497 1 l09703be497.txt STI CLASSIC FUNDS 497(C) STI CLASSIC FUNDS L SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (THE "ADVISER") THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Page 1 of 23 ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about L Shares of the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund (Fund) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return. For more detailed information about the Fund, please see:
PAGE CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND...............................................XXX FUND SUMMARY..................................................................................XXX INVESTMENT STRATEGY...........................................................................XXX WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND?.......................................XXX PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.......................................................................XXX FUND FEES AND EXPENSES........................................................................XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK......................................................................XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS..........................................................XXX INVESTMENT ADVISER ..............................................................................XXX PORTFOLIO MANAGERS...............................................................................XXX PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES...................................................XXX DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS......................................................................XXX TAXES............................................................................................XXX PRIVACY POLICY HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS.............................................................................Back Cover
[INSERT ICONS HERE] Page 2 of 23 RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. The Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which it trades. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely a Fund diversifies its holdings. Page 3 of 23 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration investment grade money market and fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration, investment grade money market and fixed income securities including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, obligations of supranational entities and foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, taxable municipal debt securities, mortgage backed and asset backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other mutual funds. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given level of credit risk and maturity. Most securities are purchased with the intent to hold to maturity. However, circumstances may warrant or require that securities be sold prior to maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price (NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be as a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy while issuer specific changes in yield may be as a result of a change in creditworthiness of a particular issuer or industry. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interests rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) diversifying the Fund among issuers and industries. Page 4 of 23 The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. government debt securities may under perform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Fund's L Shares have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, do not have any performance history. Page 5 of 23 FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
L SHARES -------- Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase and decreases over time, depending on how long you own your shares. See "Sales Charges." ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
L SHARES -------- Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.07% ---- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.07%
---------- * Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. The Adviser or the distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund -- L Shares 0.81%
Page 6 of 23 EXAMPLE This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $309 $ 340
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $109 $ 340
FUND EXPENSES Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." Page 7 of 23 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK - Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK - The Fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the EFT is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK -- The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental Page 8 of 23 risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK - Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Fund's primary strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objectives. In addition, the Fund may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. The Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. Page 9 of 23 INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For its advisory services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive advisory fees of 0.50% as a percentage of the Fund's daily net assets. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus the Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the Fund since July 2004, after managing the Fund since it began operating in April 2002. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management form June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") and exchange L Shares of the Fund. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your account is established, you may buy shares of the Fund by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) Page 10 of 23 - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) * The Fund does not accept cash as payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through investment representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for Fund share transactions. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding the Fund to your institution. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order. The Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, the Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUND CALCULATES NAV In calculating NAV, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that they are unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest at least $50,000 in L Shares of the Fund. Page 11 of 23 Your subsequent investments in the Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. The Fund may accept investments of smaller amounts for either class of shares at its discretion. Page 12 of 23 FUNDLINK FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call SunTrust at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase shares automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $50,000 minimum initial investment, you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 to $100,000 once or twice a month. If you are buying L Shares, you should plan on investing at least $50,000 in the Fund during the first two years. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Fund does not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Fund subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Fund is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the net asset value per share next-determined. Page 13 of 23 However, the Fund reserves the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Fund is unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Fund reserves the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Fund has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. SALES CHARGES CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC) You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase L Shares. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. But if you sell your shares within the first year after your purchase, you will pay a CDSC equal to 2.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sale request, whichever is less. The sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. So, you never pay a deferred sales charge on any increase in your investment above the initial offering price. This sales charge does not apply to exchanges of L Shares of one Fund for L Shares of another Fund. WAIVER OF CDSC The CDSC will be waived if you sell your L Shares for the following reasons: - to make certain withdrawals from a retirement plan (not including IRAs); - because of death or disability; or - for certain payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan - up to 12% annually of the value of your shares of each Fund held at the time of the withdrawal (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is discussed later in more detail). If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Page 14 of 23 If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Fund in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request less any applicable deferred sales charge. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust Securities, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Funds in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Funds receive your request less any applicable deferred sales charge. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the systematic withdrawal plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from the Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliates bank, electronically transferred to your account. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. Page 15 of 23 INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below $50,000 due to redemptions you may be required to sell your shares. But, the Fund will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES The Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. Page 16 of 23 HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. You may also exchange L Shares of another STI Classic Fund for L Shares of this STI Classic Fund in the same way. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) the Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) the Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. EXCHANGES You may exchange L Shares of any Fund for L Shares of any other Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to L Shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by any exchange. However, if you exchange L Shares of any STI Classic Fund for L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, you must first pay any applicable CDSC for the shares you are selling. Similarly, if you exchange L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund, any CDSC for the Fund you are exchanging into will be computed from the date of the exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Fund has certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Fund is not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Fund over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Fund reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to Page 17 of 23 follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request a substantial purchase, sale or exchange out of any Fund within two weeks of a prior substantive purchase, sale or exchange request out of any Fund; or - Request a substantial exchange or purchase and sale out of any Fund more than twice during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase L Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive any dealer commissions and also may not be eligible to receive 12b-1 fees from the original date of purchase. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. While L Shares are sold without any initial sales charge, the distributor may pay at the time of sale up to 2% of the amount invested to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who sell L Shares. Through the distribution plan, the distributor is reimbursed for these payments, as well as other distribution related services provided by the distributor. For L Shares, the maximum distribution fee is 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be Page 18 of 23 made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Fund for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. The Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on the Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Fund has summarized some important tax issues that affect the Fund and its shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum rate of 15% on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS THE SAME AS A SALE. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gains distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The Fund expects to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends taxable at the maximum rate of 35%. Page 19 of 23 The Fund expects that a portion of Fund distributions will represent interest earned on U.S. obligations. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Page 20 of 23 STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. Page 21 of 23 STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Fund is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list the Fund's holdings and contain information from the Fund's managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Fund. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Fund STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com Page 22 of 23 FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by emailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. Page 23 of 23 STI CLASSIC FUNDS BOND FUNDS L SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (THE "ADVISER") THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Page 1 of 26 ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about L Shares of the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond and Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see:
PAGE CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND............................................ XXX CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND............................................ XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK............................................................. XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS................................................. XXX INVESTMENT ADVISER ..................................................................... XXX PORTFOLIO MANAGERS...................................................................... XXX PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES.......................................... XXX DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS............................................................. XXX TAXES................................................................................... XXX PRIVACY POLICY HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Back Cover
[INSERT ICONS HERE] Page 2 of 26 RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Funds hold. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely a Fund diversifies its holdings. Page 3 of 26 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS High quality fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify intermediate duration securities that offer solid return potential and yield INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income and yield consistent with intermediate share price volatility INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in high quality fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, A rated or higher, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities (rated A or better by at least one National Statistical Ratings Organization). The Fund may also invest in futures, options, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure, relative value sector and security analysis. The average duration of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 3 to 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of Page 4 of 26 the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund's L Shares have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, do not have any performance history. FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
L SHARES -------- Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This sales charge is imposed if you sell your L Shares within one year of your purchase and decreases over time, depending on how long you own your shares. See "Sales Charges." ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
L SHARES -------- Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% ---- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.57%
* Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Page 5 of 26 EXAMPLE This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $360 $496
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $160 $496
FUND EXPENSES Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." Page 6 of 26 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities, plus other opportunistic investments SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to recognize relative value in fixed income markets INVESTOR PROFILE Investors seeking diversification and attractive total returns in the fixed income market INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in a wide array of fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, investment grade corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in high yield securities, international bonds, convertible bonds, futures, options, preferred stocks, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure and relative value sector and security analysis. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or Page 7 of 26 dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund's L Shares have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, do not have any performance history. FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
L SHARES -------- Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
Page 8 of 26 * This sales charge is imposed if you sell your L Shares within one year of your purchase and decreases over time, depending on how long you own your shares. See "Sales Charges." Page 9 of 26 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
L SHARES -------- Investment Advisory Fees 0.45% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% ---- Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.52%
* Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. EXAMPLE This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $355 $480
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $155 $480
FUND EXPENSES Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." Page 10 of 26 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK Derivatives Risk - Derivatives may Both Funds involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. Exchange Traded Fund Risk Both Funds The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular Page 11 of 26 portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the EFT is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK -- The market value of Both Funds fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK - Investments in Classic Institutional Total securities of foreign companies or Return Bond Fund governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Page 12 of 26 Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. In addition, each Fund may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (Trusco or the Adviser), 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For its advisory services to the Funds, the Adviser is entitled to receive the following fees as a percentage of each Fund's daily net assets: Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 0.50% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 0.45%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's Page 13 of 26 fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND and CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group from February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND since October 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Webb served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 2000 to May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Fixed Income, at Conning Asset Management from June 1995 to May 2000. He has more than 9 years of investment experience. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") or exchange L Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account, that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your account is established, you may buy shares of the Funds by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) Page 14 of 26 * The Funds do not accept cash as payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through investment representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for Fund share transactions. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by a Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding a Fund to your institution. A Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. Page 15 of 26 WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the early closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, a Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that a market price is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. The Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund may hold foreign securities that trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest at least $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA accounts) in L Shares of the Funds. Your subsequent investments of shares of any Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. A Fund may accept investments of smaller amounts at its discretion. FUNDLINK Page 16 of 26 FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call SunTrust at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase L shares automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $500 minimum initial investment, you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 to $100,000 once or twice a month. If you are buying L Shares, you should plan on investing at least $5,000 per Fund during the first two years. The distributor may close your account if you do not meet this minimum investment requirement at the end of two years. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the net asset value per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your Page 17 of 26 identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. SALES CHARGES CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC) You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase L Shares. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. But if you sell your shares within the first year after your purchase, you will pay a CDSC equal to 2.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Funds receive your sale request, whichever is less. The sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. So, you never pay a deferred sales charge on any increase in your investment above the initial offering price. This sales charge does not apply to exchanges of L Shares of one Fund for L Shares of another Fund. IF YOU SELL YOUR L SHARES The CDSC will be waived if you sell your L Shares for the following reasons: - to make certain withdrawals from a retirement plan (not including IRAs); - because of death or disability; or - for certain payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan - up to 12% annually of the value of your shares of each Fund held at the time of the withdrawal (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is discussed later in more detail). OFFERING PRICE OF FUND SHARES The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. Page 18 of 26 HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust Securities, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Funds in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Funds receive your request less any applicable deferred sales charge. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the systematic withdrawal plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from any Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliates bank, electronically transferred to your account. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after a Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders) the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA accounts) due to redemptions you may be required to sell your shares. But, the Funds will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. Page 19 of 26 SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. You may also exchange L Shares of another STI Classic Fund for L Shares of each Fund in the same way. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of the Fund, the Fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) the Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) the Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund as outlined under "Market Timers" as defined later in this prospectus. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK, OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. EXCHANGES When you exchange L Shares of each Fund, you are really selling your shares and buying L Shares of another STI Classic Fund. So, your sale price and purchase price will be based on the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your exchange request. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to L Shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by any exchange. However, if you exchange L Shares of any STI Classic Fund for L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, you must first pay any applicable CDSC for the shares you are selling. Similarly, if you exchange L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund, any CDSC for the Fund you are exchanging into will be computed from the date of the exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. Page 20 of 26 MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request a substantial purchase, sale or exchange out of any Fund within two weeks of a prior substantive purchase, sale or exchange request out of any Fund; or - Request a substantial exchange or purchase and sale out of any Fund more than twice during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase L Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive any dealer commissions and also may not be eligible to receive 12b-1 fees from the original date of purchase. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES Each Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Funds to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. While L Shares are sold without any initial sales charge, the distributor may pay at the time of sale up to 2% of the amount invested to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who sell L Shares. Through the distribution plan, the distributor is reimbursed for these payments, as well as other distribution related services provided by the distributor. For L Shares, the maximum distribution fee is 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. Page 21 of 26 The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. Page 22 of 26 TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum rate of 15% on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS THE SAME AS A SALE. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The Funds expect to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends taxable at the maximum rate of 35%. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Page 23 of 26 STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. Page 24 of 26 STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com Page 25 of 26 FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website ("http://www.sec.gov"). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by emailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. Page 26 of 26 STI CLASSIC FUNDS T SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (THE "ADVISER") THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Page 1 of 18 ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund (Fund) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return. For more detailed information about the Fund, please see:
PAGE CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND............................................... XXX FUND SUMMARY............................................................... XXX INVESTMENT STRATEGY........................................................ XXX WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND?.................... XXX PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.................................................... XXX FUND FEES AND EXPENSES..................................................... XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK..................................................... XXX MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS......................................... XXX INVESTMENT ADVISER ............................................................. XXX PORTFOLIO MANAGERS.............................................................. XXX PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES.............................................. XXX DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..................................................... XXX TAXES........................................................................... XXX PRIVACY POLICY HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS.......................................................... Back Cover
[INSERT ICONS HERE] Page 2 of 18 RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. The Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which it trades. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. Page 3 of 18 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short-duration U.S. government securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration U.S. government securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility and the relative safety of U.S. government securities INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstance, the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other U.S. government securities. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given maturity. Most securities are purchased with the intent to hold to maturity. However, circumstances may warrant or require that securities be sold prior to maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price per share (net asset value or NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interest rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) investing the Fund in U.S. government and agency securities. Page 4 of 18 The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and increase in value if interest rates fall. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile than shorter-term securities, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Fund's T Shares have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, do not have any performance history. Page 5 of 18 FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
T SHARES -------- Investment Advisory Fees 0.40% Other Expenses* 0.46% ---- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.86%
* Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current year. The Adviser or the distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund - T Shares 0.60%
EXAMPLE This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $88 $274
FUND EXPENSES Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." Page 6 of 18 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK - Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK - The Fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK -- The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are Page 7 of 18 also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK - Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Fund's primary strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objectives. The Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. Page 8 of 18 INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For its advisory services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.40% as a percentage of the Fund's daily net assets. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus the Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as a Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. Mr. Corner has co-managed the Fund since July 2004, after managing it since it began operating in April 2002. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management form June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") or exchange T Shares of the Fund. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Fund offers T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of Page 9 of 18 your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. Page 10 of 18 WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order. The Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, the Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUND CALCULATES NAV In calculating NAV, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that they are unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest at least $500,000 in T Shares of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Fund does not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Fund subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. Page 11 of 18 When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Fund is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the net asset value per share next-determined. However, the Fund reserves the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Fund is unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Fund reserves the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Fund has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Page 12 of 18 Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Fund or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request, but may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES The Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Fund has certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Fund is not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Fund over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Fund reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for Page 13 of 18 providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Fund for these purposes. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Fund to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of the Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, the Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect the Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of the Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Fund intends to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. Page 14 of 18 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. The Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Fund has summarized some important tax issues that affect the Fund and its shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum rate of 15% on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS THE SAME AS A SALE. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The Fund expects to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends taxable at the maximum rate of 35%. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of Fund distributions will represent interest earned on U.S. obligations. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Page 15 of 18 STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. Page 16 of 18 STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Fund is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list the Fund's holdings and contain information from the Fund's managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Fund. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Fund STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 Page 17 of 18 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by emailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. Page 18 of 18 STI CLASSIC FUNDS BOND AND MONEY MARKET FUNDS INSTITUTIONAL SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 BOND FUNDS CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND MONEY MARKET FUNDS CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the Institutional Shares of the Classic Institutional Bond and Money Market Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. In the section below, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 5 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 9 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 13 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 16 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 20 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND 23 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 26 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 29 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 30 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 31 INVESTMENT ADVISER 31 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 33 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 37 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 37 TAXES 40 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY (TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY (LIFE PRESERVER WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF ICON) INVESTING? (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (LINE GRAPH ICON) WHAT IS AN INDEX? (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS (MAGNIFYING GLASS INVESTMENT ADVISER ICON) (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP BOND FUNDS Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Institutional Shares 9/4/03 SHQIX 784767519 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Institutional Shares 5/14/02 SISBX 784767659 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Institutional Shares 4/15/02 SISSX 784767642 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Institutional Shares 9/4/03 STRIX 784767493 Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund Institutional Shares 4/11/02 SIGVX 784767634 MONEY MARKET FUNDS Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Institutional Shares 10/25/95 CICXX 784766354 Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Institutional Shares 8/1/94 CRGXX 784767808 Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund Institutional Shares 12/12/96 CIUXX 784766347
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund (other than a money market fund) is based on the market prices of the securities a Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely a Fund diversifies its holdings. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS High quality fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify intermediate duration securities that offer solid return potential and yield INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income and yield consistent with intermediate share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in high quality fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, A rated or higher, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities (rated A or better by at least one National Statistical Ratings Organization). The Fund may also invest in futures, options, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure, relative value sector and security analysis. The average duration of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 3 to 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 3 value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund commenced operations on October 27, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.32% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 0.65%
CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 4 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $84 $262 $455 $1,014
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 5 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better return than similar securities for a given level of credit risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of short- to medium-term investment grade U.S. Treasury, corporate debt, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Fund expects that it will normally maintain an effective maturity of 3 years or less. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better investment return for a given level of credit risk. For example, short-term bonds generally have better returns than money market instruments, with a fairly modest increase in credit risk and/or volatility. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view towards maximizing returns. The Adviser analyzes yields, market sectors and credit risk in an effort to identify attractive investments with the best risk/reward trade-off. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans or underlying assets such as truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan, receivables or other assets CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 6 PROSPECTUS underlying these securities. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in the market place. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayment or prepayment of the underlying asset that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares for the last year.* (BAR CHART) 2003 2.34%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.11% 0.15% (6/30/03) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.18%. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 7 ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 2.34% 4.36% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 1.36% 3.00% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.53% 2.90% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.88% 4.77%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on May 14, 2002. Benchmark returns since April 30, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency obligations, and corporate debt securities rated at least investment grade (BBB). The securities in the Index have maturities of one year or greater and less than three years. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 8 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.60% Other Expenses* 0.36% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 0.45%
------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration investment grade money market and fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration, investment grade money market and fixed income securities including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, obligations of supranational entities and foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, taxable municipal debt securities, mortgage backed and asset backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other mutual funds. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given level of credit risk and maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price (NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be as a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy while issuer specific changes in yield may be as a result of a change in creditworthiness of a particular issuer or industry. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interests rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) diversifying the Fund among issuers and industries. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 10 PROSPECTUS lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares for the last year.* (BAR CHART) 2003 1.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.47% -0.12% (3/31/03) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.24%. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 11 ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index, iMoneyNet First Tier Institutional Average, and the Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.16% 2.24% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.58% 1.52% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.75% 1.48% Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 1.43% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutional Average 0.84% 1.07% Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average 1.50% 1.97%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on April 15, 2002. Benchmark returns since April 30, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutional Average is a widely recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average consists of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues, or better, and maintain a portfolio dollar-weighted average maturity between 91 days and 365 days. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.32% ------------------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund - Institutional Shares 0.31%
------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $84 $262 $455 $1,014
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 13 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities, plus other opportunistic investments SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to recognize relative value in fixed income markets INVESTOR PROFILE Investors seeking diversification and attractive total returns in the fixed income market
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a wide array of fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, investment grade corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in high yield securities, international bonds, convertible bonds, futures, options, preferred stocks, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure and relative value sector and security analysis. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 14 PROSPECTUS Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund commenced operations on October 15, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.45% Other Expenses* 0.32% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.77%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 0.56%
------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $79 $246 $428 $954
