produce an optimal currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for an Underlying Fund given its investment objectives and criteria.

     The Management Agreements for the Portfolios and the Underlying Funds provide that their investment advisers (and their affiliates) may render similar services to others as long as the services provided by them thereunder are not impaired thereby.

     The Portfolios’ Management Agreement was most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the management agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”), on May 5, 2004. At that meeting the Board of Trustees reviewed the written and oral presentations provided by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Trustees’ consideration of the Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed, with the advice of legal counsel, their responsibilities under applicable law. At the meeting held on May 5, 2004, the Trustees considered, in particular, restructuring of the Investment Adviser and the assumption of investment advisory responsibilities by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., including the assurances that the same personnel and resources would be committed to the management of the Funds. The Trustees also considered, in particular, the regulatory settlement that had been reached by Goldman Sachs regarding investment bank and research department conflicts of interest. The Trustees considered, in particular, the Portfolios’ respective management fee rates; the Portfolios’ respective operating expense ratios; the Investment Adviser’s current and prospective fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the respective Portfolios and pricing philosophy; and the investment performance of the Portfolios for the prior year and longer time periods. The information on these matters was also compared to similar information for other mutual funds. In addition, the Trustees considered the Portfolios’ management fee structures in comparison to the structures used by other mutual funds; the revenues received by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from the Portfolios for its investment management services and for other non-investment management services, and its expenses in providing such services; the brokerage and research services received in connection with the placement of brokerage transactions for the Portfolios; and the Portfolios’ asset levels and possible economies of scale. The Trustees also considered the personnel and resources of the Investment Adviser, the overall nature and quality of the Investment Adviser’s services and the specific provisions of the Management Agreement. After consideration of the Investment Adviser’s presentations, the Non-Interested Trustees discussed at greater length in executive session the fairness and reasonableness of the Management Agreement to the Portfolios and their shareholders, including the trends in expense levels and investment performance, and concluded that the Management Agreement should be reapproved and continued in the interests of the Portfolios and their shareholders. These arrangements were approved by the sole shareholder of the Balanced Strategy, Growth and Income Strategy, Growth Strategy and Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolios on January 1, 1998. The Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio or a majority of the Trustees, and

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(ii) the vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management Agreement will terminate automatically with respect to a Portfolio if assigned (as defined in the Act) and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Portfolio on 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Adviser and by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.

     Under the Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Portfolio; (ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Portfolio; (iii) arranges for at each Portfolio’s expense (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Portfolio’s records; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services.

     Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Advisers are entitled to receive the fees set forth below, payable monthly, based on such Portfolio’s average daily net assets. In addition, as of the date of this Additional Statement the Investment Advisers are voluntarily limiting their management fees for the Portfolios to the annual rates listed below:

                 
    Management Fee   Management Fee
Portfolio
  With Limitations
  Without Limitations
Balanced Strategy
    0.15 %     0.35 %
Growth and Income Strategy
    0.15 %     0.35 %
Growth Strategy
    0.15 %     0.35 %
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    0.15 %     0.35 %

     GSAM may discontinue or modify the above limitations in the future at its discretion.

     The fees paid by the Portfolios for services rendered pursuant to the Management Agreement were as follows (with and without the fee limitations that were then in effect) for the fiscal years ended December 31:

                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
    With Fee   Without Fee   With Fee   Without Fee   With Fee   Without Fee
    Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
  Limitations
Balanced Strategy
  $ 148,152     $ 345,689     $ 130,616     $ 304,772     $ 117,631     $ 274,472  
Growth and Income Strategy
    365,088       851,877       389,560       908,975       491,727       1,147,362  
Growth Strategy
    275,100       641,899       306,391       714,913       388,329       906,100  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    140,715       328,335       146,180       341,088       182,432       425,674  

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Distributor and Transfer Agent

     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive Distributor of shares of the Portfolios pursuant to a “best efforts” arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Portfolio. Shares of the Portfolios are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after the Portfolios’ Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain investment dealers and financial service firms (the “Authorized Dealers”) to solicit subscriptions for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each of the Portfolios that offer such classes of shares. Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the sales load imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or redemption in the case of Class B and Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of such Portfolio shares.

     Goldman Sachs retained approximately the following commissions on sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares during the fiscal years ended December 31:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Strategy
  $ 31,700     $ 13,500     $ 8,000  
Growth and Income Strategy
    58,700       20,100       24,000  
Growth Strategy
    31,500       26,300       41,000  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    11,400       18,100       33,000  

     Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606, also serves as the Portfolios’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust with respect to each Portfolio to: (i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trust’s custodian and the relevant subcustodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with tax-related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to each Portfolio’s Institutional and Service Shares and 0.19% of average daily net assets with respect to each Portfolio’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares (less transfer agency expenses borne by a share class).

     As compensation for the services rendered to the Portfolios by Goldman Sachs as transfer and dividend disbursing agent and the assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive fees from each Portfolio as stated in the Prospectuses. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the amounts paid to Goldman Sachs by each Portfolio were as follows under the schedules then in effect:

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    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Strategy
                       
Class A Shares
  $ 54,830     $ 49,614     $ 60,864  
Class B Shares
    42,408       42,852       48,337  
Class C Shares
    28,527       27,330       33,997  
Institutional Shares
    12,389       9,185       895  
Service Shares
    642       426       326  
Growth and Income Strategy
                       
Class A Shares
    215,123       222,864       262,708  
Class B Shares
    126,845       147,956       191,260  
Class C Shares
    105,059       105,719       131,402  
Institutional Shares
    2,543       2,873       7,251  
Service Shares
    704       686       640  
Growth Strategy
                       
Class A Shares
    144,398       157,106       194,903  
Class B Shares
    110,775       130,556       173,629  
Class C Shares
    83,614       88,211       110,712  
Institutional Shares
    1,605       2,208       2,335  
Service Shares
    432       365       326  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
                       
Class A Shares
    83,650       81,011       95,362  
Class B Shares
    40,765       48,954       64,056  
Class C Shares
    45,676       43,785       56,275  
Institutional Shares
    1,662       2,346       3,180  
Service Shares
    54       56       59  

     The foregoing distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may render similar services to others so long as the services each provides thereunder to the Portfolios are not impaired thereby. Each such agreement also provides that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities.

Expenses

     The Trust, on behalf of each Portfolio, is responsible for the payment of each Portfolio’s respective expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Adviser, service fees and shareholder administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses payable to the Trust’s custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses,

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brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trust’s shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Portfolios, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs and its affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, Additional Statements, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trust’s shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses assumed by a Portfolio pursuant to its distribution and service plans, compensation and expenses of its “non-interested” Trustees, the fees and expenses at of pricing services and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder administration plan, or distribution and service plan applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees, all Portfolio expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.

     The imposition of the Investment Adviser’s fees, as well as other operating expenses, will have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment Adviser may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Portfolio or Underlying Fund, which would have the effect of lowering that Portfolio or Underlying Fund’s overall expense ratio and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.

     As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees, shareholder administration fees, interest, brokerage fees, and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses) for the Portfolios to the extent such expenses exceed the percentage (rounded) of the average daily net assets specified in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses. Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis and may be discontinued or modified by the Investment Adviser in its discretion at any time.

     The amounts of certain “Other Expenses” of each Portfolio then in existence that were reduced or otherwise limited were as follows under the expense limitations that were then in effect for the fiscal years ended December 31:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Strategy
  $ 222,377     $ 261,003     $ 205,937  
Growth and Income Strategy
    225,157       261,944       209,355  
Growth Strategy
    221,453       257,903       221,252  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    212,742       257,984       212,928  

     Fees and expenses borne by the Portfolios relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a Portfolio, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Portfolio may also bear an

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allocable portion of the Investment Adviser’s costs of performing certain accounting services not being provided by a Portfolio’s custodian.

Reimbursement

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the total amounts of management fees and certain “Other Expenses” of each Portfolio then in existence that were reduced or otherwise limited were as follows under the expense limitations that were then in effect:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Strategy
  $ 419,914     $ 435,158     $ 362,778  
Growth and Income Strategy
    711,946       781,359       864,989  
Growth Strategy
    588,252       666,425       739,023  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    400,362       452,892       456,171  

Custodian and Sub-Custodians

     State Street, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian of the Trust’s portfolio securities and cash. State Street also maintains the Trust’s accounting records. State Street may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold certain securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Trust.

Independent Auditors

     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, have been selected as independent auditors of the Portfolios of the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. In addition to audit services, Ernst & Young LLP will prepare the Portfolios’ Federal and state tax returns, and will provide advice and assistance on accounting, internal control and related matters. The data set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses for the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Previous to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the data set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, were audited by other independent auditors who have ceased operations.

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities and business operations of the Portfolios and the

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Underlying Funds, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in accounts, securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Underlying Funds and their service providers. These are considerations of which investors in the Funds should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Portfolios.

     Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs in addition to those described in this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

     Certain Activities and Interests of Goldman Sachs and Clients

     Goldman Sachs is a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Underlying Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Underlying Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from Goldman Sachs and from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. In addition, it is likely that the Underlying Funds will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has direct or indirect interests. The Underlying Funds investment advisers make decisions for an Underlying Fund in accordance with their obligations as investment advisers. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Underlying Funds and, as a result, the Portfolios.

     Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to current or future accounts or funds that it manages or advises, including accounts or funds that may provide greater fees or other compensation, including performance-based fees, to Goldman Sachs or the Investment Adviser or in which Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”) or proprietary accounts, that may compete or conflict with the advice given to the Portfolios and/or the Underlying Funds, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken than with respect to the Portfolios and/or Underlying Funds. For example, the Underlying Funds may be competing for investment opportunities with Goldman Sachs, or with other current or future Client/GS Accounts. Goldman Sachs and its Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell the securities of issuers while an Underlying Fund is undertaking the same or a different, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could increase the cost of that strategy to the Underlying Fund or otherwise disadvantage the Underlying Fund and/or the Portfolios. For example, an Underlying Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may establish a short position in the same security. That subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Underlying Fund holds. Conversely, the Underlying Fund may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may buy that same security. That subsequent purchase may result in impairment of the price of the short sale position which the Underlying Fund holds. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other accounts, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies.

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     In addition, conflicts may arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Portfolio or an Underlying Fund may benefit other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by an Underlying Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by an Underlying Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account.

     The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by Goldman Sachs). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Underlying Funds. To lessen the possibility that an Underlying Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Underlying Funds and Goldman Sachs, as the Underlying Funds’ investment adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Underlying Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

     Goldman Sachs and its clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Underlying Funds and as a result, the Portfolios. Prices, availability, liquidity and terms of Underlying Fund investments may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and its clients’ activities, and transactions for the Underlying Funds may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case. The results of the investment activities of the Underlying Funds may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts or accounts managed by it and from the results achieved by the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers for other advised accounts. In addition, other client transactions may also adversely impact the Underlying Funds. Subject to applicable law, clients of the Portfolios’ Investment Adviser may also have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Adviser’s transactions or views which may affect their transactions outside of accounts controlled by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs and in connection therewith negatively impact the performance of the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. Further, the Portfolios and Underlying Funds may be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchases and redemptions of Underlying Fund shares, as well as increases of capital in and withdrawals of capital from other accounts advised by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate.

     The investment advisers’ management of the Underlying Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Underlying Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. Subject to applicable law, the Underlying Funds may engage in investment

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transactions which may result in Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of an investment. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Underlying Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or its Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.

     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Underlying Funds, it is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts, which are favorable to Goldman Sachs. In such circumstances, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no fees or other compensation payable by the Underlying Funds will be reduced thereby. When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Underlying Funds, it may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. In addition, when Goldman Sachs acts in such capacities, its representatives may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, including the Investment Adviser, and such representatives may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. When acting in such capacity, Goldman Sachs is under no obligation to disseminate such information to the Investment Adviser or to others. Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may from time to time in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services to the Portfolios and Underlying Funds in investment management and administrative capacities.

     Goldman Sachs, and its sales personnel and other dealers, have interests in promoting sales of the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel and other dealers may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the investors in the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. Such fees and commissions may vary by product or service, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of the Portfolios and Underlying Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other products. Further, Goldman Sachs may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, dealers, consultants and others who recommend, sell, or have interests or relationships associated with sales or recommendations of Portfolio and Underlying Fund shares or portfolio transactions for the Portfolios and Underlying Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its employees and its businesses. In addition, Goldman Sachs employees, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have board, advisory or other relationships with issuers, dealers, consultants and charitable organizations which may own or which may recommend or sell shares of the Portfolios and Underling Funds or portfolio transactions for the Underlying Funds. As a result, those persons and institutions may have conflicts associated with the promotion of Portfolio and Underlying Fund shares and portfolio investment-related matters that would create incentives for them to promote such sales or raise other conflicts.

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     Certain Regulatory Matters

     From time to time, the activities of a Portfolio and/or Underlying Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. An investment fund not affiliated with Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations in relation to transactions with Goldman Sachs. There may be periods when the Investment Adviser may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Underlying Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Underlying Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Underlying Funds may purchase investments that are issued, or the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs-related personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.

     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs, for its proprietary accounts and for other clients may also limit investment strategies and rights of Client/GS Accounts. For example, in certain regulated industries, in emerging markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, its Client/GS Accounts and other clients to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, Goldman Sachs may limit purchases in Client/GS Accounts, sell existing investments for Client/GS Accounts, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) for Client/GS Accounts, when Goldman Sachs, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate in light of potential regulatory restrictions on ownership or other impairments resulting to the Client/GS Account, Goldman Sachs, or other clients arising from reaching investment thresholds.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Underlying Funds in which Goldman Sachs, acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Underlying Funds may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Underlying Funds and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. The Underlying Funds will only consider engaging in a principal or cross transaction with Goldman Sachs or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Underlying Funds’ investment advisers will, to the extent required by law, obtain necessary consents prior to entering into such transactions.

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     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, non-public information or other information that could limit the ability of the Underlying Funds to buy and sell investments. The Underlying Funds’ investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence. In making investment decisions for a Underlying Fund, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers are not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Goldman Sachs in the course of their activities.

     Other Investment Management-Related Activities

     In determining the allocation of investment opportunities among the Underlying Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, a number of factors may be considered by the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers, which may include the relative size of the applicable accounts or funds and their expected futures sizes, the investments available for allocation at any given time and the investment objectives of the Underlying Funds and such Client/GS Accounts. The Underlying Funds’ investment advisers will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Underlying Funds and Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable and equitable. Although allocating orders among the Underlying Funds and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interest of Goldman Sachs or its personnel in such other Client/GS Accounts or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from such Client/GS Accounts, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or such greater fees and compensation. The Underlying Funds’ investment advisers may determine that an investment opportunity or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for itself or an affiliate, but not for the Underlying Funds, or is appropriate for, or available to, the Underlying Funds but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for others. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Underlying Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.

     Purchases and sales of securities for the account of the Underlying Funds may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other accounts of Goldman Sachs, including other Client/GS Accounts. Because of the prevailing trading activity, it is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged which may be disadvantageous to the Underlying Funds.

     The Underlying Funds and their investment advisers or their affiliates or personnel may from time to time receive research products and services in connection with the brokerage services that brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Advisers) may provide to the Underlying Funds or one or more Client/GS Accounts. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Underlying Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Underlying Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. In addition, Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefits, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Underlying Funds and to Client/GS Accounts.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Portfolios and Underlying Funds may invest all or some of their short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs, and may invest in other investment funds advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In

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addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other dealers) will be entitled to retain any fees accruing to it in connection with any such investments, and the fees or allocations from the Portfolios and Underlying Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with a Shareholder’s direct purchase of underlying investments).

     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Underlying Funds or with respect to which the underlying securities, currencies or instruments may be those in which the Underlying Funds invest, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Underlying Funds. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may, from time to time, invest in the Underlying Funds, hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling Underlying Fund shares and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its Underlying Fund and other positions at any time. These investments and redemptions will be made without notice to the shareholders. These derivative related activities, as well as such investment and redemption activities may have an adverse effect on the Underlying Funds’ investment management, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through a Underlying Fund by the shareholders.

     The Underlying Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on the Underlying Funds’ own credit standing. Neither Goldman Sachs nor the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers or any of their affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Underlying Funds’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Underlying Funds’ counterparties will rely on the credit of such entities in evaluating the Underlying Funds’ creditworthiness. In addition, the Underlying Funds, when their investment advisers deem it appropriate, may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs or its affiliates, at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.

     Subject to applicable law, in connection with its management of the Underlying Fund, their investment advisers may utilize investment policy advisors or a committee which may include personnel of Goldman Sachs or of unaffiliated firms. Those individuals may, as a result, obtain information regarding the Underlying Funds’ proposed investment activities which is not generally available to the public. Goldman Sachs and the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers may also have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and other affiliates. Goldman Sachs, including the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers, will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Underlying Funds in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers, has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Underlying Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.

     The Portfolios’ Investment Adviser and the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Portfolios and Underlying Funds, and to ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with such investment advisers’ fiduciary obligations to their clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding such investment advisers’ proxy voting policies and procedures, such investment advisers’ actual proxy voting decisions may have the effect

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of favoring the interests of clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that such investment advisers believe such voting decision to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     The Investment Adviser is responsible with respect to the Portfolios (and the particular investment adviser is responsible with respect to the Underlying Funds) for decisions to buy and sell securities, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities traded over-the-counter also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commission. Orders may be directed to any broker including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs.

     In the over-the-counter market, securities have historically traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

     The portfolio transactions for the Underlying Fixed-Income Funds are generally effected at a net price without a broker’s commission (i.e., a dealer is dealing with an Underlying Fund as principal and receives compensation equal to the spread between the dealer’s cost for a given security and the resale price of such security). In certain foreign countries, debt securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates.

     In placing orders for portfolio securities of an Underlying Fund, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers are generally required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price available. This means that an investment adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Section 28(e)”), the Underlying Fund may pay a broker that provides brokerage and research services an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith determination by the Trustees that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers generally seek reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, an Underlying Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the investment advisers will consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions of an Underlying Fund, the investment advisers and their affiliates, or their other clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and companies; economic surveys and analyses;

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recommendations as to specific securities; research products, including quotation equipment and computer related programs; research and advice concerning the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance to the investment advisers in the performance of their decision-making responsibilities.

     Such services are used by the investment advisers in connection with all of their investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for an Underlying Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be far larger than those of an Underlying Fund, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by the investment advisers in providing management services for the Trust. On occasion, a broker-dealer might furnish an investment adviser with a service which has a mixed use (i.e., the service is used both for investment and brokerage activities and for other activities). Where this occurs, an investment adviser will reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that the portion or specific component which assists in investment and brokerage activities is obtained using portfolio commissions from the Underlying Funds or other managed accounts, and the portion or specific component which provides other assistance (for example, administrative or non-research assistance) is paid for by an investment adviser from its own funds.

     In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and execution capability, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of an Underlying Fund as well as shares of other investment companies or accounts managed by the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Underlying Fund.

     On occasions when an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of an Underlying Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other investment company or advisory account for which such investment adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser), the investment adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Underlying Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the investment adviser in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such Underlying Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price and size of the position obtainable for an Underlying Fund.

     Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Trustees.

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     Subject to the above considerations, the Underlying Funds’ investment advisers may use Goldman Sachs as a broker for an Underlying Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs to effect any portfolio transactions for an Underlying Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Goldman Sachs must be reasonable. This standard would allow Goldman Sachs to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested” Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.

NET ASSET VALUE

     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each class of each Portfolio is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributable to each class of that Portfolio and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net asset value other than the Portfolio’s official closing net asset value (as the same may be subsequently adjusted), and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, each Portfolio may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

     In determining the net asset value of a Portfolio, the net asset value of the Underlying Funds’ shares held by the Portfolio will be their net asset value at the time of computation. Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund values all of its portfolio securities using the amortized cost valuation method pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the Act. Portfolio securities of the other Underlying Funds for which accurate market quotations are available are valued as follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the last sale price, or official closing price, on the exchange or system in which they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day, securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if closing a bid price is not available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the above-mentioned time for determining the Underlying Fund’s net asset value, the securities will be valued at

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the last sale price or official closing price or, if not available, at the bid price at the time the net asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued at the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price at the time net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under sections (i) or (ii) hereof, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed-income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or more for which accurate market quotations are readily available will normally be valued according to dealer-supplied bid quotations or bid quotations from a recognized pricing service (e.g., Merrill Lynch, J.J. Kenny, Muller Data Corp., Bloomberg, EJV, Reuters or Standard & Poor’s); (v) fixed-income securities for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the investment adviser based on valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities in the appropriate market (i.e. matrix pricing); (vi) debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued by the particular investment adviser at amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at fair value in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

     The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by any major bank. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

     Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business Days in New York and days on which the Underlying Funds’ net asset values are not calculated. Such calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or, in the case of foreign securities, prices provided by an independent service (if available) that are intended to reflect more accurately the value of those securities at the time the Funds’ NAV is calculated. If market quotations or independent information is not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations or prices do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be otherwise determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees. In providing the Funds’ daily fair valuations for such securities, an independent service will take into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the U.S. securities markets, certain depository receipts, futures contracts and foreign currency exchange rates. The use of an independent service and fair valuation involve the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

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     The proceeds received by each Portfolio and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Portfolio or particular series and constitute the underlying assets of that Portfolio or series. The underlying assets of each Portfolio or particular series will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Portfolio and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Portfolios and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Portfolios or series except where allocations of expenses can otherwise be fairly made.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

     A Portfolio may from time to time quote or otherwise use total return, yield and/or distribution rate information in advertisements, shareholder reports or sales literature. Average annual total return and yield are computed pursuant to formulas specified by the SEC.