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration U.S. government securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration U.S. government securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility and the relative safety of U.S. government securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other U.S. government securities. The Fund expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price per share (net asset value or NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interest rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) investing the Fund in U.S. government and agency securities. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and increase in value if interest rates fall. Also, longer-term securities are generally more CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 17 volatile than shorter-term securities, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares for the last year.* (BAR CHART) 2003 0.72%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.52% -0.12% (3/31/03) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.75%. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 18 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index, iMoneyNet Government Institutional Average, and Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.72% 2.04% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.12% 1.28% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.47% 1.29% Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 1.45% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average 0.75% 1.00% Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average 1.50% 2.11%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on April 11, 2002. Benchmark returns since March 31, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX/AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 6 Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements, or securities issued by agencies of the U.S. Government. The Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average consists of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues, or better, and maintain a portfolio dollar-weighted average maturity between 91 days and 365 days. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.40% Other Expenses* 0.31% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund - Institutional Shares 0.20%
------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND 20 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL As high a level of current income as is consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking current income through a liquid investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund invests exclusively in high quality U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments. The Fund invests in obligations of (i) the U.S. Treasury, (ii) agencies and instrumentalities of U.S. and foreign governments, (iii) domestic and foreign banks, (iv) domestic and foreign corporate issuers, and (v) supranational entities, as well as repurchase agreements. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing maturity, yields, market sectors and credit risk. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or the agency's own resources. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 21 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 5.47% 1997 5.63% 1998 5.52% 1999 5.12% 2000 6.33% 2001 4.13% 2002 1.80% 2003 0.97%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.63% 0.21% (12/31/00) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.44%. ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutions-Only Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 0.97% 3.65% 4.39% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutions-Only Average 0.84% 3.39% 4.10%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on October 25, 1995. Benchmark returns since October 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutions-Only Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in commercial paper, bank obligations and short-term investments in the highest ratings category. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND 22 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.20% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.25%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares 0.18%
------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $26 $80 $141 $318
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking current income through a liquid investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, repurchase agreements involving these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 24 PROSPECTUS by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 5.89% 1996 5.31% 1997 5.50% 1998 5.36% 1999 4.99% 2000 6.18% 2001 4.02% 2002 1.72% 2003 0.94%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.59% 0.20% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.42%. ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.94% 3.55% 4.45% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average 0.75% 3.22% 4.09%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on August 1, 1994. Benchmark returns since July 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements, or agencies of the U.S. Government. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.20% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.25%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $26 $80 $141 $318
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 26 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL As high a level of current income as is consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury securities and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking current income through a liquid investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds and components of these securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund limits its investments so as to obtain the highest investment quality rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (AAA by Standard & Poor's). In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields for various maturities. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1997 5.44% 1998 5.30% 1999 4.83% 2000 6.06% 2001 3.66% 2002 1.55% 2003 0.90%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.57% 0.18% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.34%. ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 0.90% 3.38% 3.96% iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average 0.42% 2.91% 3.45%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on December 12, 1996. Benchmark returns since November 30, 1996 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements backed by these securities. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 28 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.20% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.25%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $26 $80 $141 $318
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 29 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 30 PROSPECTUS in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. INVESTMENT ADVISER PROSPECTUS 31 The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Bond Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. In addition, each Bond Fund may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Bond Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 0.40% Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 0.35% Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.20% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 0.35% Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.12% Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 0.17% Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.19% Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 0.19%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Robert S. Bowman, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since January 1999. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 32 PROSPECTUS He has managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in October 1995 and the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND since 1995. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Bowman served as Vice President of Crestar Asset Management Company from 1995 to 1999, after serving as an assistant trader at Crestar Asset Management Company from 1994 to 1995. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. Mr. Corner has also co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004, after managing the Fund since it began operating in April 2002. In addition, Mr. Corner has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004, after managing it since it began operating in April 2002. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003, the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND and the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management from June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President & Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND and CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group from February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND since October 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Webb served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 2000 to May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Fixed Income, at Conning Asset Management from June 1995 to May 2000. He has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in December 1996. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 33 (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase and sell (sometimes called "redeem") Institutional Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Funds offer Institutional Shares primarily to various institutional investors, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. Shares are sold without a sales charge, although institutions may charge their customers for services provided in connection with the purchase of shares. Institutional shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your Institutional Shares. The Funds may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interest of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). But you may not purchase shares of the Money Market Funds on federal holidays. The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV for each Fund (except the Money Market Funds), a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early -- such as on days in advance of certain holidays -- the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. Each Money Market Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time.) So, for you to be eligible to receive dividends declared on the day you submit your purchase order, the Money Market Funds must receive your order before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time and federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Otherwise, your purchase order will be effective the following Business Day, as long as each Money Market Fund receives federal funds before calculating its NAV the following day. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO YOUR INSTITUTION, INCLUDING SUBSIDIARIES OF SUNTRUST AND ITS AFFILIATES, AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS YOUR INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 34 PROSPECTUS HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, a Fund (except the Money Market Funds) generally values its investment portfolio at market price. In calculating NAV for each Money Market Fund, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable during certain market conditions or for other reasons, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Money Market Fund expects its NAV to remain constant at $1.00 per share, although the Fund cannot guarantee this. Certain Funds may hold foreign securities that trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM PURCHASES To purchase Institutional Shares of the Money Market Funds for the first time, you must invest at least $10,000,000. To purchase Institutional Shares of any Bond Fund for the first time, you must invest at least $1,000,000. A Fund may accept investments of smaller amounts at its discretion. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 35 be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting the Funds. If you are a customer of SunTrust or another institution, you must contact that institution directly for information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of Institutional Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Funds or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Funds receive your request. Redemption orders must be received by the Money Market Funds on a Business Day before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Orders received after 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time will be executed the following Business Day. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after a Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), a Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 36 PROSPECTUS you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase Institutional Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 37 continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum rate of 15% on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS TREATED THE SAME AS A SALE. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 38 PROSPECTUS Shareholders of the Money Market Funds, however, should be aware that because the Funds each expect to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value per share, they should not expect to realize any gain or loss on the sale or exchange of Money Market Fund shares. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. Except for those certain Funds that expect to distribute federally tax-exempt income (described above), the Funds expect to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends taxable at the maximum rate of 35%. The Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund and the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund each expect that a substantial portion of Fund distributions will represent interest earned on U.S. obligations, while the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund expects that some portion of each Funds' distribution will be so derived. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROSPECTUS 39 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 40 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Fund's financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Periods Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------ -------------- ---------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004(1)........................ $10.00 $0.12++ $(0.16)++ $(0.04) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $10.24 $0.19++ $(0.15)++ $ 0.04 2003........................... 10.03 0.24 0.36 0.60 2002(2)........................ 10.00 0.01 0.03 0.04 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $ 2.02 $0.03++ $(0.01)++ $ 0.02 2003........................... 2.00 0.04 0.02 0.06 2002(3)........................ 2.00 0.01 -- 0.01 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004(4)........................ $10.00 $0.19++ $(0.18)++ $ 0.01 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $ 2.01 $0.03++ $(0.01)++ $ 0.02 2003........................... 2.00 0.04 0.01 0.05 2002(5)........................ 2.00 0.01 -- 0.01 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ----------------- ------------- ----------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004(1)........................ $(0.12) $ -- $(0.12) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $(0.19) $(0.07) $(0.26) 2003........................... (0.24) (0.15) (0.39) 2002(2)........................ (0.01) -- (0.01) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) 2003........................... (0.04) --* (0.04) 2002(3)........................ (0.01) -- (0.01) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND Institutional Shares 2004(4)........................ $(0.20) $ -- $(0.20) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................... $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) 2003........................... (0.04) --* (0.04) 2002(5)........................ (0.01) -- (0.01)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. ++ Per share data calculated using average shares method. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. (1) Commenced operations on October 27, 2003. All ratios have been annualized. (2) Commenced operations on May 14, 2002. All ratios have been annualized. (3) Commenced operations on April 15, 2002. All ratios have been annualized. (4) Commenced operations on October 15, 2003. All ratios have been annualized. (5) Commenced operations on April 11, 2002. All ratios have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 41
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.84 (0.37)% $ 25,506 0.65% $10.02 0.48% $ 35,609 0.50% 10.24 6.08 20,777 0.52 10.03 0.41 16,176 0.57 $ 2.01 1.01% $112,453 0.31% 2.02 3.16 146,590 0.31 2.00 0.30 33,730 0.36 $ 9.81 0.03% $ 15,553 0.56% $ 2.00 1.01% $ 77,360 0.24% 2.01 2.80 95,277 0.23 2.00 0.32 28,138 0.30 RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- ------------------- ------------- 2.09% 0.92% 31% 1.90% 1.00% 70% 2.32 1.02 146 2.60 1.07 -- 1.50% 0.86% 83% 1.84 0.86 56 2.44 0.91 30 3.05% 0.90% 121% 1.25% 0.77% 109% 1.76 0.76 87 2.42 0.83 34
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 42 PROSPECTUS For the Periods Ended May 31, (unless otherwise noted) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $1.00 $0.01 $ -- 2003........................ 1.00 0.01 -- 2002........................ 1.00 0.03 -- 2001........................ 1.00 0.06 -- 2000........................ 1.00 0.05 -- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $1.00 $0.01 $ -- 2003........................ 1.00 0.01 -- 2002........................ 1.00 0.03 -- 2001........................ 1.00 0.06 -- 2000........................ 1.00 0.05 -- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $1.00 $0.01 $ -- 2003........................ 1.00 0.01 -- 2002........................ 1.00 0.02 -- 2001........................ 1.00 0.06 -- 2000........................ 1.00 0.05 -- DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS ---------- ----------------- ------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $0.01 $(0.01) $ --* 2003........................ 0.01 (0.01) -- 2002........................ 0.03 (0.03) -- 2001........................ 0.06 (0.06) -- 2000........................ 0.05 (0.05) -- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $0.01 $(0.01) $ -- 2003........................ 0.01 (0.01) -- 2002........................ 0.03 (0.03) -- 2001........................ 0.06 (0.06) -- 2000........................ 0.05 (0.05) -- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND Institutional Shares 2004........................ $0.01 $(0.01) $ --* 2003........................ 0.01 (0.01) --* 2002........................ 0.02 (0.02) -- 2001........................ 0.06 (0.06) -- 2000........................ 0.05 (0.05) --
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. (The performance in the above table does not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.) * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 43
TOTAL DIVIDENDS NET ASSETS, AND NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF DISTRIBUTIONS END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) ------------- ------------- ------- ------------ $(0.01) $1.00 0.86% $2,368,849 (0.01) 1.00 1.46 2,985,750 (0.03) 1.00 2.68 3,409,606 (0.06) 1.00 6.13 3,229,400 (0.05) 1.00 5.56 2,311,685 $(0.01) $1.00 0.82% $ 858,260 (0.01) 1.00 1.40 1,040,066 (0.03) 1.00 2.61 1,025,714 (0.06) 1.00 5.98 896,189 (0.05) 1.00 5.39 650,626 $(0.01) $1.00 0.77% $ 420,948 (0.01) 1.00 1.30 653,340 (0.02) 1.00 2.28 551,599 (0.06) 1.00 5.74 580,227 (0.05) 1.00 5.25 329,725 RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE EXPENSES TO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) ------------------ ---------- ------------------- 0.25% 0.86% 0.29% 0.25 1.45 0.29 0.25 2.61 0.29 0.25 5.91 0.30 0.25 5.42 0.30 0.27% 0.82% 0.29% 0.26 1.39 0.29 0.27 2.49 0.30 0.26 5.72 0.29 0.25 5.27 0.29 0.26% 0.71% 0.29% 0.26 1.23 0.29 0.26 2.25 0.30 0.27 5.44 0.30 0.25 5.17 0.31
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Institutional Bond and Money Market Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUIBMM1004 STI CLASSIC FUNDS BOND AND MONEY MARKET FUNDS T SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 BOND FUNDS CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND HIGH INCOME FUND INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND SHORT-TERM BOND FUND SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND STRATEGIC INCOME FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") (STI CLASSIC FUNDS LOGO) The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of the Bond and Money Market Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 4 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 7 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 9 FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 12 GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 15 HIGH INCOME FUND 18 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 21 INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 24 LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 27 MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 30 SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 33 SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 36 STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 39 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 42 VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 45 VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 48 PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 50 TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND 52 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 54 U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 56 VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND 58 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 60 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 60 INVESTMENT ADVISER 61 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 62 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 65 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 65 TAXES 68 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES SHAKE ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP BOND FUNDS Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund T Shares 11/13/03 SHQTX 784767477 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund T Shares 10/3/02 STSSX 784767584 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund T Shares 1/14/04 STBTX 784767469 Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund T Shares 1/25/94 SCFTX 784766719 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund T Shares 1/18/94 SGATX 784766685 High Income Fund T Shares 10/3/01 STHTX 784767766 Investment Grade Bond Fund T Shares 7/16/92 STIGX 784766701 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund T Shares 10/21/93 STTBX 784766883 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund T Shares 6/6/94 SLMTX 784766628 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund T Shares 3/1/96 CMDTX 784766131 Short-Term Bond Fund T Shares 3/15/93 SSBTX 784766826 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund T Shares 3/15/93 SUSTX 784766792 Strategic Income Fund T Shares 11/30/01 STICX 784767691 U.S. Government Securities Fund T Shares 8/1/94 SUGTX 784766644 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund T Shares 1/11/93 CRVTX 784767105 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund T Shares 4/4/95 CVMTX 784766164 MONEY MARKET FUNDS Prime Quality Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 SQTXX 784766107 Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 STTXX 784766503 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 STUXX 784766305 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund T Shares 2/18/87 CUSXX 784767402 Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund T Shares 6/15/89 CFMXX 784767501
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund (other than a money market fund) is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS High quality fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify intermediate duration securities that offer solid return potential and yield INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income and yield consistent with intermediate share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in high quality fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, A rated or higher, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities (rated A or better by at least one National Statistical Ratings Organization). The Fund may also invest in futures, options, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure, relative value sector and security analysis. The average duration of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 3 to 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund commenced operations on October 27, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.47% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.97%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund - T Shares 0.82%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $99 $309 $536 $1,190
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration investment grade money market and fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration, investment grade money market and fixed income securities including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, obligations of supranational entities and foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, taxable municipal debt securities, mortgage backed and asset backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other mutual funds. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given level of credit risk and maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price (NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be as a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy while issuer specific changes in yield may be as a result of a change in creditworthiness of a particular issuer or industry. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interests rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund's average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) diversifying the Fund among issuers and industries. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. government debt securities may under perform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 5 similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the performance of the Fund's T Shares for the last year.* (BAR CHART) 2003 0.94%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.41% -0.17% (3/31/03) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.65%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index, iMoneyNet First Tier Institutional Average, and Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.94% 0.73% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.43% 0.18% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.61% 0.30% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 1.27% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutional Average 0.84% 0.92% Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average 1.50% 1.79%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 3, 2002. Benchmark returns since September 30, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutional Average is a widely recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average consists of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues, or better, and maintain a portfolio dollar-weighted average maturity between 91 days and 365 days. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.32% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund - T Shares 0.51%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $84 $262 $455 $1,014
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities, plus other opportunistic investments SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to recognize relative value in fixed income markets INVESTOR PROFILE Investors seeking diversification and attractive total returns in the fixed income market
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a wide array of fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, investment grade corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in high yield securities, international bonds, convertible bonds, futures, options, preferred stocks, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure and relative value sector and security analysis. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 8 PROSPECTUS Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund commenced operations on October 15, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.45% Other Expenses* 0.42% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.87%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund - T Shares 0.72%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $89 $278 $482 $1,073
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income exempt from federal income taxes for Florida residents with shares themselves expected to be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax INVESTMENT FOCUS Florida municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Florida residents who want income exempt from federal income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities with income exempt from federal income taxes, and the shares themselves are expected to be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax. Issuers of these securities can be located in Florida, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser tries to diversify the Fund's holdings within Florida. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 6 to 25 years. Under certain circumstances, such as a national financial emergency or a temporary decline in availability of Florida obligations, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the Florida intangible personal property tax and/or securities that generate income subject to federal personal income taxes. These securities may include short-term municipal securities outside Florida or certain taxable fixed income securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Florida subjects the Fund to economic and government policies within Florida. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 10 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 15.85% 1996 3.94% 1997 7.82% 1998 6.24% 1999 -2.31% 2000 11.64% 2001 3.68% 2002 10.57% 2003 4.11%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.18% -2.30% (3/31/95) (6/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.60%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 4.11% 5.41% 5.93% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 3.71% 5.22% 5.75% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 4.03% 5.09% 5.60% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.05% Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.35% 4.44% 4.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 25, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite index of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the Florida intermediate-term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - T Shares 0.68%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income exempt from federal and state income taxes for Georgia residents without undue risk INVESTMENT FOCUS Georgia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Georgia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities with income exempt from federal and Georgia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Georgia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser tries to diversify the Fund's holdings within Georgia. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 6 to 25 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Georgia subjects the Fund to economic conditions and government policies within Georgia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 13 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 13.51% 1996 3.53% 1997 8.17% 1998 5.79% 1999 -2.26% 2000 9.43% 2001 4.32% 2002 9.17% 2003 3.85%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.02% -2.30% (3/31/95) (6/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.83%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 3.85% 4.81% 4.94% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 3.74% 4.77% 4.88% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 3.84% 4.66% 4.79% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.05% Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.61% 4.68% 4.93%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 18, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite index of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the Georgia intermediate-term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.07% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.72%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - T Shares 0.68%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $74 $230 $ 401 $894
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." HIGH INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL PRIMARY High current income SECONDARY Total return INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify lower-rated securities offering high current income of issuers generating adequate cash flow to meet their obligations INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income and who are willing to accept greater share price volatility through investment in high yield, below investment grade debt instruments
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The High Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of higher yielding, lower rated income producing securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund will invest at least 65%, and may invest up to 100%, of its assets in securities rated as "non-investment grade" by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or by Standard & Poor's Rating Services or in unrated securities if, in the Adviser's opinion, they are of comparable quality. Such securities are commonly known as "junk bonds" and offer greater risks than investment grade bonds (i.e., rated BBB- or above by S&P or Baa3 or above by Moody's). In selecting debt securities for the Fund, the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the HIGH INCOME FUND 16 PROSPECTUS security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 -3.33% 2003 25.81%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 8.73% -5.50% (6/30/03) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.38%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 25.81% 10.77% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 22.20% 7.32% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 16.55% 6.98% Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.97% 14.08%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 3, 2001. Benchmark returns since September 30, 2001 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index which covers the universe of fixed rate, non-investment grade debt. HIGH INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.87%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. High Income Fund - T Shares 0.73%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $89 $278 $482 $1,073
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 18 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through current income and capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify relatively inexpensive securities in a selected market index INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Investment Grade Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade fixed income securities. The Adviser focuses on corporate debt securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, and mortgage-backed securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Currently, the Adviser's selected index is the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, a widely-recognized, unmanaged index of investment grade government and corporate debt securities. The Adviser seeks to invest more in portions of the Index that seem relatively inexpensive, and less in those that seem expensive. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of historical data, yield information and credit ratings. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.32% 1995 17.80% 1996 2.34% 1997 9.08% 1998 9.19% 1999 -1.53% 2000 6.57% 2001 9.06% 2002 7.42% 2003 3.70%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.11% -2.67% (6/30/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.57%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 3.70% 4.98% 5.87% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 2.36% 2.91% 3.59% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 2.40% 2.93% 3.57% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 6.98% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.56% 5.81% 6.16%
INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 20 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective is a widely-recognized, equally weighted average that invests primarily in investment grade debt issues (rated in the top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. The number of funds in the Objective varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 21 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through (i) current income that is exempt from federal income taxes and (ii) capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive tax-free current income and an increase in the value of their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade tax-exempt obligations, like municipal securities. The issuers of these securities may be located in any U.S. state, territory or possession. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 22 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.32% 1995 14.97% 1996 5.52% 1997 7.79% 1998 7.06% 1999 -0.26% 2000 10.87% 2001 5.51% 2002 10.38% 2003 4.41%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.07% -3.14% (3/31/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.50%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 4.41% 6.10% 6.50% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 3.75% 5.34% 5.55% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 3.81% 5.24% 5.48% Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.13% 5.57% 5.42% Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.00% 4.87% 5.08%
INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of intermediate investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 4 and 6 years. The Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average of intermediate term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 24 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that are less prone to prepayment risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities, such as Fannie Mae, GNMA and collateralized mortgage obligations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to identify securities that the Adviser expects to perform well in rising and falling markets. The Adviser also attempts to reduce the risk that the underlying mortgages are prepaid by focusing on securities that it believes are less prone to this risk. For example, Fannie Mae or GNMA securities that were issued years ago may be less prone to prepayment risk because there have been many opportunities for prepayment, but few have occurred. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mortgage-backed securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 12.14% 1996 4.53% 1997 6.74% 1998 6.90% 1999 1.25% 2000 8.60% 2001 7.41% 2002 7.50% 2003 1.42%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.36% -0.94% (9/30/01) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.03%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index and the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.42% 5.18% 5.88% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.35% 3.31% 3.68% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.92% 3.25% 3.64% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.15% 5.82% 6.44% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.06% 5.72% 6.40%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 26 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/Agencies Index includes U.S. government and agency bonds that have a minimum issue size of $150 million. The current market value of the Index is $1.50 trillion with duration of 2.06 years and yield to maturity of 2.48%. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of 1 year or greater and no more than 5 years. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund - T Shares 0.68%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Maryland income tax, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Maryland municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Invests primarily in investment grade municipal securities INVESTOR PROFILE Maryland residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Maryland Municipal Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Maryland income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in certain taxable debt securities. Issuers of these securities can be located in Maryland, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. There are no limits on the Fund's average weighted maturity or on the remaining maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Maryland subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Maryland. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1997 8.78% 1998 5.87% 1999 -3.33% 2000 11.31% 2001 4.54% 2002 8.91% 2003 4.22%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.24% -1.52% (9/30/02) (9/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.79%. MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 28 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 4.22% 5.01% 5.05% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 3.85% 4.92% 4.99% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 4.26% 4.82% 4.89% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.31% Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.10% 4.50% 5.09%
* Since inception of the T Shares on March 1, 1996. Benchmark returns since February 29, 1996 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective is an average of funds that limit their assets to those securities that are exempt from taxation in a specified state (double tax-exempt) or city (triple tax-exempt). The number of funds in the Objective varies. MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 29 This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.11% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.76%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Maryland Municipal Bond Fund - T Shares 0.68%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $78 $243 $422 $942
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 30 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better return than similar securities for a given level of credit risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Short-Term Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of short- to medium-term investment grade U.S. Treasury, corporate debt, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Fund expects that it will normally maintain an effective maturity of 3 years or less. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better investment return for a given level of credit risk. For example, short-term bonds generally have better returns than money market instruments, with a fairly modest increase in credit risk and/or volatility. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view towards maximizing returns. The Adviser analyzes yields, market sectors and credit risk in an effort to identify attractive investments with the best risk/reward trade-off. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans or underlying assets such as truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan, receivables or other assets underlying these securities. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in the market place. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayment or prepayment of the underlying asset that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 31 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.07% 1995 11.77% 1996 3.90% 1997 6.78% 1998 6.84% 1999 0.92% 2000 7.64% 2001 7.54% 2002 2.59% 2003 2.53%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 3.86% -0.75% (9/30/01) (12/31/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 2.53% 4.20% 4.99% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 1.57% 2.40% 2.96% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.64% 2.45% 2.98% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.88% 5.86% 5.93%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/ Credit Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency obligations, and corporate debt securities rated at least investment grade (BBB). The securities in the Index have maturities of 1 year or greater and less than 3 years. SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 32 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term Bond Fund - T Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 33 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Short-term U.S. Treasury securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify Treasury securities with maturities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than either shorter maturity or longer maturity securities for a given level of interest rate risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury securities (those with remaining maturities of 3 years or less) and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund intends to maintain an average weighted maturity from 1 to 2 years. The Fund offers investors the opportunity to capture the advantage of investing in short-term bonds over money market instruments. Generally, short-term bonds offer a comparably better return than money market instruments, with a modest increase in interest rate risk. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view toward maximizing returns and yield. The Adviser tries to select those U.S. Treasury securities that offer the best risk/reward trade-off. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. Treasury securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 1.41% 1995 8.58% 1996 4.52% 1997 5.86% 1998 6.24% 1999 2.71% 2000 6.65% 2001 6.55% 2002 4.61% 2003 1.37%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 2.64% -0.10% (9/30/01) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.36%. SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 34 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index and the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.37% 4.35% 4.82% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.53% 2.78% 3.01% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.01% 2.74% 2.98% Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.88% 5.37% 5.65% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.18% 3.67% 4.47%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of one year or greater and less than three years. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury bills. SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 35 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.72%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund - T Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $74 $230 $401 $894
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 36 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income while reducing share price volatility through diversification across three major sectors of the fixed income market INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income with reduced risk of share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Strategic Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of high yield corporate, U.S. government and international bonds. The Fund will maintain a minimum average credit quality rating of BBB. The Fund will invest at least 15%, but not more than 60%, of its assets in a particular sector. In selecting debt securities for the Fund, the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 37 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 3.58% 2003 11.50%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.99% -0.97% (6/30/03) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.69%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index, Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index and the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 11.50% 6.68% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 9.20% 4.32% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 7.46% 4.24% Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 10.27% 7.25% Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.36% 6.01% Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.15% 11.19% Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.90% 3.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on November 30, 2001. STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 38 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index is a widely-recognized U.S. government index that tracks the performance of the combined U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency markets. It includes U.S. dollar- denominated, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency bonds, issued in the U.S. domestic bond market, having at least one year remaining term to maturity, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $1 billion for U.S. Treasuries and $150 million for U.S. agencies. The Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower value bonds) index that tracks the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index is a widely-recognized subset of the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index including Belgian, Danish, Irish, Italian, New Zealand, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish returns. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, broad-based index consisting of various maturities comprising Australian, Canadian, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Swiss, U.K., and U.S. individual country returns. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.85% Other Expenses* 0.11% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Income Fund - T Shares 0.87%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 39 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low to moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government debt securities, such as mortgage- backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations. In an attempt to provide a consistently high dividend without adding undue risk, the Fund focuses its investments in mortgage-backed securities. The effective average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range between 4 and 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 40 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 17.33% 1996 2.55% 1997 8.94% 1998 8.16% 1999 -0.97% 2000 10.98% 2001 6.92% 2002 9.68% 2003 1.29%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.89% -2.24%% (6/30/95) (3/31/96)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.14%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index and the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.29% 5.48% 6.57% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.05% 3.30% 4.21% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.87% 3.31% 4.13% Merrill Lynch Government/ Mortgage Custom Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.84% 6.46% 7.49% Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.29% 6.18% 6.85%
* Since inception of the T Shares on August 1, 1994. Benchmark returns since July 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 41 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch Government/ Mortgage Custom Index is a synthetic index created by combining, at their respective market weights (i) the Merrill Lynch Government Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities with a maturity of at least 1 year; and (ii) the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of mortgage-backed securities including 15 and 30 year single family mortgages in addition to aggregated pooled mortgages. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency obligations, and corporate debt backed by the U.S. Government, fixed-rate nonconvertible corporate debt securities, Yankee bonds, and nonconvertible debt securities issued by or guaranteed by foreign governments and agencies. All securities in the Index are rated investment grade (BBB) or higher, with maturities of at least 1 year. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 42 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income tax, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to limit risk by investing in investment grade municipal securities with an intermediate average maturity INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in certain taxable debt securities. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. The Adviser also considers stability and growth of principal. The Adviser expects that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 5 to 10 years but there is no limit on the maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Virginia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -6.45% 1995 14.25% 1996 2.95% 1997 7.25% 1998 5.22% 1999 -2.34% 2000 9.39% 2001 4.44% 2002 7.88% 2003 3.82%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.99% -6.80% (3/31/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.93%. VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 43 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 3.82% 4.56% 4.49% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 3.67% 4.46% 4.42% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 3.81% 4.43% 4.41% Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.13% 5.57% 5.42% Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 3.72% 4.43% 4.58%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index composed of tax-exempt bonds with maturities ranging between 4 and 6 years. The Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective is an average of funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years and are exempt from taxation on a specified city or state basis. The number of funds in the Objective varies. VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 44 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 45 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Invests primarily in investment grade municipal securities INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Virginia Municipal Bond Fund invests substantially all of its net assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. There are no limits on the Fund's average weighted maturity or on the remaining maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Virginia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 1.68% 1997 8.82% 1998 5.85% 1999 -4.86% 2000 11.65% 2001 4.23% 2002 9.15% 2003 4.41%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.75% -2.73% (9/30/02) (3/31/96)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.04%. VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 46 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 4.41% 4.76% 5.59% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 4.02% 4.67% 5.46% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 4.53% 4.64% 5.37% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.81% Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.61% 4.59% 5.80%
* Since inception of the T Shares on April 4, 1995. Benchmark returns since March 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective is an average of funds that limit their assets to those securities that are exempt from taxation in a specified state (double tax-exempt) or city (triple tax-exempt). The number of funds in the Objective varies. VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 47 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.08% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.73%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $75 $233 $406 $906
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 48 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Prime Quality Money Market Fund invests exclusively in high quality U.S. money market instruments and foreign money market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk. The Adviser analyzes maturity, yields, market sectors and credit risk. Investments are made in money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (TARGET ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.77% 1995 5.47% 1996 4.99% 1997 5.15% 1998 5.10% 1999 4.74% 2000 6.04% 2001 3.72% 2002 1.44% 2003 0.67%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.55% 0.13% (9/30/00) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.25%. PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 49 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.67% 3.30% 4.10% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average 0.49% 3.04% 3.87%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.70%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Prime Quality Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.61%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $72 $224 $390 $871
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND 50 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current interest income exempt from federal income taxes, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Municipal money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without added risk by analyzing credit quality INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current tax-exempt income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund invests substantially all of its net assets in money market instruments issued by municipalities and issuers that pay income exempt from regular federal income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser analyzes the credit quality and structure of each security to minimize risk. The Adviser actively manages the Fund's average maturity based on current interest rates and the Adviser's outlook of the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 2.47% 1995 3.48% 1996 3.06% 1997 3.23% 1998 3.02% 1999 2.80% 2000 3.69% 2001 2.26% 2002 0.92% 2003 0.55%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.98% 0.08% (6/30/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.25%. TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 51 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.55% 2.04% 2.54% iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average 0.44% 1.88% 2.37%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in short-term municipal securities, the income of which is exempt from federal taxation. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.55% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.60%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.52%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $61 $192 $335 $750
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 52 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, repurchase agreements involving these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.64% 1995 5.39% 1996 4.81% 1997 4.99% 1998 4.88% 1999 4.41% 2000 5.71% 2001 3.67% 2002 1.35% 2003 0.55%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.49% 0.10% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.23%. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 53 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.55% 3.12% 3.93% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average 0.48% 3.03% 3.82%
To obtain information about the Fund's yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of all money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements or securities issued by agencies of the U.S. Government. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.63%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 54 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations, repurchase agreements that are collateralized by obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund limits its investments so as to obtain the highest investment quality rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (Standard and Poor's Corporation, AAA). As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.50% 1995 5.33% 1996 4.77% 1997 4.93% 1998 4.82% 1999 4.38% 2000 5.63% 2001 3.32% 2002 1.17% 2003 0.50%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.46% 0.09% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.15%. U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 55 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.50% 2.98% 3.82% iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average 0.42% 2.91% 3.74%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average is a widely- recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements backed by these securities. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.63%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND 56 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without added risk by analyzing credit quality INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want to receive current income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund invests substantially all of its assets in money market instruments issued by municipalities and issuers that pay income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser analyzes the credit quality and structure of each security to minimize risk. The Adviser actively manages the Fund's average maturity based on current interest rates and the Adviser's outlook of the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic and government policies within Virginia. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 2.18% 1995 3.28% 1996 3.11% 1997 3.08% 1998 2.93% 1999 2.81% 2000 3.71% 2001 2.31% 2002 0.97% 2003 0.62%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.98% 0.10% (6/30/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.27%. VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 57 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.62% 2.08% 2.50% iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average 0.44% 1.88% 2.37%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in short-term municipal securities, the income of which is exempt from federal taxation. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.40% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.46%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $47 $148 $258 $579
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 58 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund High Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund Strategic Income Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund High Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund Strategic Income Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 59 FIXED INCOME RISK Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund High Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to the following additional risks: CREDIT RISK Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund The possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. MUNICIPAL ISSUER RISK Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers may also adversely affect the value of a Fund's municipal securities. Constitutional or legislative limits on borrowing by municipal issuers may result in reduced supplies of municipal securities. Moreover, certain municipal securities are backed only by a municipal issuer's ability to levy and collect taxes. In addition, a Fund's concentration of investments in issuers located in a single state makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse political or economic developments affecting that state. The Fund also may be riskier than mutual funds that buy securities of issuers in numerous states. FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund High Income Fund Strategic Income Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 60 PROSPECTUS arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. REGIONAL RISK Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund To the extent that a Fund's investments are concentrated in a specific geographic region, the Fund may be subject to the political and other developments affecting that region. Regional economies are often closely interrelated, and political and economic developments affecting one region, country or state often affect other regions, countries or states, thus subjecting a Fund to additional risks. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Bond Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. In addition, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund, Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund, Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund, Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Investment Grade Bond Fund, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund, Short-Term Bond Fund, Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and the U.S. Government Securities Fund each may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Bond Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 0.40% Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.20% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 0.35% Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.60% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.60% High Income Fund 0.65% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.72% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.71% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.60% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.57% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.60% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.59% Strategic Income Fund 0.75% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.71% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.54% Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.45% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.56% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.56% Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.40%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises PORTFOLIO MANAGERS PROSPECTUS 61 the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Robert S. Bowman, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since January 1999. He has managed the VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND since May 1995, the TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND since July 2000, and the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Bowman served as Vice President of Crestar Asset Management Company from 1995 to 1999, after serving as an assistant trader at Crestar Asset Management Company from 1994 to 1995. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Joseph Calabrese, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND and the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Calabrese served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. George E. Calvert, Jr., has served as Vice President of Trusco since August 2000. He has managed the MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND and the VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND since August 2000. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Calvert served as a fixed income trader from 1998 to 2000 for Tredegar Trust Company. He also served as Vice President, Investment Division, of Central Fidelity Bank from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Calvert has more than 26 years of investment experience. Mr. Chris Carter, CFA, has served as a Vice President since joining Trusco in July 2003. He has managed the GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since August 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Carter served as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader of Evergreen Asset Management Company from January 2002 to July 2003, after serving as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader of Wachovia Asset Management from September 1998 to January 2002. Prior to joining Wachovia Asset Management, he served as an Assistant Portfolio Manager and Trader for Wachovia Bank, N.A. from October 1994 to September 1998. He has more than 13 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004, after managing the Fund since it began operating in April 2002. Mr. Corner has also co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. George Goudelias has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Goudelias served as Director of High Yield Research of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from February 2001 to May 2004. Prior to joining Seix, Mr. Goudelias was employed at JP Morgan Securities, Inc. as a Senior High Yield Research Analyst from July 1998 to February 2001. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Michael McEachern, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND and the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. McEachern served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from June 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 62 PROSPECTUS Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003 and the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management from June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. Ronald Schwartz, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1988. He has managed the FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since it began operating in January 1994 and the INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since it began operating in June 1992. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND, INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND, LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, and U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President & Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND, CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND, and the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group from February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND and the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since October 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Webb served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 2000 to May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Fixed Income, at Conning Asset Management from June 1995 to May 2000. He has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in June 1992, the SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND since July 1996, and the U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase and sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Funds offer T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Funds may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). But you may not purchase shares of the Money Market Funds on federal holidays. The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV for each Fund (except the Money Market Funds), a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Funds reserve PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 63 the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. Each Money Market Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to be eligible to receive dividends declared on the day you submit your purchase order, the Money Market Funds must receive your order before 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund or before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund. Also each Money Market Fund must receive federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Otherwise, your purchase order will be effective the following Business Day, as long as each Money Market Fund receives federal funds before calculating its NAV the following day. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, a Fund (except the Money Market Funds) generally values its investment portfolio at market price. In calculating NAV for each Money Market Fund, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable during certain market conditions or for other reasons, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Money Market Fund expects its NAV to remain constant at $1.00 per share, although the Fund cannot guarantee this. Certain Funds may hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 64 PROSPECTUS your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Funds or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Funds receive your request. Redemption orders must be received by the Money Market Funds on any Business Day before 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund or 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund. Orders received after these times will be executed the following Business Day. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sales proceeds within five Business Days after a Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), a Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 65 MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 66 PROSPECTUS any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS TREATED THE SAME AS A SALE. Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. Shareholders of the Money Market Funds should be aware that because the Funds each expect to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value per share, they should not expect to realize any gain or loss on the sale or exchange of Money Market Fund shares. The Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Virginia Municipal Bond Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund intend to distribute federally tax-exempt income. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate taxable income for federal or state income taxes. Income exempt from federal tax may be subject to state and local taxes. Any capital gains distributed by these Funds may be taxable. While shareholders of state specific Funds may receive distributions that are exempt from that particular state's income tax, such distributions may be taxable in other states where the shareholder files tax returns. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. Except for those certain Funds that expect to distribute federally tax-exempt income (described above), the Funds expect to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends currently taxable at a maximum rate of 35%. The Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund, the U.S. Government Securities Fund, the U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and the U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund each expect that a substantial portion of Fund distributions will represent interest earned on U.S. obligations, while the Investment Grade Bond Fund, the Short-Term Bond Fund, the Prime Quality Money Market Fund and the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund expect that some portion of each Fund's distribution will be so derived. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROSPECTUS 67 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 68 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------ -------------- ---------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND T Shares 2004(1)..................... $10.00 $0.11++ $(0.16)++ $(0.05) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.01 $0.03++ $(0.01)++ $ 0.02 2003(2)..................... 2.02 0.02 (0.01) 0.01 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $10.20 $0.11++ $(0.38)++ $(0.27) FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $11.69 $0.32(++) $(0.56)(++) $(0.24) 2003........................ 10.95 0.40 0.79 1.19 2002........................ 10.79 0.40 0.22 0.62 2001........................ 10.06 0.44 0.73 1.17 2000........................ 10.59 0.44 (0.49) (0.05) GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.89 $0.34(++) $(0.58)(++) $(0.24) 2003........................ 10.29 0.38 0.60 0.98 2002........................ 10.10 0.39 0.19 0.58 2001........................ 9.50 0.40 0.60 1.00 2000........................ 10.03 0.40 (0.49) (0.09) HIGH INCOME FUND(A) T Shares 2004........................ $ 7.16 $0.62(++) $ 0.22(++) $ 0.84 2003........................ 7.25 0.61 (0.09) 0.52 2002(4)..................... 7.37 0.39 (0.12) 0.27 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ----------------- ------------- ----------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALI T Shares 2004(1)..................... $(0.11) $ -- $(0.11) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHOR T Shares 2004........................ $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) 2003(2)..................... (0.02) --* (0.02) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $(0.12) $ -- $(0.12) FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.32) $(0.20) $(0.52) 2003........................ (0.40) (0.05) (0.45) 2002........................ (0.40) (0.06) (0.46) 2001........................ (0.44) -- (0.44) 2000........................ (0.44) (0.04) (0.48) GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.34) $(0.07) $(0.41) 2003........................ (0.38) -- (0.38) 2002........................ (0.39) -- (0.39) 2001........................ (0.40) -- (0.40) 2000........................ (0.40) (0.04) (0.44) HIGH INCOME FUND(A) T Shares 2004........................ $(0.62) $ -- $(0.62) 2003........................ (0.61) -- (0.61) 2002(4)..................... (0.39) -- (0.39)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Per share data calculated using average shares method. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. (1) Commenced operations on November 13, 2003. All ratios have been annualized. (2) Commenced operations on October 3, 2002. All ratios have been annualized. (3) Commenced operations on January 14, 2004. All ratios have been annualized. (4) T Shares commenced operations on October 3, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) On March 28, 2000, the ESC Strategic Income Fund exchanged all of its assets and liabilities for shares of the High Income Fund. The ESC Strategic Income Fund is the accounting survivor in this transaction, and as a result, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities and its operating results for the periods prior to March 28, 2000 have been carried forward in these financial highlights. Subsequent to the merger, the High Income Fund changed its fiscal year end to May 31. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 69
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.84 (0.52)% $108,782 0.82% $ 2.00 0.81% $137,387 0.51% 2.01 0.64 69,797 0.57 $ 9.81 (2.69)% $ 31,937 0.72% $10.93 (2.07)% $165,065 0.71% 11.69 11.13 147,423 0.71 10.95 5.88 120,885 0.71 10.79 11.84 107,867 0.71 10.06 (0.48) 93,040 0.67 $10.24 (2.18)% $ 98,113 0.71% 10.89 9.64 98,866 0.71 10.29 5.81 91,356 0.71 10.10 10.67 85,880 0.71 9.50 (0.90) 81,160 0.67 $ 7.38 11.94% $ 71,314 0.76% 7.16 8.19 100,852 0.78 7.25 3.70 28,767 0.82 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 2.00% 1.04% 31% 1.31% 0.86% 83% 1.43 0.92 56 2.96% 1.03% 121% 2.82% 0.75% 56% 3.54 0.75 62 3.65 0.76 91 4.19 0.76 59 4.25 0.78 88 3.26% 0.76% 100% 3.55 0.76 17 3.79 0.76 23 4.03 0.77 21 4.13 0.77 19 8.27% 0.91% 49% 8.95 0.93 20 8.27 0.97 59
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 70 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.94 $0.35(1) $(0.60)(1) 2003........................ 10.24 0.40 0.76 2002........................ 10.23 0.51 0.01 2001........................ 9.58 0.61 0.65 2000........................ 10.36 0.61 (0.78) INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $12.01 $0.27(1) $(0.32)(1) 2003........................ 11.57 0.30 0.90 2002........................ 11.38 0.34 0.46 2001........................ 10.67 0.44 0.71 2000........................ 11.10 0.43 (0.29) LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.59 $0.24(1) $(0.36)(1) 2003........................ 10.31 0.29(1) 0.42(1) 2002........................ 10.01 0.43 0.32 2001........................ 9.62 0.55 0.39 2000........................ 9.94 0.55 (0.32) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.25) $(0.38) $ -- $(0.38) 2003........................ 1.16 (0.46) -- (0.46) 2002........................ 0.52 (0.51) -- (0.51) 2001........................ 1.26 (0.61) -- (0.61) 2000........................ (0.17) (0.61) -- (0.61) INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.05) $(0.27) $(0.25) $(0.52) 2003........................ 1.20 (0.30) (0.46) (0.76) 2002........................ 0.80 (0.34) (0.27) (0.61) 2001........................ 1.15 (0.44) -- (0.44) 2000........................ 0.14 (0.43) (0.14) (0.57) LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SE T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.12) $(0.29) $ -- $(0.29) 2003........................ 0.71 (0.42) (0.01) (0.43) 2002........................ 0.75 (0.43) (0.02) (0.45) 2001........................ 0.94 (0.55) -- (0.55) 2000........................ 0.23 (0.55) -- (0.55)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 71
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.31 (2.31)% $578,345 0.82% 10.94 11.61 821,342 0.81 10.24 5.18 886,471 0.81 10.23 13.55 860,073 0.81 9.58 (1.76) 998,596 0.77 $11.44 (0.45)% $205,266 0.81% 12.01 10.80 185,485 0.81 11.57 7.15 149,200 0.81 11.38 10.93 134,139 0.81 10.67 1.41 117,384 0.77 $10.18 (1.10)% $435,446 0.70% 10.59 6.99 320,718 0.70 10.31 7.53 164,624 0.70 10.01 10.02 107,674 0.70 9.62 2.33 125,355 0.67 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 3.29% 0.84% 119% 3.92 0.83 137 4.81 0.83 123 6.17 0.84 131 6.05 0.84 202 2.33% 0.84% 242% 2.57 0.84 329 2.93 0.84 311 3.93 0.85 285 3.98 0.83 226 2.32% 0.75% 146% 2.79 0.75 117 3.72 0.75 410 5.62 0.76 532 5.60 0.79 384
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 72 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.94 $0.36(1) $(0.47)(1) 2003........................ 10.32 0.37 0.63 2002........................ 10.12 0.38 0.20 2001........................ 9.46 0.42 0.66 2000........................ 10.06 0.42 (0.60) SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.04 $0.24(1) $(0.19)(1) 2003........................ 10.01 0.33 0.03 2002........................ 10.04 0.46 (0.03) 2001........................ 9.65 0.56 0.39 2000........................ 9.91 0.53 (0.25) SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.36 $0.14(1) $(0.13)(1) 2003........................ 10.20 0.22 0.22 2002........................ 10.13 0.37 0.10 2001........................ 9.85 0.49 0.28 2000........................ 9.95 0.46 (0.10) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.99 $0.55(1) $(0.14)(1) 2003........................ 9.80 0.61 0.20 2002(2)..................... 10.00 0.27 (0.20) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $10.93 $0.31(1) $(0.50)(1) 2003........................ 10.47 0.44 0.51 2002........................ 10.38 0.54 0.26 2001........................ 9.86 0.58 0.52 2000........................ 10.28 0.58 (0.42) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.11) $(0.36) $(0.20) $(0.56) 2003........................ 1.00 (0.37) (0.01) (0.38) 2002........................ 0.58 (0.38) -- (0.38) 2001........................ 1.08 (0.42) -- (0.42) 2000........................ (0.18) (0.42) -- (0.42) SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 0.05 $(0.25) $ -- $(0.25) 2003........................ 0.36 (0.33) -- (0.33) 2002........................ 0.43 (0.46) -- (0.46) 2001........................ 0.95 (0.56) -- (0.56) 2000........................ 0.28 (0.53) (0.01) (0.54) SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURIT T SHARES 2004........................ $ 0.01 $(0.14) $(0.12) $(0.26) 2003........................ 0.44 (0.22) (0.06) (0.28) 2002........................ 0.47 (0.37) (0.03) (0.40) 2001........................ 0.77 (0.49) -- (0.49) 2000........................ 0.36 (0.46) -- (0.46) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 0.41 $(0.53) $(0.06) $(0.59) 2003........................ 0.81 (0.62) -- (0.62) 2002(2)..................... 0.07 (0.27) -- (0.27) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.19) $(0.35) $(0.04) $(0.39) 2003........................ 0.95 (0.46) (0.03) (0.49) 2002........................ 0.80 (0.54) (0.17) (0.71) 2001........................ 1.10 (0.58) -- (0.58) 2000........................ 0.16 (0.58) -- (0.58)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 73
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.27 (1.06)% $ 29,735 0.72% 10.94 9.85 30,501 0.70 10.32 5.80 33,668 0.71 10.12 11.59 26,526 0.72 9.46 (1.78) 26,176 0.68 $ 9.84 0.45% $282,188 0.70% 10.04 3.70 302,708 0.70 10.01 4.29 305,884 0.70 10.04 10.13 215,458 0.70 9.65 2.87 180,402 0.67 $10.11 0.11% $ 92,371 0.70% 10.36 4.31 121,617 0.69 10.20 4.69 107,169 0.70 10.13 8.02 88,398 0.71 9.85 3.75 72,570 0.67 $ 9.81 4.15% $ 98,570 0.90% 9.99 8.73 61,906 0.91 9.80 0.74 43,717 0.94 $10.35 (1.77)% $298,997 0.81% 10.93 9.25 258,585 0.81 10.47 7.90 168,609 0.82 10.38 11.41 148,666 0.81 9.86 1.63 85,420 0.77 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS(EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 3.39% 0.80% 15% 3.47 0.78 31 3.69 0.79 45 4.16 0.82 42 4.24 0.80 14 2.42% 0.75% 66% 3.34 0.75 89 4.48 0.75 142 5.71 0.76 87 5.40 0.76 70 1.36% 0.76% 131% 2.07 0.75 140 3.57 0.76 117 4.95 0.78 87 4.70 0.79 50 5.53% 1.00% 95% 6.39 1.01 52 6.07 1.04 43 2.95% 0.84% 240% 4.00 0.84 150 5.09 0.85 262 5.66 0.85 207 5.77 0.84 29
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 74 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.68 $0.34(1) $(0.44)(1) 2003........................ 10.29 0.36 0.49 2002........................ 10.14 0.40 0.15 2001........................ 9.58 0.42 0.56 2000........................ 10.20 0.43 (0.57) VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $11.07 $0.37(1) $(0.47)(1) 2003........................ 10.48 0.39 0.62 2002........................ 10.29 0.41 0.19 2001........................ 9.64 0.45 0.65 2000........................ 10.43 0.45 (0.78) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL T Shares 2004........................ $(0.10) $(0.34) $(0.09) $(0.43) 2003........................ 0.85 (0.36) (0.10) (0.46) 2002........................ 0.55 (0.40) -- (0.40) 2001........................ 0.98 (0.42) -- (0.42) 2000........................ (0.14) (0.43) (0.05) (0.48) VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.10) $(0.37) $(0.23) $(0.60) 2003........................ 1.01 (0.39) (0.03) (0.42) 2002........................ 0.60 (0.41) -- (0.41) 2001........................ 1.10 (0.45) -- (0.45) 2000........................ (0.33) (0.45) (0.01) (0.46)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 75
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.15 (1.00)% $181,558 0.75% 10.68 8.43 206,432 0.75 10.29 5.52 191,406 0.75 10.14 10.39 194,849 0.73 9.58 (1.31) 202,209 0.76 $10.37 (0.90)% $ 43,491 0.77% 11.07 9.86 48,102 0.77 10.48 5.90 56,586 0.77 10.29 11.51 56,573 0.77 9.64 (3.18) 48,980 0.74 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 3.23% 0.75% 26% 3.45 0.75 30 3.86 0.75 33 4.23 0.75 32 4.35 0.76 18 3.47% 0.77% 33% 3.67 0.77 18 3.90 0.77 38 4.40 0.78 60 4.53 0.79 19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 76 PROSPECTUS For the Periods Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------ -------------- ---------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $0.01 $ -- $0.01 $(0.01) 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.06 -- 0.06 (0.06) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2001............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) 2000............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $0.01 $ -- $0.01 $(0.01) 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2001............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) 2000............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) DISTRIBUTION FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY M T Shares 2004............. $ --* $(0.01) 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.06) 2000............. -- (0.05) TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARK T Shares 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. --* (0.01) 2001............. -- (0.03) 2000............. -- (0.03) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECUR T Shares 2004............. $ -- $ --* 2003............. -- (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY M T Shares 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05) VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MON T Shares 2004............. $ --* $(0.01) 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. --* (0.01) 2001............. -- (0.03) 2000............. -- (0.03)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 77
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 1.00 0.52% $3,477,598 0.63% 1.00 1.17 4,284,266 0.63 1.00 2.29 3,907,203 0.63 1.00 5.75 3,728,371 0.63 1.00 5.20 3,311,229 0.60 $ 1.00 0.48% $ 978,548 0.55% 1.00 0.81 1,088,415 0.54 1.00 1.38 907,827 0.55 1.00 3.47 1,080,362 0.54 1.00 3.19 755,858 0.52 $ 1.00 0.43% $ 615,324 0.66% 1.00 1.01 992,560 0.65 1.00 2.25 997,759 0.66 1.00 5.56 805,285 0.65 1.00 4.86 468,568 0.63 $ 1.00 0.37% $1,233,565 0.66% 1.00 0.88 1,080,779 0.65 1.00 1.96 871,946 0.65 1.00 5.36 733,768 0.66 1.00 4.81 723,277 0.63 $ 1.00 0.56% $ 173,959 0.50% 1.00 0.85 219,701 0.49 1.00 1.44 240,681 0.50 1.00 3.51 226,188 0.50 1.00 3.23 245,243 0.51 RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) ---------- ------------------- 0.52% 0.74% 1.14 0.74 2.22 0.74 5.57 0.75 5.06 0.75 0.46% 0.64% 0.79 0.64 1.39 0.65 3.40 0.65 3.16 0.66 0.43% 0.75% 1.00 0.74 2.17 0.75 5.29 0.75 4.80 0.74 0.32% 0.75% 0.81 0.74 1.90 0.74 5.23 0.76 4.71 0.74 0.51% 0.50% 0.84 0.49 1.45 0.50 3.45 0.50 3.19 0.51
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. 100486/10-04 STIPUTBMM1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS EQUITY FUNDS T SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND BALANCED FUND CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND GROWTH AND INCOME FUND INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND MID-CAP EQUITY FUND MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") INVESTMENT SUBADVISER: (Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund) ZEVENBERGEN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC (the "Subadviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of the Equity Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 4 BALANCED FUND 7 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 10 EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 12 GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 15 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 18 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 21 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 24 LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 27 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 30 LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 34 LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 38 MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 41 MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 44 SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 47 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 50 STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 52 TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 55 VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 57 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 58 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 59 INVESTMENT ADVISER 59 INVESTMENT SUBADVISER 59 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 61 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 64 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 64 TAXES 66 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES SHAKE ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP Aggressive Growth Stock Fund T Shares 2/23/04 SCATX 784767188 Balanced Fund T Shares 1/3/94 SBATX 784766735 Capital Appreciation Fund T Shares 7/1/92 STCAX 784766867 Emerging Growth Stock Fund T Shares 2/23/04 SEGTX 784767238 Growth and Income Fund T Shares 9/26/92 CRVAX 784766198 Information & Technology Fund T Shares 9/30/99 STECX 784767840 International Equity Fund T Shares 12/1/95 STITX 784766388 International Equity Index Fund T Shares 6/6/94 SIEIX 784766594 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CVMGX 784767881 Life Vision Conservative Fund T Shares 9/30/03 SCCTX 784767485 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CLVGX 784767873 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CLVBX 784767865 Mid-Cap Equity Fund T Shares 2/2/94 SAGTX 784766750 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund T Shares 11/30/01 SMVTX 784767725 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund T Shares 10/8/98 SSCTX 784766263 Small Cap Value Equity Fund T Shares 1/31/97 SCETX 784766370 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund T Shares 8/7/03 SQETX 784767527 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund T Shares 12/11/98 STTAX 784766230 Value Income Stock Fund T Shares 2/12/93 STVTX 784766834