     Thirty-day yield is derived by dividing net investment income earned during the period by the product of the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the period and the maximum public offering price per share on the last day of the relevant period. The results are compounded on a bond equivalent (semi-annual) basis and then annualized by assuming that yield is realized each month for 12 months and is reinvested every six months. Net investment income is equal to the dividends and interest earned during the period, reduced by accrued expenses for the period. The calculation of net investment income for these purposes may differ from the net investment income determined for accounting purposes.

     The distribution rate for a specified period is calculated by annualizing distributions of net investment income for such period and dividing this amount by the net asset value per share or maximum public offering price on the last day of the period.

     Average annual total return (Before Taxes) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. It also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions but not redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment but further assumes that the redemption has no federal income tax consequences. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the impact of federal income taxes due on

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distributions, the federal income taxes rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is also taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards (i) the effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes).

     Average annual total return (After Taxes on Distributions and Redemptions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions and redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards the (i) effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes). In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. The highest federal individual capital gains tax rate in effect on the redemption date is used in such calculation. The federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of any gains or losses (e.g., short-term or long-term). When the return after taxes on distributions and redemption of shares is higher than returns after taxes on distributions, it is because of realized losses. If realized losses occur upon the sale of shares, capital loss is recorded as a tax benefit which increases returns.

     Year-by-year total return and cumulative total return for a specified period are each derived by calculating the percentage rate required to make a $1,000 investment (made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions reinvested) at the beginning of such period equal to the actual total value of such investment at the end of such period.

     Total return calculations for Class A Shares reflect the effect of paying the maximum initial sales charge. Investment at a lower sales charge would result in higher performance figures. Total return calculations for Class B and Class C Shares reflect deduction of the applicable contingent

B-98


 

deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed upon redemption of Class B and Class C Shares held for the applicable period. Each Portfolio may also from time to time advertise total return on a cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts, graphs or schedules. In addition, each Portfolio may furnish total return calculations based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset value. Any performance information which is based on a Portfolio’s net asset value per share would be reduced if any applicable sales charge were taken into account. In addition to the above, each Portfolio may from time to time advertise its performance relative to certain averages, performance rankings, indices, other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services and investments for which reliable performance information is available. The Portfolios’ performance quotations do not reflect any fees charged by an Authorized Dealer, Service Organization or other financial intermediary to its customer accounts in connection with investments in the Portfolios.

     Thirty-day yield, distribution rate and average annual total return are calculated separately for each class of shares of each Portfolio. Each class of shares of each Portfolio is subject to different fees and expenses and may have different returns for the same period.

     Each Portfolio’s performance will fluctuate, unlike bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future return. Actual performance will depend on such variables as portfolio quality, the type of portfolio instruments acquired, portfolio expenses and other factors. Performance is one basis investors may use to analyze a Portfolio as compared to other funds and other investment vehicles. However, the performance of other funds and other investment vehicles may not be comparable because of the foregoing variables, and differences in the methods used in valuing their portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and determining performance.

     Occasionally, statistics may be used to specify Portfolio volatility or risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare a Portfolio’s net asset value or performance relative to a market index. One measure of volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a Portfolio relative to the total market. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market, and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure variability of net asset value or total return around an average, over a specified period of time. The premise is that greater volatility connotes greater risk undertaken in achieving performance.

     The table set forth below indicates the total return (capital changes plus investment of all distributions) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in each of the Portfolios for the periods indicated.

B-99


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                            Gross
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
            Net
  Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Balanced Strategy
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     9.79 %     16.13 %     9.30 %     15.65 %
Balanced Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     2.47       3.64       1.99       3.15  
Balanced Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     3.12       4.09       2.56       3.54  
Balanced Strategy
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     10.17       15.26       9.69       14.78  
Balanced Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     2.44       2.85       1.96       2.37  
Balanced Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     3.16       3.33       2.62       2.79  
Balanced Strategy
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     14.26       15.28       13.77       14.79  
Balanced Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     2.85       2.85       2.37       2.37  
Balanced Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     3.34       3.34       2.80       2.80  
Balanced Strategy
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       16.57       N/A       16.08  
Balanced Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       4.04       N/A       3.55  
Balanced Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       4.52       N/A       3.98  
Balanced Strategy
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       15.98       N/A       15.49  
Balanced Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       3.54       N/A       3.06  
Balanced Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       4.00       N/A       3.46  
Growth and Income Strategy
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     17.67       24.55       17.32       24.19  

B-100


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                            Gross
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
            Net
  Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Growth and Income Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     2.01       3.17       1.73       2.88  
Growth and Income Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     2.75       3.72       2.44       3.41  
Growth and Income Strategy
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     18.43       23.53       18.08       23.18  
Growth and Income Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     1.97       2.39       1.69       2.10  
Growth and Income trategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     2.78       2.95       2.47       2.64  
Growth and Income Strategy
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     22.58       23.60       22.23       23.25  
Growth and Income Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     2.37       2.37       2.09       2.09  
Growth and Income Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     2.94       2.94       2.63       2.63  
Growth and Income Strategy
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       25.12       N/A       24.77  
Growth and Income Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       3.60       N/A       3.31  
Growth and Income Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       4.15       N/A       3.85  

B-101


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                            Gross
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
            Net
  Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Growth and Income Strategy
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       24.49       N/A       24.13  
Growth and Income Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       3.06       N/A       2.77  
Growth and Income Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       3.62       N/A       3.31  
Growth Strategy
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     23.76 %     30.96 %     23.35 %     30.54 %
Growth Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     0.97       2.12       0.66       1.81  
Growth Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     1.57       2.53       1.22       2.18  
Growth Strategy
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     24.83       29.87       24.43       29.46  
Growth Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     0.94       1.35       0.63       1.04  
Growth Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     1.62       1.78       1.27       1.44  
Growth Strategy
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     28.87       29.88       28.46       29.47  
Growth Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     1.35       1.35       1.04       1.04  
Growth Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     1.78       1.78       1.43       1.43  
Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       31.30       N/A       30.88  
Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       2.53       N/A       2.22  

B-102


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                            Gross
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
            Net
  Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       2.92       N/A       2.58  
Growth Strategy
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       30.85       N/A       30.44  
Growth Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       2.02       N/A       1.71  
Growth Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       2.42       N/A       2.08  

B-103


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                             
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     27.58 %     35.02 %     27.02 %     34.46 %
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     0.42       1.56       -0.01       1.13  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  A   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     0.77       1.73       0.28       1.23  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     29.12       34.12       28.56       33.56  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     0.40       0.80       -0.03       0.38  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  B   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     0.82       0.99       0.34       0.51  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     33.05       34.05       32.49       33.49  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     0.82       0.82       0.39       0.39  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  C   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     1.02       1.02       0.54       0.54  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       35.51       N/A       34.94  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       1.93       N/A       1.51  

B-104


 

VALUE OF $1,000 INVESTMENT
(AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN BEFORE TAXES)

                                         
                             
                            Assuming No Voluntary
                            Waiver of Fees and No
                Expense Reimbursements
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Portfolio
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Institutional   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       2.08       N/A       1.59  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       34.97       N/A       34.40  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Five Years     N/A       1.45       N/A       1.02  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
  Service   1/2/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       1.63       N/A       1.15  

All returns are average annual total returns.


*   Total return reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed deferred sales charge for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years) and the assumed deferred sales charge for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase).

B-105


 

     A Portfolio’s performance data will be based on historical results and will not be intended to indicate future performance. A Portfolio’s total return, yield and distribution rate will vary based on market conditions, portfolio expenses, portfolio investments and other factors. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocations, other factors may affect Portfolio performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Portfolio operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting a Portfolio. The value of a Portfolio’s shares will fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than their original cost upon redemption. Performance may reflect expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

     Total return will be calculated separately for each class of shares in existence. Because each class of shares is subject to different expenses, total return with respect to each class of shares of a Portfolio will differ.

SHARES OF THE TRUST

     Each Portfolio is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust established by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify the shares of the Portfolios into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have authorized the issuance of five classes of shares in each Portfolio: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Additional series may be added in the future.

     Each Institutional Share, Service Share, Class A Share, Class B Share and Class C Share of a Portfolio represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the Portfolio. All expenses of a Portfolio are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees under Service and Shareholder Administration Plans are borne exclusively by Service Shares, fees under the Distribution and Service Plan are borne exclusively by Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares, and transfer agency fees and expenses may be borne at different rates by different share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the Internal Revenue Service. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another series. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” below. In addition, the fees and expenses set

B-106


 

forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses.

     Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Portfolio under a Plan for services provided to the institution’s customers.

     Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service Shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to Service Shares.

     Class A Shares are sold, with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5%, through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares of the Portfolios bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Class A Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Services Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Class B Shares of the Portfolios are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 5.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class B Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributed to Class B Shares. Class B Shares also bear the cost of a service fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributed to Class B Shares.

     Class C Shares of the Portfolios are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.

     It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares (i.e., Institutional, Service, Class A, Class B and Class C Shares) to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Portfolio. Dividends paid by each Portfolio, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for differences caused by the fact that the respective transfer

B-107


 

agency and Plan fees relating to a particular class will be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.

     Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.

     When issued for the consideration described in the Portfolio’s Prospectus, shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer, servicing or similar agent charges by setting of the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable class of the relevant Portfolio available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.

     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing the Portfolios’ shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent. Portfolio shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Portfolios are reflected in account statements from the Transfer Agent.

     As of March 31, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Balanced Strategy Portfolio: Edward Jones & Co., Attn. Mutual Fund Shareholder Accounting, 201 Progress Pkwy., Maryland Hts., MO 63043-3009 (10%); Institutional Class Shares: Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, 1 New York Plaza, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10004-1901 (28%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Growth & Income Strategy Portfolio: Edward Jones & Co., Attn. Mutual Fund Shareholder Accounting, 201 Progress Pkwy., Maryland Hts., MO 63043-3009 (15%).

     As of March 31, 2004, the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Growth Strategy Portfolio: Edward Jones & Co., Attn. Mutual Fund Shareholder Accounting, 201 Progress Pkwy., Maryland Hts., MO 63043-3009 (8%).

     As of March 31, 2004, no entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Class A shares of the Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio.

     The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect to assets

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specifically allocated to such class or series. In addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class or series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.

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     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any series to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series or class or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or series.

     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.

     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such series or class, but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.

Shareholder and Trustee Liability

     Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Portfolios are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a series.

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Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series or the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.

     In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the following conditions are met: (i) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (ii) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Portfolio for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

TAXATION

     The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income, and certain state and local, tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in each Portfolio. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his or her own tax adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in each Portfolio. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Additional Statement, which are subject to change.

General

     The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting each Portfolio that are not described in the Prospectuses. The discussions below and in the Prospectuses are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning.

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     Each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund is a separate taxable entity. Each of the Portfolios and the Underlying Funds intends to qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

     There are certain tax requirements that all Portfolios and Underlying Funds must follow in order to avoid federal taxation. In their efforts to adhere these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code requires, among other things, that (i) a Portfolio or Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income for its taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the “90% gross income test”); and (ii) such Portfolio or Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of such Portfolio’s or Fund’s total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of such Portfolio’s or Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by the Portfolio or the Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses.

     If a Portfolio or Fund complies with such provisions, then in any taxable year in which such Portfolio or Fund distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable accrued original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign exchange gains and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain,” as defined below, and is reduced by deductible expenses), and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, such Portfolio or Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Portfolio or Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders.

     If a Portfolio or Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If a Portfolio or Fund retains any net capital gain, the Portfolio may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term rate capital gain, as the case may be, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Portfolio or Fund against their U.S. federal income tax

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liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Portfolio or Fund will be increased by the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Portfolio or Fund (as applicable) on that amount of net capital gain. Each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any net tax-exempt interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors such as the CORE International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Global Income or Emerging Markets Debt Funds and may therefore make it more difficult for such an Underlying Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below. However, each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund generally expects to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy such requirements from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year a Portfolio or Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain at corporate rates without any deduction for dividends paid, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.

     For federal income tax purposes, each Portfolio or Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. As of December 31, 2003, the Portfolios had the following capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal tax purposes.

                 
            Year of
    Amount
  Expiration
Balanced Strategy
  $ 4,246,963       2009-2011  
Growth and Income Strategy
    28,168,613       2009-2011  
Growth Strategy
    27,769,236       2009-2011  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    11,607,076       2009-2011  

     In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the previous year that were not distributed for such year and on which the Portfolio or Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal

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income tax purposes, dividends declared by a Portfolio or Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are taxable to such shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year declared. Each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that they will generally not be required to pay the excise tax.

     Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts, options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by an Underlying Fund will be required to be “marked-to-market” for federal income tax purposes, that is, treated as having been sold at their fair market value on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions may require an Underlying Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into by an Underlying Fund, the Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by such Underlying Fund and the characterization of gains or losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described above applicable to options, futures and forward contracts may affect the amount, timing and character of an Underlying Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and/or these tax rules to certain investment practices, such as dollar rolls, or certain derivatives such as interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars and currency, total return, mortgage or index swaps and options on swaps may be unclear in some respects, and an Underlying Fund may therefore be required to limit its participation in such transactions. Certain tax elections may be available to an Underlying Fund to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.

     Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments that may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by an Underlying Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the Code were to exceed an Underlying Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain of the foregoing currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of an Underlying Fund’s dividends being treated as a

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return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.

     An Underlying Fund’s investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if an Underlying Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any “marked-to-market” gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will generally cause it to realize income or gain prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. In order to obtain cash to enable it to distribute this income or gain, maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income or excise taxes, the Underlying Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold.

     If, as may occur for certain of the Underlying Funds, more than 50% of an Underlying Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Underlying Fund may file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Underlying Fund would be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Underlying Fund that are treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations (which excludes, for example, stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes) even though not actually received by such shareholders, and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as foreign income taxes paid by them.

     If an Underlying Fund makes this election, its shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of qualified foreign taxes in computing their taxable incomes, or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of foreign taxes paid by an Underlying Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their shares of such taxes in gross income if the election is made.

     While a Portfolio will be able to deduct the foreign taxes that it will be treated as receiving from an Underlying Fund if the election is made, the Portfolio will not itself be able to elect to treat its foreign taxes as paid by its shareholders. Accordingly, the shareholders of the Portfolio will not have an option of claiming a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid by the Underlying Funds, while persons who invest directly in such Underlying Funds may have that option.

     If an Underlying Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Underlying Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the

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sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Underlying Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Underlying Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require the Underlying Fund to include certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. Each Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

     Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for an Underlying Fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when an Underlying Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by an Underlying Fund, if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to eliminate or minimize any adverse tax consequences.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Distributions

     For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions by a Portfolio, whether reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash, generally will be taxable to shareholders who are subject to tax. Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of newly issued shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive cash and will have a cost basis in each share received equal to such amount divided by the number of shares received.

     In general, distributions from investment company taxable income for the year will be taxable as ordinary income. However, distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain foreign corporations after December 31, 2002 will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate (described below), as long as certain other requirements are met. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholders must have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date and the Fund must also have owned the underlying stock for this same period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date for the stock. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualify for these lower rates may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, portfolio turnover rate, or investments in debt securities, real estate investment trusts or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. Distributions designated as derived from a Portfolio’s dividend income, if any, that would be eligible for the dividends received deduction if such Portfolio were not a regulated investment company may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate

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shareholders. The dividends-received deduction, if available, is reduced to the extent the shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally 46 days. The dividends received deduction also may be reduced as a result of an Underlying Fund’s securities lending activities, portfolio turnover rate or investment in debt seccurities. The entire dividend, including the deducted amount, is considered in determining the excess, if any, of a corporate shareholder’s adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase its liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, and the dividend may, if it is treated as an “extraordinary dividend” under the Code, reduce such shareholder’s tax basis in its shares of a Portfolio. Capital gain dividends (i.e., dividends from net capital gain), if designated as such in a written notice to shareholders mailed not later than 60 days after a Portfolio’s taxable year closes, will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of how long shares have been held by shareholders, but are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations. In general, the maximum long-term capital gains rate is 15%. Distributions, if any, that are in excess of a Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, after such basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains to a shareholder who holds his shares as capital assets.

     Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Sale of Shares

     When a shareholder’s shares are sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, the shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the cash, or fair market value of any property, received. (To aid in computing its tax basis, a shareholder should generally retain its account statement for the period that it held shares.) If the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset at the time of sale, the character of the gain or loss should be capital, and treated as long-term if the shareholder’s holding period is more than one year and short-term otherwise, subject to the rules below. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their particular circumstances to determine whether a redemption (including an exchange) or other disposition of Portfolio shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in this discussion. If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to shares and such shares have a tax holding period of six months or less at the time of a sale or redemption of such shares, then any loss the shareholder realizes on the sale or redemption will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of such capital gain dividend. All or a portion of any sales load paid upon the purchase of shares of a Portfolio will not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent the redemption proceeds are reinvested, or the exchange is effected, without payment of an additional

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sales load pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. The load not taken into account will be added to the tax basis of the newly acquired shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Portfolio may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Portfolio within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of such Portfolio. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

Backup Withholding

     Each Portfolio may be required to withhold, as “backup withholding,” federal income tax at a 28% rate from dividends (including capital gain dividends) and share redemption and exchange proceeds to individuals and other non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish such Portfolio with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) certified under penalties of perjury, or if the Internal Revenue Service or a broker notifies the Portfolio that the payee is subject to backup withholding as a result of failing to properly report interest or dividend income to the Internal Revenue Service or that the TIN furnished by the payee to the Portfolio is incorrect, or if (when required to do so) the payee fails to certify under penalties of perjury that it is not subject to backup withholding. A Portfolio may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required TIN or certification that the TIN provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such dividends and proceeds, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. If a shareholder does not have a TIN, it should apply for one immediately by contacting its local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service. Backup withholding could apply to payments relating to a shareholder’s account while it is waiting receipt of a TIN. Special rules apply for certain entities. For example, for an account established under a Uniform Gifts for Transfer to Minors Act, the TIN of the minor should be furnished.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

     The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to “U.S. persons” subject to tax under such law. Shareholders who, as to the United States, are not “U.S. persons” (i.e., are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts or estates, foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions treated as ordinary income unless the tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder. In the latter case the dividends will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic corporations. Distributions of net capital gain, including amounts retained by a Portfolio which are designated as undistributed

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capital gains, to a non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions are effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Portfolio will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Portfolio with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8 BCN, W-8 ECI, W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP) or an acceptable substitute may be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate for dividends (including on capital gain dividends) and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to estate tax. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of and receipt of distributions from the Portfolios.

State and Local

     Each Portfolio and each Underlying Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which such Portfolio or Underlying Fund, as the case may be, may be deemed to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities which have income tax laws, the treatment of such Portfolio and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws, and investment in such Portfolio may have tax consequences for shareholders different from those of a direct investment in the securities held by the Portfolio or the Underlying Funds. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The audited financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, contained in each Portfolio’s 2003 Annual Report are hereby incorporated by reference. The financial statements in each Portfolio’s Annual Report have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial highlights included in each Portfolio’s Annual Report for the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”). Previous to PwC, the data set forth in the financial highlights included in each Portfolio’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 were audited by other former independent auditors who ceased operations. No other parts of any Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. Copies of the Annual Reports may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower,

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Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., toll free at the telephone number on the back cover of each Portfolio’s Prospectus.

PROXY VOTING

     The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Portfolios. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.

     The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.

     Public Equity Investments. To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.

     ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.

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     In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.

     The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.

     The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

     Fixed Income and Private Investments. Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

OTHER INFORMATION

     Each Portfolio will normally redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Portfolio during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Each Portfolio, however, reserves the right to pay redemptions exceeding $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Portfolio at the time of redemption by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from such Portfolio. The securities distributed in kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating the Portfolio’s net asset value per share. See “Net Asset Value.” If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.

     The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Portfolio may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Portfolio to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of such Portfolio. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone

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the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)

     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize Service Organizations and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. In some, but not all, cases these payments will be pursuant to a Distribution and Service Plan, Shareholder Administration Plan or Service Plan described in the Prospectuses and the following sections. Certain Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.