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser (or the Subadviser) is responsible for investing Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's (or the Subadviser's) judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser (or the Subadviser) does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. multi-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies of all sizes that exhibit strong growth characteristics. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid- capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.32% ------------------- 1.57% Total Annual Operating Expenses**
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Aggressive Growth Stock Fund - T Shares 1.22%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $160 $496
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." BALANCED FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY U.S. common stocks SECONDARY Bonds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with a history of earnings growth and bonds with minimal risk INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Balanced Fund invests in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, U.S. government obligations and investment grade corporate bonds. In selecting stocks for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify high-quality companies with a history of above average earnings growth. In selecting bonds, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* BALANCED FUND PROSPECTUS 5 (BAR CHART) 1995 25.51% 1996 12.13% 1997 21.14% 1998 19.55% 1999 4.66% 2000 4.79% 2001 0.23% 2002 -8.53% 2003 10.05%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 12.57% -5.97% (12/31/98) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.26%. BALANCED FUND PROSPECTUS 5 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 10.05% 2.04% 8.00% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 9.50% 0.96% 5.93% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 6.61% 1.16% 5.72% Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 18.76% 2.70% 9.77% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 6.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 3, 1994. Benchmark returns since December 31, 1993 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. BALANCED FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.95% Other Expenses* 0.06% --------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.01%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Balanced Fund - T Shares 0.99%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $103 $322 $558 $1,236
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Capital Appreciation Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other equity securities that the Adviser believes have strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, cash flows and earnings trends. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes have above average growth potential. The Adviser uses a "bottom-up" process based on individual company earnings trends and fundamentals to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. The Adviser's strategy focuses primarily on large-cap stocks but will also utilize mid-cap stocks. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -7.41% 1995 31.15% 1996 20.31% 1997 31.13% 1998 28.06% 1999 9.71% 2000 1.62% 2001 -6.49% 2002 -21.98% 2003 18.52%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 22.93% -14.98% (12/31/98) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.71%. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 8 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500 (R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 18.52% -0.73% 8.99% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 18.52% -1.95% 6.19% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 12.04% -0.95% 6.36% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 11.06%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.05% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.20%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $122 $381 $660 $1,455
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 10 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. small- and mid-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of small-and mid-capitalization companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with market capitalizations below $10 billion that exhibit strong growth characteristics. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Subadviser emphasizes companies that have a market capitalization of $5 billion or less. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid- capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Emerging Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.40% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.65%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Emerging Growth Stock Fund -- T Shares 1.22%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $168 $520
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Long-term capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion with attractive valuation and/or above average earnings potential relative either to their sectors or the market as a whole INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for capital appreciation potential and some income with less volatility than the equity market as a whole
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Growth and Income Fund invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks of domestic companies and listed American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of foreign companies, all with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion. However, the average market capitalization can vary throughout a full market cycle and will be flexible to allow the Adviser to capture market opportunities. The Adviser uses a quantitative screening process to identify companies with attractive fundamental profiles. The portfolio management team selects stocks of companies with strong financial quality and above average earnings potential to secure the best relative values in each economic sector. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 13 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.81% 1995 29.38% 1996 19.06% 1997 27.69% 1998 18.20% 1999 14.17% 2000 1.43% 2001 -6.60% 2002 -19.64% 2003 28.14%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.38% -18.44% (6/30/97) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.80%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 28.14% 2.18% 9.89% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 27.93% 1.50% 7.62% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 18.52% 1.58% 7.35% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of companies benefiting from information and technology SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Very high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies benefiting from technology and information to achieve above average growth INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors with long-term investment goals who are willing to accept significant volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Information and Technology Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of U.S. companies that are expected to benefit substantially from information and technology and achieve above average growth. The Fund believes that information- oriented companies and technology-oriented companies offer the potential for significant long-term growth. The Fund's holdings are generally diversified across three market segments. The first segment is comprised of corporations whose core line of business focuses on an emerging information-related or technology-related market. The second segment consists of established technology companies that provide the infrastructure to support the transfer of information. The third segment includes established, non-tech corporations from multiple industries that are harnessing the power of information to drive company growth. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser uses a "bottom-up" analysis that evaluates the competitive advantages and market sustainability of individual companies. The Fund invests primarily in companies with market capitalizations over $1 billion, but may invest a portion of its assets in smaller companies. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. Due to the focus of the Fund, many holdings share similar risk factors. Many companies in the portfolio have limited operating histories, function in rapidly changing business environments and trade at valuations that are significantly higher than average. As a result, the Fund's net asset value (NAV) may be more volatile than other, broadly diversified equity funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2000 -16.75% 2001 -26.65% 2002 -49.81% 2003 42.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.45% -32.91% (12/31/01) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.76%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index and the Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 42.16% -6.20% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 42.16% -6.20% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 27.41% -5.18% Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 54.19% -11.99% Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 55.95% -10.91%
* Since inception of the T Shares on September 30, 1999. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index is a modified capitalization-weighted index of selected technology funds. The Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective is an average of funds that invest 65% of their equity portfolio in science and technology stocks. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.10% Other Expenses* 0.22% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $134 $418 $723 $1,590
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 18 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with good fundamentals or a history of consistent growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want an increase in the value of their investment without regard to income, are willing to accept the increased risks of international investing for the possibility of higher returns, and want exposure to a diversified portfolio of international stocks
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund invests primarily in developed countries, but may invest in countries with emerging markets. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection focuses on individual stocks and fundamental characteristics of companies. The Adviser's goal is to find companies with top management, quality products and sound financial positions, or a history of consistent growth in cash flows, sales, operating profits, returns on equity and returns on invested capital. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser diversifies the Fund's investments among at least three foreign countries. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. Emerging market countries are countries that the World Bank or the United Nations considers to be emerging or developing. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with the Fund's investments in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 1, 1995. Performance prior to December 1, 1995 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on January 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 22.08% 1997 13.35% 1998 11.22% 1999 9.47% 2000 -3.46% 2001 -17.71% 2002 -17.02% 2003 36.86%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.75% -19.71% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.18%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI (R) EAFE (R)) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION INCEPTION AS A OF THE REGISTERED COLLECTIVE MUTUAL INVESTMENT T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 36.86% -0.25% 5.82% 8.69% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 36.86% -1.44% 4.23% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 24.60% -0.64% 4.33% N/A+ MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 38.59% -0.05% 3.72% 4.60%
* Fund returns since inception of the T Shares on December 1, 1995, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. Benchmark returns since November 30, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). ** Since inception of the collective investment fund on January 31, 1995. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 20 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee is imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within sixty days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.12% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.37%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $139 $434 $750 $1,646
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 21 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Investment results that correspond to the performance of the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign equity securities in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Statistical analysis to track the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors who want exposure to foreign markets and are willing to accept the increased risks of foreign investing for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Index Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies included in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index, an index of equity securities of companies located in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. While the Fund is structured to have overall investment characteristics similar to those of the Index, it selects a sample of securities within the Index using a statistical process. Therefore, the Fund will not hold all securities included in the Index. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. In addition to the above mentioned risks, the Adviser may not be able to match the performance of the Fund's benchmark. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 22 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 10.73% 1996 6.04% 1997 8.99% 1998 30.02% 1999 30.66% 2000 -17.06% 2001 -23.47% 2002 -16.52% 2003 40.54%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 21.26% -20.53% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.95%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East - Gross Domestic Product (MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP) Weighted Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 40.54% -0.55% 4.88% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 40.52% -0.60% 4.04% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 26.92% -0.38% 3.95% MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.00% -0.79% 3.87%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. The country weighting of the Index is calculated using the gross domestic product of each of the various countries and then with respect to the market capitalization of the various companies operating in each country. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee is imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within sixty days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% Other Expenses* 0.13% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.03%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. International Equity Index Fund - T Shares 0.98%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $105 $328 $569 $1,259
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 24 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and money market funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing at least 80% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Equity Funds 80-100% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains taxes for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -4.30% 1995 25.12% 1996 16.62% 1997 22.53% 1998 12.31% 1999 10.31% 2000 6.30% 2001 -6.52% 2002 -18.11% 2003 26.69%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.72% -16.74% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.35%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the S&P 500(R) Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** Fund Returns Before Taxes 26.69% 2.61% 4.99% 8.13% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 26.60% 1.53% 3.64% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 17.45% 1.75% 3.65% N/A+ Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 25.71% -0.04% 5.14% 10.49% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. **Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 26 PROSPECTUS LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 26 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.10% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.35%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.08%. Therefore, total annualized expenses would be 1.43% before waivers and 1.29% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, this Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $36 $113 $197 $443
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.43%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $146 $452 $782 $1,713
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY Bond funds SECONDARY Equity funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Bond Funds, and to a lesser extent, STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, but want to reduce risk by limiting exposure to equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Conservative Fund invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities, but may invest up to 35% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------- Bond Funds 65-100% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------- Equity Funds 0-35% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 28 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower rated securities is even greater than that of higher rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Life Vision Conservative Fund commenced operations on March 11, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 29 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.52% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.77%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Conservative Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.01%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.78% before waivers and 1.22% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $79 $246
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.78%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $181 $560
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund's estimated expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 30 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity Funds and, to a lesser extent, STI Classic Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want their assets to grow, but want to moderate the risks of equity securities through investment of a portion of their assets in bonds
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Growth and Income Fund invests at least 70% to 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in either equity securities or fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ----------------------------------------------------- Equity Funds 50-80% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ----------------------------------------------------- Bond Funds 20-50% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 31 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.52% 1995 22.68% 1996 12.16% 1997 18.08% 1998 11.16% 1999 7.95% 2000 7.08% 2001 -2.55% 2002 -11.99% 2003 23.99%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 13.65% -12.87% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.17%. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 32 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** Fund Returns Before Taxes 23.99% 4.22% 5.98% 7.92% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 23.49% 3.19% 4.36% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 15.68% 3.02% 4.22% N/A+ Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 18.20% 1.34% 5.44% 8.91% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 7.43% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. **Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 33 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Growth and Income Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.06%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.38% before waivers and 1.27% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $33 $103 $180 $406
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses after waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.38%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $140 $437 $755 $1,657
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 34 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity and Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund principally invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Equity Funds 35-65% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Bond Funds 35-65% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains taxes for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 35 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -2.97% 1995 20.52% 1996 10.51% 1997 16.41% 1998 11.15% 1999 6.19% 2000 5.46% 2001 -1.10% 2002 -8.28% 2003 19.98%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 11.24% -9.20% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.42%. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 36 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the S&P 500(R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** Fund Returns Before Taxes 19.98% 4.04% 5.80% 7.38% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 19.33% 2.47% 3.99% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.02% 2.61% 3.99% N/A+ Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 15.67% 3.09% 6.37% 9.07% S&P 500 (R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 7.43% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++ Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 37 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.09%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.41% before waivers and 1.30% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $33 $103 $180 $406
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.41%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $144 $446 $771 $1,691
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 38 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate to high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential at an attractive price INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and other equity U.S. traded securities that have small- to mid-sized capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations of $500 million to $10 billion or companies in the Russell Midcap(R) Index). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that, in its opinion, offer above average stock price appreciation relative to other companies in the same economic sector. The Adviser utilizes proprietary, sector based models to rank stocks in each sector of the small- and mid-cap markets. These models utilize fundamental stock characteristics such as growth rates and cash flows. The Adviser utilizes fundamental research in the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of the sector based models to reflect change in the underlying small-and mid-cap markets. Risk management is utilized extensively and a critical component of the overall investment process. The strategy is diversified with 100 to 140 stocks in the portfolio. Each stock is generally limited to no more than two percent of the portfolio. The portfolio is managed to reduce tracking error and overall volatility to the benchmark. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-cap common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid-cap sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 39 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 31.22% 1996 15.42% 1997 21.23% 1998 6.48% 1999 16.14% 2000 -2.97% 2001 2.38% 2002 -28.78% 2003 28.99%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.73% -19.96% (12/31/98) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.68%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap(R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 28.99% 1.17% 7.45% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 28.89% -0.23% 5.16% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 18.96% 0.42% 5.26% Russell Midcap(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.06% 7.23% 11.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on February 2, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(R) Index, which represent approximately 26% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Russell 1000(R) Index is a widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 40 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.07% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.22%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $124 $387 $670 $1,477
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 41 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued mid-cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between approximately $1 billion and $12 billion. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses common stocks that it believes are undervalued in the market. The Adviser may sell a security when it achieves a designated target price, a company's growth prospects change, or the opportunity for a better investment arises. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mid-cap equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 -21.26% 2003 29.51%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.79% -23.08% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 8.88%. MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 42 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap(R) Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 29.51% 3.41% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 29.38% 2.85% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 19.31% 2.55% Russell Midcap(R) Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 38.07% 13.39%
* Since inception of the T Shares on November 30, 2001. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The stocks are also members of the Russell 1000(R) Value index. The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000(R) companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000(R) Index is a widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 43 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund - T Shares 1.24%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $134 $418 $723 $1,590
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 44 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Identifies small cap companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion in size. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. The Fund's investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, a strong balance sheet, strong current and projected business fundamentals, and priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 45 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1999 20.55% 2000 11.76% 2001 -0.82% 2002 -22.71% 2003 45.64%%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.19% -22.83% (6/30/03) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 7.41%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 45.64% 8.51% 16.28% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 45.64% 7.92% 15.67% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 29.66% 7.11% 14.09% S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 37.31% 6.67% 10.45%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 8, 1998. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 600(R) Index consisting of those companies with the highest price-to-book ratios within the S&P 600(R) Index. The S&P 600(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted index composed of 600 domestic stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. The S&P Small Cap 600(R) Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of 600 domestic small cap stocks. SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 46 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND* PROSPECTUS 47 * Shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund are no longer available for purchase by new investors. (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued small cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities that have small capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations under $3 billion). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes are undervalued in the market relative to the industry sector and the company's own valuation history. The Adviser evaluates potential catalysts that may increase a stock's value to such an extent that the stock no longer meets the Fund's investment criteria. Additionally, all common stocks purchased for the Fund are required to pay a cash dividend. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 48 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on January 31, 1997. Performance prior to January 31, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on August 31, 1994. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the current fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 30.99% 1996 34.25% 1997 32.59% 1998 -13.45% 1999 -2.72% 2000 17.96% 2001 21.21% 2002 -1.74% 2003 37.05%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 19.82% -21.99% (6/30/99) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 9.85%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell 2000(R) Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION AS A INCEPTION OF REGISTERED THE COLLECTIVE MUTUAL INVESTMENT T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 37.05% 13.37% 11.31% 15.40% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 36.95% 12.95% 10.21% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 24.19% 11.43% 9.17% N/A+ Russell 2000(R) Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 46.03% 12.28% 11.83% 13.36%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 31, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Since inception of the collective investment fund on August 31, 1994. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell 2000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of companies in the Russell 2000(R) Index with lower growth rates and price-to-book ratios. The Russell 2000(R) Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that consists of a subset of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 49 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 50 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of companies with positive earnings characteristics purchased at reasonable value SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with superior earnings/valuation cycle characteristics within specific market sectors INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment and are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund attempts, through the use of disciplined quantitative modeling, to objectively and consistently identify those companies with the most attractive earnings growth prospects and valuation characteristics within each sector. Those characteristics vary by sector. In some sectors, attractive stocks are selected based solely upon growth characteristics. In other sectors, a combination of growth and valuation characteristics are used to identify attractive stocks. The Adviser believes that companies with higher earnings growth prospects will have more highly valued stocks. Companies producing sustained accelerating rates of earnings growth will generate increasing stock valuations. Companies producing sustained decelerating rates of earnings growth will generate decreasing stock valuations. This cycle of accelerating earnings growth with increasing stock valuation and decelerating earnings growth with decreasing stock valuation is called the earnings-valuation cycle. The Adviser uses quantitative modeling to evaluate and select the common stock of companies based on the philosophy that earnings/valuation cycles dictate stock performance, earnings/valuation cycles differ among market sectors, and diversification controls risk. The Fund invests in companies of all sizes so long as they have growth potential. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The small- to mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small to mid-sized companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over- the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund commenced operations on August 7, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 51 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.14% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.29%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund - T Shares 1.11%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $131 $409 $708 $1,556
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 52 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth with nominal dividend income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies that have above average growth potential and uses a low portfolio turnover strategy to reduce capital gains distributions INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment while minimizing taxable capital gains distributions
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of financially strong U.S. growth companies. Many of these companies have a history of stable or rising dividend payout policies. The Adviser attempts to minimize the impact of capital gains taxes on investment returns by using a low turnover rate (generally 50% or less) strategy, in conjunction with other tax management strategies. These strategies may lead to lower capital gains distributions and, therefore, lower capital gains taxes. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's common stocks may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that common stocks of U.S. growth companies may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 53 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 11, 1998. Performance prior to December 11, 1998 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on December 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the current fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 21.04% 1997 28.76% 1998 31.73% 1999 24.74% 2000 -12.15% 2001 -18.21% 2002 -22.02% 2003 21.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.73% -16.20% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of S&P 500 (R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION INCEPTION OF THE AS A COLLECTIVE REGISTERED INVESTMENT T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 21.16% -3.27% -1.89% 7.16% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 21.16% -3.28% -1.89% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.75% -2.75% -1.60% N/A+ S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 0.54% 9.38%
* Fund Returns since inception of the T Shares on December 11, 1998, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. Benchmark returns since November 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). **Since inception of the collective investment fund on December 31, 1995. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance. TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 54 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your share at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 55 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify high dividend-paying, undervalued stocks INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for current income and capital appreciation with less volatility than the average stock fund
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Value Income Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser primarily chooses U.S. companies that have a market capitalization of at least $2 billion and that have a history of paying regular dividends. The Adviser focuses on dividend-paying stocks that trade below their historical value. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection emphasizes individual stocks over economic trends. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.54% 1995 35.93% 1996 19.46% 1997 27.08% 1998 10.58% 1999 -2.93% 2000 10.85% 2001 -0.95% 2002 -15.47% 2003 23.64%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 15.35% -19.89% (6/30/99) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 5.59%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 56 PROSPECTUS
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 23.64% 2.18% 10.16% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 23.36% 1.07% 6.85% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 15.68% 1.23% 6.84% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)* 2.00%
* This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% Other Expenses* 0.06% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $88 $274 $477 $1,061
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 57 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK All Funds Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK All Funds Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK All Funds The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK Balanced Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 58 PROSPECTUS The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Growth and Income Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. TRACKING ERROR RISK International Equity Index Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Factors such as Fund expenses, imperfect correlation between the Fund's investments and those of its benchmarks, rounding of share prices, changes to the benchmark, regulatory policies, and leverage, may affect their ability to achieve perfect correlation. The magnitude of any tracking error may be affected by a higher portfolio turnover rate. Because an index is just a composite of the prices of the securities it represents rather than an actual portfolio of those securities, an index will have no expenses. As a result, the Fund, which will have expenses such as taxes, custody, management fees and other operational costs, and brokerage, may not achieve its investment objective of accurately correlating to an index. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations. The Small Cap Value Equity Fund also may invest in investment grade fixed income securities and mid- to large-cap common stocks that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objective. A Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. INVESTMENT ADVISER PROSPECTUS 59 (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Balanced Fund 0.92% Capital Appreciation Fund 1.13% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Growth and Income Fund 0.90% Information and Technology Fund 1.10% International Equity Fund 1.25% International Equity Index Fund 0.81% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.11% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.10% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.14% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.14% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 1.13% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 1.00% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Value Income Stock Fund 0.80%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. With respect to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund, the Adviser oversees the Subadviser to ensure compliance with each Fund's investment policies and guidelines and monitors the Subadviser's adherence to its investment style. The Adviser pays the Subadviser out of the fees it receives from the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and Subadviser and establishes policies that the Adviser and Subadviser must follow in their management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. INVESTMENT SUBADVISER Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC, 601 Union Street, Seattle, Washington 98101, serves as the subadviser to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund and manages the portfolios of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Subadviser was founded in 1987 and manages domestic growth equity assets. The firm's client base is comprised of a blend of institutional tax-exempt and taxable separately managed accounts. As a domestic growth equity manager, the Subadviser manages assets for a variety of entities, including public funds, foundations, endowments, corporations, pooled accounts, and private individuals. As of June 30, 2004, the Subadviser had approximately $1.0 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser selects, buys, and sells securities for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund under the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. The Subadviser is entitled to receive from the Adviser 0.625% of each of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund's and Emerging Growth Stock Fund's daily net assets. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds, except the Life Vision Funds, is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Each of the Life Vision Funds is managed by a team of investment professionals. No one person is primarily responsible for making investment recommendations. Mr. Brett Barner, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI Capital Management, N.A. (STI) since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 60 PROSPECTUS VALUE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in January 1997. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Mr. Edward E. Best, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since June 2000, after serving as Vice President since September 1999 and Associate since joining Trusco in January 1998. Mr. Best also serves as the senior quantitative equity analyst for Trusco. He has managed the STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in August 2003. He has more than 11 years of investment experience. Ms. Brooke de Boutray, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1992. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and the EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. de Boutray has more than 21 years of investment experience. Mr. Chad Deakins, CFA, has served as Vice President of Trusco since May 1996. He has managed the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND since February 1999 and the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND since May 2000. In addition, he has managed the MID-CAP EQUITY FUND since September 2004, after co-managing the Fund since February 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Deakins worked at SunTrust Bank. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, has served as a Portfolio Manager of Trusco since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND since it began operating in October 1998. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Jeffrey E. Markunas, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Senior Vice President of Trusco since January 1999 and Senior Vice President and Director of Equity Management for Crestar Asset Management Company from 1992 until July 2000. Mr. Markunas has managed the GROWTH AND INCOME FUND since it began operating in September 1992. He has more than 20 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert J. Rhodes, CFA, joined Trusco in 1973. Mr. Rhodes has served as Executive Vice President and head of the equity funds group at Trusco since February 2000, after serving as Director of Research at Trusco from 1980 to 2000. He has managed the BALANCED FUND (EQUITY PORTION ONLY) since June 2000. Mr. Rhodes has also managed the CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND since June 2000. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Mills Riddick, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1994. He has managed the VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND since April 1995. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY) since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President & Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Parker W. Thomas, Jr. has served as Vice President since joining Trusco in April 2004. He has managed the TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND since April 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Thomas served as Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank, Nashville from January 1988 to September 2002. From September 2002 to March 2004 he served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Personal Asset Management, for SunTrust Banks Inc. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY), since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group from February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Ms. Leslie Tubbs, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1995. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and the EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Tubbs has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. Francis P. Walsh has served as Vice President of Trusco since June 2004. He has managed the INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND since September 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Walsh served as a Managing Member of PhiCap Partners from December PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 61 2001 to December 2002. He also served as a Senior Research Analyst of Putnam Investments and co-managed technology portfolios for Putnam from November 1994 to September 2001. Mr. Walsh has more than nine years of investment experience. Mr. Don Wordell has served as a Portfolio Manager since joining Trusco in 1996. In addition, Mr. Wordell is a member of the Association for Investment Management & Research (AIMR) and the Orlando Society of Financial Analysts. He has managed the MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND since December 2003, after co-managing it since it began operating in November 2001. He has more than 8 years of investment experience. Ms. Nancy Zevenbergen, CFA, has served as President and Chief Investment Officer for the Subadviser since January 1987. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Zevenbergen has more than 22 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase and sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Funds offer T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Funds may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Some Funds hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these Funds' investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 62 PROSPECTUS CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Funds or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Funds receive your request. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Funds receive your request, but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 63 shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund (other than the International Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund) within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. The International Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. Shares held for 60 days or more are not subject to the redemption fee. Shares you have held the longest will always be redeemed first. If you transfer your shares to a different account registration, the shares will retain their original purchase date for redemption fee purposes. If you transfer less than 100% of your account balance, the redemption fee status of your shares will be carried over on a proportionate basis. Waiver of the redemption fee may be granted at the discretion of the Funds. The Funds reserve the right to modify its redemption fee policies at any time without advance notice to shareholders and may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 64 PROSPECTUS From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund distributes its net investment income as follows: QUARTERLY ------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund Information and Technology Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund ANNUALLY ------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable either as ordinary income or as qualified dividend income. Dividends that are qualified dividend income are eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF A DIFFERENT STI CLASSIC FUND IS TREATED THE SAME AS A SALE. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 65 and capital gains distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The International Equity Fund and International Equity Index Fund may be able to pass along a tax credit for foreign income taxes they pay. In such event, each Fund will provide you with the information necessary to reflect such foreign taxes on your federal income tax return. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 66 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $10.00 $(0.02)(2) $ 0.02(2) $ -- BALANCED FUND T SHARE 2004........................ $11.92 $ 0.18(2) $ 0.32(2) $ 0.50 2003........................ 12.18 0.20 (0.23) (0.03) 2002........................ 13.18 0.23 (0.65) (0.42) 2001........................ 13.37 0.30 0.12 0.42 2000........................ 13.26 0.32 0.33 0.65 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $11.02 $(0.03)(2) $ 1.34(2) $ 1.31 2003........................ 12.24 (0.03)(2) (1.19)(2) (1.22) 2002........................ 13.89 -- (1.53) (1.53) 2001........................ 17.12 (0.05) (0.38) (0.43) 2000........................ 16.62 0.02 1.40 1.42 EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $10.00 $(0.03)(2) $(0.37)(2) $(0.40) GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $12.21 $ 0.14(2) $ 2.50(2) $ 2.64 2003........................ 13.80 0.13 (1.60) (1.47) 2002........................ 15.05 0.09 (1.26) (1.17) 2001........................ 15.53 0.07 (0.04) 0.03 2000........................ 16.09 0.11 0.55 0.66 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 6.07 $(0.06)(2) $ 1.49(2) $ 1.43 2003........................ 8.06 (0.04)(2) (1.95)(2) (1.99) 2002........................ 13.34 0.01 (5.29) (5.28) 2001........................ 15.87 (0.08) (2.45) (2.53) 2000(3)..................... 10.00 (0.04) 5.91 5.87 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 8.00 $ 0.10(2) $ 2.19(2) $ 2.29 2003........................ 9.31 0.07 (1.32) (1.25) 2002........................ 10.19 0.19 (1.07) (0.88) 2001........................ 12.56 -- (1.22) (1.22) 2000........................ 12.97 (0.10) 1.42 1.32 DIVIDENDS TOTAL FROM NET DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT FROM REALIZED AND INCOME CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------ ------------- ------------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- BALANCED FUND T SHARE 2004........................ $(0.19) $ -- $(0.19) 2003........................ (0.23) -- (0.23) 2002........................ (0.24) (0.34) (0.58) 2001........................ (0.31) (0.30) (0.61) 2000........................ (0.30) (0.24) (0.54) CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- (0.12) (0.12) 2001........................ -- (2.80) (2.80) 2000........................ -- (0.92) (0.92) EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003........................ (0.12) -- (0.12) 2002........................ (0.08) -- (0.08) 2001........................ (0.08) (0.43) (0.51) 2000........................ (0.10) (1.12) (1.22) INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- -- -- 2001........................ -- -- -- 2000(3)..................... -- -- -- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.14) $ -- $(0.14) 2003........................ (0.06) -- (0.06) 2002........................ -- -- -- 2001........................ (0.04) (1.11) (1.15) 2000........................ (0.07) (1.66) (1.73)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Commenced operations on February 23, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (2) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (3) T Shares were offered beginning on September 30, 1999. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 67
RATIO OF NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES VALUE, END TOTAL END OF TO AVERAGE OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS --------- ------- ------------ ---------- $10.00 --% $ 20,501 1.22% $12.23 4.24% $ 244,042 1.02% 11.92 (0.14) 228,475 1.02 12.18 (3.29) 241,604 1.02 13.18 3.24 209,316 1.01 13.37 5.02 223,634 0.97 $12.33 11.89% $1,248,636 1.23% 11.02 (9.97) 1,090,549 1.22 12.24 (11.06) 1,204,445 1.22 13.89 (3.74) 1,177,933 1.21 17.12 8.98 1,296,927 1.17 $ 9.60 (4.00)% $ 12,891 1.22% $14.72 21.76% $ 782,665 1.00% 12.21 (10.58) 598,862 0.99 13.80 (7.80) 792,557 0.99 15.05 0.11 867,664 0.99 15.53 4.11 885,109 1.01 $ 7.50 23.56% $ 9,712 1.36% 6.07 (24.69) 11,789 1.25 8.06 (39.58) 32,068 1.19 13.34 (15.94) 87,045 1.20 15.87 58.70 106,425 1.20 $10.15 28.64% $ 332,180 1.41% 8.00 (13.40) 191,041 1.46 9.31 (8.64) 252,991 1.48 10.19 (10.79) 208,120 1.45 12.56 10.58 299,100 1.48 RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS PORTFOLIO INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR TURNOVER AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) RATE ------------------ --------------- ---- (0.74)% 1.61% 2% 1.50% 1.05% 116% 1.74 1.05 102 1.78 1.05 95 2.24 1.05 99 2.39 1.07 182 (0.25)% 1.24% 106% (0.32) 1.24 69 (0.54) 1.24 75 (0.29) 1.24 75 0.10 1.26 129 (1.04)% 1.69% 11% 1.03% 1.00% 51% 1.05 0.99 52 0.63 0.99 68 0.49 0.99 73 0.76 1.01 53 (0.87)% 1.36% 384% (0.72) 1.25 1,259 (0.92) 1.19 1,102 (0.45) 1.21 750 (0.54) 1.34 250 1.08% 1.41% 58% 0.83 1.46 89 0.48 1.48 102 0.50 1.45 68 0.59 1.48 179
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 68 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.39 $0.14(1) $ 2.71(1) $ 2.85 2003........................ 9.76 0.10(1) (1.43)(1) (1.33) 2002........................ 11.18 0.04 (1.43) (1.39) 2001........................ 13.97 0.06 (2.69) (2.63) 2000........................ 11.82 0.16 2.13 2.29 LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $ 8.55 $0.04(1) $ 1.70(1) $ 1.74 2003........................ 9.57 0.03 (1.02) (0.99) 2002........................ 10.31 0.02 (0.74) (0.72) 2001........................ 11.61 0.11 0.23 0.34 2000........................ 11.31 0.05 0.74 0.79 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004(2)..................... $10.71 $0.15(1) $ 0.14(1) $ 0.29 LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.33 $0.14(1) $ 1.43(1) $ 1.57 2003........................ 9.98 0.13 (0.65) (0.52) 2002........................ 10.42 0.12 (0.43) (0.31) 2001........................ 10.50 0.24 0.40 0.64 2000........................ 10.33 0.07 0.52 0.59 DIVIDENDS TOTAL FROM NET DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT FROM REALIZED AND INCOME CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------ ------------- ------------- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003........................ (0.04) -- (0.04) 2002........................ (0.03) -- (0.03) 2001........................ (0.07) (0.09) (0.16) 2000........................ (0.03) (0.11) (0.14) LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.04)* $ -- $(0.04)* 2003........................ (0.03) -- (0.03) 2002........................ (0.02) -- (0.02) 2001........................ (0.12) (1.52) (1.64) 2000........................ (0.05) (0.44) (0.49) LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004(2)..................... $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $(0.14) $ -- $(0.14) 2003........................ (0.13) -- (0.13) 2002........................ (0.13) -- (0.13) 2001........................ (0.25) (0.47) (0.72) 2000........................ (0.17) (0.25) (0.42)
* Includes return of capital of $0.003. + Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) T Shares were offered beginning on November 6, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) The Life Vision Funds and its shareholders indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The expense ratios do not include such expenses. (B) Recognition of net investment income by the Life Vision Funds is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the STI Classic Funds in which the Life Vision Funds invest. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 69
RATIO OF NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES VALUE, END TOTAL END OF TO AVERAGE OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS --------- ------- ------------ ---------- $11.11 34.07% $351,163 0.98% 8.39 (13.63) 248,770 1.03 9.76 (12.43) 287,944 1.04 11.18 (18.90) 236,862 1.06 13.97 19.36 340,853 1.07 $10.25 20.34% $ 38,468 0.25% 8.55 (10.36) 28,681 0.25 9.57 (6.96) 34,398 0.25 10.31 3.07 23,936 0.25 11.61 7.25 18,412 0.25 $10.87 2.68% $ 30 0.25% $10.76 16.92% $ 75,083 0.25% 9.33 (5.16) 59,449 0.25 9.98 (2.97) 77,395 0.25 10.42 6.31 37,550 0.25 10.50 5.81 30,473 0.25 RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS PORTFOLIO INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR TURNOVER AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENT) RATE ------------------ -------------- ---- 1.38% 1.07% 10% 1.26 1.12 25 0.63 1.12 35 0.40 1.09 13 0.83 1.18 9 0.39% 0.39% 44% 0.33 0.40 50 0.17 0.41 101 1.05 0.43 202 0.48 0.44 183 2.41% 85.33%++ 138% 1.38% 0.36% 97% 1.46 0.37 139 1.25 0.39 166 2.41 0.39 286 1.77 0.42 189
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 70 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED DIVIDENDS BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ----------------- LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.02 $ 0.16(1) $ 1.04(1) $ 1.20 $(0.16) 2003........................ 9.40 0.16 (0.38) (0.22) (0.16) 2002........................ 9.73 0.17 (0.32) (0.15) (0.18) 2001........................ 10.61 0.32 0.20 0.52 (0.34) 2000........................ 10.80 0.33 0.13 0.46 (0.21) MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 8.74 $ 0.06(1) $ 1.57(1) $ 1.63 $(0.05) 2003........................ 9.79 (0.03)(1) (1.02)(1)++ (1.05)++ -- 2002........................ 10.95 0.01 (1.17) (1.16) -- 2001........................ 14.10 (0.03) (0.61) (0.64) -- 2000........................ 12.68 (0.04) 2.32 2.28 -- MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 8.62 $ 0.05(1) $ 2.33(1) $ 2.38 $(0.05) 2003........................ 10.95 0.05 (2.16) (2.11) (0.04) 2002(2)..................... 10.00 0.02 0.94 0.96 (0.01) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $15.19 $(0.16)(1) $ 5.22(1) $ 5.06 $ -- 2003........................ 17.28 (0.12)(1) (1.72)(1) (1.84) -- 2002........................ 18.37 -- (1.02) (1.02) -- 2001........................ 18.30 (0.18) 1.71 1.53 -- 2000........................ 14.55 (0.08) 4.02 3.94 -- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS FROM REALIZED AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ------------- LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $(0.16) 2003........................ -- (0.16) 2002........................ -- (0.18) 2001........................ (1.06) (1.40) 2000........................ (0.44) (0.65) MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ -- -- 2002........................ -- -- 2001........................ (2.51) (2.51) 2000........................ (0.86) (0.86) MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ (0.18) (0.22) 2002(2)..................... -- (0.01) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (0.25) (0.25) 2002........................ (0.07) (0.07) 2001........................ (1.46) (1.46) 2000........................ (0.19) (0.19)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. ++ Includes redemption fees of $0.01. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) The Life Vision Funds and its shareholders indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The expense ratios do not include such expenses. (B) Recognition of net investment income by the Life Vision Funds is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the STI Classic Funds in which the Life Vision Funds invest. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 71
RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS VALUE, END TOTAL END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENT) --------- ------- ------------ ---------- ------------------ -------------- 10.0$6..... 13.35% $121,659 0.25% 1.65% 0.36% 9.02...... (2.21) 93,722 0.25 1.87 0.36 9.40...... (1.52) 88,592 0.25 1.81 0.36 9.73...... 5.28 73,429 0.25 3.04 0.37 10.61..... 4.46 69,622 0.25 2.19 0.37 10.3$2..... 18.70% $177,128 1.23% 0.64% 1.26% 8.74...... (10.73) 118,092 1.22 (0.31) 1.25 9.79...... (10.59) 171,813 1.22 (0.18) 1.24 10.95..... (6.92) 156,111 1.21 (0.24) 1.25 14.10..... 19.10 206,545 1.17 -- 1.25 10.9$5..... 27.71% $147,185 1.26% 0.53% 1.36% 8.62...... (19.05) 99,854 1.25 0.63 1.35 10.95..... 9.65 174,859 1.27 0.29 1.37 20.2$5..... 33.31% $789,650 1.25% (0.83)% 1.25% 15.19..... (10.50) 567,714 1.24 (0.87) 1.24 17.28..... (5.55) 593,211 1.25 (1.01) 1.25 18.37..... 8.33 508,857 1.24 (0.95) 1.25 18.30..... 27.24 431,478 1.20 (0.86) 1.23 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ---- 109% 101 202 247 151 126% 144 87 100 131 95% 71 30 107% 96 100 112 110
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 72 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED DIVIDENDS BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ----------------- SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $13.73 $ 0.06(1) $ 4.53(1) $ 4.59 $(0.06) 2003........................ 14.54 0.08 (0.82) (0.74) (0.07) 2002........................ 12.21 0.08 2.35 2.43 (0.10) 2001........................ 9.13 0.17 3.07 3.24 (0.16) 2000........................ 9.70 0.13 (0.59) (0.46) (0.11) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004(2)..................... $10.00 $(0.02)(1) $ 2.35(1) $ 2.33 $ -- TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $20.78 $(0.06)(1) $ 2.59(1) $ 2.53 $ -- 2003........................ 23.25 --(1) (2.47)(1) (2.47) -- 2002........................ 26.74 (0.02) (3.47) (3.49) -- 2001........................ 33.10 (0.03) (6.33) (6.36) -- 2000........................ 29.96 0.02 3.12 3.14 -- VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.73 $ 0.15(1) $ 1.74(1) $ 1.89 $(0.15) 2003........................ 11.05 0.15 (1.33) (1.18) (0.14) 2002........................ 11.61 0.12 (0.56) (0.44) (0.12) 2001........................ 10.38 0.19 1.24 1.43 (0.20) 2000........................ 12.85 0.23 (1.49) (1.26) (0.22) TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS FROM REALIZED AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ------------- SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $(0.06) 2003........................ -- (0.07) 2002........................ -- (0.10) 2001........................ -- (0.16) 2000........................ -- (0.11) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004(2)..................... $(0.25) $(0.25) TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- 2002........................ -- -- 2001........................ -- -- 2000........................ -- -- VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- $(0.15) 2003........................ -- (0.14) 2002........................ -- (0.12) 2001........................ -- (0.20) 2000........................ (0.99) (1.21)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) T Shares were offered beginning on August 7, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 73
RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS VALUE, END END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR OF PERIOD TOTAL RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENT) --------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------------ -------------- $18.26 33.56% $682,567 1.25% 0.38% 1.25% 13.73 (5.09) 518,468 1.24 0.64 1.24 14.54 20.06 614,199 1.25 0.67 1.25 12.21 35.90 401,900 1.25 1.72 1.25 9.13 (4.72) 212,074 1.22 1.31 1.25 $12.08 23.43% $ 66,812 1.13% (0.22)% 1.33% $23.31 12.18% $144,732 1.25% (0.28)% 1.25% 20.78 (10.62) 198,429 1.24 (0.01) 1.24 23.25 (13.05) 244,707 1.24 (0.10) 1.24 26.74 (19.21) 460,311 1.24 (0.10) 1.25 33.10 10.48 710,179 1.20 0.13 1.26 $11.47 19.58% $715,928 0.90% 1.40% 0.90% 9.73 (10.54) 681,899 0.89 1.68 0.89 11.05 (3.68) 686,014 0.90 1.13 0.90 11.61 14.09 704,842 0.90 1.70 0.90 10.38 (10.52) 921,797 0.89 2.02 0.89 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ---- 44% 29 29 86 65 344% 49% 58 69 103 30 67% 46 60 77 62
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. 100093/10-04 STIPUTE1004 401(k) PLAN PROSPECTUS | STI Classic Funds for the SunTrust 401(k) Plan October 1, 2004 The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this [SUNTRUST LOGO] Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of each Fund (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 4 GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 6 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 9 MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 11 PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 13 SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 16 SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 19 VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 21 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 22 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 22 INVESTMENT ADVISER 23 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 24 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 27 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 27 TAXES 28 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 32 PRIVACY POLICY INSIDE HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION BACK ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS COVER
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX/AVERAGE? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES SHAKE ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP EQUITY FUNDS Capital Appreciation Fund T Shares 7/1/92 STCAX 784766867 Growth and Income Fund T Shares 9/26/92 CRVAX 784766198 Mid-Cap Equity Fund T Shares 2/2/94 SAGTX 784766750 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund T Shares 10/8/98 SSCTX 784766263 Value Income Stock Fund T Shares 10/31/89 STVTX 784766834 FIXED INCOME FUNDS Investment Grade Bond Fund T Shares 7/16/92 STIGX 784766701 Short-Term Bond Fund T Shares 3/15/93 SSBTX 784766826 MONEY MARKET FUNDS Prime Quality Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 SQTXX 784766107
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund (other than a money market fund) is based on the market prices of the securities a Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Capital Appreciation Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other equity securities that the Adviser believes have strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, cash flows and earnings trends. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes have above average growth potential. The Adviser uses a "bottom-up" process based on individual company earnings trends and fundamentals to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. The Adviser's strategy focuses primarily on large-cap stocks but will also utilize mid-cap stocks. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -7.41% 1995 31.15 1996 20.31 1997 31.13 1998 28.06 1999 9.71 2000 1.62 2001 -6.49 2002 -21.98 2003 18.52
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 22.93% -14.98% (12/31/98) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.71%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Capital Appreciation Fund 18.52% -0.73% 8.99% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06%
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.20%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $122 $381 $660 $1,455
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Long-term capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion with attractive valuation and/or above average earnings potential relative either to their sectors or the market as a whole INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for capital appreciation potential and some income with less volatility than the equity markets as a whole
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Growth and Income Fund invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks of domestic companies and listed American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of foreign companies, all with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion. However, the average market capitalization can vary throughout a full market cycle and will be flexible to allow the Adviser to capture market opportunities. The Adviser uses a quantitative screening process to identify companies with attractive fundamental profiles. The portfolio management team selects stocks of companies with strong financial quality and above average earnings potential to secure the best relative values in each economic sector. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.81% 1995 29.38 1996 19.06 1997 27.69 1998 18.20 1999 14.17 2000 1.43 2001 -6.60 2002 -19.64 2003 28.14
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.38% -18.44% (6/30/97) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.80%. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 5 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Growth and Income Fund 28.14% 2.18% 9.89% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through current income and capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify relatively inexpensive securities in a selected market index INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Investment Grade Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade fixed income securities. The Adviser focuses on corporate debt securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, and mortgage-backed securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Currently, the Adviser's selected index is the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, a widely-recognized, unmanaged index of investment grade government and corporate debt securities. The Adviser seeks to invest more in portions of the Index that seem relatively inexpensive, and less in those that seem expensive. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of historical data, yield information and credit ratings. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.32% 1995 17.80 1996 2.34 1997 9.08 1998 9.19 1999 -1.53 2000 6.57 2001 9.06 2002 7.42 2003 3.70
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.11% -2.67% (6/30/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.57%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Investment Grade Bond Fund 3.70% 4.98% 5.87% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index 4.67% 6.66% 6.98% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective 4.56% 5.81% 6.16%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective is a widely-recognized, equally weighted average that invests primarily in investment grade debt issues (rated in the top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 8 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate to high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential at an attractive price INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and other equity U.S. traded securities that have small- to mid-sized capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations of $500 million to $10 billion or companies in the Russell Midcap(R) Index). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that, in its opinion, offer above average stock price appreciation relative to other companies in the same economic sector. The Adviser utilizes proprietary, sector based models to rank stocks in each sector of the small- and mid-cap markets. These models utilize fundamental stock characteristics such as growth rates and cash flows. The Adviser utilizes fundamental research in the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of the sector based models to reflect change in the underlying small-and mid-cap markets. Risk management is utilized extensively and a critical component of the overall investment process. The strategy is diversified with 100 to 140 stocks in the portfolio. Each stock is generally limited to no more than two percent of the portfolio. The portfolio is managed to reduce tracking error and overall volatility to the benchmark. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-cap common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid-cap sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 31.22% 1996 15.42 1997 21.23 1998 6.48 1999 16.14 2000 -2.97 2001 2.38 2002 -28.78 2003 28.99
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.73% -19.96% (12/31/98) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.68%. MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 10 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap(R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Mid-Cap Equity Fund 28.99% 1.17% 7.45% Russell Midcap(R) Index 40.06% 7.23% 11.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on February 2, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(R) Index, which represent approximately 26% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Russell 1000(R) Index is widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.22%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $124 $387 $670 $1,477
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Prime Quality Money Market Fund invests exclusively in high quality U.S. money market instruments and foreign money market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk. The Adviser analyzes maturity, yields, market sectors and credit risk. Investments are made in money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.77% 1995 5.47 1996 4.99 1997 5.15 1998 5.10 1999 4.74 2000 6.04 2001 3.72 2002 1.44 2003 0.67
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.55% 0.13% (9/30/00) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.25%. PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 12 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.67% 3.30% 4.10% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average 0.49% 3.04% 3.87%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.70%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Prime Quality Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.61%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $72 $224 $390 $871
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 13 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better return than similar securities for a given level of credit risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Short-Term Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of short- to medium-term investment grade U.S. Treasury, corporate debt, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Fund expects that it will normally maintain an effective maturity of 3 years or less. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better investment return for a given level of credit risk. For example, short-term bonds generally have better returns than money market instruments, with a fairly modest increase in credit risk and/or volatility. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view towards maximizing returns. The Adviser analyzes yields, market sectors and credit risk in an effort to identify attractive investments with the best risk/reward trade-off. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans or underlying assets such as truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan, receivables or other assets underlying these securities. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in the market place. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayment or prepayment of the underlying asset that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.07% 1995 11.77 1996 3.90 1997 6.78 1998 6.84 1999 0.92 2000 7.64 2001 7.54 2002 2.59 2003 2.53
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 3.86% -0.75% (9/30/01) (12/31/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Short-Term Bond Fund 2.53% 4.20% 4.99% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index 2.88% 5.86% 5.93%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/ Credit Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency obligations, and corporate debt securities rated at least investment grade (BBB). The securities in the Index have maturities of 1 year or greater and less than 3 years. SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term Bond Fund - T Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Identifies small cap companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion in size. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. The Fund's investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, a strong balance sheet, strong current and projected business fundamentals, and priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1999 20.55% 2000 11.76 2001 -0.82 2002 -22.71 2003 45.64
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.19% -22.83% (6/30/03) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 7.41%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P Small Cap 600 (R)/BARRA Growth Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 45.64% 8.51% 16.28% S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index 37.31% 6.67% 10.45%
* Since the inception of the T shares on October 8, 1998. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 600(R) Index consisting of those companies with the highest price-to-book ratios within the S&P 600(R) Index. The S&P 600(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted index composed of 600 domestic stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 18 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify high dividend-paying, undervalued stocks INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for current income and capital appreciation with less volatility than the average stock fund
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Value Income Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser primarily chooses U.S. companies that have a market capitalization of at least $2 billion and that have a history of paying regular dividends. The Adviser focuses on dividend-paying stocks that trade below their historical value. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection emphasizes individual stocks over economic trends. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.54% 1995 35.93 1996 19.46 1997 27.08 1998 10.58 1999 -2.93 2000 10.85 2001 -0.95 2002 -15.47 2003 23.64
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 15.35% -19.90% (6/30/99) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 5.59%. VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 20 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500 (R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Value Income Stock Fund 23.64% 2.18% 10.16% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARE Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $88 $274 $477 $1,061
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 21 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Capital Appreciation Fund Growth and Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK Capital Appreciation Fund Growth and Income Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND RISK Capital Appreciation Fund Growth and Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 22 PROSPECTUS reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK Investment Grade Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Growth and Income Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Adviser uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund (except the Prime Quality Money Market Fund) may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. In addition, the Investment Grade Bond and Short-Term Bond Funds each may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Fund (other than the Prime Quality Money Market Fund) will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Capital Appreciation Fund 1.13% Growth and Income Fund 0.90% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.72% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 1.13% Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.54% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.60%
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS PROSPECTUS 23 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Value Income Stock Fund 0.80%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Chad Deakins, CFA, has served as Vice President of Trusco since May 1996. He has managed the MID-CAP EQUITY FUND since September 2004, after co-managing the Fund since February 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Deakins worked at SunTrust Bank. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, has served as a Portfolio Manager of Trusco since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND since it began operating in October 1998. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Jeffrey E. Markunas, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Senior Vice President of Trusco since January 1999 and Senior Vice President and Director of Equity Management for Crestar Asset Management Company from 1992 until July 2000. Mr. Markunas has managed the GROWTH AND INCOME FUND since it began operating in September 1992. He has more than 20 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management from June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert J. Rhodes, CFA, joined Trusco in 1973. Mr. Rhodes has served as Executive Vice President and head of the equity funds group at Trusco since February 2000, after serving as Director of Research at Trusco from 1980 to 2000. He has managed the CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND since June 2000. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Mills Riddick, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1994. He has managed the VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND since April 1995. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group form February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 24 PROSPECTUS Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in June 1992. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HANDSHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase or sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Funds offer T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Funds may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). But you may not do so for shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund on federal holidays. The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV for each Fund (except the Prime Quality Money Market Fund), the Funds must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - each Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Prime Quality Money Market Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to be eligible to receive dividends declared on the day you submit your purchase order, the Prime Quality Money Market Fund must receive your order in proper form before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time and federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Otherwise, your purchase order will be effective the following Business Day, as long as the Prime Quality Money Market Fund receives federal funds before calculating its NAV the following day. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, each Fund (except the Prime Quality Money Market Fund) generally values its investment portfolio at market price. In calculating NAV for the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. The Prime Quality Money Market Fund expects its NAV to remain constant at $1.00 per share, although the Fund cannot guarantee this. Certain Funds may hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of the Funds' investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 25 NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Funds or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Funds receive your request. Redemption orders must be received by the Prime Quality Money Market Fund on any Business Day before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Orders received after 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time will be executed the following Business Day. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 26 PROSPECTUS RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Funds receive your request but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. THIS REDEMPTION FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO 401(K)/403(B) TYPE PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS, SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN ACCOUNTS, SUNTRUST SECURITIES ASSET ALLOCATION ACCOUNTS OR ACCOUNTS HELD THROUGH AN OMNIBUS ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERS. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 27 firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund distributes its net investment income as follows: DECLARED DAILY AND DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY Investment Grade Bond Fund Prime Quality Money Market Fund Short-Term Bond Fund QUARTERLY Capital Appreciation Fund Growth and Income Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If the SunTrust 401(k) Plan owns Fund shares on a Fund's record date, the Plan is entitled to receive the distribution. As Plan participants, you will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares if you own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated by the Plan. You will, therefore, not receive a dividend or distribution if you do not own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Dividends and distributions will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis if you are investing through the SunTrust 401(k) Plan. Generally, you will not owe taxes on these distributions until you begin withdrawals from the Plan. Redemptions of Fund shares resulting in withdrawals from the Plan are subject to numerous complex and special tax rules and may be subject to a penalty in the case of premature withdrawals. If you have questions about the tax consequences of Plan withdrawals, you should consult your tax advisor; the Plan's Summary Plan Description in the SunTrust Employee Handbook; BENE, the SunTrust Benefits Service Center, at 1-800-818-2363; or the Plan Administrator, SunTrust Human Resources, P.O. Box 4418, Center 636, Atlanta, Georgia 30302. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 28 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Periods Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T Shares 2004........................ $11.02 $(0.03)(1) $ 1.34(1) $ 1.31 2003........................ 12.24 (0.03)(1) (1.19)(1) (1.22) 2002........................ 13.89 -- (1.53) (1.53) 2001........................ 17.12 (0.05) (0.38) (0.43) 2000........................ 16.62 0.02 1.40 1.42 GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $12.21 $ 0.14(1) $ 2.50(1) $ 2.64 2003........................ 13.80 0.13 (1.60) (1.47) 2002........................ 15.05 0.09 (1.26) (1.17) 2001........................ 15.53 0.07 (0.04) 0.03 2000........................ 16.09 0.11 0.55 0.66 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.94 $ 0.35(1) $(0.60)(1) $(0.25) 2003........................ 10.24 0.40 0.76 1.16 2002........................ 10.23 0.51 0.01 0.52 2001........................ 9.58 0.61 0.65 1.26 2000........................ 10.36 0.61 (0.78) (0.17) MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.74 $ 0.06(1) $ 1.57(1) $ 1.63 2003........................ 9.79 (0.03)(1) (1.02)(1)++ (1.05)++ 2002........................ 10.95 0.01 (1.17) (1.16) 2001........................ 14.10 (0.03) (0.61) (0.64) 2000........................ 12.68 (0.04) 2.32 2.28 DIVIDENDS TOTAL FROM NET DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT FROM REALIZED AND INCOME CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------ ------------- ------------- CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- (0.12) (0.12) 2001........................ -- (2.80) (2.80) 2000........................ -- (0.92) (0.92) GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003........................ (0.12) -- (0.12) 2002........................ (0.08) -- (0.08) 2001........................ (0.08) (0.43) (0.51) 2000........................ (0.10) (1.12) (1.22) INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.38) $ -- $(0.38) 2003........................ (0.46) -- (0.46) 2002........................ (0.51) -- (0.51) 2001........................ (0.61) -- (0.61) 2000........................ (0.61) -- (0.61) MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.05) $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- -- -- 2001........................ -- (2.51) (2.51) 2000........................ -- (0.86) (0.86)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. ++ Includes redemption fee of $0.01. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 29
NET ASSET NET ASSETS, VALUE, END TOTAL END OF OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) --------- ------- ------------ $12.33 11.89% $1,248,636 11.02 (9.97) 1,090,549 12.24 (11.06) 1,204,445 13.89 (3.74) 1,177,933 17.12 8.98 1,296,927 $14.72 21.76% $ 782,665 12.21 (10.58) 598,862 13.80 (7.80) 792,557 15.05 0.11 867,664 15.53 4.11 885,109 $10.31 (2.31)% $ 578,345 10.94 11.61 821,342 10.24 5.18 886,471 10.23 13.55 860,073 9.58 (1.76) 998,596 $10.32 18.70% $ 177,128 8.74 (10.73) 118,092 9.79 (10.59) 171,813 10.95 (6.92) 156,111 14.10 19.10 206,545 RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET EXPENSES NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS PORTFOLIO TO AVERAGE INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR TURNOVER NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) RATE ---------- ------------------ --------------- ---- 1.23% (0.25)% 1.24% 106% 1.22 (0.32) 1.24 69 1.22 (0.54) 1.24 75 1.21 (0.29) 1.24 75 1.17 0.10 1.26 129 1.00% 1.03% 1.00% 51% 0.99 1.05 0.99 52 0.99 0.63 0.99 68 0.99 0.49 0.99 73 1.01 0.76 1.01 53 0.82% 3.29% 0.84% 119% 0.81 3.92 0.83 137 0.81 4.81 0.83 123 0.81 6.17 0.84 131 0.77 6.05 0.84 202 1.23% 0.64% 1.26% 126% 1.22 (0.31) 1.25 144 1.22 (0.18) 1.24 87 1.21 (0.24) 1.25 100 1.17 -- 1.25 131
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 30 PROSPECTUS For the Periods Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ 1.00 $ 0.01 $ -- $ 0.01 $(0.01) 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.06 -- 0.06 (0.06) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T SHARES 2004............. $10.04 $ 0.24(1) $(0.19)(1) $ 0.05 $(0.25) 2003............. 10.01 0.33 0.03 0.36 (0.33) 2002............. 10.04 0.46 (0.03) 0.43 (0.46) 2001............. 9.65 0.56 0.39 0.95 (0.56) 2000............. 9.91 0.53 (0.25) 0.28 (0.53) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004............. $15.19 $(0.16)(1) $ 5.22(1) $ 5.06 $ -- 2003............. 17.28 (0.12)(1) (1.72)(1) (1.84) -- 2002............. 18.37 -- (1.02) (1.02) -- 2001............. 18.30 (0.18) 1.71 1.53 -- 2000............. 14.55 (0.08) 4.02 3.94 -- VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ 9.73 $ 0.15(1) $ 1.74(1) $ 1.89 $(0.15) 2003............. 11.05 0.15 (1.33) (1.18) (0.14) 2002............. 11.61 0.12 (0.56) (0.44) (0.12) 2001............. 10.38 0.19 1.24 1.43 (0.20) 2000............. 12.85 0.23 (1.49) (1.26) (0.22) DISTRIBUTION FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ --* $(0.01) 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.06) 2000............. -- (0.05) SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ -- $(0.25) 2003............. -- (0.33) 2002............. -- (0.46) 2001............. -- (0.56) 2000............. (0.01) (0.54) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ -- $ -- 2003............. (0.25) (0.25) 2002............. (0.07) (0.07) 2001............. (1.46) (1.46) 2000............. (0.19) (0.19) VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ -- $(0.15) 2003............. -- (0.14) 2002............. -- (0.12) 2001............. -- (0.20) 2000............. (0.99) (1.21)
* Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. + Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 31
RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO (LOSS) TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ ---------- ------------------- $ 1.00 0.52% $3,477,598 0.63% 0.52% 0.74% 1.00 1.17 4,284,266 0.63 1.14 0.74 1.00 2.29 3,907,203 0.63 2.22 0.74 1.00 5.75 3,728,371 0.63 5.57 0.75 1.00 5.20 3,311,229 0.60 5.06 0.75 $ 9.84 0.45% $ 282,188 0.70% 2.42% 0.75% 10.04 3.70 302,708 0.70 3.34 0.75 10.01 4.29 305,884 0.70 4.48 0.75 10.04 10.13 215,458 0.70 5.71 0.76 9.65 2.87 180,402 0.67 5.40 0.76 $20.25 33.31% $ 789,650 1.25% (0.83)% 1.25% 15.19 (10.50) 567,714 1.24 (0.87) 1.24 17.28 (5.55) 593,211 1.25 (1.01) 1.25 18.37 8.33 508,857 1.24 (0.95) 1.25 18.30 27.24 431,478 1.20 (0.86) 1.23 $11.47 19.58% $ 715,928 0.90% 1.40% 0.90% 9.73 (10.54) 681,899 0.89 1.68 0.89 11.05 (3.68) 686,014 0.90 1.13 0.90 11.61 14.09 704,842 0.90 1.70 0.90 10.38 (10.52) 921,797 0.89 2.02 0.89 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ---- N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 66% 89 142 87 70 107% 96 100 112 110 67% 46 60 77 62
32 PROSPECTUS PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website ("http://www.sec.gov"). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUST401K1004 (C) 2004, SunTrust Banks, Inc. is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc.