     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own assets, compensation to Authorized Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Portfolios and/or for the servicing of those shares. These payments (“Additional Payments”) would be in addition to the payments by the Portfolios described in the Portfolios’ Prospectuses and this Additional Statement for distribution and shareholder servicing and processing, and would also be in addition to the sales commissions payable to Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectuses. These Additional Payments may take the form of “due diligence” payments for an Intermediary’s examination of the Portfolios and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to the Portfolios; “listing” fees for the placement of the Portfolios on an Intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Portfolios; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Portfolios’ shares; and payments for the sale of Shares and/or the maintenance of share balances. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the shareholder servicing and processing fees paid by the

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Portfolios. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The Additional Payments may be different for different Intermediaries. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable NASD regulations. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% of the amount invested.

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM
SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES,
REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Only)

     The following information supplements the information in the Prospectuses under the captions “Shareholder Guide” and “Dividends.” Please see the Prospectuses for more complete information.

Maximum Sales Charges

     Class A Shares of each Portfolio are sold at a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the offering price per share, as of December 31, 2003, the maximum offering price of each Portfolio’s Class A shares would be as follows:

                         
    Net Asset   Offering Price   Maximum
    Value
  To Public
  Sales Charge
Balanced Strategy
  $ 10.00     $ 10.58       5.5 %
Growth and Income Strategy
    10.17       10.76       5.5  
Growth Strategy
    10.22       10.81       5.5  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    10.36       10.96       5.5  

Other Purchase Information

     The sales load waivers on the Portfolios’ shares are due to the nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such investments.

     If shares of a Portfolio are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to

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the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by a Portfolio and its Transfer Agent. Since the Portfolios will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with a Portfolio involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

     Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares. Some may establish higher minimum investment requirements and others may limit the availability of certain privileges with respect to the purchase and redemption of shares or the reinvestment of dividends. Firms may arrange with their clients for other investment or administrative services and may independently establish and charge additional amounts to their clients for such services, which charges would reduce a client’s return.

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Right of Accumulation — (Class A)

     A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase price of the new investment plus the shareholder’s current holdings of existing Class A Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of a Portfolio and Class A Shares of any other mutual funds sponsored by Goldman Sachs (the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of $100,000 up to (but less than) $250,000). Class A Shares purchased without the imposition of a sales charge and shares of another class of the Portfolios may not be aggregated with Class A Shares purchased subject to a sales charge. Class A Shares of the Portfolios and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Portfolios and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, Class A Shares of the Portfolios and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization or by groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar organizations (collectively, “eligible persons”) may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the business organization’s, group’s or firm’s agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Portfolios’ shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the relevant Portfolio at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectus.

Statement of Intention — (Class A)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Portfolio alone or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may purchase shares of the Portfolio at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of Intention (the “Statement”). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at the same time. The shareholder or his or her Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement is in effect

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each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an “accumulation credit” toward the completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.

     The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are set forth in Appendix C to this Additional Statement.

Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

     You may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Portfolio in which you have invested or you may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Service Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund or the Tax-Exempt Diversified Fund, if you hold Class A Shares of a Portfolio, or ILA Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Fund, if you hold Class B or Class C Shares of a Portfolio (the “ILA Funds”).

     A Portfolio shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to the other Goldman Sachs Fund or ILA Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Funds is available only in states where such reinvestment may legally be made.

Automatic Exchange Program

     A Portfolio shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of the Portfolio for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund involving either an identical account of another Goldman Sachs Fund, or an account registered in a different name or with a different address, social security or other taxpayer identification number, provided in each case that the account in the acquired fund has been established, appropriate signatures have been obtained and the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Portfolio shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to the other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.

Class C Exchanges

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     As stated in the Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75% distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized Dealer’s customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Portfolio at their relative net asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

     A systematic withdrawal plan (the “Systematic Withdrawal Plan”) is available to shareholders of a Portfolio whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.

     Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Portfolio at net asset value. The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class B and Class C Shares redeemed under a Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be waived. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.

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DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Only)

     As described in the Prospectuses, the Trust has adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each Portfolio, distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”). See “Shareholder Guide – Distribution and Service Fees” in the Prospectuses. The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Portfolios and enable the Portfolios to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Portfolios. In addition, the distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Portfolios in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Portfolio’s operations and investments.

     The Plans for each Portfolio were most recently approved on May 5, 2004 by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans.

     The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75% per annum of a Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, respectively, of such Portfolio. Under the Plans for Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal to an annual basis of 0.25% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Portfolios’ Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

     Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Portfolio’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust will review at least quarterly a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and expenditures were made.

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     The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation described therein without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the affected Portfolio and affected share class, but may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Portfolio without payment of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Portfolio and affected share class. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of the Trust and no successor plan was adopted, the Portfolio would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust may be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Portfolios and their Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholders.

     For the period ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs by each Portfolio then in existence pursuant to the Class A, Class B and Class C Plans were as follows:

                         
    Period Ended December 31, 2003
    Class A Plan
  Class B Plan
  Class C Plan
Balanced Strategy
  $ 72,145     $ 223,202     $ 150,142  
Growth and Income Strategy
    283,057       667,606       552,940  
Growth Strategy
    189,998       583,028       440,075  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    110,065       214,553       240,402  
                         
    Period Ended December 31, 2002
    Class A Plan
  Class B Plan
  Class C Plan
Balanced Strategy
  $ 65,282     $ 225,537     $ 143,841  
Growth and Income Strategy
    293,242       778,714       556,417  
Growth Strategy
    206,718       687,138       464,268  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    106,593       257,651       230,449  
                         
    Period Ended December 31, 2001
    Class A Plan
  Class B Plan
  Class C Plan
Balanced Strategy
  $ 80,083     $ 254,405     $ 178,933  
Growth and Income Strategy
    345,668       1,006,631       691,590  

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    Period Ended December 31, 2001
    Class A Plan
  Class B Plan
  Class C Plan
Growth Strategy
    256,452       913,834       582,694  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    125,477       337,138       296,181  

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     During the period ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class A Plan of each applicable Portfolio with Class A Shares then in existence:

                                         
            Compensation           Printing and   Preparation
            and Expenses   Allocable   Mailing of   And
            of the   Overhead,   Prospectuses   Distribution
            Distributor   Telephone   to Other   of Sales
    Compensation   & Its Sales   and Travel   than Current   Literature and
    to Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders2
  Advertising2
Period Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
Balanced Strategy
  $ 63,649     $ 51,567     $ 46,246     $ 2,710     $ 12,258  
Growth and Income Strategy
    263,387       92,255       80,704       4,996       19,732  
Growth Strategy
    172,998       81,598       72,563       4,370       19,714  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    99,334       72,906       66,808       4,025       16,678  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class A Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of one year or until redemption; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented in addition to payments remitted directly to dealers.
 
2   Reflects credits allocated to the Funds due to expense over-accruals.

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     During the period ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class B Plan of each applicable Portfolio with Class B Shares then in existence:

                                         
            Compensation           Printing and   Preparation
            and Expenses   Allocable   Mailing of   And
            of the   Overhead,   Prospectuses   Distribution
            Distributor   Telephone   to Other   of Sales
    Compensation   & Its Sales   and Travel   than Current   Literature and
    to Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders2
  Advertising2
Period Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
Balanced Strategy
  $ 54,239     $ 34,325     $ 35,382     $ 1,926     $ 9,693  
Growth and Income Strategy
    153,788       46,707       47,140       2,816       11,812  
Growth Strategy
    141,648       54,224       55,489       3,290       15,231  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    51,741       31,792       32,522       1,925       8,247  


1   Advance Commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class B Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of one year; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   Reflects credits allocated to the Funds due to expense over-accruals.

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     During the period ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class C Plan of each applicable Portfolio with Class C Shares then in existence:

                                         
            Compensation           Printing and   Preparation
            and Expenses   Allocable   Mailing of   And
            of the   Overhead,   Prospectuses   Distribution
            Distributor   Telephone   to Other   of Sales
    Compensation   & Its Sales   and Travel   than Current   Literature and
    to Dealers1
  Personnel
  Expenses
  Shareholders2
  Advertising2
Period Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
Balanced Strategy
  $ 117,306     $ 23,046     $ 23,608     $ 1,342     $ 6,215  
Growth and Income Strategy
    408,006       38,965       39,178       2,417       9,550  
Growth Strategy
    325,215       41,446       42,067       2,580       11,327  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    155,892       35,938       36,466       2,260       8,953  


1   Advance Commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class C Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of one year; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented.
 
2   Reflects credits allocated to the Funds due to expense over-accruals.

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SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Service Shares Only)

     Each Portfolio has adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan (the “Plans”) with respect to its Service Shares which authorize it to compensate Service Organizations for providing personal and account maintenance and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, a Portfolio enters into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Service Shares of the Portfolio on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the Service Organizations may perform some or all of the following services:

          (i) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (a) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Portfolio; (b) acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (c) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (d) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (e) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Service Organization’s premises; and (f) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Service Organization.

          (ii) Shareholder administration services, including (a) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the Service Organization’s customers; (b) establishing and maintaining or assisting in establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to the Service Shares owned by each customer; (c) processing or assisting in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares; (d) receiving and transmitting or assisting in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (e) facilitating the inclusion of Service Shares in accounts, products or services offered to the Service Organization’s customers by or through the Service Organization; (f) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (g) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.

     As compensation for such services, each Portfolio will pay each Service Organization a personal and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively (on an annualized basis), of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.

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     The amount of the fees paid under the Plans by each Portfolio then in existence to Service Organizations was as follows for the period ended December 31 (prior to January 30, 2001, the Portfolios had a single service plan that provided for fees for both personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services at the same aggregate rate):

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Balanced Strategy
  $ 8,020     $ 5,323     $ 4,081  
Growth and Income Strategy
    8,788       8,569       8,000  
Growth Strategy
    5,389       4,561       4,075  
Aggressive Growth Strategy
    670       702       745  

     The Portfolios have adopted the service plan but not the shareholder administration plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that payments to the Service Organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular, such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the service plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Plan.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Portfolio in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of such Portfolio. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities regulators, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service Shares of the Portfolios. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve each Portfolio’s Plans and related Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on May 5, 2004. The Plans and Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is

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specifically approved annually by a vote of the Board of Trustees in the manner described above. The service plan may not be amended (but the shareholder administration plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the Service Shareholders of the affected Portfolio, and all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Board of Trustees as described above or by vote of a majority of the affected Portfolio’s outstanding Service Shares. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans and the Service Agreements or by a vote of a majority of the affected Portfolio’s outstanding Service Shares, in each case, on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the Trust’s Nominating Committee, which consists of all of the non-interested members of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has determined that, in its judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Portfolios and the holders of Service Shares of the Portfolios.

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

     “A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

     “A-2” — Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

     “A-3” — Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — Obligations have significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “C” — Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “D” – Obligations are in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks — Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific

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issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

     Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor senior financial obligations and contracts. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for short-term obligations:

     “Prime-1” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

     “Prime-2” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

     “Prime-3” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt-protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

     “Not Prime” — Issuers do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

     Fitch short-term ratings apply to time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

     “F1” — Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

     “F2” — Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

     “F3” — Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

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     “B” — Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “C” — Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “D” — Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

     R-1 Prime Credit Quality

     R-2 Adequate Credit Quality

     R-3 Speculative

     All three DBRS rating categories for short-term debt use “high”, “middle” or “low” as subset grades to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area.

     “R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

     “R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.

     “R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any

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qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

     “R-2 (high)”, “R-2 (middle)”, “R-2 (low)” - Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “R-3 (high)”, “R-3 (middle)”, “R-3 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-3” is speculative, and within the three subset grades, the capacity for timely payment ranges from mildly speculative to doubtful. “R-3” credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with “R-3” ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.

Long-Term Credit Ratings

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

     “AAA” — An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

     “AA” — An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

     “A” — An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

     “BBB” — An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest.

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     While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

     “BB” — An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CCC” — An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CC” — An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

     “C” — The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

     “D” — An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payment will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     — PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) — The ratings from “AA” through “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

     “Aaa” — Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

     “Aa” — Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or

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fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the “Aaa” securities.

     “A” — Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

     “Baa” — Bonds are considered as medium-grade obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

     “Ba” — Bonds are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

     “B” — Bonds generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

     “Caa” — Bonds are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

     “Ca” — Bonds represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

     “C” — Bonds are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

     Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of its generic rating category.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

     “AAA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

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     “AA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

     “A” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

     “BBB” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

     “BB” — Securities considered to be speculative. These ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

     “B” — Securities considered to be highly speculative. These ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “CCC,” “CC” and “C” — Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. “CC” ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and “C” ratings signal imminent default.

     “DDD,” “DD” and “D” — Securities are in default. The ratings of obligations in these categories are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor.

     Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated “DDD” have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated “DD” and “D” are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated “DD” are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated “D” have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.

     PLUS (+) or MINUS (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “CCC”.

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     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

     “AAA” — Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.

     “AA” — Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

     “A” — Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.

     “BBB” — Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

     “BB” - Bonds rated “BB” are defined to be speculative, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the BB area typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support and, in many cases, small size or lack of competitive strength may be additional negative considerations.

     “B” — Bonds rated “B” are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty which exists as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

     “CCC” / “CC” / “C” — Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than bonds rated “B”. Bonds rated below “B” often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the “C” to “CCC” categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

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     “D” - This category indicates bonds in default of either interest or principal.

     (“high”, “low”) grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in the middle of the category. Note that “high” and “low” grades are not used for the AAA category.

Notes to Short-Term and Long-Term Credit Ratings

Standard & Poor’s

     CreditWatch: CreditWatch highlights the potential direction of a short- or long-term rating. It focuses on identifiable events and short-term trends that cause ratings to be placed under special surveillance by Standard & Poor’s analytical staff. These may include mergers, recapitalizations, voter referendums, regulatory action, or anticipated operating developments. Ratings appear on CreditWatch when such an event or a deviation from an expected trend occurs and additional information is necessary to evaluate the current rating. A listing, however, does not mean a rating change is inevitable, and whenever possible, a range of alternative ratings will be shown. CreditWatch is not intended to include all ratings under review, and rating changes may occur without the ratings having first appeared on CreditWatch. The “positive” designation means that a rating may be raised; “negative” means a rating may be lowered; and “developing” means that a rating may be raised, lowered or affirmed.

     Rating Outlook: A Standard & Poor’s Rating Outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate to longer term. In determining a Rating Outlook, consideration is given to any changes in the economic and/or fundamental business conditions. An Outlook is not necessarily a precursor of a rating change or future CreditWatch action.

    Positive means that a rating may be raised.
 
    Negative means that a rating may be lowered.
 
    Stable means that a rating is not likely to change.
 
    Developing means a rating may be raised or lowered.
 
    N.M. means not meaningful.

Moody’s

     Watchlist: Watchlists list the names of credits whose ratings have a likelihood of changing. These names are actively under review because of developing trends or events which, in Moody’s opinion, warrant a more extensive examination. Inclusion on this Watchlist is made solely at the discretion of Moody’s Investors Service, and not all borrowers with ratings presently under review for possible downgrade or upgrade are included on any one Watchlist. In certain cases, names may be removed from this Watchlist without a change in rating.

     Rating Outlooks: A Moody’s rating outlook is an opinion regarding the likely direction of an issuers rating over the medium term. Rating outlooks fall into the following four

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categories: Positive, Negative, Stable and Developing (contingent upon an event). In the few instances where an issuer has multiple outlooks of differing directions, Moody’s written research will describe any differences in the outlooks for the issuer and the reasons for these differences. If no outlook is present, the following designations will be used: Rating(s) Under Review or No Outlook. Rating(s) Under Review indicates that the issuer has one or more ratings under review for possible change, and this over-rides the Outlook designation. If an analyst has not yet assigned an Outlook, then No Outlook will be displayed.

Fitch

     Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

     Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.

     Rating Outlook: A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two-year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, companies whose outlooks are “stable” could be upgraded or downgraded before an outlook moves to a positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.

DBRS

Rating Trends

     With the exception of ratings in the securitization area, each DBRS rating is appended with a rating trend. Rating trends give the investor an understanding of DBRS’ opinion regarding the outlook for the rating in question, with trends falling into one of three categories – Positive, Negative or Stable. Ratings in the securitization area are not given trends because these ratings are determined by the parameters on each transaction, for which the issues are relatively black and white – these parameters are either met or not. When trends are used, they give an indication of what direction the rating in question is headed should the given conditions and tendencies continue.

     Although the trend opinion is often heavily based on an evaluation of the issuing entity or guarantor itself, DBRS also considers the outlook for the industry or industries in which the entity operates and to varying degrees, specific terms of an issue or its hierarchy in the capital structure when assigning trends. DBRS assigns trends to each security, rather than to the issuing entity, as some rating classification scales are broader than others and the duration and ranking of securities can impact the strengths and challenges that affect the entity. As a result, it is not

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unusual for securities of the same entity to have different trends; however, the presence of a Positive trend and a Negative trend on securities issued by the same entity is a rare occurrence.

Rating Actions

     In addition to confirming ratings, releasing new ratings or making rating changes, other DBRS rating actions include:

     Suspended Ratings: Rating opinions are forward looking. Although rating opinions will consider the historical performance of an issuer, a rating is an assessment of the issuer’s future ability and willingness to meet outstanding obligations. In order for a complete credit quality assessment, DBRS requires the cooperation of the issuer so that management strategies and projections may be evaluated and qualified. Since the availability of such information is critical to the rating assessment, any changes in management’s willingness to supply such information (either perceived or actual) may cause a rating to be changed or even suspended. The eventual action will depend upon DBRS’s assessment of the degree of accuracy of a rating possible without the cooperation of management. DBRS will suspend ratings when the level of concern reaches a point that an informed rating opinion of the credit quality of the outstanding obligation cannot be provided.

     Discontinued Ratings: When an entity retires all of its outstanding debt within a particular category and has no plans to re-issue in the near future, DBRS will normally discontinue its rating on the security in question. Should the entity ultimately reconsider its decision and re-issue new debt, the rating will be re-instated pending a full review of the credit quality of the issuer.

     It should be noted that there are cases when DBRS will assign a rating even if there is no outstanding debt obligation and the entity in question has no firm plans to issue debt in the future. These cases are often driven by the fact that assigning a rating to the “non-security” provides support to other DBRS ratings, either in the same entity or within the same family of companies. Such ratings are generally referred to as “corporate ratings” and are not publicly disclosed by DBRS.

     Ratings “Under Review” : DBRS maintains continuous surveillance of all rated entities; therefore, all ratings are always under review. Accordingly, when a significant event occurs that may directly impact the credit quality of a particular entity or group of entities, DBRS will attempt to provide an immediate rating opinion. If there is high uncertainty regarding the outcome of the event and DBRS is unable to provide an objective, forward-looking opinion in a timely manner, then the rating(s) of the issuer(s) will be placed “Under Review”. Ratings may also be placed “Under Review” by DBRS when changes in credit status occur for any other reason that brings DBRS to the conclusion that the present ratings may no longer be appropriate.

     Ratings which are “Under Review” are qualified with one of the following three provisional statements: “negative implications”, “positive implications”, or “developing implications”, indicating DBRS’ preliminary evaluation of the impact on the credit quality of the issuer/security. As such, the ratings that were in effect prior to the review process can be used as

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the basis for the relative credit quality implications. It must be stressed that a rating change will not necessarily result from the review process.

Municipal Note Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for municipal notes:

     “SP-1” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

     “SP-2” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

     “SP-3” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

     In municipal debt issuance, there are three rating categories for short-term obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated Moody’s Investment Grade (“MIG”) and are divided into three levels – MIG 1 through MIG 3. In the case of variable rate demand obligations, a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature, using the MIG rating scale. The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature is designated as VMIG. MIG ratings expire at note maturity. By contrast, VMIG ratings expirations will be a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features. The following summarizes the ratings by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

     “MIG-1”/“VMIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

     “MIG-2”/“VMIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample although not as large as in the preceding group.

     “MIG-3”/“VMIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

     “SG” — This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category lack sufficient margins of protection.

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     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

About Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn.

     Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

     Fitch credit ratings are an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. However, Fitch credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn.

     DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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APPENDIX B

ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

The following is a summary of certain of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Investment Adviser’s Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) with respect to public equity investments. Unlike the abbreviated nature of this summary, the actual ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines address additional voting matters and provide more discussion regarding the factors that may determine ISS’s position on a matter. The Investment Adviser may diverge from the ISS guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

1. Auditors

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

  An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent,
 
  Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or
 
  There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

2. Board of Directors

a. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining, among other factors, the following factors: composition of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance relative to a market index, and whether the chairman is also serving as a CEO.

b. Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

c. Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chairman to be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal.

d. Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

3. Shareholder Rights

a. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Vote FOR proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

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b. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

c. Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

d. Cumulative Voting

Vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

e. Confidential Voting

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

4. Proxy Contests

a. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the factors that include, among others, the long-term financial performance, management’s track record, qualifications of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

b. Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

5. Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill to shareholder vote or redeem it.

6. Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions based on such features, among others, as the fairness opinion, pricing, prospects of the combined company, and the negotiating process.

7. Reincorporation Proposals

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including

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the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

8. Capital Structure

a. Common Stock Authorization

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using a model developed by ISS.

Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

b. Dual-class Stock

Vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to create a new class of non-voting or sub-voting common stock if:

  It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders
 
  It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

9. Executive and Director Compensation

Votes with respect to equity based compensation plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The ISS methodology for reviewing compensation plans primarily focuses on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders instead of simply focusing on voting power dilution). Using the expanded compensation data disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, ISS will value every award type. ISS will include in its analyses an estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth, and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once ISS determines the estimated cost of the plan, ISS compares it to a company-specific dilution cap.

Vote AGAINST equity plans that explicitly permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.

a. Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

Votes on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving consideration to the following:

  Historic trading patterns
 
  Rationale for the repricing
 
  Value-for-value exchange
 
  Option vesting
 
  Term of the option
 
  Exercise price
 
  Participation

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b. Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

  Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;
 
  Offering period is 27 months or less; and
 
  Potential voting power dilution is ten percent or less.

Vote AGAINST employee stock purchase plans where any of the opposite conditions obtain.

c. Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information and shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

10. Social and Environmental Issues

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business, and workplace diversity.

Generally, ISS votes CASE-BY-CASE on such proposals. However, there are certain specific topics where ISS generally votes FOR the proposal (e.g., proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards) or AGAINST the proposal (e.g., reports on foreign military sales or offsets.)

4-B


 

APPENDIX C

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

     Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.

     Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.

     Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

     We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

     We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

     We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.

     We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the Firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.

     We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.

     The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.

     Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

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     We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.

     We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.

     We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.

     Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.

     Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S INVESTMENT BANKING
AND SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

Goldman Sachs is a leading financial services firm traditionally known on Wall Street and around the world for its institutional and private client services.

    With fifty offices worldwide, Goldman Sachs employs over 20,000 professionals focused on opportunities in major markets.
 
    The number one underwriter of all international equity issues from 1989-2001.
 
    The number one lead manager of U.S. common stock offerings from 1989-2001.*
 
    The number one lead manager for initial public offerings (IPOs) worldwide from 1989-2001.


*   Source: Securities Data Corporation. Common stock ranking excludes REITS, Investment Trusts and Rights. Rankings based on dollar volume issued.

3-C


 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

     
1869
  Marcus Goldman opens Goldman Sachs for business
1890
  Dow Jones Industrial Average first published
1896
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. joins New York Stock Exchange
1906
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Sears Roebuck & Co. public (at 97 years, the firm’s longest-standing client relationship)
  Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 100
1925
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. finances Warner Brothers, producer of the first talking film
1956
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-manages Ford’s public offering, the largest to date
1970
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. opens London office
1972
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 1000
1986
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Microsoft public
1988
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management is formally established
1991
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides advisory services for the largest privatization in the region of the sale of Telefonos de Mexico
1995
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces Global Tactical Asset
Allocation Program
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 5000
1996
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Deutsche Telekom public
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 6000
1997
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 7000
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management increases assets under management by
100% over 1996

4-C


 

     
1998
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $195.5 billion in assets under management
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 9000
1999
  Goldman Sachs becomes a public company
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management launches the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund; becomes the year’s second most successful new fund launch
2000
  Goldman Sachs CORESM Tax-Managed Equity Fund launches
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $298.5 billion
2001
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $100 billion in money market assets
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $306 billion
  Goldman Sachs acquires Spear, Leeds and Kellogg
2002
  Advises and services the wealth management needs of 45% of the Forbes 400*
2003
  Goldman Sachs acquires The Ayco Company, L.P., one of the oldest and largest financial planning firms in the United States
  Goldman Sachs combines its Australian operations with Australian securities firm JBWere, one of the most respected and oldest (having been founded in 1840) financial institutions in the region, to form Goldman Sachs JBWere


*   Source: Forbes.com, September, 2002.

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APPENDIX D

Statement of Intention
(applicable only to Class A Shares)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Portfolio alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Portfolio at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional shares will not apply toward the completion of the Statement of Intention.

     To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investor’s purchases within 13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agreement

     Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of shares registered in the investor’s name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released.

     If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the Transfer Agent.

1-D


 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
SERVICE SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

GOLDMAN SACHS TOLLKEEPER FUNDSM
(formerly Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund)
GOLDMAN SACHS CORESM TAX-MANAGED EQUITY FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
(Each a Specialty Fund of Goldman Sachs Trust)

4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303

     This Statement of Additional Information (the “Additional Statement”) is not a Prospectus. This Additional Statement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares of: Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper Fund, Goldman Sachs CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund and Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund dated April 29, 2004, as they may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time, (the “Prospectuses”), which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions (“Service Organizations”) acting on behalf of their customers.

     The audited financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors for each Fund, contained in each Fund’s 2003 annual report are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other portions of the Funds’ annual report are incorporated by reference. The annual report may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co. toll free at 800-621-2550.

     Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper FundSM and CORESM are service marks of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
  GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Investment Adviser
  Distributor
32 Old Slip
  85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005
  New York, New York 10004
 
   
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
   
Transfer Agent
   
4900 Sears Tower
   
Chicago, Illinois 60606
   

Toll free (in U.S.) . . . 800-621-2550

The date of this Additional Statement is April 29, 2004, as amended June 4, 2004.

B-1


 

         
INTRODUCTION
    3  
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
    3  
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
    47  
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
    49  
INVESTMENT ADVISER
    58  
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
    61  
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
    71  
NET ASSET VALUE
    75  
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
    77  
SHARES OF THE TRUST
    85  
TAXATION
    90  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    96  
PROXY VOTING
    97  
OTHER INFORMATION
    98  
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    100  
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
    106  
SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
    110  
APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
    1-A  
APPENDIX B ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
    1-B  
APPENDIX C BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    1-C  
APPENDIX D STATEMENT OF INTENTION
    1-D  

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INTRODUCTION

     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this Additional Statement: Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper Fund (“Tollkeeper Fund”) (formerly Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund), Goldman Sachs CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund (“CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund”) and Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund (“Real Estate Securities Fund”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Funds”).

     The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have created the Funds and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to time. Each Fund currently offers five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Service Shares. See “Shares of the Trust.”

     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or the “Investment Adviser”) (formerly, Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as the Investment Adviser to the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Fund’s distributor and transfer agent. Each Fund’s custodian is State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”).

     The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Fund’s investment policies contained in the Prospectuses. See the Prospectuses for a more complete description of the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Investing in the Funds entails certain risks and there is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

     Each Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be achieved. Each Fund is a diversified, open-end management company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). The investment objective and policies of each Fund, and the associated risks of each Fund, are discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses, which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. However, to the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in the particular type of investment suggested by its name. Additional information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold, is provided below.

B-3


 

     Each Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Funds may be worth more or less when redeemed than when purchased. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

     The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

General Information Regarding The Funds.

     The Investment Adviser may purchase for the Funds common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities (“equity investments”). The Investment Adviser utilizes first-hand fundamental research, including visiting company facilities to assess operations and to meet decision-makers, in choosing a Fund’s securities. The Investment Adviser may also use macro analysis of numerous economic and valuation variables to anticipate changes in company earnings and the overall investment climate. The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the research and market expertise of the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department and other affiliates of the Investment Adviser, as well as information provided by other securities dealers. Equity investments in a Fund’s portfolio will generally be sold when the Investment Adviser believes that the market price fully reflects or exceeds the investments’ fundamental valuation or when other more attractive investments are identified. For the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund, the Investment Adviser utilizes advanced quantitative tools for both stock selection and portfolio construction. For rebalancings, the computer optimizer calculates numerous security combinations and numerous weightings to identify an efficient risk/return given the Fund’s benchmark.

     Tollkeeper Fund — Growth Style. The Tollkeeper Fund is managed using a growth equity oriented approach. Equity investments for this Fund are selected based on their prospects for above average growth. The Investment Adviser will select securities of growth companies trading, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, at a reasonable price relative to other industries, competitors and historical price/earnings multiples. The Fund will generally invest in companies whose earnings are believed to be in a relatively strong growth trend, or, to a lesser extent, in companies in which significant further growth is not anticipated but whose market value per share is thought to be undervalued. In order to determine whether a security has favorable growth prospects, the Investment Adviser ordinarily looks for one or more of the following characteristics in relation to the security’s prevailing price: prospects for above average sales and earnings growth per share; high return on invested capital; free cash flow generation; sound balance sheet, financial and accounting policies, and overall financial strength; established brand name; long product life cycle; enduring competitive advantages; effective research, product development, and marketing; pricing power; strength of management; and general operating characteristics that will enable the company to compete successfully in its marketplace.

B-4


 

The Fund intends to invest a substantial portion of its assets in companies the Investment Adviser describes as Tollkeepers. In general, the Investment Adviser defines a Tollkeeper company as a high-quality technology, media or service company that adopts or uses technology to improve its cost structure, revenue opportunities or competitive advantage. The Investment Adviser seeks to identify Tollkeeper companies that exhibit many of the following characteristics:

  Strong brand name
 
  Dominant market share
 
  Recurring revenue streams
 
  Free cash flow generation
 
  Long product life cycle
 
  Enduring competitive advantage
 
  Excellent management

To the Investment Adviser, tollkeeper connotes a promising growth business. Like a toll collector for a highway or bridge, tollkeeper companies may grow revenue by increasing ''traffic,’’ or customers and sales, and raising ''tolls’’ or prices, and margins. The Investment Adviser believes that the characteristics of many tollkeeper companies, including dominant market share, strong brand name and recurring revenue or the ability to generate free cash flow, should enable them to consistently grow their business. The Investment Adviser does not define companies that are capital intensive, low margin businesses as Tollkeepers (although the Investment Adviser may invest in such companies as part of the Fund’s 20% basket of securities which are not or may not be Tollkeepers).

The Internet is an example of a technology that the Investment Adviser believes will drive growth for many Tollkeeper businesses. The Internet has had, and is expected to continue to have, a significant impact on the global economy, as it changes the way many companies operate. Benefits of the Internet for businesses may include global scalability, acquisition of new clients, new revenue sources and increased efficiencies. Tollkeeper companies adopting Internet technologies to improve their business model include companies in the technology, media and service companies.

Because of its focus on the technology media and service companies, the Fund’s investment performance will be closely tied to many factors that affect technology, media and service companies. These factors include intense competition, consumer preferences, problems with product compatibility and government regulation. Tollkeeper securities may experience significant price movements caused by disproportionate investor optimism or pessimism with little or no basis in fundamental economic conditions. As a result, the Fund’s NAV is more likely to have greater fluctuations than that of a Fund which is more diversified or invests in other industries.

B-5


 

CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund

     Quantitative Style. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund is managed using both quantitative and fundamental techniques. CORE is an acronym for “Computer-Optimized, Research-Enhanced,” which reflects the Fund’s investment process. This investment process and the proprietary multifactor model used to implement it are discussed below.

     Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity investments. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses a proprietary multifactor model (the “Multifactor Model”) to forecast the returns of individual securities. In the case of an equity security followed by the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department (the “Research Department”), a rating is assigned based upon the Research Department’s evaluation. In the discretion of the Investment Adviser, ratings may also be assigned to equity investments based on research ratings obtained from other industry sources.

     In building a diversified portfolio for the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund, the Investment Adviser utilizes optimization techniques to seek to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given the Fund’s benchmark. The portfolio is primarily composed of securities rated highest by the foregoing investment process and has risk characteristics and industry weightings similar to the Russell 3000 Index.

     Multifactor Model. The Multifactor Model is a rigorous computerized rating system for forecasting the returns of different equity markets, currencies and individual equity investments according to fundamental investment characteristics. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund uses one Multifactor Model to forecast the returns of securities held in its portfolio. The Multifactor Model incorporates common variables covering measures of value, price momentum, earnings momentum and stability (e.g., book/price ratio, earnings/price ratio, price volatility, consensus growth forecasts, earnings estimate revisions and earnings stability). All of the factors used in the Multifactor Model have been shown to significantly impact the performance of the securities, currencies and markets they were designed to forecast.

     The weightings assigned to the factors in the Multifactor Model used by the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund are derived using a statistical formulation that considers each factor’s historical performance in different market environments. As such, the Multifactor Model is designed to evaluate each security using only the factors that are statistically related to returns in the anticipated market environment. Because they include many disparate factors, the Investment Adviser believes that the Multifactor Model is broader in scope and provides a more thorough evaluation than most conventional quantitative models. Securities and markets ranked highest by the Multifactor Model do not have one dominant investment characteristic; rather, they possess an attractive combination of investment characteristics. By using a variety of relevant factors to select securities or markets, the Investment Adviser believes that the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund will be better balanced and have more consistent performance than an investment portfolio that uses only one or two factors to select such investments.

     The Investment Adviser will monitor, and may occasionally suggest and make changes to, the method by which securities are selected for or weighted in the CORE Tax-Managed Equity

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Fund. Such changes (which may be the result of changes in the Multifactor Model or the method of applying the Multifactor Model) may include: (i) evolutionary changes to the structure of the Multifactor Model (e.g., the addition of new factors or a new means of weighting the factors); (ii) changes in trading procedures (e.g., trading frequency or the manner in which the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund uses futures); or (iii) changes in the method by which securities or markets are weighted in the Fund. Any such changes will preserve the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund’s basic investment philosophy of combining qualitative and quantitative methods of selecting securities using a disciplined investment process.

     Other Information. Since normal settlement for equity securities is three trading days (for certain international markets settlement may be longer), the Funds will need to hold cash balances to satisfy shareholder redemption requests. Such cash balances will normally range from 2% to 5% of a Fund’s net assets. Additionally, the Funds may purchase futures contracts to manage their cash position. For example, if cash balances are equal to 5% of the net assets, the Fund may enter into long futures contracts covering an amount equal to 5% of the Fund’s net assets. As cash balances fluctuate based on new contributions or withdrawals, a Fund may enter into additional contracts or close out existing positions.

Real Estate Securities Fund

     The investment strategy of the Real Estate Securities Fund is based on the premise that property market fundamentals are the primary determinant of growth which underlies the success of companies in the real estate industry. The Fund’s research and investment process focuses on companies that can achieve sustainable growth in cash flow and dividend paying capability. This process is comprised of real estate market research and securities analysis. The Fund’s Investment Adviser will take into account fundamental trends in underlying property markets as determined by proprietary models, research of local real estate market, earnings, cash flow growth and stability, the relationship between asset values and market prices of the securities and dividend payment history. The Investment Adviser will attempt to purchase securities so that its underlying portfolio will be diversified geographically and by property type.

     Risk Considerations Regarding the Internet Industry

     The value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate based upon risk factors affecting the Internet industry and related industries. Stocks of many Internet companies for which initial public offerings occurred between 1999 and 2001 recently have been trading below their initial offering price. Further, many Internet and Internet-related companies have incurred losses since their inception, may continue to incur losses for an extended period of time and may never achieve profitability. Products developed by these companies may be commercially unsuccessful and subject to rapid obsolescence as the market in which many Internet companies compete is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent new service and product announcements, introductions and enhancements and changing customer demands. The failure of an Internet company to adapt to such changes could have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet, networking or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require substantial expenditures by an Internet company to modify

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or adapt its services or infrastructure, which could have a material adverse effect on an Internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

     The success of the many Internet companies will also depend in large part upon the development and maintenance of the infrastructure of the World Wide Web for providing reliable Web access and services, such as a reliable network backbone with the necessary speed, data capacity and security, or timely development of complementary products such as high speed modems. There can be no assurance that the infrastructure or complementary products or services necessary to make the Web a viable commercial marketplace for the long term will continue to be developed or that if they are developed, that the Web will continue to be a viable commercial marketplace for services such as those offered by Internet companies.

     The market for the purchase of products and services over the Internet is a new and emerging market and is subject to consumer and business acceptance and continued use as new technologies evolve. If continued acceptance and growth of Internet use does not occur, an Internet company’s business and financial performance will suffer. Although there has been substantial interest in the commercial possibilities for the Internet, many businesses and consumers have been slow to purchase Internet access services, or purchase enhanced services or technology, for a number of reasons, including inconsistent quality of service, lack of availability of cost-effective, high-speed service, a limited number of local access points for corporate users, inability to integrate business applications on the Internet, the need to deal with multiple and frequently incompatible vendors, inadequate protection of the confidentiality of stored data and information moving across the Internet and a lack of tools to simplify Internet access and use. It is possible that a sufficiently broad base of consumers may not adopt, or continue to use, the Internet as a medium of commerce.

     Despite the implementation of security measures, an Internet company’s networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other disruptive problems. Internet companies have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, interruptions in service as a result of the accidental or intentional actions of Internet users, current and former employees or others. Unauthorized access could also potentially jeopardize the security of confidential information stored in the computer systems of a company and its subscribers. These events may result in liability of the company to its subscribers and also may deter potential subscribers.

     The law relating to the liability of online services companies for information carried on or disseminated through their services is currently unsettled. Claims have been brought, and in some cases successfully argued, against online services companies under both United States and foreign law for defamation, libel, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, or other theories based on the nature and content of the materials disseminated through their services. Certain federal laws have had the effect of protecting online services companies from certain of such claims concerning materials disseminated through their services, either by providing immunity or through failure of those bringing action against online services to show violation of such laws; nevertheless, online services companies sometimes have been held liable for materials disseminated through their services, particularly for claims of trademark infringement. In addition, legislation has been proposed that imposes liability for or prohibits the

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transmission over the Internet of certain types of information. The increased attention focused upon liability issues as a result of these lawsuits, the effect of existing federal legislation and legislative proposals could also favorably or disfavorably impact the growth of Internet use.

     It is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services covering issues such as user privacy, freedom of expression, pricing, content and quality of products and services, taxation, advertising, intellectual property rights and information security. The nature of such governmental action and the manner in which it may be interpreted and enforced cannot be fully determined. Such action could subject an Internet company and/or its customers to potential liability, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the Internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The adoption of any such laws or regulations might also decrease the rate of growth of Internet use, which in turn could decrease the demand for the services of Internet companies or increase the cost of doing business or in some other manner have a material adverse effect on an Internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyrights and other intellectual property issues, taxation, libel, obscenity and personal privacy is developing. While the vast majority of such laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not directly contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies, amendments to these laws, new laws or court decisions could have the effect of favorably or disfavorably impacting the growth of Internet use.

     The U.S. Congress has adopted legislation, and is considering certain proposed legislation, to protect the privacy of personal information collected on the Internet. This legislation could require an online service to adopt safeguards to protect the confidentiality, security and integrity of personal information and provide a process for individuals to consent or limit the disclosure of such information. Certain states have also proposed legislation that would limit the uses of personal user information gathered online or require online services to establish privacy policies. While a federal court has recently ruled in favor of online services companies regarding certain processes employed to obtain personal information from users, future court decisions, changes to existing laws or the passage of new laws intended to address privacy issues could create uncertainty in the marketplace that could reduce demand for the services of an internet company or increase the cost of doing business as a result of litigation costs or increased service delivery costs, or could in some other manner have a material adverse effect on an internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

     Internet companies do not collect sales or other similar taxes. However, one or more states may seek to impose sales tax collection obligations on Internet companies which engage in or facilitate online commerce, and proposals have been made at the state and local level that would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services through the Internet. Such proposals, if adopted, could substantially impair the growth of electronic commerce, and could adversely affect an Internet company’s opportunity to derive financial benefit from such activities. Moreover, a successful assertion by one or more states or any foreign country that an Internet company should collect sales or other taxes on the exchange of merchandise on its system could have a material adverse effect on an Internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

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     Legislation prohibiting states from imposing taxes on internet access or imposing multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce had been adopted by the U.S. Congress, with a tax moratorium that ended on November 1, 2003. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the U.S. Senate has passed a Bill that would reinstate the moratorium. While there is this and other proposed legislation before the U.S. Congress to reinstate and/or permanently extend the tax moratorium and to encourage states to simplify their sales and use taxes, failure to reinstate the tax moratorium could allow various states to impose taxes on internet-based commerce and the imposition of such taxes could have a material adverse effect on an internet company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Corporate Debt Obligations

     Each Fund may, under normal market conditions, invest in corporate debt obligations, including obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund may only invest in debt securities that are cash equivalents. Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.

     An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers of junk bond securities to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of junk bonds will have an adverse effect on a Fund’s net asset value to the extent it invests in such securities. In addition, a Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.

     The secondary market for junk bonds, which is concentrated in relatively few market makers, may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. This reduced liquidity may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Funds to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet their redemption requests or other liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for junk bonds could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the Investment Adviser could find it difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under such circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating a Fund’s net asset value.

     Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the medium to lower rated securities of the type in which the Funds may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

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     Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in a Fund’s net asset value.