STI CLASSIC FUNDS BOND FUNDS A SHARES L SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND HIGH INCOME FUND INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND SHORT-TERM BOND FUND SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND STRATEGIC INCOME FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") (STI CLASSIC FUNDS LOGO) The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS CHOOSING A SHARES OR L SHARES The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the A Shares and L Shares of the Bond Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. A Shares and L Shares have different expenses and other characteristics, allowing you to choose the class that best suits your needs. You should consider the amount you want to invest, how long you plan to have it invested, and whether you plan to make additional investments. A SHARES - Front-end sales charge - 12b-1 fees - $2,000 minimum initial investment L SHARES - Contingent deferred sales charge - Higher 12b-1 fees - $5,000 minimum initial investment This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 5 FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 9 GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 12 HIGH INCOME FUND 15 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 19 INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 22 LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 25 MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 28 SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 31 SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 34 STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 38 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 41 VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 44 VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 47 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 49 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 49 INVESTMENT ADVISER 50 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 51 PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 58 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 58 TAXES 60 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHAKE FUND SHARES ICON) (DOLLAR SALES CHARGES ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund L Shares 4/16/03 CUSFX 784767626 Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A Shares 1/18/94 SFLTX 784766693 Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund L Shares 6/1/95 SCFEX 784766511 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A Shares 1/19/94 SGTEX 784766677 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund L Shares 6/6/95 SCGTX 784766495 High Income Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SAHIX 784767378 High Income Fund L Shares 5/4/94 STHIX 784767741 Investment Grade Bond Fund A Shares 6/11/92 STGIX 784766800 Investment Grade Bond Fund L Shares 6/7/95 SCIGX 784766578 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A Shares 6/9/92 SISIX 784766875 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund L Shares 6/1/95 SCITX 784766560 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund A Shares 7/18/94 SLTMX 784766610 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund L Shares 6/7/95 SCLFX 784766545 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SMMAX 784767329 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund L Shares 4/25/96 CMDBX 784766115 Short-Term Bond Fund A Shares 3/22/93 STSBX 784766818 Short-Term Bond Fund L Shares 6/20/95 SCBSX 784766537 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund A Shares 3/18/93 STSFX 784766784 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund L Shares 6/22/95 SSUSX 784766529 Strategic Income Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SAINX 784767311 Strategic Income Fund L Shares 11/30/01 STIFX 784767683 U.S. Government Securities Fund A Shares 6/6/94 SCUSX 784766636 U.S. Government Securities Fund L Shares 6/7/95 SGUSX 784766552 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund A Shares 5/5/93 CVIAX 784767204 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund L Shares 9/30/03 SVILX 784767261 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SVIAX 784767295 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund L Shares 4/14/95 CVMBX 784766149
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration U.S. government securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration U.S. government securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility and the relative safety of U.S. government securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, repurchase agreements, and U.S. government securities. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given maturity. Most securities are purchased with the intent to hold to maturity. However, circumstances may warrant or require that securities be sold prior to maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price per share (net asset value or NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interest rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) investing the Fund in U.S. government and agency securities. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and increase in value if interest rates fall. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile than shorter-term securities, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. L Shares were offered beginning April 16, 2003. Performance between April 11, 2002 and April 16, 2003 is that of Institutional Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect L Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares for the last year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 2003 0.63%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.52% -0.13% (3/30/03) (6/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.33%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index, iMoneyNet Government Institutional Average, and Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.63% 1.98% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.04% 1.19% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.35% 1.19% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 1.45% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average 0.75% 1.00% Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average 1.50% 2.11%
* Since inception of the Institutional Shares on April 11, 2002. Benchmark returns since March 31, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. iMoneyNet, Inc. Government Institutional Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements or securities issued by agencies of the U.S. Government. The number of funds in the Average varies. The Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average consists of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues, or better, and maintain a portfolio dollar-weighted average maturity between 91 days and 365 days. The number of Funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase the Fund's L Shares. In addition, the contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) normally imposed on L Shares has been waived. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L SHARES Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of net asset value)* None Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)** 2.00%
* See "Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." ** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.40% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.40% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund - L Shares 0.47%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $ 88 $274
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 5 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income exempt from federal income taxes for Florida residents with shares themselves expected to be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax INVESTMENT FOCUS Florida municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Florida residents who want income exempt from federal income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities with income exempt from federal income taxes, and the shares themselves are expected to be exempt from the Florida intangible personal property tax. Issuers of these securities can be located in Florida, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser tries to diversify the Fund's holdings within Florida. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 6 to 25 years. Under certain circumstances, such as a national financial emergency or a temporary decline in availability of Florida obligations, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the Florida intangible personal property tax and/or securities that generate income subject to federal personal income taxes. These securities may include short-term municipal securities outside Florida or certain taxable fixed income securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Florida subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Florida. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 15.70% 1996 3.73% 1997 7.60% 1998 5.94% 1999 -2.41% 2000 11.30% 2001 3.56% 2002 10.23% 2003 3.97%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.13% -2.35% (3/31/95) (6/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.79%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.10% 4.41% 5.31% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.28% 4.22% 5.13% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.30% 4.19% 5.02% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.05% Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.35% 4.44% 4.98%
* Since inception of the A Shares on January 18, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.47% 4.69% 5.24% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.55% Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.35% 4.44% 5.44%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 1, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Florida Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite index of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the Florida intermediate-term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.18% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.89% 1.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A Shares 0.86% Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - L Shares 1.42%
FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 8 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $462 $648 $850 $1,430 L Shares $374 $539 $928 $2,019
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $462 $648 $850 $1,430 L Shares $174 $539 $928 $2,019
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income exempt from federal and state income taxes for Georgia residents without undue risk INVESTMENT FOCUS Georgia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Georgia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities with income exempt from federal and Georgia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Georgia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser tries to diversify the Fund's holdings within Georgia. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 6 to 25 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Georgia subjects the Fund to economic conditions and government policies within Georgia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 10 PROSPECTUS reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 13.13% 1996 3.43% 1997 7.96% 1998 5.47% 1999 -2.49% 2000 9.30% 2001 4.00% 2002 8.94% 2003 3.63%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.84% -2.35% (3/31/95) (6/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.84%. GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 10 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -0.21% 3.79% 4.33% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.31% 3.75% 4.27% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.08% 3.73% 4.22% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.05% Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.61% 4.68% 4.93%
* Since inception of the A Shares on January 19, 1994. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.21% 4.10% 4.66% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.55% Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.61% 4.68% 5.63%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 6, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Georgia Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite index of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the Georgia intermediate-term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.18% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.90% 1.72%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A Shares 0.86% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - L Shares 1.42%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $463 $651 $855 $1,441 L Shares $375 $542 $933 $2,030
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $463 $651 $855 $1,441 L Shares $175 $542 $933 $2,030
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." HIGH INCOME FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY High current income SECONDARY Total return INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify lower-rated securities offering high current income of issuers generating adequate cash flow to meet their obligations INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income and who are willing to accept greater share price volatility through investment in high yield, below investment grade debt instruments
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The High Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of higher yielding, lower rated income producing securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund will invest at least 65%, and may invest up to 100%, of its assets in securities rated as "non-investment grade" by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or by Standard & Poor's Rating Services or in unrated securities if, in the Adviser's opinion, they are of comparable quality. Such securities are commonly known as "junk bonds" and offer greater risks than investment grade bonds (i.e., rated BBB- or above by S&P or Baa3 or above by Moody's). In selecting debt securities for the Fund the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the HIGH INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 13 issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The periods prior to March 28, 2000 represent the performance of the ESC Strategic Income Fund, the Fund's predecessor. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 14.91% 1996 5.84% 1997 5.05% 1998 4.43% 1999 1.28% 2000 -9.46% 2001 5.55% 2002 -3.75% 2003 24.83%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 8.56% -9.92% (6/30/03) (3/31/00)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.06%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 22.83% 3.06% 4.50% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 19.51% 0.03% 1.63% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 14.63% 0.67% 2.01% Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.97% 5.23% 7.43%
* Since inception of the L Shares on May 4, 1994. Benchmark returns since April 30, 1994 (benchmark returns available only a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index which covers the universe of fixed rate, non-investment grade debt. HIGH INCOME FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% 0.80% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.30% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.17% 1.87%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. High Income Fund - A Shares 1.03% High Income Fund - L Shares 1.40%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $490 $733 $ 995 $1,742 L Shares $390 $588 $1,011 $2,190
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $490 $733 $ 995 $1,742 L Shares $190 $588 $1,011 $2,190
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through current income and capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify relatively inexpensive securities in a selected market index INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Investment Grade Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade fixed income securities. The Adviser focuses on corporate debt securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, and mortgage-backed securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Currently, the Adviser's selected index is the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, a widely-recognized, unmanaged index of investment grade government and corporate debt securities. The Adviser seeks to invest more in portions of the Index that seem relatively inexpensive, and less in those that seem expensive. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of historical data, yield information and credit ratings. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.57% 1995 17.26% 1996 1.93% 1997 8.64% 1998 8.79% 1999 -1.93% 2000 6.13% 2001 8.68% 2002 6.99% 2003 3.28%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.02% -2.67% (6/30/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.77%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes -0.57% 3.76% 5.06% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -1.72% 1.87% 2.95% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -0.38% 2.00% 2.97% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 6.98% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.56% 5.81% 6.16%
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.78% 4.06% 5.13% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 7.33% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.10% 6.62% 7.24% Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.56% 5.81% 6.39%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 7, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective is a widely-recognized, equally weighted average that invests primarily in investment grade debt issues (rated in the top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. The number of funds in the Objective varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% 0.74% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.43% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.23% 1.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Investment Grade Bond Fund - A Shares 1.22% Investment Grade Bond Fund - L Shares 1.71%
INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 18 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $496 $751 $1,025 $1,808 L Shares $383 $566 $ 975 $2,116
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $496 $751 $1,025 $1,808 L Shares $183 $566 $ 975 $2,116
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through (i) current income that is exempt from federal income taxes and (ii) capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to invest more Fund assets in undervalued sectors and less in overvalued ones INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive tax-free current income and an increase in the value of their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade tax-exempt obligations, like municipal securities. The issuers of these securities may be located in any U.S. state, territory or possession. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or in certain taxable debt securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk as much as possible. Based on the Adviser's analysis of municipalities, credit risk, market trends and investment cycles, the Adviser attempts to invest more of the Fund's assets in undervalued market sectors and less in overvalued sectors. The Adviser also tries to identify and invest in municipal issuers with improving credit and avoid those with deteriorating credit. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.60% 1995 14.51% 1996 4.99% 1997 7.36% 1998 6.73% 1999 -0.75% 2000 10.41% 2001 5.09% 2002 9.92% 2003 3.97%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.87% -3.14% (3/31/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.62%. INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND 20 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.04% 4.84% 5.66% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.59% 4.10% 4.74% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.80% 4.09% 4.70% Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.13% 5.57% 5.42% Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.00% 4.87% 5.08%
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.57% 5.16% 5.65% Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.13% 5.57% 5.71% Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.00% 4.87% 5.37%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 1, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of intermediate investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 4 and 6 years. The Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the intermediate term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 21 This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% 0.74% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.43% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.23% 1.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A Shares 1.22% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - L Shares 1.70%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $496 $751 $1,025 $1,808 L Shares $383 $566 $ 975 $2,116
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $496 $751 $1,025 $1,808 L Shares $183 $566 $ 975 $2,116
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 22 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that are less prone to prepayment risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities, such as Fannie Mae, GNMA and collateralized mortgage obligations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to identify securities that the Adviser expects to perform well in rising and falling markets. The Adviser also attempts to reduce the risk that the underlying mortgages are prepaid by focusing on securities that it believes are less prone to this risk. For example, Fannie Mae or GNMA securities that were issued years ago may be less prone to prepayment risk because there have been many opportunities for prepayment, but few have occurred. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mortgage-backed securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 12.02% 1996 4.29% 1997 6.37% 1998 6.73% 1999 0.96% 2000 8.29% 2001 7.14% 2002 7.23% 2003 1.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.20% -1.00% (9/30/01) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index and the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
CLASS A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -1.38% 4.38% 5.43% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -2.34% 2.62% 3.31% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -0.90% 2.63% 3.29% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.15% 5.82% 6.42% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.06% 5.72% 6.38%
* Since inception of the A Shares on July 18, 1994. Benchmark returns since July 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
CLASS L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -1.17% 4.59% 5.06% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.15% 5.82% 6.23% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.06% 5.72% 6.18%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 7, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 24 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S.Treasuries/ Agencies Index includes U.S. government and agency bonds that have a minimum issue size of $150 million. The current market value of the Index is $1.50 trillion with a duration of 2.06 years and a yield to maturity of 2.48%. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of 1 year or greater and no more than 5 years. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 2.50% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.23% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.94% 1.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund - A Shares 0.91% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund - L Shares 1.31%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $344 $542 $757 $1,376 L Shares $374 $539 $928 $2,019
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $344 $542 $757 $1,376 L Shares $174 $539 $928 $2,019
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Maryland income tax, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Maryland municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Invests primarily in investment grade municipal securities INVESTOR PROFILE Maryland residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Maryland Municipal Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Maryland income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in certain taxable debt securities. Issuers of these securities can be located in Maryland, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. There are no limits on the Fund's average weighted maturity or on the remaining maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Maryland subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Maryland. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 26 PROSPECTUS This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1997 7.90% 1998 4.91% 1999 -4.17% 2000 10.29% 2001 3.62% 2002 7.88% 2003 3.25%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 3.98% -1.74% (9/30/02) (9/30/99)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.15%. MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 26 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.27% 4.05% 4.79% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.91% 3.97% 4.73% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 2.00% 3.87% 4.56% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.67% Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.10% 4.50% 5.43%
* Since inception of the L Shares on April 25, 1996. Benchmark returns since April 30, 1996 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Maryland Municipal Debt Funds Objective is an average of funds that limit their assets to those securities that are exempt from taxation in a specified state (double tax-exempt) or city (triple tax-exempt). The number of funds in the Objective varies. MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.15% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.11% 0.11% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.91% 1.76%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Maryland Municipal Bond Fund - A Shares 0.83% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund - L Shares 1.64%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $464 $654 $860 $1,453 L Shares $379 $554 $954 $2,073
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $464 $654 $860 $1,453 L Shares $179 $554 $954 $2,073
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 28 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better return than similar securities for a given level of credit risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Short-Term Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of short- to medium-term investment grade U.S. Treasury, corporate debt, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Fund expects that it will normally maintain an effective maturity of 3 years or less. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better investment return for a given level of credit risk. For example, short-term bonds generally have better returns than money market instruments, with a fairly modest increase in credit risk and/or volatility. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view towards maximizing returns. The Adviser analyzes yields, market sectors and credit risk in an effort to identify attractive investments with the best risk/reward trade-off. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans or underlying assets such as truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan, receivables or other assets underlying these securities. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in the market place. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayment or prepayment of the underlying asset that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 29 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.33% 1995 11.68% 1996 3.66% 1997 6.46% 1998 6.73% 1999 0.76% 2000 7.39% 2001 7.33% 2002 2.47% 2003 2.03%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 3.81% -0.79% (6/30/95) (12/31/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.26%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.30% 3.59% 4.57% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.57% 1.88% 2.64% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.19% 1.98% 2.67% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.88% 5.86% 5.93%
SINCE L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -0.14% 3.67% 4.49% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.88% 5.86% 6.13%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 20, 1995. Benchmark returns since June 30, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency obligations, and corporate debt securities rated at least investment grade (BBB). The securities in the Index have maturities of 1 year or greater and less than 3 years. SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 30 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 2.00% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.23% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.94% 1.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term Bond Fund - A Shares 0.90% Short-Term Bond Fund - L Shares 1.26%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $294 $494 $ 710 $1,332 L Shares $374 $539 $ 928 $2,019
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $294 $494 $ 710 $1,332 L Shares $174 $539 $ 928 $2,019
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 31 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Short-term U.S. Treasury securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify Treasury securities with maturities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than either shorter maturity or longer maturity securities for a given level of interest rate risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury securities (those with remaining maturities of 3 years or less) and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund intends to maintain an average weighted maturity from 1 to 2 years. The Fund offers investors the opportunity to capture the advantage of investing in short-term bonds over money market instruments. Generally, short-term bonds offer a comparably better return than money market instruments, with a modest increase in interest rate risk. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view toward maximizing returns and yield. The Adviser tries to select those U.S. Treasury securities that offer the best risk/reward trade-off. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. Treasury securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 1.28% 1995 8.39% 1996 4.38% 1997 5.70% 1998 6.09% 1999 2.55% 2000 6.48% 2001 6.39% 2002 4.36% 2003 1.20%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 2.60% -0.23% (3/31/95) (3/31/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.44%. SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 32 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index and the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 0.22% 3.97% 4.55% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.54% 2.46% 2.80% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 0.27% 2.45% 2.78% Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.88% 5.37% 5.65% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.18% 3.67% 4.47%
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -1.12% 3.94% 4.46% Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.88% 5.37% 5.82% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.18% 3.67% 4.39%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 22, 1995. Benchmark returns since June 30, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of one year or greater and less than three years. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 33 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 1.00% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.18% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.90% 1.72%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund - A Shares 0.85% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund - L Shares 1.11%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $191 $384 $593 $1,197 L Shares $375 $542 $933 $2,030
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $191 $384 $593 $1,197 L Shares $175 $542 $933 $2,030
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 34 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income while reducing share price volatility through diversification across three major sectors of the fixed income market INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income with reduced risk of share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Strategic Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of high yield corporate, U.S. government and international bonds. The Fund will maintain a minimum average credit quality rating of BBB. The Fund will invest at least 15%, but not more than 60%, of its assets in a particular sector. In selecting debt securities for the Fund the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 35 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the changes in performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 2002 3.08% 2003 10.91%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.96% -1.00% (6/30/03) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.41%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index, Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index and the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 8.91% 6.16% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 6.82% 4.00% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 5.78% 3.92% Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 10.27% 7.25% Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.36% 6.01% Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.15% 11.19% Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 1.90% 3.98%
* Since inception of the L Shares on November 30, 2001. STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 36 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index is a widely-recognized U.S. government index that tracks the performance of the combined U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency markets. It includes U.S. dollar- denominated, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency bonds, issued in the U.S. domestic bond market, having at least one year remaining term to maturity, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $1 billion for U.S. Treasuries and $150 million for U.S. agencies. The Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index that tracks the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index is a widely-recognized subset of the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index including Belgian, Danish, Irish, Italian, New Zealand, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish returns. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, broad-based index consisting of various maturities comprising Australian, Canadian, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Swiss, U.K., and U.S. individual country returns. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.85% 0.85% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.35% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.11% 0.11% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.31% 1.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Income Fund - A Shares 1.15% Strategic Income Fund - L Shares 1.43%
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 37 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return and Fund operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $503 $775 $1,066 $1,895 L Shares $399 $615 $1,057 $2,285
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $503 $775 $1,066 $1,895 L Shares $199 $615 $1,057 $2,285
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 38 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low to moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations. In an attempt to provide a consistently high dividend without adding undue risk, the Fund focuses its investments in mortgage-backed securities. The effective average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range between 4 and 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 16.95% 1996 2.08% 1997 8.60% 1998 7.74% 1999 -1.49% 2000 10.50% 2001 6.61% 2002 9.23% 2003 0.87%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.81% -2.31% (6/30/95) (3/31/96)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.34%. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 39 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index and the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -2.89% 4.25% 5.67% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -4.04% 2.26% 3.49% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares -1.85% 2.37% 3.47% Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.84% 6.46% 7.53% Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.29% 6.18% 6.87%
* Since inception of the A Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes -1.68% 4.52% 5.21% Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.84% 6.46% 7.11% Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 2.29% 6.18% 6.62%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 7, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index is a synthetic index created by combining, at their respective market weights (i) the Merrill Lynch Government Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities with a maturity of at least 1 year; and (ii) the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of mortgage-backed securities including 15 and 30 year single family mortgages in addition to aggregated pooled mortgages. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency obligations, and corporate debt backed by the U.S. Government, fixed-rate nonconvertible corporate debt securities, Yankee bonds, and nonconvertible debt securities issued by or guaranteed by foreign governments and agencies. All securities in the Index are rated investment grade (BBB) or higher, with maturities of at least 1 year. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 40 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% 0.74% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.38% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.18% 1.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the L Share total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Government Securities Fund - L Shares 1.73%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $491 $736 $1,000 $1,753 L Shares $383 $566 $ 975 $2,116
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $491 $736 $1,000 $1,753 L Shares $183 $566 $ 975 $2,116
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 41 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income tax, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to limit risk by investing in investment grade municipal securities with an intermediate average maturity INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be invested in certain taxable debt securities. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. The Adviser also considers stability and growth of principal. The Adviser expects that the Fund's average weighted maturity will range from 5 to 10 years but there is no limit on the maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic and government policies of Virginia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 -6.47% 1995 14.37% 1996 2.94% 1997 7.24% 1998 5.32% 1999 -2.43% 2000 9.35% 2001 4.50% 2002 7.83% 2003 3.78%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.10% -6.72% (3/31/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.04%. VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 42 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes -0.14% 3.74% 4.09% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions -0.28% 3.64% 4.02% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 1.17% 3.71% 4.05% Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.13% 5.57% 5.42% Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 3.72% 4.43% 4.58%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 5-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index composed of tax-exempt bonds with maturities ranging between 4 and 6 years. The Lipper Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Objective is an average of funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years and are exempt from taxation on a specified city or state basis. The number of funds in the Objective varies. VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 43 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.15% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.86% 1.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund - A Shares 0.79% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund - L Shares 1.55%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $459 $639 $834 $1,396 L Shares $374 $539 $928 $2,019
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $459 $639 $834 $1,396 L Shares $174 $539 $928 $2,019
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 44 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Invests primarily in investment grade municipal securities INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Virginia Municipal Bond Fund invests substantially all of its assets in municipal securities, including securities subject to the alternative minimum tax, with income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to limit risk by buying investment grade securities. There are no limits on the Fund's average weighted maturity or on the remaining maturities of individual securities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or regulatory occurrence affecting one or more of these issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic conditions and government policies of Virginia. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1996 0.81% 1997 7.91% 1998 4.83% 1999 -5.68% 2000 10.72% 2001 3.30% 2002 8.21% 2003 3.33%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.48% -2.93% (9/30/02) (3/31/96)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -1.49%. VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 45 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index and the Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 1.35% 3.82% 4.60% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 0.97% 3.73% 4.48% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 2.19% 3.70% 4.39% Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 5.70% 5.91% 6.81% Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 4.61% 4.59% 5.80%
* Since inception of the L Shares on April 14, 1995. Benchmark returns since March 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers 10-Year Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of long-term investment grade tax-exempt bonds. The Index includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prefunded bonds with maturities between 8 and 12 years. The Index represents various market sectors and geographic locations. The Lipper Virginia Municipal Debt Funds Objective is a composite index of mutual funds with investment goals similar to the Fund's goals. It reports the average return of the Virginia intermediate-term municipal bond mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. The number of funds in the Objective varies. VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND 46 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.15% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.08% 0.08% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.88% 1.73%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the L share total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Virginia Municipal Bond Fund - L Shares 1.70%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $461 $645 $844 $1,419 L Shares $376 $545 $939 $2,041
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $461 $645 $844 $1,419 L Shares $176 $545 $939 $2,041
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 47 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK All Funds Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK All Funds The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK All Funds The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 48 PROSPECTUS securities may be subject to the following additional risks: CREDIT RISK Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund The possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. MUNICIPAL ISSUER RISK Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers may also adversely affect the value of a Fund's municipal securities. Constitutional or legislative limits on borrowing by municipal issuers may result in reduced supplies of municipal securities. Moreover, certain municipal securities are backed only by a municipal issuer's ability to levy and collect taxes. In addition, a Fund's concentration of investments in issuers located in a single state makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse political or economic developments affecting that state. The Fund also may be riskier than mutual funds that buy securities of issuers in numerous states. FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund High Income Fund Strategic Income Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. REGIONAL RISK Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund To the extent that a Fund's investments are concentrated in a specific geographic region, a Fund may be subject to the political and other developments affecting that region. Regional economies are often closely interrelated, and political and economic developments affecting one region, country or state often affect other regions, countries or states, thus subjecting a Fund to additional risks. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 49 (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. In addition, the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Investment Grade Bond Fund, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund, Short-Term Bond Fund, Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and the U.S. Government Securities Fund each may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, Trusco had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.12% Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.61% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.61% High Income Fund 0.65% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.72% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.71% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.60% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.57% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.60% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.59% Strategic Income Fund 0.75% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.71% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.65%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 50 PROSPECTUS PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Joseph Calabrese, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND and the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Calabrese served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. George E. Calvert, Jr., has served as Vice President of Trusco since August 2000. He has managed the MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND and the VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND since August 2000. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Calvert served as a fixed income trader from 1998 to 2000 for Tredegar Trust Company. He also served as Vice President, Investment Division, of Central Fidelity Bank from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Calvert has more than 26 years of investment experience. Mr. Chris Carter, CFA, has served as a Vice President since joining Trusco in July 2003. He has managed the GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since August 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Carter served as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader of Evergreen Asset Management Company from January 2002 to July 2003, after serving as a Portfolio Manager and Fixed Income Trader of Wachovia Asset Management from September 1998 to January 2002. Prior to joining Wachovia Asset Management, he served as an Assistant Portfolio Manager and Trader for Wachovia Bank, N.A. from October 1994 to September 1998. He has more than 13 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004, after managing it since it began operating in April 2003. Mr. Corner has also co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. George Goudelias has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Goudelias served as Director of High Yield Research of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from February 2001 to May 2004. Prior to joining Seix, Mr. Goudelias was employed at JP Morgan Securities, Inc. as a Senior High Yield Research Analyst from July 1998 to February 2001. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Michael McEachern, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND and the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. McEachern served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from June 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003 and the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management from June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. Ronald Schwartz, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1988. He has managed the FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since it began operating in January 1994 and the INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND since it began operating in June 1992. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND, LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, and U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group form February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since October PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 51 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Webb served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 2000 to May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Fixed Income, at Conning Asset Management from June 1995 to May 2000. He has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND since July 1996. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") or exchange A Shares and L Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your account is established, you may buy shares of the Funds by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) * The Funds do not accept cash as payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through investment representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for Fund share transactions. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by a Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding a Fund to your institution. A Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. If the NYSE closes early -- such as on days in advance of certain holidays -- the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, a Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Certain Funds may hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 52 PROSPECTUS MINIMUM/MAXIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest in any Fund (with the exception of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund) at least:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 L Shares (with the exception of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA or Super Short Income Plus other tax qualified Fund) accounts)