     Medium to lower rated and comparable non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. Since medium to lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on defaulted issues. The Investment Adviser will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments.

     The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, the issuer’s sensitivity to economic conditions, its operating history and the current trend of earnings. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in a Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.

Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations

     The Funds may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations payable in U.S. dollars and issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies.

U.S. Government Securities

     Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.

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     U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.

     Each Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities program (“STRIPS”). Each Fund except the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury Securities and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions which represent a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury Securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life and its value consist of the difference between its face value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.

Bank Obligations

     Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

Zero Coupon Bonds

     The Real Estate Securities Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by a Fund defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. A Fund will accrue income on such investments for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of accrual,

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may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

     The interest rates payable on certain fixed-income securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation.

Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates

     Each Fund may invest in debt custodial receipts and trust certificates, which may be underwritten by securities dealers or banks, representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government securities, municipal securities or other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities law purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. Government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. Each Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.

     Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate a Fund would be typically authorized to assert its rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, a Fund could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if a Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custodial account in which the underlying securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.

     Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an issuer or the issuer’s credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to

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determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest received on the derivative instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

     General Characteristics. The Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Each mortgage pool underlying mortgage-backed securities consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multifamily (i.e., five or more) properties, agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the “Mortgaged Properties”). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units, multifamily dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, individual units in planned unit developments and other attached dwelling units. The Mortgaged Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes.

     The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities. As a result, if a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value. Conversely, if a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce yield to maturity and market values. To the extent that a Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, its Investment Adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by investing in a variety of mortgage-backed securities and by using certain hedging techniques.

     Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are several types of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (“REMIC Certificates”), other collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities. A Fund is permitted to invest in other types of mortgage-backed securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.

     A Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities may include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the

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U.S. Government, which means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a result, they generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low credit risks. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and the Funds’ liquidity and value.

     There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

     Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA Loans”), or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA Loans”) , or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the United States Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due of Ginnie Mae certificates.

     Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an act of the United States Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae certificates are issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans (a “Pool”) formed by Fannie Mae. Each Pool consists of residential mortgage loans (“Mortgage Loans”) either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the formation of the Pool. The Mortgage Loans may be either conventional Mortgage Loans (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency) or Mortgage Loans that are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA”). However, the Mortgage Loans in Fannie Mae Pools are primarily conventional Mortgage Loans. The lenders originating and servicing the Mortgage Loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.

     Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie Mae’s servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full principal balance of any foreclosed Mortgage Loan, whether or not such principal balance is actually recovered. The

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obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae.

     Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. Government sponsored enterprise. The principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form of mortgage securities, primarily Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a “Freddie Mac Certificate group”) purchased by Freddie Mac.

     Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered Certificate holder ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac.

     The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Conventional Mortgage Loans. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

     Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. To the extent consistent with their investment policies, the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in both government guaranteed and privately issued mortgage pass-through securities (“Mortgage Pass-Throughs”); that is, fixed or adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities which provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. The seller or servicer of the underlying mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to certificate holders as to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of certain information furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach of any representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related certificate holders in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer generally will be obligated either to cure

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the breach in all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the related agreement so provides, to substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the conditions set forth therein. Such a repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole remedy available to the related certificate holders or the trustee for the material breach of any such representation or warranty by the seller or servicer.

     The following discussion describes only a few of the wide variety of structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.

          Description of Certificates. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.

          Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or disproportionate basis, or any combination thereof. The stated interest rate on any such subclass of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an objective interest index.

          Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Since certain adjustable rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest (i.e., negative amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.

          Ratings. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a rating organization to a certificate may not address the

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remote possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such certificates may be affected.

          Credit Enhancement. Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.

          Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund. In order to achieve ratings on one or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate-holders. If so structured, the subordination feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (“shifting interest credit enhancement”). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the subordinate certificates. In addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal prepayments on the mortgage loans will have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.

          In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such certificates (the “Reserve Fund”). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a specified amount.

          The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest due them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary shortfalls could result. In the event the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right to receive

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current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent of the then outstanding subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses realized with respect to the mortgage loans (“Realized Losses”). Realized Losses remaining after application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero, Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.

          Alternative Credit Enhancement. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be provided by mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, by the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances, such as where credit enhancement is provided by guarantees or a letter of credit, the security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to an external credit enhancement provider.

          Voluntary Advances. Generally, in the event of delinquencies in payments on the mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer agrees to make advances of cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but generally will do so only to the extent that it determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the mortgage loans or otherwise.

          Optional Termination. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time if the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.

     Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A Fund may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class mortgage-backed securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class mortgage-backed securities.

     Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.

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     Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal of certain PCs.

     CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class mortgage-backed securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.

     CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

     The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.

     Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.

     A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of

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the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

     Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiclass mortgage securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or non-governmental originators. Certain SMBS may not be readily marketable and will be considered illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The Investment Adviser may determine that SMBS which are U.S. Government Securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The market value of the class consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest from Mortgage Assets are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities

     The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund and the Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed to be illiquid securities for purposes of a Fund’s 15% limitation on investments in such securities.

Asset-Backed Securities

     The Tollkeeper Fund and the Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present.

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     Such securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. To the extent that a Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of such Fund’s portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.

     Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Funds’ recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

     Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts. The Funds may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund may engage in transactions only with respect to U.S. equity indices. Each Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.

     Futures contracts entered into by a Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or with respect to certain funds on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or

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regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign exchanges.

     Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these reasons, a Fund’s investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular, persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC’s regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, those persons may not have the protection of the United States securities laws.

     Futures Contracts. A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

     When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek through the sale of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund can purchase and sell futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, each Fund can purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in such currency that such Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While each Fund will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner, a Fund may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which

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futures are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

     Hedging Strategies. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price, rate of return or currency exchange rate on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund owns or proposes to acquire. A Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of such Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, each Fund may sell futures contracts on a currency in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for a Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, a Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in a Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Investment Adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having a Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting a Fund’s portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

     On other occasions, a Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing such futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when a Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.

     Options on Futures Contracts. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

     The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund becomes obligated (upon the exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price.

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Thus, the loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. A Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.

     The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

Other Considerations. A Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.

     Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in certain cases, require the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.

     While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

     Perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be difficult to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed-income securities are currently not available. In addition, it is not possible for a Fund to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability of a Fund’s trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Adviser to analyze correctly the futures markets.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

     Writing Covered Options. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent it invests in foreign securities, write (sell) put and call options on foreign currencies. A call option written by a Fund obligates such Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. All call options written by a Fund are covered, which means that such Fund will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or such Fund will use the other methods described below. A Fund’s purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone.

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However, a Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.

     A put option written by a Fund would obligate such Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. All put options written by a Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option or will use the other methods described below. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the option premium, each Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the securities’ market value at the time of purchase.

     In the case of a call option, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A put option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.

     A Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

     A Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration which has been segregated by the Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. A Fund may cover put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets with a value equal to the exercise price or by owning offsetting options as described above.

     A Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”

     Purchasing Options. Each Fund may purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may

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invest. A Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, purchase put and call options on foreign currencies. A Fund would also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.

     A Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio (“protective puts”) or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Fund’s securities. Put options may also be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

     A Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities indices, see “Writing Covered Options” above.

     Yield Curve Options. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund and the Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

     The Real Estate Securities Fund may purchase or write yield curve options for the same purposes as other options on securities. For example, the Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two securities if it owns one of the securities and anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. The Real Estate Securities Fund may also purchase or write yield curve options in an effort to increase current income if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such options present risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

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     Yield curve options written by the Real Estate Securities Fund will be “covered.” A call (or put) option is covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and segregates cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amount of such Fund’s liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by the Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter and established trading markets for these options may not exist.

     Risks Associated with Options Transactions. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

     Each Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

     Transactions by each Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facility or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by

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other investment advisory clients of the Investment Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

     The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the securities or securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The writing of options could increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     Each Fund may invest in shares of REITs. The Real Estate Securities Fund expects that a substantial portion of its assets will be invested in REITs and real estate industry companies. REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by a Fund.

     Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from the Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks.

Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights

     Each Fund may invest in warrants or rights (in addition to those acquired in units or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. A Fund will invest in warrants and rights only if such equity securities are deemed

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appropriate by the Investment Adviser for investment by the Fund. However, the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund has no present intention of acquiring warrants or rights. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

Foreign Securities

     The Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 25% and 15%, respectively, of their total assets in foreign securities, including securities of issuers in emerging countries. The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers which are traded in the United States. Investments in foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments solely in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may include the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, to offer the potential for long-term growth of capital and income, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to reduce fluctuations in portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign stock markets that do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets.

     Investing in foreign securities involves certain special risks, including those discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses and those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly, a Fund that invests in foreign securities may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Funds may be subject to currency exposure independent of their securities positions. To the extent that a Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.

     Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the failure to intervene or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

     Since foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although each Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is

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generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.

     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when some of a Fund’s assets are uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets between different countries, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect a Fund’s investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

     Each Fund may invest in foreign securities which take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may also invest in European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers (together, “Depositary Receipts”).

     ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs are traded on domestic exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in registered form. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank similar to that for ADRs and are designed for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

     To the extent a Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may be an increased possibility that the Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the Depositary Receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, a Fund may avoid currency risks during the settlement period for purchases and sales.

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     As described more fully below, each Fund may invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See “Investing in Emerging Markets, including Asia and Eastern Europe,” below.

     Investing in Emerging Countries, including Asia and Eastern Europe. The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.

     Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect a Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.

     With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Funds. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.

     Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In

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addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.

     Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of a Fund. A Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.

     Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Funds may invest and adversely affect the value of the Funds’ assets. A Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

     A Fund may seek investment opportunities within former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

     The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past,

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and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.

     A Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates. See “Taxation.”

     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

     Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The Tollkeeper and Real Estate Securities Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.

     At the maturity of a forward contract a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

     A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances. First, when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or quoted in a foreign currency, or when a Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying

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transactions, the Fund will attempt to protect itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.

     Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of such Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. 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 those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which a Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of a Fund’s foreign assets.

     The Funds may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency.

     In addition, the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposure and the currency exposure of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

     Unless otherwise covered in accordance with applicable regulations, cash or liquid assets of a Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The segregated assets will be marked-to-market on a daily basis. If the value of the segregated assets declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated on a daily basis so that the value of the assets will equal the amount of a Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts.

     While a Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between a Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by such Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause a Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.

     Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a

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default on the contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. A Fund will not enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps or other privately negotiated currency instruments unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent that a substantial portion of a Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.

     Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. The Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may, to the extent that they invest in foreign securities, write and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and when a Fund seeks to close out an option, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to a Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.

     Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when the Investment Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not included in the Fund’s portfolio.

     A call option written by a Fund obligates a Fund to sell a specified currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A put option written by a Fund would obligate a Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. The writing of currency options involves a risk that a Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currency’s market value or be required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currency’s market value. Written put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered in a manner similar to written put and call options on securities and securities indices described under “Writing Covered Options” above.

     A Fund may terminate its obligations under a call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.” A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options purchased by the Fund.

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     A Fund would normally purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by a Fund are quoted or denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

     A Fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (“protective puts”). The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is usually designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the dollar value of a Fund’s portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying currency or portfolio securities.

     As noted, in addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, the Funds may use options on currency to seek to increase total return. The Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, the Funds may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying currency. Also, when writing put options, the Funds accept, in return for the option premium, the risk that they may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the currency’s market value at the time of purchase.

     Special Risks Associated With Options on Currency. An exchange traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although a Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If a Fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.

     There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate,

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and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customers’ orders.

     A Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by a Fund.

     The amount of the premiums which a Fund may pay or receive may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option purchasing and writing activities.

Currency Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Index Swaps, Total Return Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars

     The Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into currency, mortgage, credit, total return, index and interest rate swaps for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The CORE Tax Managed Equity Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into other interest rate swap arrangements such as rate caps, floors and collars, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. Currency swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Index swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional principal amount at interest rates equal to two specified indices. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive from or make a payment to the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for the payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index or an index component. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

     A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, generally a Fund will enter into interest rate, total return, credit, mortgage and index swaps only on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate, total return, credit, index and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities, other

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underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate, total return, credit, index and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate, total return, credit, index or mortgage swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of a gross payment stream in one designated currency in exchange for the gross payment stream in another designated currency. Therefore, the entire payment stream under a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that the Fund’s potential exposure in a transaction involving a swap, a swaption or an interest rate floor, cap or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise, the Funds and the Investment Adviser believe that swaps do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     A Fund will not enter into transactions involving swaps, caps, floors or collars unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser.

     The use of swaps, swaptions and interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If an Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used. The Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds’ transactions in swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and collars.

Convertible Securities

     Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

     The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as

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interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.

     A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective, which, in turn, could result in losses to the Fund.

     In evaluating a convertible security, the Investment Adviser will give primary emphasis to the attractiveness of the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities are equity investments for purposes of each Fund’s investment policies.

Preferred Securities

     Each Fund may invest in preferred securities. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a covenant default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with the terms of the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default or non-compliance by the issuer, preferred stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on the issuer’s board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition, preferred stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the occurrence of any event of default.

Equity Swaps

     Each Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Equity swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap contract plus

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the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on the equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).

     A Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an equity swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Funds’ potential exposure, the Funds and their Investment Adviser believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

     A Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. A Fund’s ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited by tax considerations.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

     Each Fund may lend portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions, such as brokers or dealers (including, Goldman Sachs) and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government securities maintained on a current basis at an amount, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions may be invested in short-term investments. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. A Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of the loan, a Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but a Fund may call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken by the holders of the securities or the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to firms deemed to be of good standing, and when the consideration which can be earned currently from securities loans of this

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type is deemed to justify the attendant risk. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower and during the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower will be considered and monitored. It is intended that the value of the securities loaned by a Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations stated elsewhere in this Additional Statement of the Prospectus regarding investing in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.

     The Funds’ Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program and adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the securities lending program, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Funds. For these services the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Funds may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions. The lending agent may, on behalf of the Funds, invest cash collateral received by the Funds for securities loans in, among other things, other registered or unregistered funds. These funds include private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for the purpose of investing cash collateral generated from securities lending activities and which pay the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for these services. The Funds’ Board of Trustees will periodically review securities loan transactions for which the Goldman Sachs affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures. Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under the Funds’ securities lending program, subject to certain conditions.

When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments

     Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. A Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Fund may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining a Fund’s duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities will be calculated from the commitment date. A Fund is generally required to segregate until three days prior to the settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless the Fund’s obligations are otherwise covered. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.

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Investment in Unseasoned Companies

     Each Fund may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.

Other Investment Companies

     A Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in the securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts ™ (“SPDRs”) and iSharessm, as defined below) but may neither invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company nor acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, the Funds may invest in money market funds for which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the management fees and other expenses paid by the Fund. However, to the extent that the Fund invests in a money market fund for which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates acts as Investment Adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to the Investment Adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Fund’s proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment adviser. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.

     Exchange traded funds are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System. SPDRs are interests in a unit investment trust (“UIT”) that may be obtained from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market (SPDRs are listed on the American Stock Exchange). The UIT was established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500”). The UIT is sponsored by a subsidiary of the AMEX. SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price activity of the S&P 500. The UIT will issue SPDRs in aggregations known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (i) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the S&P 500, (ii) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the UIT’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the UIT, net of expenses and liabilities, and (iii) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the S&P 500 and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.

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     SPDRs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, an investor must accumulate enough SPDRs to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of SPDRs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, an investor will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.

     The price of SPDRs is derived from and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a SPDR is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for SPDRs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying SPDRs purchased or sold by the Funds could result in losses on SPDRs.

     Each Fund may also purchase shares of investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign countries or regions. Each Fund may, subject to the limitations stated above, invest in iSharessmand similar securities that invest in securities included in specified indices including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iSharessmare listed on the AMEX and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iSharessm are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the net asset values of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iSharessm on the AMEX. However, iSharessmhave a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iSharessmfor extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the AMEX necessary to maintain the listing of iSharessmwill continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iSharessmshould occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iSharessmas part of its investment strategy.

Repurchase Agreements

     Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers and securities dealers which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligations. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which a Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by a Fund’s custodian (or subcustodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.

     For purposes of the Act and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from a Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear whether a court would consider the security purchased by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security

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before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, a Fund may be required to return the security to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.

     Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), a Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.

     The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.

Short Sales

     The Tollkeeper and Real Estate Securities Funds may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the seller sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. While a short sale is made by selling a security the seller does not own, a short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the seller contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. It may be entered into by a Fund, for example, to lock in a sales price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If a Fund sells securities short against the box, it may protect itself from loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises.

     If a Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.

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Mortgage Dollar Rolls

     The Real Estate Securities Fund may enter into mortgage “dollar rolls” in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity), but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund. The Fund will hold and maintain in a segregated account until the settlement date cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, in an amount equal to its forward purchase price.

     For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Fund treats mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. The Fund does not currently intend to enter into mortgage dollar rolls for financing and does not treat them as borrowings.

     Mortgage dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the broker-dealer to whom the Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase the mortgage-related securities subject to the mortgage dollar roll may be restricted. Also, the instrument which the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than an instrument which the Fund originally held. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls will depend upon the Investment Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund’s interest rate and mortgage prepayments exposure. For these reasons, there is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

Portfolio Turnover

     Each Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate.

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of the affected Fund. The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of each Fund are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the Act, “majority” of the outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the shares of the Trust or a Fund. For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to the Funds’ fundamental investment restriction no. 3, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.

     As a matter of fundamental policy, a Fund may not:

  (1)   Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a diversified company under the Act.
 
  (2)   Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) (other than the Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund, which will invest at least 25% or more of its total assets in the real estate industry and the Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper Fund which will invest at least 25% of its total assets in companies in one or more of the media, telecommunications, technology and/or internet industries).
 
  (3)   Borrow money, except (a) the Fund may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) the Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (d) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law and (e) the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings.
 
  (4)   Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, (b)

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      repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, and (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law.
 
  (5)   Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting.
 
  (6)   Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities.
 
  (7)   Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.
 
  (8)   Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

     Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.

     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees without approval of shareholders.

     A Fund may not:

  (a)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
 
  (b)   Invest more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets in illiquid investments including illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
 
  (c)   Purchase additional securities if the Fund’s borrowings (excluding, with respect to the Tollkeeper and Real Estate Securities Funds, covered mortgage dollar rolls) exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
  (d)   Make short sales of securities except that the Tollkeeper and Real Estate Securities Funds may make short sales against the box.

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Fund’s daily business operations.

     Trustees of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

                         
Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 62
  Chairman & Trustee   Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994-March 1996 and November 1998-Present); Executive Vice President — Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996-November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984-1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989-Present); Member of Cornell University Council (1992-Present); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992-Present); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors-III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002-Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Chairman of the Board and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 63
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 - May 2003).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 45
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000-Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-Present); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997-August 2000).     63     None
 
                       
 
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 69
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997-Present); Director, Smith College (1998-Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977-Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985-Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986-1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993-February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993-1998); and Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Wilma J. Smelcer
Age: 55
  Trustee   Since 2001   Chairman, Bank of America, Illinois (banking) (1998-January 2001); and Governor, Board of Governors, Chicago Stock Exchange (national securities exchange) (April 2001-April 2004).     63     Lawson Products Inc. (distributor of industrial products).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            

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Independent Trustees
                Number of    
        Term of       Portfolios in    
        Office and       Fund    
    Position(s)   Length of       Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age1
  the Trust2
  Served3
  During Past 5 Years
  Trustee4
  Held by Trustee5
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 64
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003-Present); President, COO and Director, Unext, Inc. (1999-2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999-Present); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987-Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990-1999).     63     Gildan Activewear Inc. (an activewear clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Unext, Inc. (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (53 Portfolios).
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 54
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director - GSAM (May 1999-Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 — May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 — May 1999).     63     None
 
                       
          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
*Kaysie P. Uniacke
Age: 43
  Trustee   Since 2001   Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).     63     None
 
                       
  &       Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
  President   Since 2002   President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (2002-Present) (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
          Assistant Secretary - Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997-2002) (registered investment companies).            


    *These persons are considered to be “Interested Trustees” because they hold positions with Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
 
    1Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37thFloor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Howard B. Surloff.
 
    2The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.
 
    3Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.

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    4The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of May 31, 2004, the Trust consisted of 57 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
    5This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Officers of the Trust

     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.

             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  President
&
Trustee
  Since 2002
 
Since 2001
  Managing Director, GSAM (1997-Present).

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

          Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997-2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 — Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995-November 2003).

Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992-Present).

Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 46
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985-June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).

Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 40
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995-October 1998).

Assistant Treasurer — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James A. Fitzpatrick
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
  Vice President   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999- Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997-December 1999).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 1998   Vice President, GSAM (June 1998-Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996-June 1998).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control — Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present).

Vice President — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Christopher Keller
4900 Sears Tower
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 38
  Vice President   Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 1997-Present).

Vice President -Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Vice President   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998-Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 — April 1998).