To purchase shares of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for the first time, you must invest at least:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT L Shares $50,000
Purchases of L Shares of the Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund requested in an amount of $100,000 or more will be automatically made in A Shares of that Fund. Purchases of L Shares of the Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund or the Short-Term Bond Fund requested in an amount of $250,000 or more will be automatically made in A Shares of that Fund. Purchases of L Shares of any other Fund (with the exception of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund) requested in an amount of $1,000,000 or more will be automatically made in A Shares of that Fund. Your subsequent investments in any Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. A Fund may accept investments of smaller amounts for either class of shares at its discretion. FUNDLINK FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call SunTrust at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase shares of either class automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $500 minimum initial investment ($50,000 for the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund), you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 to $100,000 once or twice a month. If you are buying L Shares, you should plan on investing at least $5,000 per Fund ($50,000 for the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund) during the first two years. The Distributor may close your account if you do not meet this minimum investment requirement at the end of two years. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 53 Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. (DOLLAR ICON) SALES CHARGES FRONT-END SALES CHARGES -- A SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after a Fund receives your request, plus the front-end sales charge. The amount of any front-end sales charge included in your offering price varies, depending on the amount of your investment: Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund High Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Maryland Municipal Bond Fund Strategic Income Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund Virginia Municipal Bond Fund
YOUR SALES CHARGE YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AS A PERCENTAGE OF IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: OFFERING PRICE* YOUR NET INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 3.75% 3.90% $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.25% 3.36% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.50% 2.56% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The Distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the Distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund
YOUR SALES CHARGE YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AS A PERCENTAGE OF IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: OFFERING PRICE* YOUR NET INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 2.50% 2.50% $100,000 but less than $250,000 1.75% 1.78% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.25% 1.27% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The Distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the Distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. Short-Term Bond Fund
YOUR SALES CHARGE YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AS A PERCENTAGE OF IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: OFFERING PRICE* YOUR NET INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 2.00% 2.04% $100,000 but less than $250,000 1.50% 1.52% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.00% 1.01% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The Distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the Distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 54 PROSPECTUS Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund
YOUR SALES CHARGE YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AS A PERCENTAGE OF IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: OFFERING PRICE* YOUR NET INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 1.00% 1.01% $100,000 but less than $250,000 0.75% 0.76% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 0.50% 0.50% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The Distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the Distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. INVESTMENTS OF $1,000,000 OR MORE. You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of A Shares (excluding A Shares of STI Classic Money Market Funds) in either a single investment or through our rights of accumulation, letter of intent, or combined purchase/quantity discount programs. However, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if you redeem any of these A Shares within one year of purchase. The deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lessor of (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sales request. The deferred sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. WAIVER OF FRONT-END SALES CHARGE -- A SHARES The front-end sales charge will be waived on A Shares purchased: - through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; - through a SunTrust Securities, Inc. asset allocation account; - by persons repurchasing shares they redeemed within the last 180 days (see "Repurchase of A Shares"); - by employees, and members of their immediate family (spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and children (including step-children) under the age of 21 years), of SunTrust and its affiliates; - by persons reinvesting distributions from qualified employee benefit retirement plans and rollovers from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) previously with the Trust department of a bank affiliated with SunTrust; - by persons investing an amount less than or equal to the value of an account distribution when an account for which a bank affiliated with SunTrust acted in a fiduciary, administrative, custodial or investment advisory capacity is closed; or - through dealers, retirement plans, asset allocation programs and financial institutions that, under their dealer agreements with the Distributor or otherwise, do not receive any portion of the front-end sales charge. REPURCHASE OF A SHARES You may repurchase any amount of A Shares of any Fund at NAV (without the normal front-end sales charge), up to the limit of the value of any amount of A Shares (other than those which were purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions) that you redeemed within the past 180 days. In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without re-paying the front-end sales charge. Such repurchases may be subject to special tax rules. See the section on Taxes in the Statement of Additional Information for more information. To exercise this privilege, the Funds must receive your purchase order within 180 days of your redemption. In addition, you must notify the Fund when you send in your purchase order that you are repurchasing shares. REDUCED SALES CHARGES -- A SHARES RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. In calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, this right allows you to add the market value (at the close of business on the day of the current purchase) of the A Shares you already own to the amount that you are currently purchasing. The Funds will combine the value of your current purchases with the current value of any A Shares you purchased previously for (i) your account, (ii) your spouse's account, (iii) a joint account with your spouse, or (iv) your minor children's trust or custodial accounts. A fiduciary purchasing shares for the same fiduciary account, trust or estate may also use this right of accumulation. The Funds will only consider the market value of A Shares purchased previously that were sold subject to a sales charge. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares already owned, you must ask the Funds for the reduction at the time of purchase. You may be required to provide the Funds with your account number(s), account name(s), and copies of the account statements, and, if applicable, the account number(s), account name(s), and copies of the account statements, for your spouse and/or children (and provide the children's ages). Your financial institution may require documentation or other information in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 55 The Funds may amend or terminate this right of accumulation at any time. LETTER OF INTENT. You may purchase A Shares at the sales charge rate applicable to the total amount of the purchases you intend to make over a 13-month period. In other words, a Letter of Intent allows you to purchase A Shares of a Fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if you had purchased all the shares at the same time. The Funds will only consider the value of A Shares sold subject to a sales charge. As a result, shares of the A Shares purchased with dividends or distributions will not be included in the calculation. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares you intend to purchase over the 13-month period, you must send the Funds a Letter of Intent. In calculating the total amount of purchases you may include in your letter purchases made up to 90 days before the date of the Letter. The 13-month period begins on the date of the first purchase, including those purchases made in the 90-day period before the date of the Letter. Please note that the purchase price of these prior purchases will not be adjusted. You are not legally bound by the terms of your Letter of Intent to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the Letter. The Letter does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 3.75% of the total amount you intend to purchase. If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, the Fund's transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased). COMBINED PURCHASE/QUANTITY DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE. When calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, the Fund will combine same day purchases of A Shares (that are subject to a sales charge) made by you, your spouse and your minor children (under age 21). This combination also applies to A Shares you purchase with a Letter of Intent. You can also obtain this information about sales charges, rights of accumulation and letters of intent on the Funds' website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC) -- L SHARES You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase L Shares. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. But if you sell your shares within the first year after your purchase, you will pay a CDSC equal to 2.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sale request, whichever is less. The sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. So, you never pay a deferred sales charge on any increase in your investment above the initial offering price. This sales charge does not apply to the exchange of L Shares of one Fund for L Shares of another Fund. WAIVER OF CDSC The CDSC will be waived if you sell your L Shares for the following reasons: - to make certain withdrawals from a retirement plan (not including IRAs); - because of death or disability; or - for certain payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan -- up to 12% annually of the value of your shares of each Fund held at the time of the withdrawal (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is discussed later in more detail). If you sell your L Shares of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund you will not pay a CDSC. For more information see "How to Exchange Your Shares." OFFERING PRICE OF FUND SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after the transfer agent receives your request, plus the front-end sales load. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Fund in writing and include a PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 56 PROSPECTUS signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request less, in the case of L Shares, any applicable deferred sales charge. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the systematic withdrawal plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from any Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliates bank, electronically transferred to your account. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after a Fund receives your request, but may take up to seven days. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below the required minimum you may be required to sell your shares. The account balance minimums (with the exception of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund) are:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 ($5,000 for Strategic Income Fund) L Shares $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA or other tax qualified accounts)
The account balance minimum for the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund is:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT L Shares $50,000
But, the Funds will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of a Fund, all Funds reserve the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) a Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) a Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund as outlined under "Market Timers" as defined later in this prospectus. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 57 EXCHANGES When you exchange shares, you are really selling your shares and buying other Fund shares. So, your sale price and purchase price will be based on the NAV next calculated after the Fund(s) receives your exchange request. A SHARES You may exchange A Shares of any Fund for A Shares of any other Fund. If you exchange shares that you purchased without a sales charge or with a lower sales charge into a Fund with a sales charge or with a higher sales charge, the exchange is subject to an incremental sales charge (e.g., the difference between the lower and higher applicable sales charges). If you exchange shares into a Fund with the same, lower or no sales charge there is no incremental sales charge for the exchange. L SHARES You may exchange L Shares of any Fund for L Shares of any other Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to L Shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by any exchange. However, if you exchange L Shares of any STI Classic Fund for L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, you must first pay any applicable CDSC for the shares you are selling. Similarly, if you exchange L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund, any CDSC for the Fund you are exchanging into will be computed from the date of the exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase A Shares or L Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive any dealer commissions and also may not be eligible to receive 12b-1 fees from the original date of purchase. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES Each Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. While L Shares are sold without any initial sales charge, the distributor may pay at the time of sale up to 2% of the amount invested to broker-dealers and other DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 58 PROSPECTUS financial intermediaries who sell L Shares. Through the distribution plan, the distributor is reimbursed for these payments, as well as other distribution related services provided by the distributor. Maximum distribution fees, as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows: For A Shares: Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.18% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.18% High Income Fund 0.30% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.43% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.43% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.23% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.15% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.23% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.18% Strategic Income Fund 0.35% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.38% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.15% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.15%
For L Shares, the maximum distribution fee (with the exception of the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund) is 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The maximum distribution fee for the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund is 0.40%. The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 59 taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates on qualifying dividend income. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER STI CLASSIC FUND IS THE SAME AS A SALE. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and Virginia Municipal Bond Fund intend to distribute federally tax-exempt income. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate taxable income for federal or state income taxes. Income exempt from federal tax may be subject to state and local taxes. Any capital gains distributed by these Funds may be taxable. While shareholders of state specific Funds may receive distributions that are exempt from that particular state's income tax, such distributions may be taxable in other states where the shareholder files tax returns. Except for those certain Funds that expect to distribute federally tax-exempt income (described above), the Funds expect to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends currently taxable at a maximum rate of 35%. The Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund and the U.S. Government Securities Fund each expect that a substantial portion of Fund distributions will represent interest earned on U.S. obligations, while the Investment Grade Bond Fund and the Short-Term Bond Fund expect that some portion of each Fund's distributions will be so derived. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 60 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------ -------------- ---------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND L Shares 2004........................ $10.01 $0.10++ $(0.05)++ $ 0.05 2003(1)..................... 10.00 0.02 0.01 0.03 FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $11.69 $0.30++ $(0.56)++ $(0.26) 2003........................ 10.95 0.38 0.79 1.17 2002........................ 10.79 0.38 0.22 0.60 2001........................ 10.07 0.42 0.72 1.14 2000........................ 10.60 0.42 (0.49) (0.07) L Shares 2004........................ $11.71 $0.24++ $(0.55)++ $(0.31) 2003........................ 10.97 0.32 0.79 1.11 2002........................ 10.81 0.32 0.22 0.54 2001........................ 10.09 0.37 0.72 1.09 2000........................ 10.62 0.36 (0.49) (0.13) GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.90 $0.32++ $(0.58)++ $(0.26) 2003........................ 10.31 0.35 0.59 0.94 2002........................ 10.12 0.37 0.19 0.56 2001........................ 9.51 0.38 0.61 0.99 2000........................ 10.05 0.38 (0.50) (0.12) L Shares 2004........................ $10.90 $0.27++ $(0.58)++ $(0.31) 2003........................ 10.30 0.30 0.60 0.90 2002........................ 10.11 0.32 0.19 0.51 2001........................ 9.51 0.33 0.60 0.93 2000........................ 10.04 0.33 (0.49) (0.16) HIGH INCOME FUND(A) A Shares 2004(2)..................... $ 7.39 $0.35++ $(0.01)++ $ 0.34 L Shares 2004........................ $ 7.16 $0.57++ $ 0.22++ $ 0.79 2003........................ 7.25 0.57 (0.09) 0.48 2002........................ 7.69 0.55 (0.44) 0.11 2001........................ 7.88 0.55 (0.19) 0.36 2000(3)..................... 7.98 0.09 (0.10) (0.01) For the year ended March 31: 2000........................ 9.77 0.87 (1.85) (0.98) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ----------------- ------------- ----------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND L Shares 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003(1)..................... (0.02) -- (0.02) FLORIDA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.30) $(0.20) $(0.50) 2003........................ (0.38) (0.05) (0.43) 2002........................ (0.38) (0.06) (0.44) 2001........................ (0.42) -- (0.42) 2000........................ (0.42) (0.04) (0.46) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.24) $(0.20) $(0.44) 2003........................ (0.32) (0.05) (0.37) 2002........................ (0.32) (0.06) (0.38) 2001........................ (0.37) -- (0.37) 2000........................ (0.36) (0.04) (0.40) GEORGIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.32) $(0.07) $(0.39) 2003........................ (0.35) -- (0.35) 2002........................ (0.37) -- (0.37) 2001........................ (0.38) -- (0.38) 2000........................ (0.38) (0.04) (0.42) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.27) $(0.07) $(0.34) 2003........................ (0.30) -- (0.30) 2002........................ (0.32) -- (0.32) 2001........................ (0.33) -- (0.33) 2000........................ (0.33) (0.04) (0.37) HIGH INCOME FUND(A) A Shares 2004(2)..................... $(0.35) $ -- $(0.35) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.57) $ -- $(0.57) 2003........................ (0.57) -- (0.57) 2002........................ (0.55) -- (0.55) 2001........................ (0.55) -- (0.55) 2000(3)..................... (0.09) -- (0.09) For the year ended March 31: 2000........................ (0.81) -- (0.81)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. ++ Per share data calculated using average shares method. (1) Commenced operations on April 16, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (2) A shares commenced operations on October 27, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) For the two month period ended May 31, 2000. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) On March 28, 2000, the ESC Strategic Income Fund exchanged all of its assets and certain liabilities for shares of the High Income Fund. The ESC Strategic Income Fund is the accounting survivor in this transaction, and as a result, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities and its operating results for the periods prior to March 28, 2000 have been carried forward in these financial highlights. Subsequent to the merger, the High Income Fund changed its fiscal year end to May 31. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 61
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.93 0.47% $38,159 0.47% 10.01 0.27 23,758 0.47 $10.93 (2.28)% $ 5,906 0.92% 11.69 10.89 8,191 0.92 10.95 5.66 2,935 0.92 10.79 11.50 2,747 0.91 10.07 (0.68) 2,875 0.87 $10.96 (2.68)% $19,952 1.42% 11.71 10.32 40,241 1.42 10.97 5.15 21,897 1.42 10.81 10.95 12,806 1.41 10.09 (1.17) 9,791 1.37 $10.25 (2.39)% $ 2,735 0.92% 10.90 9.29 2,630 0.92 10.31 5.58 2,844 0.92 10.12 10.56 2,901 0.91 9.51 (1.26) 2,458 0.87 $10.25 (2.87)% $13,351 1.42% 10.90 8.86 16,591 1.42 10.30 5.07 14,269 1.42 10.11 9.92 14,079 1.41 9.51 (1.59) 8,827 1.37 $ 7.38 4.61% $ 1,508 1.10% $ 7.38 11,23% $75,693 1.40% 7.16 7.52 64,418 1.40 7.25 1.46 46,864 1.40 7.69 4.74 19,875 1.40 7.88 (0.13) 3,075 1.40 7.98 (10.84) 2,032 1.73 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 1.01% 0.94% 109% 0.99 1.06 87 2.62% 1.13% 56% 3.29 1.13 62 3.44 1.37 91 4.00 1.38 59 4.05 1.36 88 2.14% 1.81% 56% 2.81 1.80 62 2.93 1.84 91 3.49 1.89 59 3.54 1.89 88 3.06% 1.36% 100% 3.34 1.41 17 3.58 1.36 23 3.83 1.42 21 3.93 1.40 19 2.55% 1.84% 100% 2.84 1.84 17 3.08 1.84 23 3.33 1.89 21 3.43 1.95 19 7.80% 1.88% 49% 7.62% 1.98% 49% 8.43 2.00 20 7.35 2.02 59 6.88 2.13 10 6.57 2.83 -- 8.94 2.95 24
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 62 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.94 $0.31++ $(0.60)++ 2003........................ 10.24 0.38 0.74 2002........................ 10.23 0.48 0.01 2001........................ 9.58 0.57 0.65 2000........................ 10.36 0.57 (0.78) L Shares 2004........................ $10.95 $0.25++ $(0.60)++ 2003........................ 10.25 0.31 0.76 2002........................ 10.24 0.42 0.01 2001........................ 9.59 0.53 0.65 2000........................ 10.37 0.52 (0.78) INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $12.03 $0.23++ $(0.33)++ 2003........................ 11.58 0.25 0.91 2002........................ 11.39 0.29 0.46 2001........................ 10.68 0.40 0.71 2000........................ 11.12 0.39 (0.30) L Shares 2004........................ $12.01 $0.17++ $(0.32)++ 2003........................ 11.57 0.20 0.90 2002........................ 11.38 0.24 0.46 2001........................ 10.67 0.34 0.71 2000........................ 11.10 0.34 (0.29) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.29) $(0.34) $ -- $(0.34) 2003........................ 1.12 (0.42) -- (0.42) 2002........................ 0.49 (0.48) -- (0.48) 2001........................ 1.22 (0.57) -- (0.57) 2000........................ (0.21) (0.57) -- (0.57) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.35) $(0.29) $ -- $(0.29) 2003........................ 1.07 (0.37) -- (0.37) 2002........................ 0.43 (0.42) -- (0.42) 2001........................ 1.18 (0.53) -- (0.53) 2000........................ (0.26) (0.52) -- (0.52) INVESTMENT GRADE TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.10) $(0.22) $(0.25) $(0.47) 2003........................ 1.16 (0.25) (0.46) (0.71) 2002........................ 0.75 (0.29) (0.27) (0.56) 2001........................ 1.11 (0.40) -- (0.40) 2000........................ 0.09 (0.39) (0.14) (0.53) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.15) $(0.17) $(0.25) $(0.42) 2003........................ 1.10 (0.20) (0.46) (0.66) 2002........................ 0.70 (0.24) (0.27) (0.51) 2001........................ 1.05 (0.34) -- (0.34) 2000........................ 0.05 (0.34) (0.14) (0.48)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. ++ Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 63
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.31 (2.70)% $31,263 1.22% 10.94 11.16 34,874 1.22 10.24 4.81 20,825 1.22 10.23 13.09 21,244 1.21 9.58 (2.17) 22,553 1.17 $10.31 (3.27)% $24,327 1.71% 10.95 10.61 37,810 1.71 10.25 4.27 36,200 1.71 10.24 12.54 25,791 1.70 9.59 (2.63) 20,056 1.66 $11.46 (0.85)% $19,086 1.22% 12.03 10.42 21,756 1.22 11.58 6.71 20,436 1.22 11.39 10.48 18,601 1.21 10.68 0.90 19,443 1.17 $11.44 (1.33)% $22,969 1.70% 12.01 9.82 32,684 1.70 11.57 6.21 24,587 1.70 11.38 9.97 20,010 1.69 10.67 0.52 14,678 1.65 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 2.90% 1.38% 119% 3.45 1.38 137 4.40 1.40 123 5.77 1.42 131 5.60 1.37 202 2.40% 2.00% 119% 3.01 1.97 137 3.90 1.96 123 5.24 1.99 131 5.14 1.99 202 1.92% 1.36% 242% 2.16 1.36 329 2.51 1.36 311 3.54 1.37 285 3.59 1.33 226 1.45% 1.92% 242% 1.68 1.91 329 2.03 1.92 311 3.04 1.96 285 3.11 1.95 226
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 64 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.57 $0.21++ $(0.35)++ 2003........................ 10.29 0.24++ 0.44++ 2002........................ 10.00 0.40 0.31 2001........................ 9.60 0.53 0.40 2000........................ 9.93 0.52 (0.33) L Shares 2004........................ $10.59 $0.17++ $(0.35)++ 2003........................ 10.31 0.21++ 0.43++ 2002........................ 10.02 0.37 0.31 2001........................ 9.62 0.50 0.40 2000........................ 9.94 0.49 (0.32) MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND L Shares 2004........................ $10.96 $0.26++ $(0.47)++ 2003........................ 10.34 0.27 0.63 2002........................ 10.14 0.29 0.20 2001........................ 9.48 0.33 0.66 2000........................ 10.08 0.33 (0.60) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.14) $(0.27) $ -- $(0.27) 2003........................ 0.68 (0.39) (0.01) (0.40) 2002........................ 0.71 (0.40) (0.02) (0.42) 2001........................ 0.93 (0.53) -- (0.53) 2000........................ 0.19 (0.52) -- (0.52) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.18) $(0.23) $ -- $(0.23) 2003........................ 0.64 (0.35) (0.01) (0.36) 2002........................ 0.68 (0.37) (0.02) (0.39) 2001........................ 0.90 (0.50) -- (0.50) 2000........................ 0.17 (0.49) -- (0.49) MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND L Shares 2004........................ $(0.21) $(0.26) $(0.20) $(0.46) 2003........................ 0.90 (0.27) (0.01) (0.28) 2002........................ 0.49 (0.29) -- (0.29) 2001........................ 0.99 (0.33) -- (0.33) 2000........................ (0.27) (0.33) -- (0.33)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. ++ Per share data were calculated using the average shares method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 65
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.16 (1.36)% $ 9,495 0.96% 10.57 6.72 13,668 0.96 10.29 7.16 1,578 0.96 10.00 9.84 849 0.95 9.60 1.93 1,194 0.92 $10.18 (1.71)% $ 70,000 1.31% 10.59 6.33 166,211 1.31 10.31 6.83 15,930 1.31 10.02 9.50 3,452 1.30 9.62 1.71 1,706 1.27 $10.29 (1.97)% $ 18,897 1.64% 10.96 8.81 29,556 1.64 10.34 4.84 23,215 1.64 10.14 10.59 12,090 1.63 9.48 (2.66) 6,212 1.59 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 2.06% 1.17% 146% 2.33 1.20 117 3.50 2.06 410 5.39 2.28 532 5.31 1.09 384 1.68% 1.82% 146% 1.97 1.80 117 2.88 1.98 410 4.99 2.60 532 4.97 2.38 384 2.46% 1.82% 15% 2.52 1.81 31 2.75 1.83 45 3.24 1.97 42 3.34 1.95 14
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 66 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- SHORT-TERM BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.07 $0.22(1) $(0.20)(1) 2003........................ 10.04 0.31 0.03 2002........................ 10.06 0.44 (0.02) 2001........................ 9.67 0.54 0.39 2000........................ 9.93 0.51 (0.25) L Shares 2004........................ $10.06 $0.19(1) $(0.20)(1) 2003........................ 10.03 0.28 0.03 2002........................ 10.06 0.40 (0.03) 2001........................ 9.67 0.52 0.39 2000........................ 9.93 0.48 (0.25) SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.35 $0.12(1) $(0.13)(1) 2003........................ 10.19 0.20 0.22 2002........................ 10.13 0.35 0.09 2001........................ 9.85 0.48 0.28 2000........................ 9.95 0.45 (0.10) L Shares 2004........................ $10.34 $0.10(1) $(0.13)(1) 2003........................ 10.18 0.17 0.22 2002........................ 10.11 0.33 0.10 2001........................ 9.83 0.46 0.28 2000........................ 9.93 0.42 (0.10) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND A Shares 2004(3)..................... $ 9.93 $0.33(1) $(0.07)(1) L Shares 2004........................ $ 9.99 $0.50(1) $(0.14)(1) 2003........................ 9.80 0.57 0.19 2002(2)..................... 10.00 0.25 (0.20) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- SHORT-TERM BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 0.02 $(0.22) $ -- $(0.22) 2003........................ 0.34 (0.31) -- (0.31) 2002........................ 0.42 (0.44) -- (0.44) 2001........................ 0.93 (0.54) -- (0.54) 2000........................ 0.26 (0.51) (0.01) (0.52) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.01) $(0.19) $ -- $(0.19) 2003........................ 0.31 (0.28) -- (0.28) 2002........................ 0.37 (0.40) -- (0.40) 2001........................ 0.91 (0.52) -- (0.52) 2000........................ 0.23 (0.48) (0.01) (0.49) SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.01) $(0.12) $(0.12) $(0.24) 2003........................ 0.42 (0.20) (0.06) (0.26) 2002........................ 0.44 (0.35) (0.03) (0.38) 2001........................ 0.76 (0.48) -- (0.48) 2000........................ 0.35 (0.45) -- (0.45) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.03) $(0.10) $(0.12) $(0.22) 2003........................ 0.39 (0.17) (0.06) (0.23) 2002........................ 0.43 (0.33) (0.03) (0.36) 2001........................ 0.74 (0.46) -- (0.46) 2000........................ 0.32 (0.42) -- (0.42) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND A Shares 2004(3)..................... $ 0.26 $(0.31) $(0.06) $(0.37) L Shares 2004........................ $ 0.36 $(0.48) $(0.06) $(0.54) 2003........................ 0.76 (0.57) -- (0.57) 2002(2)..................... 0.05 (0.25) -- (0.25)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) A shares commenced operations on October 8, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 67
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.87 0.24% $ 5,880 0.91% 10.07 3.47 5,685 0.91 10.04 4.19 5,767 0.91 10.06 9.90 4,176 0.90 9.67 2.67 1,446 0.87 $ 9.86 (0.11)% $ 23,528 1.26% 10.06 3.11 32,608 1.26 10.03 3.75 26,392 1.26 10.06 9.60 10,682 1.25 9.67 2.31 2,065 1.22 $10.10 (0.06)% $ 12,823 0.86% 10.35 4.13 15,558 0.86 10.19 4.44 4,735 0.86 10.13 7.87 2,179 0.85 9.85 3.58 2,066 0.82 $10.09 (0.30)% $ 62,232 1.11% 10.34 3.88 127,757 1.11 10.18 4.29 70,720 1.11 10.11 7.67 27,861 1.10 9.83 3.34 5,391 1.07 $ 9.82 2.59% $ 4,181 1.15% $ 9.81 3.59% $117,216 1.43% 9.99 8.16 129,965 1.43 9.80 0.55 39,490 1.53 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 2.21% 1.21% 66% 3.09 1.28 89 4.28 1.26 142 5.47 1.71 87 5.20 1.75 70 1.87% 1.87% 66% 2.74 1.85 89 3.89 1.87 142 5.09 2.17 87 4.85 2.41 70 1.20% 1.06% 131% 1.76 1.07 140 3.36 1.41 117 4.81 1.56 87 4.50 1.44 50 0.97% 1.82% 131% 1.59 1.79 140 3.09 1.81 117 4.45 1.96 87 4.26 2.04 50 5.15% 1.60% 95% 4.98% 2.03% 95% 5.67 2.04 52 5.49 2.07 43
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 68 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------ -------------- U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.93 $0.27(1) $(0.50)(1) 2003........................ 10.47 0.40 0.51 2002........................ 10.38 0.50 0.26 2001........................ 9.86 0.54 0.52 2000........................ 10.28 0.54 (0.42) L Shares 2004........................ $10.93 $0.22(1) $(0.50)(1) 2003........................ 10.48 0.34 0.50 2002........................ 10.38 0.45 0.27 2001........................ 9.86 0.49 0.52 2000........................ 10.28 0.49 (0.42) VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.68 $0.33(1) $(0.44)(1) 2003........................ 10.29 0.36 0.49 2002........................ 10.14 0.39 0.16 2001........................ 9.59 0.42 0.55 2000........................ 10.20 0.42 (0.56) VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND(A) A Shares 2004(2)..................... $10.28 $0.02(1) $ 0.09(1) L Shares 2004........................ $11.13 $0.27(1) $(0.48)(1) 2003........................ 10.53 0.29 0.63 2002........................ 10.34 0.31 0.19 2001........................ 9.68 0.35 0.66 2000........................ 10.48 0.36 (0.79) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.23) $(0.31) $(0.04) $(0.35) 2003........................ 0.91 (0.42) (0.03) (0.45) 2002........................ 0.76 (0.50) (0.17) (0.67) 2001........................ 1.06 (0.54) -- (0.54) 2000........................ 0.12 (0.54) -- (0.54) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.28) $(0.26) $(0.04) $(0.30) 2003........................ 0.84 (0.36) (0.03) (0.39) 2002........................ 0.72 (0.45) (0.17) (0.62) 2001........................ 1.01 (0.49) -- (0.49) 2000........................ 0.07 (0.49) -- (0.49) VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.11) $(0.33) $(0.09) $(0.42) 2003........................ 0.85 (0.36) (0.10) (0.46) 2002........................ 0.55 (0.40) -- (0.40) 2001........................ 0.97 (0.42) -- (0.42) 2000........................ (0.14) (0.42) (0.05) (0.47) VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND(A) A Shares 2004(2)..................... $ 0.11 $(0.02) $ -- $(0.02) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.21) $(0.27) $(0.23) $(0.50) 2003........................ 0.92 (0.29) (0.03) (0.32) 2002........................ 0.50 (0.31) -- (0.31) 2001........................ 1.01 (0.35) -- (0.35) 2000........................ (0.43) (0.36) (0.01) (0.37)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not reflect applicable sales loads. The performance in the above table does not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations (1) Per share data was calculated using the average shares method. (2) A shares commenced operations on May 11, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 69
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.35 (2.17)% $ 8,484 1.22% 10.93 8.79 9,333 1.22 10.47 7.47 8,483 1.22 10.38 10.95 6,617 1.21 9.86 1.19 1,407 1.17 $10.35 (2.67)% $18,993 1.73% 10.93 8.14 39,423 1.73 10.48 7.06 31,922 1.73 10.38 10.45 21,617 1.72 9.86 0.70 7,750 1.68 $10.15 (1.04)% $10,566 0.79% 10.68 8.38 10,484 0.79 10.29 5.47 7,257 0.79 10.14 10.23 6,197 0.76 9.59 (1.24) 6,808 0.79 $10.37 1.07% $ 129 0.93% $10.42 (1.90)% $ 9,723 1.70% 11.13 8.89 16,956 1.70 10.53 4.93 13,428 1.70 10.34 10.58 7,983 1.69 9.68 (4.13) 5,367 1.65 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 2.54% 1.52% 240% 3.59 1.45 150 4.70 1.40 262 5.21 1.83 207 5.34 2.14 29 2.04% 1.97% 240% 3.10 1.93 150 4.17 1.93 262 4.71 2.04 207 4.85 2.28 29 3.19% 1.04% 26% 3.40 1.07 30 3.82 1.11 33 4.20 1.11 32 4.33 0.94 18 3.95% 71.10%++ 33% 2.54% 1.86% 33% 2.71 1.85 18 2.97 1.88 38 3.47 2.00 60 3.61 2.08 19
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUALB1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of the Capital Appreciation Fund (Fund) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return. For more detailed information about the Fund, please see: 2 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 2 FUND SUMMARY 2 INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2 WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? 2 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 3 FUND FEES AND EXPENSES 4 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 4 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 5 INVESTMENT ADVISER 5 PORTFOLIO MANAGER 6 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 8 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 9 TAXES 10 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVER THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN PRESERVER THIS FUND? ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES SHAKE ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOL
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION TICKER CUSIP Capital Appreciation Fund T Shares 7/1/92 STCAX 784766867
RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. The Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which it trades. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Capital Appreciation Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other equity securities that the Adviser believes have strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, cash flows and earnings trends. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes have above average growth potential. The Adviser uses a "bottom-up" process based on individual company earnings trends and fundamentals to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. The Adviser's strategy focuses primarily on large-cap stocks but will also utilize mid-cap stocks. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -7.41% 1995 31.15% 1996 20.31% 1997 31.13% 1998 28.06% 1999 9.71% 2000 1.62% 2001 -6.49% 2002 -21.98% 2003 18.52%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 22.93% -14.98% (12/31/98) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.71%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Capital Appreciation Fund 18.52% -0.73% 8.99% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06%
CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.20%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $122 $381 $660 $1,455
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 4 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK The Fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Fund's primary strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, INVESTMENT ADVISER PROSPECTUS 5 as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Adviser uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objectives. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of 1.13% of the Fund's daily net assets. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus the Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGER Mr. Robert J. Rhodes, CFA, joined Trusco in 1973. Mr. Rhodes has served as Executive Vice President and head of the equity funds group at Trusco since February 2000, after serving as Director of Research at Trusco from 1980 to 2000. He has managed the Fund since June 2000. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 6 PROSPECTUS (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase or sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing or selling shares through a pension or 401(k) plan should also refer to their Plan documents. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Fund offers T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order. The Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, the Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUND CALCULATES NAV In calculating NAV, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Fund does not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Fund subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Fund is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund, your application will be rejected. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 7 Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Fund reserves the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Fund is unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Fund reserves the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Fund has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Fund or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES The Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Fund has certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Fund is not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Fund over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Fund reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 8 PROSPECTUS MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: -Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or -Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. THIS REDEMPTION FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO 401(K)/403(B) TYPE PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS, SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN ACCOUNTS, SUNTRUST SECURITIES ASSET ALLOCATION ACCOUNTS OR ACCOUNTS HELD THROUGH AN OMNIBUS ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERS. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Fund for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Fund distributes its net investment income quarterly. The Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If your 401(k) Plan owns Fund shares on the Fund's record date, the Plan is entitled to receive the distribution. As Plan participants, you will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares if you own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated by the Plan. You will, therefore, not receive a dividend or distribution if you do not own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated. TAXES PROSPECTUS 9 TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Fund has summarized some important tax issues that affect the Fund and its shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Dividends and distributions will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis if you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan that qualifies for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws. Generally, you will not owe taxes on these distributions until you begin withdrawals from the plan. Withdrawals from the plan are subject to numerous complex and special tax rules and may be subject to a penalty in the case of premature withdrawals. You should consult your plan administrator, your plan's Summary Plan Description, and/or your tax advisory about the tax consequences of plan withdrawals. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 10 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Fund's financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED FROM NET DISTRIBUTIONS BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT FROM REALIZED OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INCOME CAPITAL GAINS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ------ ------------- CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $11.02 $(0.03)(1) $ 1.34(1) $ 1.31 $ -- $ -- 2003........................ 12.24 (0.03)(1) (1.19)(1) (1.22) -- -- 2002........................ 13.89 -- (1.53) (1.53) -- (0.12) 2001........................ 17.12 (0.05) (0.38) (0.43) -- (2.80) 2000........................ 16.62 0.02 1.40 1.42 -- (0.92) TOTAL DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T SHARES 2004........................ $ -- 2003........................ -- 2002........................ (0.12) 2001........................ (2.80) 2000........................ (0.92)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 11
RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS VALUE, END TOTAL END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) --------- ------- ------------ ---------- ------------------ --------------- $12.33 11.89% $1,248,636 1.23% (0.25)% 1.24% 11.02 (9.97) 1,090,549 1.22 (0.32) 1.24 12.24 (11.06) 1,204,445 1.22 (0.54) 1.24 13.89 (3.74) 1,177,933 1.21 (0.29) 1.24 17.12 8.98 1,296,927 1.17 0.10 1.26 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ---- 106% 69 75 75 129
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the ST1 Classic Fund's Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Fund is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list the Fund's holdings and contain information from the Fund's manager about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Fund. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Fund STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUTCA1004 STI CLASSIC FUNDS CORPORATE TRUST SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the Corporate Trust Shares of the Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund (Fund) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. In the section below, there is some general information you should know about risk and return. For more detailed information about the Fund, please see: 2 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 2 FUND SUMMARY 2 INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2 WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? 3 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 4 FUND FEES AND EXPENSES 5 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 5 INVESTMENT ADVISER 5 PORTFOLIO MANAGER 5 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 8 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 9 TAXES 10 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BACK THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS COVER
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY (TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY (LIFE PRESERVER WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF ICON) INVESTING? (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (LINE GRAPH ICON) WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS (MAGNIFYING GLASS INVESTMENT ADVISER ICON) (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOL
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION TICKER CUSIP Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund Corporate Trust Shares 6/2/99 -- 784767857
RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. The Fund has an investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL As high a level of current income as is consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury securities and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking current income through a liquid investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds and components of these securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund limits its investments so as to obtain the highest investment quality rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (AAA by Standard & Poor's). In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields for various maturities. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Corporate Trust Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2000 5.85% 2001 3.45% 2002 1.35% 2003 0.70%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.52% 0.13% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.25%. ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003 to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
CORPORATE TRUST SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 0.70% 3.06% iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average 0.42% 2.80%
* Since inception of the Corporate Trust Shares on June 2, 1999. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1999 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements backed by these securities. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE TRUST SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.20% Other Expenses* 0.25% ---------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.45%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $46 $144 $252 $567