Vice President-Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

          Trustee — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (December 2002-May 2004).

Howard B. Surloff
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 38
  Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2002-Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs and General Counsel to the U.S. Funds Group (December 1997-Present).

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001-Present) and Assistant Secretary prior thereto.
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 39
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001-Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2001).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Assistant Secretary   Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987-Present).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address
  Trust
  Time Served1
  During Past 5 Years
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 — Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996-Present).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Amy E. Curran
One New York Plaza
37th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Age: 34
  Assistant Secretary   Since 1999   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (June 1999-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1998-2000); and Associate, Dechert Price & Rhoads (law firm) (September 1996-1998).

Assistant Secretary — Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).


    1 Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

Standing Board Committees

     The Board of Trustees has established six standing committees in connection with their governance of the Funds — Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Schedule E.

     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (1) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (2) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (3) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held six meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. As

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stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.

     The Compliance Committee consists of each of the Independent Trustees. The Compliance Committee’s functions, among other things, are: (i) to review and recommend for adoption certain policies and procedures for the Funds and their service providers; (ii) to review and recommend to the Board the designation of a chief compliance officer of the Funds; and (iii) to review material compliance matters that are reported to it and to take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Compliance Committee was formed on May 6, 2004 and, therefore did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. Mr. Shuch and Ms. Uniacke serve on the Valuation Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Valuation Committee held twenty-one meetings.

     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Ms. Uniacke. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Dividend Committee held four meetings with respect to the Funds included in this Additional Statement and twenty-seven with respect to all of the Funds of the Trust (including the Funds included in this Additional Statement).

     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”). Currently, the Independent Trustees are alternate members of this committee. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Funds and other portfolios of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

                 
            Aggregate Dollar Range of
            Equity Securities in All
            Portfolios in Fund
    Dollar Range of   Complex Overseen By
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Trustee2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  None   Over $100,000
Gary D. Black3
  None   $ 50,001 - $100,000  
John P. Coblentz, Jr.4
  None   None
Patrick T. Harker
  None   Over $100,000
James McNamara3
  None   $ 10,001 - $50,000  
Mary P. McPherson
  Tollkeeper Fund: $10,001 -- $50,000   Over $100,000

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            Aggregate Dollar Range of
            Equity Securities in All
            Portfolios in Fund
    Dollar Range of   Complex Overseen By
Name of Trustee
  Equity Securities in the Funds1
  Trustee2
 
  Real Estate Securities Fund: $10,001 -- $50,000        
 
  Other Funds: None        
Alan A. Shuch
  None   Over $100,000
Wilma J. Smelcer
  None   $ 50,001 - $100,000  
Richard P. Strubel
  None   Over $100,000
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  None   Over $100,000


    1Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in each Fund described in this Additional Statement as of December 31, 2003.
 
    2 Includes the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2003, the Trust consisted of 58 portfolios, including the Funds described in this Additional Statement, and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios.
 
    3Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
    4 Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust on October 30, 2003.

     As of April 1, 2004, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

Board Compensation

     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance and Nominating Committee meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003:

                         
    Aggregate   Pension or Retirement   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Benefits Accrued as Part   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee
  from the Funds
  of the Trust's Expenses
  (including the Funds)1
Ashok N. Bakhru2
  $ 8,369     $ 0     $ 171,000  
Gary D. Black.3
          0        
John P. Coblentz, Jr4
    0       0       0  
Patrick T. Harker
    6,147       0       126,000  
James McNamara3
          0        
Mary P. McPherson
    6,147       0       126,000  
Alan A. Shuch
          0        
Wilma J. Smelcer
    6,147       0       126,000  
Richard P. Strube1
    6,147       0       126,000  
Kaysie P. Uniacke
          0       --  

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    1 The Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Trust consisted of 58 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 6 portfolios as of December 31, 2003.
 
    2 Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
    3Messrs. Black and McNamara resigned from the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively.
 
    4Mr. Coblentz was appointed to the Boards of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust as of October 30, 2003.

     Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at net asset value without payment of any sales charge to Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above individuals. These and the Funds’ other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.

     The Trust, its Investment Adviser and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

     As stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) (formerly Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.), 32 Old Slip, New York, New York 10005 serves as Investment Adviser to the Funds. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. Prior to the end of April, 2003, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a business unit of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs served as the Fund’s investment adviser. On or about April 26, 2003, GSAM assumed Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s investment advisory responsibilities for the Fund. See “Service Providers” in the Funds’ Prospectuses for a description of the Investment Adviser’s duties to the Funds.

     Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is among the oldest and largest investment banking firms in the United States. Goldman Sachs is a leader in developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a wide range of equity and debt securities 24-hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York and has offices throughout the United States and in Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Calgary, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, George Town, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, and Zurich. It has trading professionals throughout the United States, as well as in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the world’s financial markets enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs

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has agreed to permit the Funds to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of each Fund’s name for as long as a Fund’s Management Agreement is in effect.

     The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 2,400 companies, over 50 economies and over 25 markets. The in-depth information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs’ research analysts are available to the Investment Adviser.

     For more than a decade, Goldman Sachs has been among the top-ranked firms in Institutional Investor’s annual “All-America Research Team” survey. In addition, many of Goldman Sachs’ economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using quantitative analytics to structure and evaluate portfolios.

     In managing the Funds, the Investment Adviser has access to Goldman Sachs’ economics research. The Economics Research Department, based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide. The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures, balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman Sachs’ international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Extel, Institutional Investor and Reuters. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firm’s economists, strategists and equity analysts.

     In allocating assets among foreign countries and currencies for the Funds, the Investment Adviser will have access to the Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model, the Investment Adviser will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs’ research professionals to produce an optimal currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for a Fund given its investment objectives and criteria.

     The Management Agreement provides that GSAM, in its capacity as Investment Adviser, may render similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreement are not impaired thereby. The Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds’ Management Agreement was most recently approved by the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”), on May 5, 2004. At that meeting the Board of Trustees reviewed the written and oral presentations provided by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Trustees’ consideration

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of the Management Agreement. The Trustees also reviewed, with the advice of legal counsel, their responsibilities under applicable law. The Trustees considered, in particular, the restructuring of the Investment Adviser and the assumption of investment advisory responsibilities by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., including the assurances that the same personnel and resources would be committed to the management of the Funds. The Trustees also considered, in particular, the regulatory settlement that had been reached by Goldman Sachs regarding investment bank and research department conflicts of interest. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ management fee rates; the Funds’ respective operating expense ratios; the Investment Adviser’s current and prospective fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the respective Funds; and the investment performance of the Funds for the prior year and longer time periods. The information on these matters was also compared to similar information for other mutual funds. In addition, the Trustees considered the Funds’ management fee structure in comparison to the structures used by other mutual funds; the revenues received by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from the Funds for their investment management services and for other, non-investment management services, and their expenses in providing such services; the brokerage and research services received in connection with the placement of brokerage transactions for the Funds; and the Funds’ asset levels and possible economies of scale. The Trustees also considered the personnel and resources of the Investment Adviser, the overall nature and quality of the Investment Adviser’s services and the specific provisions of the Management Agreement. After consideration of the Investment Adviser’s presentations, the non-interested Trustees discussed at greater length in executive session the fairness and reasonableness of the Management Agreement to the Funds and their shareholders, including the trends in expensive levels and investment performance, and concluded that the Management Agreement should be reapproved and continued in the interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The Management Agreement was initially approved with respect to the Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds by the Trustees, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement, on July 27, 1999, February 3, 2000 and July 22, 1997, respectively. The sole shareholder of the Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds approved these arrangements on September 23, 1999, April 3, 2000 and July 21, 1997, respectively. The Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect with respect to the applicable Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of a majority of such Fund’s outstanding voting securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (b) the vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     The Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act). The Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Adviser and by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.

     Pursuant to the Management Agreement the Investment Adviser is entitled to receive fees, payable monthly, at the annual rates of 1.00%, 0.75% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds,

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respectively. The Funds had no fee waiver arrangements with respect to the management fee at the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 or December 31, 2001.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the fees incurred by each Fund then in existence pursuant to the Management Agreement were as follows:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 4,397,786     $ 5,454,209     $ 12,526,092  
CORE Tax-Managed EquityFund
    638,598       910,289       1,043,344  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    2,633,784       2,494,809       2,213,972  

     In addition to providing advisory services, under its Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Fund that it advises; (ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Fund; (iii) arranges for at each Fund’s expense: (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Fund’s records; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services.

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser, and its affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities and business operations of the Funds, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in accounts, securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Funds and their service providers. These are considerations of which investors in the Funds should be aware, and which may cause conflicts that could disadvantage the Funds.

     Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs in addition to those described in this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

Certain Activities and Interests of Goldman Sachs and Clients

     Goldman Sachs is a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and

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other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from Goldman Sachs and from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. In addition, it is likely that the Funds will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has direct or indirect interests. The Investment Adviser makes decisions for a Fund in accordance with its obligations as Investment Adviser. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Funds.

     Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to current or future accounts or funds that it manages or advises, including accounts or funds that may provide greater fees or other compensation, including performance-based fees, to Goldman Sachs or the Investment Adviser or in which Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”) or proprietary accounts, that may compete or conflict with the advice given to the Funds, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken than with respect to the Funds. For example, the Funds may be competing for investment opportunities with Goldman Sachs, or with other current or future Client/GS Accounts. Goldman Sachs and its Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell the securities of issuers while a Fund is undertaking the same or a different, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could increase the cost of that strategy to the Fund or otherwise disadvantage the Fund. For example, the Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may establish a short position in the same security. That subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Fund holds. Conversely, the Fund may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or its Client/GS Accounts (including other advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser) may buy that same security. That subsequent purchase may result in impairment of the price of the short sale position which the Fund holds. In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of other accounts, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies.

     In addition, conflicts may arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore accrue to the benefit of) another Client/GS Account.

     The directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through funds managed by Goldman Sachs). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Funds. To lessen the possibility that a Fund will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as the Funds’ Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of

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Ethics”) in compliance with Section 170) of the Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

     Goldman Sachs and its clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds. Prices, availability, liquidity and terms of Fund investments may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs and its clients’ activities, and transactions for the Funds may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case. The results of the investment activities of the Funds may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts or accounts managed by it and from the results achieved by the Investment Adviser for other advised accounts. In addition, other client transactions may also adversely impact the Funds. Subject to applicable law, clients of the Investment Adviser may also have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Adviser’s transactions or views which may affect their transactions outside of accounts controlled by the asset management division of Goldman Sachs and in connection therewith negatively impact the performance of the Funds. Further, the Funds may be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, as well as increases of capital in and withdrawals of capital from other accounts advised by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate.

     The Investment Adviser’s management of the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. Subject to applicable law, the Funds may engage in investment transactions which may result in Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of an investment. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or its Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.

     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, markdowns, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts, which are favorable to Goldman Sachs. In such circumstances, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds will be reduced thereby. When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds, it may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds.

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In addition, when Goldman Sachs acts in such capacities, its representatives may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, including the Investment Adviser, and such representatives may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Funds. When acting in such capacity, Goldman Sachs is under no obligation to disseminate such information to the Investment Adviser or to others. Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may from time to time in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services to the Funds in investment management and administrative capacities.

     Goldman Sachs, and its sales personnel and other dealers, have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel and other dealers may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the investors in the Funds. Such fees and commissions may vary by product or service, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other products. Further, Goldman Sachs may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, dealers, consultants and others who recommend, sell, or have interests or relationships associated with sales or recommendations of Fund shares or portfolio transactions for the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its employees and its businesses. In addition, Goldman Sachs employees, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have board, advisory or other relationships with issuers, dealers, consultants and charitable organizations which may own or which may recommend or sell shares of the Funds or portfolio transactions for the Funds. As a result, those persons and institutions may have conflicts associated with the promotion of Fund shares and portfolio investment-related matters that would create incentives for them to promote such sales or raise other conflicts.

Certain Regulatory Matters

     From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. An investment fund not affiliated with Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations in relation to transactions with Goldman Sachs. There may be periods when the Investment Adviser may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit its advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase investments that are issued, or the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs-related personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.

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     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs, for its proprietary accounts and for other clients may also limit investment strategies and rights of Client/GS Accounts. For example, in certain regulated industries, in emerging markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there are limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, its Client/GS Accounts and other clients to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, Goldman Sachs may limit purchases in Client/GS Accounts, sell existing investments for Client/GS Accounts, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) for Client/GS Accounts, when Goldman Sachs, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate in light of potential regulatory restrictions on ownership or other impairments resulting to the Client/GS Account, Goldman Sachs, or other clients arising from reaching investment thresholds.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Investment Adviser may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments on behalf of the Funds in which Goldman Sachs, acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Funds may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Funds and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. The Funds will only consider engaging in a principal or cross transaction with Goldman Sachs or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Investment Adviser will, to the extent required by law, obtain necessary consents prior to entering into such transactions.

     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, nonpublic information or other information that could limit the ability of the Funds to buy and sell investments. The Funds’ investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence. In making investment decisions for a Fund, the Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Goldman Sachs in the course of their activities.

Other Investment Management-Related Activities

     In determining the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, a number of factors may be considered by the Investment Adviser, which may include the relative size of the applicable accounts or funds and their expected futures sizes, the investments available for allocation at any given time and the investment objectives of the Funds and such Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Adviser will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Funds and Client/GS Accounts in a manner that it considers, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable and equitable. Although allocating orders among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interest of Goldman Sachs or its personnel in such other Client/GS Accounts or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from such

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Client/GS Accounts, the Investment Adviser will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or such greater fees and compensation. The Investment Adviser may determine that an investment opportunity or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for itself or an affiliate, but not for the Funds, or is appropriate for, or available to, the Funds but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for others. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.

     Purchases and sales of securities for the account of the Funds may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other accounts of Goldman Sachs, including other Client/GS Accounts. Because of the prevailing trading activity, it is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged which may be disadvantageous to the Funds.

     The Funds and the Investment Adviser or their affiliates or personnel may from time to time receive research products and services in connection with the brokerage services that brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Advisers) may provide to the Funds or one or more Client/GS Accounts. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. In addition, Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefits, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to Client/GS Accounts.

     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may invest all or some of their short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs, and may invest in other investment funds advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other dealers) will be entitled to retain any fees accruing to it in connection with any such investments, and the fees or allocations from the Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment, which would not arise in connection with a Shareholder’s direct purchase of underlying investments).

     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Funds or with respect to which the underlying securities, currencies or instruments may be those in which the Funds invest, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Funds. Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may, from time to time, invest in the Funds, hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling Fund shares and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its Fund and other positions at any time. These investments and redemptions will be made without notice to the shareholders. These derivative related activities, as well as such investment and redemption activities may have an adverse effect on the Funds’ investment management, flexibility, diversification strategies and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly through a Fund by the shareholders.

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     The Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on the Funds’ own credit standing. Neither Goldman Sachs nor the Investment Adviser or any of their affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Funds’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Funds’ counterparties will rely on the credit of such entities in evaluating the Funds’ creditworthiness. In addition, the Funds, when the Investment Advisers deem it appropriate, may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs or its affiliates, at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.

     Subject to applicable law, in connection with its management of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may utilize investment policy advisors or a committee which may include personnel of Goldman Sachs or of unaffiliated firms. Those individuals may, as a result, obtain information regarding the Funds’ proposed investment activities which is not generally available to the public. Goldman Sachs and the Investment Adviser may also have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and other affiliates. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities.

     The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Investment Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to their clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, the Investment Adviser’s actual proxy voting decisions may have the effect of favoring the interests of clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that the Investment Adviser believes such voting decision to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”

Distributor and Transfer Agent

     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 serves as the exclusive distributor of shares of the Funds pursuant to a “best efforts” arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after the Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain investment dealers and other financial service firms (the “Authorized Dealers”) to solicit subscriptions for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the sales charge imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or

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redemption in the case of Class B and Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of such Fund shares.

     Goldman Sachs retained approximately the following combined commissions on sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares during the following periods:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 26,700     $ 39,300     $ 450,000  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    6,400       17,100       110,000  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    241,700       244,300       314,000  

     Goldman Sachs, 4900 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trust’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust with respect to each Fund to: (i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trust’s custodian and the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with tax related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares and 0.19% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C.

     As compensation for the services rendered to the Trust by Goldman Sachs as transfer and dividend disbursing agent and the assumption by Goldman Sachs of the expenses related thereto, Goldman Sachs received fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 from each Fund as follows under the fee schedules then in effect:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Tollkeeper Fund
                       
Class A Shares
  $ 307,178     $ 376,667     $ 912,000  
Class B Shares
    327,763       408,456       862,786  
Class C Shares
    159,291       201,769       454,557  
Institutional Shares
    8,684       10,343       31,554  
Service Shares
    21       58       154  
 
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
                       
Class A Shares
  $ 65,776     $ 96,736     $ 117,278  
Class B Shares
    46,274       59,835       68,416  
Class C Shares
    41,890       53,982       60,683  
Institutional Shares
    1,338       3,905       3,472  
Service Shares
    312       317       304  

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    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
Real Estate Securities Fund
                       
Class A Shares
  $ 272,298     $ 279,658     $ 263,174  
Class B Shares
    30,625       23,555       12,507  
Class C Shares
    20,138       14,750       7,981  
Institutional Shares
    37,320       32,847       28,840  
Service Shares
    18       5       1  

     The Trust’s distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities.

Expenses

     The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, is responsible for the payment of each Fund’s respective expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Adviser, service fees and shareholder administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses of the Trust’s custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trust’s shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Funds, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, Additional Statements, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trust’s shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses assumed by a Fund pursuant to its distribution and service plans, compensation and expenses of its “non-interested” Trustees, the fee’s and expenses of pricing services and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder administration plan or distribution and service plan applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.

     The imposition of the Investment Adviser’s fees, as well as other operating expenses, will have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment Adviser may waive receipt of is fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Fund, which would have the effect of lowering that Fund’s overall expense ratio and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.

     As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Adviser voluntarily has agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees, service fees, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage, and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses) for the

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Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds to the extent such expenses exceed 0.06%, 0.05% and 0.00%, respectively, of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

     Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during the Funds’ fiscal year and may be discontinued or modified by the applicable Investment Adviser in its discretion at any time.

     Fees and expenses borne by the Fund’s relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a Fund, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Fund may also bear an allocable portion of the Investment Adviser’s costs of performing certain accounting services not being provided by a Fund’s custodian.

Reimbursement and Other Expense Reductions

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the amounts of certain “Other Expenses” of each Fund then in existence that were reduced or otherwise limited were as follows under the expense limitations that were then in effect:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 220,267     $ 248,000     $ -0-  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    271,842       262,000       291,000  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    314,612       359,000       298,000  

     The Funds have entered into certain expense offset arrangements with the custodian resulting in a reduction on each Fund’s expenses. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 each Fund’s custody fees were reduced by the following approximate amounts under such arrangement.

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 1,000     $ 2,000     $ 7,000  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    100       30       2,000  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    1,000       2,000       3,000  

Custodian and Sub-Custodians

     State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian of the Trust’s portfolio securities and cash. State Street also maintains the Trust’s accounting records. State Street may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Trust.

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Independent Auditors

     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036 currently serve as auditors of the Funds of the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. In addition to audit services, Ernst & Young LLP prepares the Funds’ Federal and state tax returns, and provides consultation and assistance on accounting, internal control and related matters. The date set forth under “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectuses for the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund for the fiscal years or periods ended on or before December 31, 1999 were audited by the Fund’s former auditors who have ceased operations.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     The Investment Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities traded over-the-counter also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Orders may be directed to any broker including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs.

     In the over-the-counter market, most securities have historically traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

     In placing orders for portfolio securities of a Fund, the Investment Adviser is generally required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price available. This means that the Investment Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (“Section 28(e)”) the Fund may pay a broker which provides brokerage and research services to the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith determination that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, a Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the Investment Adviser will consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions of a Fund, the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, or their other clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and companies; economic surveys and analyses; recommendations as to specific securities; research products including quotation equipment and computer related programs; advice concerning the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of securities or the

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purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance to the Investment Adviser in the performance of their decision-making responsibilities.

     Such services are used by the Investment Adviser in connection with all of their investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for a Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be larger than those of a Fund, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by the Investment Adviser in providing management services for the Trust. On occasion, a broker-dealer might furnish an Investment Adviser with a service which has a mixed use (i.e., the service is used both for investment and brokerage activities and for other activities). Where this occurs, an Investment Adviser will reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that the portion or specific component which assists in investment and brokerage activities is obtained using portfolio commissions from the Funds or other managed accounts, and the portion or specific component which provides other assistance (for example, administrative or non-research assistance) is paid for by an Investment Adviser from its own funds.

     In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers offer comparable prices and execution capability, preference may be given to a broker-dealer which has sold shares of the Fund as well as shares of other investment companies or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser. This policy does not imply a commitment to execute all portfolio transactions through all broker-dealers that sell shares of the Fund.

     On occasions when the Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other investment company or advisory account for which the Investment Adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser), the Investment Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price and size of the position obtainable for a Fund.

     Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Trustees.

     Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Adviser may use Goldman Sachs as a broker for a Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs to effect any portfolio transactions for each Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Goldman Sachs must be reasonable and

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customary. This standard would allow Goldman Sachs to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested” Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.

     For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, each Fund in existence paid brokerage commissions as indicated in the following charts. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by a Fund may vary substantially from year to year because of differences in shareholder purchase and redemption activity, portfolio turnover rates and other factors.

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            Total   Total           Brokerage
            Brokerage   Amount of   Amount of   Commissions
    Total   Commissions   Transactions   Transactions   Paid
    Brokerage   Paid to   on which   Effected through   to Brokers
    Commissions   Goldman   Commissions   Brokers Providing   Providing
    Paid
  Sachs1
  Paid
  Research
  Research
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 653,305     $ 10,586 (2 %)2   $ 306,806,288 (0 %)3   $ 55,508,805     $ 153,325  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    24,342       12,809 (53 %)2     94,457,375 (13 %)3            
Real Estate Securities Fund
    230,622       16,795 (7 %)2     123,462,073 (11 %)3     1,319,217       2,415  


1   The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions.
 
2   Percentage of total commissions paid to Goldman Sachs.
 
3   Percentage of total amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through Goldman Sachs.

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            Total   Total
            Brokerage   Amount of
    Total   Commissions   Transactions
    Brokerage   Paid to   on which
    Commissions   Goldman   Commissions
    Paid
  Sachs1
  Paid
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002:
                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 1,191,143     $ 3,941     $ 491,613,633  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    101,181       7,164       200,595,817  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    383,395       26,760       158,801,838  


1   The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions.
                         
            Total   Total
            Brokerage   Amount of
    Total   Commissions   Transactions
    Brokerage   Paid to   on which
    Commissions   Goldman   Commissions
    Paid
  Sachs1
  Paid
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2001:
                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 686,058     $ 9,100     $ 736,767,649  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    130,780       2,000       211,250,387  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    425,524       50,580       141,583,554  


1   The figures in the table report brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Funds’ regular broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, were Merrill Lynch, Salomon Smith Barney, Credit Suisse First Boston, UBS Warburg Dillon Reed, Shearson Lehman Brothers, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Bear Stearns & Co., BONY Countrywide.

As of December 31, 2003, the Funds held no securities of their regular broker-dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act, or their parents.

NET ASSET VALUE

     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each class of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to each class of that Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time), or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King,

B-75


 

Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net asset value other than the Fund’s official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, each Fund may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

     Portfolio securities of a Fund for which accurate market quotations are available are valued as follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) will be valued at the last sale price, or the official closing price, on the exchange or system in which they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day, securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if a closing bid price is not available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the above-mentioned time for determining the Funds net asset value, the securities will be valued at the last sale price or official closing price, or if not available at the bid price at the time the net asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued at the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price at the time net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under sections (i) or (ii) including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed-income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or more for which accurate market quotations are readily available will normally be valued according to dealer-supplied bid quotations or bid quotations from a recognized pricing service (e.g., Interactive Data Corp., Merrill Lynch, J.J. Kenny, Muller Data Corp., Bloomberg, EJV, Reuters or Standard & Poor’s); (v) fixed-income securities for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the Investment Adviser based on valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities in the appropriate market (i.e., matrix pricing); (vi) debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued by the Investment Adviser at amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

     The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by any major bank. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

B-76


 

     Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business Days in New York and days on which the Funds’ net asset values are not calculated. Such calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or, in the case of foreign securities, prices provided by an independent service (if available) that are intended to reflect more accurately the value of those securities at the time the Funds’ NAV is calculated. If market quotations or independent information is not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations or prices do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be otherwise determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees. In providing the Funds’ daily fair valuations for such securities, an independent service will take into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the U.S. securities markets, certain depository receipts, futures contracts and foreign currency exchange rates. The use of an independent service and fair valuation involve the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

     The proceeds received by each Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund or particular series and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund or series. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Funds and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds or series except where allocations of expenses can otherwise be fairly made.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

     Each Fund may from time to time quote or otherwise use yield and total return information in advertisements, shareholder reports or sales literature. Average annual total return and yield are computed pursuant to formulas specified by the SEC.

     Thirty-day yield is derived by dividing net investment income earned during the period by the product of the average daily number of Shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the period and the maximum public offering price per share on the last day of such period. The results are compounded on a bond equivalent (semi-annual) basis and then annualized by assuming that yield is realized each month for 12 months and is reinvested every six months. Net investment income per share is equal to the dividends and interest earned during the period, reduced

B-77


 

by accrued expenses for the period. The calculation of net investment income for these purposes may differ from the net investment income determined for accounting purposes.

     Distribution rate for a specified period is calculated by annualizing distributions of net investment income for such period and dividing this amount by the net asset value per share or maximum public offering price on the last day of the period.

     Average annual total return (before taxes) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. It also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.

     Average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions but not redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment but further assumes that the redemption has no federal income tax consequences. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the impact of federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income taxes rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is also taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards (i) the effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes).

     Average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemptions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions and redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for

B-78


 

short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards the (i) effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax, and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes). In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. The highest federal individual capital gains tax rate in effect on the redemption date is used in such calculation. The federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of any gains or losses (e.g., short-term or long-term). When the return after taxes on distributions and redemption of shares is higher than returns after taxes on distributions, it is because of realized losses. If realized losses occur upon the sale of shares, capital loss is recorded as a tax benefit which increases returns.

     Year-by-year total return and cumulative total return for a specified period are each derived by calculating the percentage rate required to make a $1,000 investment (made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions reinvested) at the beginning of such period equal to the actual total value of such investment at the end of such period. The table set forth below indicates the total return (capital changes plus reinvestment of all distributions) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in a Fund for the periods indicated.

     Total return calculations for Class A Shares reflect the effect of paying the maximum initial sales charge. Investment at a lower sales charge would result in higher performance figures. Total return calculations for Class B and Class C Shares reflect deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed upon redemption of Class B and Class C Shares held for the applicable period. Each Fund may also from time to time advertise total return on a cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts graphs or schedules. In addition, each Fund may furnish total return calculations based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset value. An after-tax total return for a Fund may be calculated by taking its total return and subtracting applicable federal taxes from the portions of a Fund’s total return attributable to capital gain and ordinary income distributions. This after-tax total return may be compared to that of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives as reported by independent sources. Any performance information which is based on a Fund’s net asset value per Share would be reduced if any applicable sales charge were taken into account. In addition to the above, each Fund may from time to time advertise its performance relative to certain averages, performance rankings, indices, other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services and investments for which reliable performance information is available. The Funds’ performance quotations do not reflect any fees charged by an Authorized Dealer, Service Organization or other financial intermediary to its customer accounts in connection with investments in the Funds.

B-79


 

     Each Fund’s performance will fluctuate, unlike bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future return. Actual performance will depend on such variables as portfolio quality, the type of portfolio instruments acquired, portfolio expenses and other factors. Performance is one basis investors may use to analyze a Fund as compared to other funds and other investment vehicles. However, the performance of other funds and other investment vehicles may not be comparable because of the foregoing variables, and differences in the methods used in valuing their portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and determining performance.

     The table set forth below indicates the total return (capital charges plus reinvestment of all distributions) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in each of the Funds for the periods indicated. Average Annual Total Return for the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund is presented in a separate table, which includes average annual total return before taxes, after taxes on distributions and after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares.

B-80


 

                                         
                            Assuming no voluntary
                            waiver of fees and no
                            expense reimbursements
                           
            Assumes           Assumes    
            Maximum           Maximum    
            Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
            Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Fund
  Class
  Time Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Tollkeeper Fund
  A   10/1/99-12/31/03 – Since inception     -8.96 %     -7.75 %     -9.00 %     -7.78 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     37.60 %     45.63 %     37.53 %     45.55 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  B   10/1/99-12/31/03 – Since inception     -8.87 %     -8.43 %     -8.90 %     -8.47 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     39.66 %     44.66 %     39.59 %     44.59 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  C   10/1/99-12/31/03 – Since inception     -8.47 %     -8.47 %     8.50 %     -8.50 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     43.75 %     44.75 %     43.68 %     44.68 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  Institutional   10/1/99-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       -7.38 %     N/A       -7.41 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     N/A       46.30 %     N/A       46.22 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  Service   10/1/99-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       -7.84 %     N/A       -7.88 %
Tollkeeper Fund
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     N/A       45.61 %     N/A       45.53 %
 
Real Estate Securities Fund
  A   7/27/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     11.00 %     12.16 %     10.43 %     11.58 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  A   1/1/99-12/31/03 – Five years     13.52 %     14.82 %     13.06 %     14.36 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  A   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     31.63 %     39.25 %     31.28 %     38.90 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  B   7/27/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     11.21 %     11.36 %     10.79 %     10.94 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  B   1/1/99-12/31/03 – Five years     13.71 %     14.01 %     13.42 %     13.72 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  B   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     33.06 %     38.27 %     32.71 %     37.92 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  C   7/27/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     11.39 %     11.39 %     10.97 %     10.97 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  C   1/1/99-12/31/03 – Five years     14.04 %     14.04 %     36.85 %     13.76 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  C   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     37.20 %     38.24 %     N/A       37.89 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Institutional   7/27/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       12.63 %     N/A       12.20 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Institutional   1/1/99-12/31/03 – Five years     N/A       15.30 %     N/A       15.01 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Institutional   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One year     N/A       39.90 %     N/A       39.55 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Service   7/27/98-12/31/03 – Since inception     N/A       12.14 %     N/A       11.71 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Service   1/1/99-12/31/03 – Five years     N/A       14.81 %     N/A       14.50 %
Real Estate Securities Fund
  Service   1/1/03-12/31/03 – One Year     N/A       39.24 %     N/A       38.89 %


*   Total return reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed deferred sales charge for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years) and the assumed deferred sales charge for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase).

B-81


 

CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum           Maximum    
        Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
    Time   Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Class
  Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Class A
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03     -6.83 %     -5.42 %     -7.17 %     -5.76 %
 
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03     -6.86 %     -545 %     -7.20 %     -5.79 %
Distributions
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03     -5.74 %     -4.57 %     -6.08 %     -4.91 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  Since Inception                                
Shares
                                   
 
Class A
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03     22.02 %     29.03 %     21.62 %     28.62 %
 
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03     22.02 %     29.03 %     21.62 %     28.63 %
Distributions
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03     14.31 %     18.87 %     13.91 %     18.47 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  One Year                                
Shares
                                   
 
Class B
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    -6.85 %     -6.09 %     -7.18 %     -6.42 %
 
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    -6.86 %     -6.09 %     -7.20 %     -6.43 %
Distributions
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    -5.85 %     -5.11 %     -6.19 %     -5.45 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  Since Inception                                
Shares
                                   

B-82


 

CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum           Maximum    
        Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
    Time   Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Class
  Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Class B
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    23.25 %     28.25 %     22.85 %     27.85 %
 
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    23.25 %     28.25 %     22.85 %     27.85 %
Distributions
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    13.36 %     18.38 %     12.96 %     17.98 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  One Year
                               
Shares
                                   
 
Class C
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    -6.13 %     -6.13 %     -6.47 %     -6.47 %
 
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03     -6.14 %     -6.14 %     -6.48 %     -6.48 %
Distributions
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    -5.15 %     -5.15 %     -5.49 %     -5.49 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  Since Inception                                
Shares
                                   
 
Class C
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    27.13 %     28.13 %     26.73 %     27.73 %
 
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    27.13 %     28.13 %     26.73 %     27.73 %
Distributions
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    17.28 %     18.28 %     16.88 %     17.88 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  One Year                                
Shares
                                   

B-83


 

CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return

                                     
                        Assuming No Voluntary
                        Waiver of Fees and No
                        Expense Reimbursements
        Assumes           Assumes    
        Maximum           Maximum    
        Applicable   Assumes   Applicable   Assumes
    Time   Sales   No Sales   Sales   No Sales
Class
  Period
  Charge*
  Charge
  Charge*
  Charge
Institutional
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -5.02 %     N/A       -5.36 %
 
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -5.06 %     N/A       -5.40 %
Distributions
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -4.24 %     N/A       -4.58 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  Since Inception                                
Shares
                                   
 
Institutional
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       29.70 %     N/A       29.29 %
 
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       29.70 %     N/A       29.30 %
Distributions
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       19.30 %     N/A       18.90 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  One Year                                
Shares
                                   
 
Service
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -5.48 %     N/A       -5.82 %
 
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -5.52 %     N/A       -5.86 %
Distributions
  Since Inception                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  4/3/00 – 12/31/03
    N/A       -4.63 %     N/A       -4.97 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  Since Inception                                
Shares
                                   
 
Service
                                   
Returns Before Taxes
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       29.17 %     N/A       28.76 %
 
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       29.17 %     N/A       28.77 %
Distributions
  One Year                                
 
Returns After Taxes on
  1/1/03 – 12/31/03
    N/A       18.96 %     N/A       18.56 %
Distributions and Sale of Class
  One Year                                
Shares
                                   

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*   Total return reflects a maximum initial sales charge of 5.5% for Class A Shares, the assumed deferred sales charge for Class B Shares (5% maximum declining to 0% after six years) and the assumed deferred sales charge for Class C Shares (1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase).

     A Fund’s performance data will be based on historical results and will not be intended to indicate future performance. A Fund’s total return, yield and distribution rate will vary based on market conditions, portfolio expenses, portfolio investments and other factors. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting a Fund. The value of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than their original cost upon redemption. Performance may reflect expense limitations in effect. In their absence performance would be reduced. The Trust may also, at its discretion, from time to time make a list of a Fund’s holdings available to investors upon request.

     Total return will be calculated separately for each class of shares in existence. Because each class of shares is subject to different expenses, total return with respect to each class of shares of a Fund will differ.

SHARES OF THE TRUST

     Each Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust established by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have classified the shares of each of the Funds into five classes: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Additional series may be added in the future.

     Each Institutional Share, Service Share, Class A Share, Class B Share and Class C Share of a Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the Fund. All expenses of a Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees under Service and Shareholder Administration Plans are borne exclusively by Service Shares, fees under Distribution and Service Plans are borne exclusively by Class A, Class B or Class C Shares and transfer agency fees and expenses are borne at different rates by different share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the Internal Revenue Service. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another fund. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” below. In addition, the fees and

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expenses set forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed more fully in the Funds’ Prospectuses.

     Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund under a Plan for services provided to the institution’s customers.

     Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service Shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Service Shares.

     Class A Shares are sold with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5%, through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares bear the cost of distribution and service fees at the maximum aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A Shares of the Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Services Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Class B Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 5.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class B Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares. Class B Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares.

     Class C Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.

     It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares (i.e., Institutional, Service, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares) to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Fund. Dividends paid by each Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same amount, except for differences caused by the differences in expenses discussed above. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.

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     Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.

     When issued for the consideration described in the Fund’s Prospectuses, shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable class of the relevant Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require Shareholders to redeem shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.

     As of April 1, 2004, no entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Tollkeeper Fund.

     As of April 1, 2004, the following entity owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund: Class A: Edward Jones, Attn: Mutual Fund Shareholder, Accounting, 201 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MD 63043-3009 (11%).

     As of April 1, 2004, the following entities owned of record or beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Real Estate Securities Fund: Institutional: State Street Bank & Trust, Trustee, GS Profit Sharing Master Trust, Attn: Lisa Duncan, 105 Rosemont Road, Westwood, MA 02090-2318 (16%).

     The Act requires that where more than one class or series of shares exists, each class or series must be preferred over all other classes or series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class or series. In addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class or series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.

     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such shares on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings

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of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series or class or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or series.

     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees without shareholder approval to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.

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     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such Series or Class, but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.

Shareholder and Trustee Liability

     Under Delaware Law, the shareholders of the Funds are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series or the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant Fund for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.

     In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the series for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

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TAXATION

     The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income, and certain state and local, tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in each Fund of the Trust. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his own tax adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in each Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Additional Statement, which are subject to change.

General

     The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting each Fund that are not described in the Prospectuses. The discussions below and in the Prospectuses are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning.

     Each Fund is treated as a separate taxable entity. The Tollkeeper, CORE Tax-Managed Equity and Real Estate Securities Funds have elected to be treated and intend to qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Code.

     There are certain tax requirements that all funds must follow in order to avoid federal taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code requires, among other things, that (a) a Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) for its taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the “90% gross income test”); and (b) a Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of its total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of such Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses. For purposes of the 90% gross income test, income that a Fund earns from equity interests in certain entities that are not treated as corporations (e.g., partnerships or trusts) for U.S. tax purposes will generally have the same character for such Fund as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, a Fund may be required to limit its equity investments in such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other nonqualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions that are not directly related to a Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or entering into foreign currency options, futures and

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forward or swap contracts for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in a Fund’s portfolio or anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as “directly-related” under these tests.

     If a Fund complies with the provisions discussed above, then in any taxable year in which a Fund distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable accrued original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign exchange gains and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain,” as defined below, and is reduced by deductible expenses), and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, if a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, that Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that amount of net capital gain. Each Fund intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any net tax-exempt interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors and may therefore make it more difficult for such a Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below. However, each Fund generally expects to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy such requirements from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain at corporate rates, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.

     In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for the previous year that were not distributed for such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal income tax purposes, dividends declared by a Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are taxable to such shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year declared. Each Fund anticipates that

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it will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that they will generally not be required to pay the excise tax. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. These amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains to the extent permitted by the Code and applicable tax regulations. At December 31, 2003, the Tollkeeper Fund had capital loss carry forwards of approximately $1,427,163,187 for federal tax purposes, expiring in 2009-2011. At December 31, 2003, the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund had capital loss carry forward approximately $56,966,957 for federal tax purposes, expiring in 2008-2011. At December 31, 2003, the Real Estate Securities Fund had no capital loss carry forwards.

     Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts, options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by a Fund will be required to be “marked-to-market” for federal income tax purposes, that is, treated as having been sold at their fair market value on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into by a Fund, the Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by such Fund and the characterization of gains or losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described above applicable to options, futures and forward contracts may affect the amount, timing and character of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and/or these tax rules to certain investment practices, such as dollar rolls, or certain derivatives such as interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars and currency, total return, mortgage or index swaps may be unclear in some respects, and a Fund may therefore be required to limit its participation in such transactions. Certain tax elections may be available to a Fund to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.

     Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments that may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by a Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the Code were to exceed a Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foregoing currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of a Fund’s dividends

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being treated as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.

     A Fund’s investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any “marked-to-market” gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will generally cause it to realize income or gain prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. In order to obtain cash to enable it to distribute this income or gain, maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income or excise taxes, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold.

     Each Fund anticipates that it will be subject to foreign taxes on its income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.

     If a Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require the Fund to include each year certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. Each Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

     Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for a Fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by a Fund, if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to eliminate or minimize any adverse tax consequences.

     The federal income tax rules applicable to mortgage dollar rolls and interest rate, currency and total return swaps, floors, caps and collars are unclear in certain respects, and a Fund may also be required to account for these instruments under tax rules in a manner that, under certain circumstances, may limit its transactions in these instruments.

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Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Distributions

     For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions by a Fund, whether reinvested in additional shares or paid in cash, generally will be taxable to shareholders who are subject to tax. Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of newly issued shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive cash and will have a cost basis in each share received equal to such amount divided by the number of shares received.

     Distributions from investment company taxable income for the year will generally be taxable as ordinary income. However, distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain foreign corporations after December 31, 2002 will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate (described below), as long as certain other requirements are met. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholders must have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date. Distributions designated as derived from a Fund’s dividend income, if any, that would be eligible for the dividends received deduction if such Fund were not a regulated investment company may be eligible, for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders. The dividends-received deduction, if available, is reduced to the extent the shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally 46 days. The dividends-received deduction may also be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities. The entire dividend, including the deducted amount, is considered in determining the excess, if any, of a corporate shareholder’s adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase its liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, and the dividend may, if it is treated as an “extraordinary dividend” under the Code, reduce such shareholder’s tax basis in its shares of a Fund. Capital gain dividends (i.e., dividends from net capital gain) if designated as such in a written notice to shareholders mailed not later than 60 days after a Fund’s taxable year closes, will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of how long shares have been held by shareholders, but are not eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. Distributions, if any, that are in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, after such basis is reduced to zero, will generally constitute capital gains to a shareholder who holds his shares as capital assets.

     Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain prohibited transactions is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.

Taxable U.S. Shareholders — Sale of Shares

     When a shareholder’s shares are sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, the shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares and the cash, or fair market value of any property, received. (To aid in computing its tax basis, a shareholder should

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generally retain its account statement for the period that it held shares). If the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset at the time of sale, the character of the gain or loss should be capital, and treated as long-term if the shareholder’s holding period is more than one year, and short-term otherwise. In general, the maximum long-term capital gain rate is 15%. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their particular circumstances to determine whether a redemption (including an exchange) or other disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in this discussion. If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to shares and such shares have a tax holding period of six months or less at the time of a sale or redemption of such shares, then any loss the shareholder realizes on the sale or redemption will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of such capital gain dividend. All or a portion of any sales load paid upon the purchase of shares of a Fund will not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent the redemption proceeds are reinvested, or the exchange is effected, without payment of an additional sales load pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. The load not taken into account will be added to the tax basis of the newly-acquired shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of such Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

Backup Withholding

     Each Fund may be required to withhold, as “backup withholding,” 28% from dividends (including capital gain dividends) and share redemption and exchange proceeds paid to individuals and other non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish such Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) certified under penalties of perjury, or if the Internal Revenue Service or a broker notifies the Fund that the payee is subject to backup withholding as a result of failing to properly report interest or dividend income to the Internal Revenue Service or that the TIN furnished by the payee to the Fund is incorrect, or if (when required to do so) the payee fails to certify under penalties of perjury that it is not subject to backup withholding. A Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required TIN or certification that the TIN provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such dividends and proceeds, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. If a shareholder does not have a TIN, it should apply for one immediately by contacting its local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Backup withholding could apply to payments relating a shareholder’s account while it is waiting receipt of a TIN. Special rules apply for certain entities. For example, for an account established under a Uniform Gifts or Transfer to Minors Act, the TIN of the minor should be furnished.

Non-U.S. Shareholders

     The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to “U.S. persons” subject to tax under such law. Shareholders who, as to the United States, are not “U.S. persons,” (i.e., are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts or estates,

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foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions from the Fund unless the tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder. In the latter case the dividends will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic corporations. Distributions of net capital gain, including amounts retained by a Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains, to a non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions are effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

     Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8 BEN, W-8 ECI, W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP) or an acceptable substitute may be subject to backup withholding of 28% on dividends (including on capital gains dividends) and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to estate tax. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of and receipt of distributions from the Funds.

State and Local

     Each Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which such Fund may be deemed to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities which have income tax laws, the treatment of such Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws, and investment in such Fund may have tax consequences for shareholders different from those of a direct investment in such Fund’s portfolio securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning these matters.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The audited financial statements and related report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, contained in each Fund’s 2003 Annual Report are incorporated by reference. The financial statements in each Fund’s Annual Report have been incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial highlights included in the Tollkeeper Fund’s and Real Estate Securities Fund’s Annual Reports for the periods ending on or before December 31, 1999 were audited by the Fund’s former independent auditors who have ceased operations. No other parts of any Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Annual Reports may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4900 Sears Tower,

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Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Fund’s Prospectuses.

PROXY VOTING

     The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Funds. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.

     The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.

     Public Equity Investments.

     To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.

     ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.

     In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the

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Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.

     The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.

     The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Fixed Income and Private Investments.

     Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

OTHER INFORMATION

     The CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund may pay redemptions, in part or in whole, by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from the Fund. Unlike other funds of the Trust, the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund has not elected, pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the Act, to pay in cash all requests for redemptions up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Tollkeeper Fund and Real Estate Securities Fund, however, reserves the right to pay redemptions exceeding $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the time of redemption by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from such Fund. The securities distributed in kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating the Fund’s net asset value per share. See “Net Asset Value.” If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.

     The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Fund may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of such Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)

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     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. Certain Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.

     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own assets, compensation to Authorized Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds and/or for the servicing of those shares. These payments (“Additional Payments”) would be in addition to the payments by the Funds described in the Funds’ Prospectus and this Additional Statement for distribution and shareholder servicing and processing, and would also be in addition to the sales commissions payable to Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectus. These Additional Payments may take the form of “due diligence” payments for an Intermediary’s examination of the Funds and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to the Funds; “listing” fees for the placement of the Funds on an Intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Funds; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Funds’ shares; and payments for the sale of shares and/or the maintenance of share balances. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the shareholder administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Funds. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. The Additional Payments may be different for different Intermediaries. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable NASD regulations. Additional compensation based on sales may, but is currently not expected to, exceed 0.50% of the amount invested.

     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing the Funds’ shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent. Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Funds are reflected in account statements from the Transfer Agent.

     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities

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offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     Distribution and Service Plans. As described in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each Fund, distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”). See “Shareholder Guide – Distribution Services and Fees” in the Prospectus. The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds and enable the Funds to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Funds. In addition, distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds’ operations and investments.

     The Plans for each Fund were most recently approved on February 4, 2004, in each instance by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans.

     The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, per annum of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares respectively, of such Fund. Under the Plans for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to received a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal to an annual basis of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.

     Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. To the extent such

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fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds’ Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

     Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust will review at least quarterly, a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and expenditures were made.

     The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class, but may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Fund without payment of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Fund and affected share class. If a Plan was so terminated, and no successor plan was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and their Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholders.

     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001, by each Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class A Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 404,182     $ 495,614     $ 1,200,002  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    86,548       127,284       154,314  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    716,572       368,000       346,564  

     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees that would have been paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 by each applicable Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class A Plan, without the voluntary limitations then in effect:

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    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 404,182     $ 495,614     $ 1,200,002  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    86,548       127,284       154,314  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    716,572       735,942       692,564  

     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 by each applicable Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class B Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 1,725,071     $ 2,149,768     $ 4,540,976  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    243,547       314,920       360,082  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    161,183       123,973       65,830  

     The following chart shows the distribution and service fees paid to Goldman Sachs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 by each applicable Fund then in existence pursuant to the Class C Plan:

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund1
  $ 838,375     $ 1,061,941     $ 2,392,404  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    220,473       284,117       319,383  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    105,992       77,631       42,007  

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     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class A Plan of each applicable Fund:

                                         
                            Printing and    
            Compensation and           Mailing of   Preparation and
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Prospectuses to   Distribution of
    Compensation to   Distributor & Its   Telephone and   Other Than Current   Sales Literature
    Dealers1
  Sales Personnel
  Travel Expenses
  Shareholders
  and Advertising
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 424,536     $ 94,718     $ 77,429     $ 2,751     $ 21,365  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    93,508       48,021       44,696       2,379       12,617  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    188,769       421,978       207,077       13,613       55,978  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class A Shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 1 year or until redemption; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented in addition to payments remitted directly to dealers.

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     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class B Plan of each applicable Fund with Class B Shares:

                                         
                            Printing and    
            Compensation and           Mailing of   Preparation and
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Prospectuses to   Distribution of
    Compensation to   Distributor & Its   Telephone and   Other Than Current   Sales Literature
    Dealers1
  Sales Personnel
  Travel
  Shareholders
  and Advertising
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 3,998,608     $ 77,759     $ 83,277     $ 3,143     $ 23,096  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    383,748       30,946       32,194       1,808       9,080  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    176,761       23,794       24,244       1,577       6,940  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 4% on Class B shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 6 years or until redemption; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented in addition to payments remitted directly to dealers.

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     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Goldman Sachs incurred the following expenses in connection with distribution under the Class C Plan of each applicable Fund with Class C Shares:

                                         
                            Printing and    
            Compensation and           Mailing of   Preparation and
            Expenses of the   Allocable Overhead,   Prospectuses to   Distribution of
    Compensation to   Distributor & Its   Telephone and   Other Than Current   Sales Literature
    Dealers1
  Sales Personnel
  Travel Expenses
  Shareholders
  and Advertising
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003:
                                       
 
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 38,156     $ 40,481     $ 1,534     $ 11,204     $ 882,728  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    210,974       28,019       29,156       1,609       8,354  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    106,061       15,659       15,923       1,068       4,493  


1   Advance commissions paid to dealers of 1% on Class C shares are considered deferred assets which are amortized over a period of 1 year or until redemption; amounts presented above reflect amortization expense recorded during the period presented in addition to payments remitted directly to dealers.

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The information contained in the preceding tables reflects amounts expended by Goldman Sachs, which amounts are in excess of the compensation received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans. The payments under the Plans were used by Goldman Sachs to compensate it for the expenses shown above on a pro-rata basis.

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES,
REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)

     The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions “Shareholder Guide” and “Dividends.” Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.

Maximum Sales Charges

     Class A Shares of each Fund are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the net asset value per share as of December 31, 2003, the maximum offering price of each Fund’s Class A shares would be as follows:

                         
    Net   Maximum   Offering Price
    Asset Value
  Sales Charge
  to Public
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 6.99       5.5 %   $ 7.40  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    8.09       5.5       8.56  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    13.98       5.5       14.79  

Other Purchase Information

     The sales load waivers on the Funds’ shares are due to the nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such investments.

     If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

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Right of Accumulation (Class A)

     A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase price of the new investment plus the shareholder’s current holdings of existing Class A Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of Fund and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of $100,000 or more). Class A Shares purchased without the imposition of a sales charge may not be aggregated with Class A Shares purchased subject to a sales charge. Class A Shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, Class A Shares of the Funds and Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar organizations (collectively, “eligible persons”) may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the business organization’s, group’s or firm’s agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Funds’ shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the relevant Fund at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectus.

Statement of Intention (Class A)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $50,000 of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of Intention (the “Statement”). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an “accumulation credit” toward the completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares

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purchased within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.

     The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are set forth in Appendix C to this Additional Statement.

Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

     Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of a Fund or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Service Shares of the Prime Obligations Portfolio or the Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, if they hold Class A Shares of a Fund, or ILA Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Portfolio, if they hold Class B or Class C Shares of a Fund (the “ILA Portfolios”).

     A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Fund, Goldman Sachs Fund or ILA Portfolio and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Portfolios is available only in states where such reinvestment may legally be made.

Automatic Exchange Program

     A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of a Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund into an identical account or an account registered in a different name or with a different address, social security or other taxpayer identification number, provided that the account in the acquired fund has been established, appropriate signatures have been obtained and the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.

Class C Exchanges

     As stated in the Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75% distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized Dealer’s customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for

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Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

     A systematic withdrawal plan (the “Systematic Withdrawal Plan”) is available to shareholders of a Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.

     Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Fund at net asset value. The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under a systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.

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SERVICE PLAN AND
SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Service Shares Only)

     The Funds have adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan (the “Plans”) with respect to their Service Shares which authorize them to compensate Service Organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, each Fund enters into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Service Shares of the Fund on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the Service Organizations may perform some or all of the following services:

  (a)   Personal and account maintenance services, including: (i) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (ii) acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (iii) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (iv) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (v) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Service Organization’s premises; and (vi) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Service Organization.
 
  (b)   Shareholder administration services, including (i) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the Service Organization’s customers; (ii) establishing and maintaining or assist in establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to the Service Shares owned by each customer; (iii) processing or assist in processing confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares; (iv) receiving and transmitting or assist in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (v) facilitating the inclusion of Service Shares in accounts, products or services offered to the Service Organization’s customers by or through the Service Organization; (vi) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (vii) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.

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     As compensation for such services, each Fund will pay each Service Organization a personal and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of such Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.

     The amount of the service and shareholder administration fees paid by each Fund then in existence to Service Organizations pursuant to the Plans was as follows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001.

                         
    Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended   Fiscal year ended
    December 31, 2003
  December 31, 2002
  December 31, 2001
Tollkeeper Fund
  $ 262     $ 731     $ 1,637  
CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund
    3,904       3,965       3,804  
Real Estate Securities Fund
    227       0       0  

     The Funds have adopted the Service Plan but not the Shareholder Administration Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that service fees paid to the Service Organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular, such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Service Plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Plan. The shareholder administration plan has not been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.

     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.

     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plans and related Service Agreements with respect to the Funds on May 5, 2004 in each instance at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements. The Plans and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2005 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is

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specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Service Plan may not be amended (but the Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the affected Fund’s Service Class and all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans and Service Agreements or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of such Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees. The Trustees have determined that, in its judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and the holders of Service Shares.

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Short-Term Credit Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

     “A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

     “A-2” — Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

     “A-3” — Obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — Obligations have significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “C” — Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “D” — Obligations are in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks — Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

1-A


 

     Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for short-term obligations:

     “P-1” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “P-2” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “P-3” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

     “NP” — Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

     Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings apply to time horizons of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

     “F1” — Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

     “F2” — Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

     “F3” — Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

     “B” — Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “C” — Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “D” — Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

2-A


 

     R-1 Prime Credit Quality

     R-2 Adequate Credit Quality

     R-3 Speculative

     All three DBRS rating categories for short-term debt use “high”, “middle” or “low” as subset grades to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area.

     “R-1 (high)” Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.

     “R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.

     “R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.

     “R-2 (high)”, “R-2 (middle)”, “R-2 (low)” Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

     “R-3 (high)”, “R-3 (middle)”, “R-3 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-3” is speculative, and within the three subset grades, the capacity for timely payment ranges from mildly speculative to doubtful. “R-3” credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with “R-3” ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.

3-A


 

Long-Term Credit Ratings

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

     “AAA” — An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

     “AA” — An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

     “A” — An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

     “BBB” — An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “CC” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

     “BB” — An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “B” — An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CCC” — An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

     “CC” — An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

     “C” — The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

     “D” — An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payment will be made during such grace period.

4-A


 

The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

      PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) — The ratings from “AA” through “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

     “Aaa” — Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

     “Aa” — Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

     “A” — Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium-grade and are subject to low credit risk.

     “Baa” — Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

     “Ba” — Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

     “B” — Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

     “Caa” — Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

     “Ca” — Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

     “C” — Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

     Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

     “AAA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. These ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk and are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

5-A


 

     “AA” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

     “A” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. These ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

     “BBB” — Securities considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. These ratings denote that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

     “BB” — Securities considered to be speculative. These ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

     “B” — Securities considered to be highly speculative. These ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

     “CCC,” “CC” and “C” — Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. “CC” ratings indicate that default of some kind appears probable, and “C” ratings signal imminent default.

     “DDD,” “DD” and “D” — Securities are in default. The ratings of obligations in these categories are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor.

     Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated “DDD” have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated “DD” and “D” are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated “DD” are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated “D” have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.

     PLUS (+) or MINUS (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “CCC”.

     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

     “AAA” — Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is

6-A


 

favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.

     “AA” — Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category, entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

     “A” — Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.

     “BBB” — Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.

     “BB” — Bonds rated “BB” are defined to be speculative, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the BB area typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support and, in many cases, small size or lack of competitive strength may be additional negative considerations.

     “B” — Bonds rated “B” are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty which exists as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.

     “CCC” / “CC” / “C” — Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than bonds rated “B”. Bonds rated below “B” often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the “C” to “CCC” categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.

     “D” This category indicates bonds in default of either interest or principal.

     (“high,” “low”) grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in the middle of the category. Note that “high” and “low” grades are not used for the AAA category.

Municipal Note Ratings

     A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for municipal notes:

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     “SP-1” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.

     “SP-2” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

     “SP-3” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

     Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation. The following summarized the ratings by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

     “MIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

     “MIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

     “MIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

     “SG” — This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

     In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade of VMIG rating.

     When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

     VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

     “VMIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

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     “VMIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “VMIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     “SG” — This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

About Credit Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn.

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

Fitch credit ratings are an opinion on the ability of an entity or of a securities issue to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of getting their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. However, Fitch credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security. Ratings may be changed or withdrawn.

DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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APPENDIX B
ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

The following is a summary of certain of the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Investment Adviser’s Policy on Proxy Voting (“Policy”) with respect to public equity investments. Unlike the abbreviated nature of this summary, the actual ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines address additional voting matters and provide more discussion regarding the factors that may determine ISS’s position on a matter. The Investment Adviser may diverge from the ISS guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

1.   Auditors

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

  An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent,
 
  Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or
 
  There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

2.   Board of Directors
 
a.   Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining, among other factors, the following factors: composition of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance relative to a market index, and whether the chairman is also serving as a CEO.

b.   Classification/Declassification of the Board

Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

c.   Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chairman to be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal.

d.   Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

3.   Shareholder Rights
 
a.   Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Vote FOR proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

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b.   Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

c.   Supermajority Vote Requirements

Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

d. Cumulative Voting

Vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

e.   Confidential Voting

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

4.   Proxy Contests
 
a.   Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the factors that include, among others, the long-term financial performance, management’s track record, qualifications of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

b.   Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

5.   Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill to shareholder vote or redeem it.

6.   Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions based on such features, among others, as the fairness opinion, pricing, prospects of the combined company, and the negotiating process.

7.   Reincorporation Proposals

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

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8.   Capital Structure
 
a.   Common Stock Authorization

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis using a model developed by ISS.

Vote AGAINST proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

b.   Dual-class Stock

Vote AGAINST proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights.

Vote FOR proposals to create a new class of non-voting or sub-voting common stock if:

  It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders
 
  It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

9.   Executive and Director Compensation

Votes with respect to equity based compensation plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The ISS methodology for reviewing compensation plans primarily focuses on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders instead of simply focusing on voting power dilution). Using the expanded compensation data disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules, ISS will value every award type. ISS will include in its analyses an estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth, and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once ISS determines the estimated cost of the plan, ISS compares it to a company-specific dilution cap. Vote AGAINST equity plans that explicitly permit repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.

a.   Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

Votes on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis giving consideration to the following:

  Historic trading patterns
 
  Rationale for the repricing
 
  Value-for-value exchange
 
  Option vesting
 
  Term of the option
 
  Exercise price
 
  Participation

b.   Employee Stock Purchase Plans

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

  Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

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  Offering period is 27 months or less; and
 
  Potential voting power dilution is ten percent or less.

Vote AGAINST employee stock purchase plans where any of the opposite conditions obtain.

c.   Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information and shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote. Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

10.   Social and Environmental Issues

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business, and workplace diversity.

Generally, ISS votes CASE-BY-CASE on such proposals. However, there are certain specific topics where ISS generally votes FOR the proposal (e.g., proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards) or AGAINST the proposal (e.g., reports on foreign military sales or offsets.)

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APPENDIX C
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.

     Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.

     Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.

     We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.

     We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.

     We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.

     We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the Firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.

     We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.

     The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.

     Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

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     We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.

     We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.

     We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.

     Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.

     Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S INVESTMENT BANKING AND SECURITIES ACTIVITIES

     Goldman Sachs is a leading financial services firm traditionally known on Wall Street and around the world for its institutional and private client services.

     With fifty offices worldwide Goldman Sachs employs over 20,000 professionals focused on opportunities in major markets.

     The number one underwriter of all international equity issues from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager of U.S. common stock offerings from 1989-2001.*

     The number one lead manager for initial public offerings (IPOs) worldwide from 1989-2001.*

* Source: Security Data Corporation. Common stock ranking excludes REITs, Investment Trusts and Rights. Ranking based on dollar volume issued.

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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.’S HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

     
1869
  Marcus Goldman opens Goldman Sachs for business
 
   
1890
  Dow Jones Industrial Average first published
 
   
1896
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. joins New York Stock Exchange
 
   
1906
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Sears Roebuck & Co. public (at 97 years, the firm’s longest-standing client relationship)
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 100
 
   
1925
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. finances Warner Brothers, producer of the first talking film
 
   
1956
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-manages Ford’s public offering, the largest to date
 
   
1970
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. opens London office
 
   
1972
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 1000
 
   
1986
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Microsoft public
 
   
1988
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management is formally established
 
   
1991
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. provides advisory services for the largest privatization in the region of the sale of Telefonos de Mexico
 
   
1995
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management introduces Global Tactical Asset
Allocation Program
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 5000
 
   
1996
  Goldman, Sachs & Co. takes Deutsche Telekom public
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 6000
 
   
1997
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management increases assets under management by 100%
over 1996
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 7000

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1998
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $195.5 billion in assets under management
 
   
  Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 9000
 
   
1999
  Goldman Sachs becomes a public company
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management launches the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund; becomes the year’s second most successful new fund launch
 
   
2000
  Goldman Sachs CORESM Tax-Managed Equity Fund launches
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $298.5 billion
 
   
2001
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management reaches $100 billion in money market assets
 
   
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management has total assets under management of $306 billion
 
   
  Goldman Sachs acquires Spear, Leeds and Kellogg
 
   
2002
  Advises and services the wealth management needs of 45% of the Forbes 400*
 
   
2003
  Goldman Sachs acquires The Ayco Company, L.P., one of the oldest and largest financial planning firms in the United States
 
   
  Goldman Sachs combines its Australian operations with Australian securities firm JBWere, one of the most respected and oldest (having been founded in 1840) financial institutions in the region, to form Goldman Sachs JBWere

*   Source: Forbes.com September 2002

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Appendix D
Statement of Intention
(applicable only to Class A Shares)

     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing $50,000 or more of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional shares will not apply toward the completion of the Statement of Intention.

     To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investor’s purchases within 13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Agreement

     Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of shares registered in the investor’s name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released.

     If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the Transfer Agent.

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