------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 5 (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Fund's primary strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of 0.19% for the Fund. The Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus the Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGER Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the Fund since it began operating in December 1996 and is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase and sell (sometimes called "redeem") Corporate Trust Shares of the Fund. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Fund offers Corporate Trust Shares only to accounts of various banking subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. which are administered by the Corporate Trust Division (SunTrust). Shares are sold without a sales charge. Corporate Trust PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 6 PROSPECTUS Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) SunTrust. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your Corporate Trust Shares. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interest of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Federal Reserve are open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order. The Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to be eligible to receive dividends declared on the day that you submit your purchase order, the Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time and federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST AT AN EARLIER TIME THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS SUNTRUST TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR THE TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT, INCLUDING SPECIFIC INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT SUNTRUST DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUND CALCULATES NAV In calculating NAV, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If this method is determined to be unreliable during certain market conditions or for other reasons, the Fund may value its portfolio at market price or fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Fund does not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Fund subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Fund is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 7 Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Fund reserves the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Fund is unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Fund reserves the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Fund has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust. SunTrust will provide information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Redemption orders must be sent to the Fund by SunTrust as the record owner of shares. If you own Corporate Trust Shares through a subsidiary of SunTrust you may sell shares by following the procedures established when you opened your account or accounts. Redemption orders must be received by the Fund on a Business Day before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Orders received after 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time will be executed the following Business Day. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 8 PROSPECTUS REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES The Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Fund has certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Fund is not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Fund over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Fund reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Fund for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. The Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PROSPECTUS 9 TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Fund has summarized some important tax issues that affect the Fund and its shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. EACH SALE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT; HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE FUND EXPECTS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE $1.00 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO REALIZE ANY GAIN OR LOSS ON THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES. A significant portion of the Fund's distributions may represent interest earned on U.S. obligations. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 10 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by a predecessor independent accounting firm that has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Fund's financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-432-4760, option 1, ext. 4085. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Periods Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS --------- ------ -------------- ---------- ----------------- ------------- CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND CORPORATE TRUST SHARES 2004................. $1.00 $0.01 $ -- $0.01 $(0.01) $ --* 2003................. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) --* 2002................. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) -- 2001................. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) -- 2000(A).............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) --
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. The performance in the above table does not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. (A) Commenced operations on June 3, 1999. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 11
RATIO OF NET NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TOTAL DIVIDENDS NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO TO AVERAGE AND DISTRIBUTIONS END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS ----------------- ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ ---------- $(0.01) $1.00 0.57% $1,378,551 0.46% 0.51% (0.01) 1.00 1.10 1,298,910 0.46 1.05 (0.02) 1.00 2.08 1,805,066 0.46 2.11 (0.05) 1.00 5.53 1,303,630 0.46 5.38 (0.05) 1.00 5.02 1,138,541 0.45 4.93 RATIO OF EXPENSES TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) ------------------- 0.49% 0.49 0.50 0.50 0.49
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the Fund. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list the Fund's holdings and contain information from the Fund's manager about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Fund. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-432-4760 Option 1, ext. 4085 BY MAIL: Write to the Fund STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUTCO1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS EQUITY FUNDS A SHARES L SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND BALANCED FUND CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND GROWTH AND INCOME FUND INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND MID-CAP EQUITY FUND MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") INVESTMENT SUBADVISER: (Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund) ZEVENBERGEN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC (the "Subadviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the A Shares and L Shares of the Equity Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. A Shares and L Shares have different expenses and other characteristics, allowing you to choose the class that best suits your needs. You should consider the amount you want to invest, how long you plan to have it invested, and whether you plan to make additional investments. A SHARES - Front-end sales charge - 12b-1 fees - $2,000 minimum initial investment L SHARES - Contingent deferred sales charge - Higher 12b-1 fees - $5,000 minimum initial investment This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 4 BALANCED FUND 7 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 10 EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 12 GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 15 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 18 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 21 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 24 MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 27 MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 30 SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 33 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 36 STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 38 TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 41 VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 44 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 45 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 45 INVESTMENT ADVISER 46 INVESTMENT SUBADVISER 46 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 48 PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 55 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 55 TAXES 56 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHAKE FUND SHARES ICON) (DOLLAR SALES CHARGES ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP Aggressive Growth Stock Fund A Shares 2/23/04 SAGAX 784767212 Aggressive Growth Stock Fund L Shares 2/23/04 SAGLX 784767196 Balanced Fund A Shares 1/3/94 STBLX 784766727 Balanced Fund L Shares 6/14/95 SCBFX 784766446 Capital Appreciation Fund A Shares 6/9/92 STCIX 784766859 Capital Appreciation Fund L Shares 6/1/95 STCFX 784766479 Emerging Growth Stock Fund A Shares 2/23/04 SCEAX 784767253 Emerging Growth Stock Fund L Shares 2/23/04 SEGLX 784767246 Growth and Income Fund A Shares 5/7/93 CFVIX 784766180 Growth and Income Fund L Shares 4/5/95 CVIBX 784766172 Information & Technology Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SAITX 784767451 Information & Technology Fund L Shares 1/24/00 STEFX 784767824 International Equity Fund A Shares 1/2/96 SCIIX 784766396 International Equity Fund L Shares 1/2/96 SIEFX 784766412 International Equity Index Fund A Shares 6/6/94 SIIIX 784766586 International Equity Index Fund L Shares 6/8/95 SIIFX 784766420 Mid-Cap Equity Fund A Shares 1/31/94 SCAIX 784766743 Mid-Cap Equity Fund L Shares 6/5/95 SCMEX 784766453 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SAMVX 784767444 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund L Shares 11/30/01 SMVFX 784767717 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund A Shares 12/10/99 SCGIX 784766255 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund L Shares 10/8/98 SSCFX 784766248 Small Cap Value Equity Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SASVX 784767436 Small Cap Value Equity Fund L Shares 6/6/97 STCEX 784766321 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SQEAX 784767428 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund L Shares 9/30/03 SQELX 784767410 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SXSAX 784767394 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund L Shares 12/15/98 STTFX 784766214 Value Income Stock Fund A Shares 2/17/93 SVIIX 784766842 Value Income Stock Fund L Shares 6/1/95 SVIFX 784766461
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser (or the Subadviser) is responsible for investing Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's (or the Subadviser's) judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser (or the Subadviser) does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. multi-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies of all sizes that exhibit strong growth characteristics. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid- capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% 1.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.35% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.32% 0.32% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.92% 2.57%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Aggressive Growth Stock Fund - A Shares 1.57% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund - L Shares 2.10%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $563 $955 L Shares $460 $799
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $563 $955 L Shares $260 $799
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." BALANCED FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY U.S. common stocks SECONDARY Bonds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with a history of earnings growth and bonds with minimal risk INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Balanced Fund invests in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, U.S. government obligations and investment grade corporate bonds. In selecting stocks for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify high-quality companies with a history of above average earnings growth. In selecting bonds, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 25.08% 1996 11.85% 1997 20.71% 1998 19.21% 1999 4.31% 2000 4.44% 2001 -0.07% 2002 -8.85% 2003 9.66%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 12.52% -6.01% (12/31/98) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.12%. BALANCED FUND PROSPECTUS 5 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the S&P 500(R) Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 5.58% 0.94% 7.21% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 5.16% -0.02% 5.32% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 3.69% 0.30% 5.14% Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 18.76% 2.70% 9.77% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 6.98%
* Since inception of the A Shares on January 3, 1994. Benchmark returns since December 31, 1993 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 6.88% 0.95% 7.31% Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 18.76% 2.70% 9.77% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 10.73% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 4.67% 6.66% 7.33%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 14, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. BALANCED FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.95% 0.95% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.28% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.29% 2.01%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Balanced Fund - A Shares 1.27% Balanced Fund - L Shares 1.99%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $501 $769 $1,056 $1,873 L Shares $404 $630 $1,083 $2,338
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $501 $769 $1,056 $1,873 L Shares $204 $630 $1,083 $2,338
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Capital Appreciation Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other equity securities that the Adviser believes have strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, cash flows and earnings trends. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes have above average growth potential. The Adviser uses a "bottom-up" process based on individual company earnings trends and fundamentals to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. The Adviser's strategy focuses primarily on large cap stocks but will also utilize mid-cap stocks. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 -8.01% 1995 30.33% 1996 19.50% 1997 30.34% 1998 27.26% 1999 9.06% 2000 0.94% 2001 -7.11% 2002 -22.48% 2003 17.72%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 22.78% -15.10% (12/31/98) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.31%. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 8 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R) Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 13.28% -2.12% 7.88% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 13.28% -3.34% 5.23% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 8.63% -2.11% 5.48% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 11.06%
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 15.18% -1.84% 8.81% S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 10.73%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 1, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.68% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.05% 0.05% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.88% 2.20%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $559 $944 $1,353 $2,493 L Shares $423 $688 $1,180 $2,534
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $559 $944 $1,353 $2,493 L Shares $223 $688 $1,180 $2,534
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 10 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. small- and mid-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of small-and mid-capitalization companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with market capitalizations below $10 billion that exhibit strong growth characteristics. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Subadviser emphasizes companies that have a market capitalization of $5 billion or less. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid-capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Emerging Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% 1.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.35% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.40% 0.40% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 2.00% 2.65%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Emerging Growth Stock Fund - A Shares 1.57% Emerging Growth Stock Fund - L Shares 2.11%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $570 $979 L Shares $468 $823
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $570 $979 L Shares $268 $823
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Long-term capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion with attractive valuation and/or above average earnings potential relative either to their sectors or the market as a whole INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for capital appreciation potential and some income with less volatility than the equity market as a whole
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Growth and Income Fund invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks of domestic companies and listed American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of foreign companies, all with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion. However, the average market capitalization can vary throughout a full market cycle and will be flexible to allow the Adviser to capture market opportunities. The Adviser uses a quantitative screening process to identify companies with attractive fundamental profiles. The portfolio management team selects stocks of companies with strong financial quality and above average earnings potential to secure the best relative values in each economic sector. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. 1994 -0.91% 1995 29.45% 1996 19.12% 1997 27.58% 1998 18.25% 1999 14.10% 2000 1.30% 2001 -6.84% 2002 -19.84% 2003 27.95%
(BAR CHART) BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.35% -18.56% (6/30/97) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.67%. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 13 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 23.20% 1.23% 9.38% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 23.03% 0.61% 7.18% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 15.26% 0.81% 6.94% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
SINCE L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 25.00% 1.25% 9.45% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 11.05%
* Since inception of the L Shares on April 5, 1995. Benchmark returns since March 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 14 PROSPECTUS This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% 0.90% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.21% 1.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Growth and Income Fund - A Shares 1.18% Growth and Income Fund - L Shares 1.93%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $494 $745 $1,015 $1,786 L Shares $399 $615 $1,057 $2,285
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $494 $745 $1,015 $1,786 L Shares $199 $615 $1,057 $2,285
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 15 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of companies benefiting from information and technology SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Very high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies benefiting from technology and information to achieve above average growth INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors with long-term investment goals who are willing to accept significant volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Information and Technology Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of U.S. companies that are expected to benefit substantially from information and technology and achieve above average growth. The Fund believes that information- oriented companies and technology-oriented companies offer the potential for significant long-term growth. The Fund's holdings are generally diversified across three market segments. The first segment is comprised of corporations whose core line of business focuses on an emerging information-related or technology-related market. The second segment consists of established technology companies that provide the infrastructure to support the transfer of information. The third segment includes established, non-tech corporations from multiple industries that are harnessing the power of information to drive company growth. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser uses a "bottom-up" analysis that evaluates the competitive advantages and market sustainability of individual companies. The Fund invests primarily in companies with market capitalizations over $1 billion, but may invest a portion of its assets in smaller companies. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. Due to the focus of the Fund, many holdings share similar risk factors. Many companies in the portfolio have limited operating histories, function in rapidly changing business environments and trade at valuations that are significantly higher than average. As a result, the Fund's net asset value (NAV) may be more volatile than other, broadly diversified equity funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table below illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. L Shares were offered beginning on January 24, 2000. Performance between September 30, 1999 and January 24, 2000 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect L Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 2000 -17.56% 2001 -27.41% 2002 -50.38% 2003 41.04%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.10% -33.09% (12/31/01) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.32%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index and the Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 39.04% -7.08% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 39.04% -7.08% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 25.38% -5.90% Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 54.19% -11.99% Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective (reflects no deduction for taxes) 55.95% -10.91%
* Since inception of the T Shares on September 30, 1999. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index is a modified capitalization-weighted index of selected technology funds. The Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective is an average of funds that invest 65% of their equity portfolio in science and technology stocks. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.10% 1.10% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.55% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.22% 0.22% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.87% 2.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Information and Technology Fund - A Shares 1.72% Information and Technology Fund - L Shares 2.21%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $558 $941 $1,348 $2,483 L Shares $435 $724 $1,240 $2,656
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $558 $941 $1,348 $2,483 L Shares $235 $724 $1,240 $2,656
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 18 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with good fundamentals or a history of consistent growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want an increase in the value of their investment without regard to income, are willing to accept the increased risks of international investing for the possibility of higher returns, and want exposure to a diversified portfolio of international stocks
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund invests primarily in developed countries, but may invest in countries with emerging markets. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection focuses on individual stocks and fundamental characteristics of companies. The Adviser's goal is to find companies with top management, quality products and sound financial positions, or a history of consistent growth in cash flows, sales, operating profits, returns on equity and returns on invested capital. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser diversifies the Fund's investments among at least three foreign countries. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. Emerging market countries are countries that the World Bank or the United Nations considers to be emerging or developing. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with the Fund's investments in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 19 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 1, 1995. Performance prior to December 1, 1995 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on January 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. A Shares and L Shares were offered beginning January 2, 1996. Performance between December 1, 1995 and January 2, 1996 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect A Share or L Share expenses, respectively. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1996 21.58% 1997 13.01% 1998 10.69% 1999 9.05% 2000 -3.74% 2001 -17.99% 2002 -17.30% 2003 36.14%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.62% -19.71% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.01%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, and Far East (MSCI(R) EAFE(R)) Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION INCEPTION OF THE OF THE REGISTERED COLLECTIVE MUTUAL INVESTMENT A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 31.01% -1.38% 4.92% 7.86% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 31.08% -2.54% 3.21% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 20.68% -1.59% 3.38% N/A+ MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 38.59% -0.05% 3.72% 4.60%
* Since inception of the T Shares on December 1, 1995, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. Benchmark returns since November 30, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). ** Since inception of the collective investment fund on January 31, 1995. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* Fund Returns Before Taxes 33.59% -1.28% 7.68% MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 38.59% -0.05% 4.60%
* Since inception of the collective investment fund on January 31, 1995. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 20 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee will be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within sixty days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% 1.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.33% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.12% 0.12% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.70% 2.37%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $541 $891 $1,263 $2,308 L Shares $440 $739 $1,265 $2,706
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $541 $891 $1,263 $2,308 L Shares $240 $739 $1,265 $2,706
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 21 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Investment results that correspond to the performance of the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign equity securities in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Statistical analysis to track the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors who want exposure to foreign markets and are willing to accept the increased risks of foreign investing for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Index Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies included in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index, an index of equity securities of companies located in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. While the Fund is structured to have overall investment characteristics similar to those of the Index, it selects a sample of securities within the Index using a statistical process. Therefore, the Fund will not hold all securities included in the Index. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. In addition to the above mentioned risks, the Adviser may not be able to match the performance of the Fund's benchmark. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 10.20% 1996 5.78% 1997 8.44% 1998 29.68% 1999 29.97% 2000 -17.44% 2001 -23.91% 2002 -16.74% 2003 39.80%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 21.20% -20.69% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.65%. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 22 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, and Far East-Gross Domestic Product (MSCI(R)EAFE(R)-GDP) Weighted Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 34.61% -1.76% 4.01% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 34.67% -1.75% 3.30% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 22.99% -1.40% 3.27% MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index (Price Return) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.00% -0.79% 3.87%
* Since inception of the A Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 36.97% -1.64% 4.02% MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index (Price Return) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.00% -0.79% 3.95%
* Since inception of the L Shares on June 8, 1995. Benchmark return since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. The country weighting of the Index is calculated using the gross domestic product of each of the various countries and then with respect to the market capitalization of the various companies operating in each country. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee will be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within sixty days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% 0.90% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.38% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.13% 0.13% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.41% 2.03%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion o their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. International Equity Index Fund - A Shares 1.36% International Equity Index Fund - L Shares 1.98%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $513 $805 $1,117 $2,002 L Shares $406 $637 $1,093 $2,358
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $513 $805 $1,117 $2,002 L Shares $206 $637 $1,093 $2,358
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 24 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate to high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential at an attractive price INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and other equity U.S. traded securities that have small- to mid-sized capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations of $500 million to $10 billion or companies in the Russell Midcap(R) Index). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that, in its opinion, offer above average stock price appreciation relative to other companies in the same economic sector. The Adviser utilizes proprietary, sector based models to rank stocks in each sector of the small- and mid-cap markets. These models utilize fundamental stock characteristics such as growth rates and cash flows. The Adviser utilizes fundamental research in the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of the sector based models to reflect change in the underlying small-and mid-cap markets. Risk management is utilized extensively and a critical component of the overall investment process. The strategy is diversified with 100 to 140 stocks in the portfolio. Each stock is generally limited to no more than two percent of the portfolio. The portfolio is managed to reduce tracking error and overall volatility to the benchmark. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-cap common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid-cap sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 30.57% 1996 14.93% 1997 20.67% 1998 5.98% 1999 15.69% 2000 -3.42% 2001 1.88% 2002 -29.06% 2003 28.46%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.52% -20.00% (12/31/98) (09/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.49%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap(R) Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 23.64% -0.03% 6.54% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 23.58% -1.44% 4.31% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 15.43% -0.60% 4.50% Russell Midcap(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.06% 7.23% 11.98%
* Since inception of the A Shares on January 31, 1994.
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 25.68% 0.10% 6.07% Russell Midcap(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 40.06% 7.23% 12.67%
* Since inception of L Shares on June 5, 1995. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1995 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(R) Index, which represent approximately 26% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Russell 1000(R) Index is a widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 26 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.43% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.65% 2.22%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $536 $876 $1,238 $2,256 L Shares $425 $694 $1,190 $2,554
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $536 $876 $1,238 $2,256 L Shares $225 $694 $1,190 $2,554
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued mid-cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between approximately $1 billion and $12 billion. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses common stocks that it believes are undervalued in the market. The Adviser may sell a security when it achieves a designated price target, a company's growth prospects change, or the opportunity for a better investment arises. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mid-cap equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 28 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 2002 -21.78% 2003 28.75%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.70% -23.13% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 8.53%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap(R) Value Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
L SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 26.75% 2.74% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 26.74% 2.30% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 17.40% 2.04% Russell Midcap(R) Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 38.07% 13.39%
* Since inception of the L Shares on November 30, 2001. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The stocks are also members of the Russell 1000(R) Value index. The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000(R) Index is a widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 29 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell your L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your share within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% 1.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.40% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.72% 2.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund - A Shares 1.60% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund - L Shares 1.90%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $543 $897 $1,273 $2,329 L Shares $435 $724 $1,240 $2,656
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $543 $897 $1,273 $2,329 L Shares $235 $724 $1,240 $2,656
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 30 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Identifies small cap companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion in size. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. The Fund's investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, a strong balance sheet, strong current and projected business fundamentals, and priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 31 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. A Shares were offered beginning on December 10, 1999. A Share performance between October 8, 1998 and December 10, 1999 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect A Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. Both L Shares and T Shares were offered beginning on October 8, 1998. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1999 20.48% 2000 11.42% 2001 -1.16% 2002 -22.99% 2003 44.15%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 23.82% -23.11% (6/30/03) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 6.88%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the L Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
SINCE A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEAR INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 39.67% 7.37% 15.12% S&P Small Cap 600(R)/ BARRA Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 37.31% 6.67% 10.45%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 8, 1998. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis).
SINCE L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Fund Returns Before Taxes 42.15% 7.39% 15.09% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 42.15% 6.80% 14.47% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 27.40% 6.13% 13.01% S&P Small Cap 600(R)/ BARRA Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 37.31% 6.67% 10.45%
* Since inception of the L Shares on October 8, 1998. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 600(R) Index consisting of those companies with the highest price-to-book ratios within the S&P 600(R) Index. The S&P 600(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted index composed of 600 domestic stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 32 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.71% 2.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Small Cap Growth Stock Fund - A Shares 1.61% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund - L Shares 2.25%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $542 $894 $1,268 $2,319 L Shares $424 $691 $1,185 $2,544
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $542 $894 $1,268 $2,319 L Shares $224 $691 $1,185 $2,544
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." PROSPECTUS 33 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND* *Shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund are no longer available for purchase by new investors. (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued small cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities that have small capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations under $3 billion). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes are undervalued in the market relative to the industry sector and the company's own valuation history. The Adviser evaluates potential catalysts that may increase a stock's value to such an extent that the stock no longer meets the Fund's investment criteria. Additionally, all common stocks purchased for the Fund are required to pay a cash dividend. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 34 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on January 31, 1997. Performance prior to January 31, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on August 31, 1994. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. L Shares were offered beginning on June 6, 1997. Performance between January 31, 1997 and June 6, 1997 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect L Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1995 30.99% 1996 34.25% 1997 31.79% 1998 -14.33% 1999 -3.67% 2000 16.68% 2001 19.87% 2002 -2.69% 2003 35.54%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 19.45% -22.14% (6/30/99) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 9.38%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell 2000(R) Value Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION INCEPTION OF THE OF THE REGISTERED COLLECTIVE MUTUAL INVESTMENT L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 33.54% 12.19% 10.20% 14.55% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 33.53% 12.11 9.43% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 21.80% 10.62% 8.42% N/A+ Russell 2000(R) Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 46.03% 12.28% 11.83% 13.36%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 31, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Since inception of the collective investment fund on August 31, 1994. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance. SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 35 (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell 2000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of companies in the Russell 2000(R) Index with lower growth rates and price-to-book ratios. The Russell 2000(R) Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that consists of a subset of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell your L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.33% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.54% 2.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Small Cap Value Equity Fund - A Shares 1.50% Small Cap Value Equity Fund - L Shares 1.50%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $526 $843 $1,183 $2,141 L Shares $424 $691 $1,185 $2,544
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $526 $843 $1,183 $2,141 L Shares $224 $691 $1,185 $2,544
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 36 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of companies with positive earnings characteristics purchased at reasonable value SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with superior earnings/valuation cycle characteristics within specific market sectors INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment and are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund attempts, through the use of disciplined quantitative modeling, to objectively and consistently identify those companies with the most attractive earnings growth prospects and valuation characteristics within each sector. Those characteristics vary by sector. In some sectors, attractive stocks are selected based solely upon growth characteristics. In other sectors, a combination of growth and valuation characteristics are used to identify attractive stocks. The Adviser believes that companies with higher earnings growth prospects will have more highly valued stocks. Companies producing sustained accelerating rates of earnings growth will generate increasing stock valuations. Companies producing sustained decelerating rates of earnings growth will generate decreasing stock valuations. This cycle of accelerating earnings growth with increasing stock valuation and decelerating earnings growth with decreasing stock valuation is called the earnings-valuation cycle. The Adviser uses quantitative modeling to evaluate and select the common stock of companies based on the philosophy that earnings/valuation cycles dictate stock performance, earnings/valuation cycles differ among market sectors, and diversification controls risk. The Fund invests in companies of all sizes so long as they have growth potential. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The small- to mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small to mid-sized companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over- the counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund commenced operations on August 7, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 37 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell your L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.14% 0.14% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.54% 2.29%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund - A 1.36% Shares Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund - L 2.11% Shares
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $526 $843 L Shares $432 $715
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $526 $843 L Shares $232 $715
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 38 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth with nominal dividend income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies that have above-average growth potential and uses a low portfolio turnover strategy to reduce capital gains distributions INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment while minimizing taxable capital gains distributions
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of financially strong U.S. growth companies. Many of these companies have a history of stable or rising dividend payout policies. The Adviser attempts to minimize the impact of capital gains taxes on investment returns by using a low turnover rate (generally 50% or less) strategy, in conjunction with other tax management strategies. These strategies may lead to lower capital gains distributions and, therefore, lower capital gains taxes. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's common stocks may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that common stocks of U.S. growth companies may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 39 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 11, 1998. Performance prior to December 11, 1998 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on December 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. L Shares were offered beginning on December 15, 1998. Performance between December 11, 1998 and December 15, 1998 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect L Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's L Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1996 21.04% 1997 28.76% 1998 31.73% 1999 23.52% 2000 -13.06% 2001 -19.08% 2002 -22.83% 2003 19.82%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.74% -16.41% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.63%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R) Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE SINCE INCEPTION INCEPTION OF THE OF THE REGISTERED COLLECTIVE MUTUAL INVESTMENT L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* FUND** Fund Returns Before Taxes 17.82% -4.28% -2.90% 6.46% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 17.82% -4.28% -2.90% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 11.58% -3.59% -2.44% N/A+ S&P 500(R) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 28.67% -0.57% 0.54% 9.38%
* Since inception of the T Shares on December 11, 1998, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. Benchmark returns since November 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). ** Since inception of the collective investment fund on December 31, 1995. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the collective investment fund's performance. TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 40 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% 1.15% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.40% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.61% 2.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $533 $864 $1,218 $2,214 L Shares $424 $691 $1,185 $2,544
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $533 $864 $1,218 $2,214 L Shares $224 $691 $1,185 $2,544
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 41 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify high dividend-paying, undervalued stocks INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for current income and capital appreciation with less volatility than the average stock fund
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Value Income Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser primarily chooses U.S. companies that have a market capitalization of at least $2 billion and that have a history of paying regular dividends. The Adviser focuses on dividend-paying stocks that trade below their historical value. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection emphasizes individual stocks over economic trends. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. L Shares were offered beginning on June 1, 1995. Performance between February 12, 1993 and June 1, 1995 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect L Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* The chart does not reflect sales charges. If sales charges had been reflected, returns would be less than those shown. (BAR CHART) 1994 2.87% 1995 35.50% 1996 19.06% 1997 26.57% 1998 10.16% 1999 -3.31% 2000 10.38% 2001 -1.33% 2002 -15.85% 2003 23.26% BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 15.29% -20.02% (6/30/99) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 5.41%. VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 42 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only the A Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Fund Returns Before Taxes 18.70% 1.00% 9.30% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 18.49% 0.04% 6.16% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 12.38% 0.32% 6.18% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
SINCE INCEPTION AS A REGISTERED MUTUAL L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS FUND* Fund Returns Before Taxes 20.37% 1.05% 9.41% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 31.79% 1.95% 11.07%
* Since inception of the T Shares on February 12, 1993, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. Benchmark returns since January 31, 1993 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 43 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)** None 2.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within one year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% 0.80% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.33% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.06% 0.06% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.19% 1.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $492 $739 $1,005 $1,764 L Shares $389 $585 $1,006 $2,180
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $492 $739 $1,005 $1,764 L Shares $189 $585 $1,006 $2,180
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 44 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK All Funds Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK All Funds Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK All Funds The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the EFT is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK Balanced Fund The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 45 During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Growth and Income Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. TRACKING ERROR RISK International Equity Index Fund Factors such as Fund expenses, imperfect correlation between the Fund's investments and those of its benchmarks, rounding of share prices, changes to the benchmark, regulatory policies, and leverage, may affect its ability to achieve perfect correlation. The magnitude of any tracking error may be affected by a higher portfolio turnover rate. Because an index is just a composite of the prices of the securities it represents rather than an actual portfolio of those securities, an index will have no expenses. As a result, the Fund, which will have expenses such as taxes, custody, management fees and other operational costs, and brokerage, may not achieve its investment objective of accurately correlating to an index. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that we use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations. The Small Cap Value Equity Fund also may invest in investment grade fixed income securities and mid- to large-cap common stocks that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objective. A Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under INVESTMENT SUBADVISER 46 PROSPECTUS management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Balanced Fund 0.92% Capital Appreciation Fund 1.13% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Growth and Income Fund 0.90% Information and Technology Fund 1.10% International Equity Fund 1.25% International Equity Index Fund 0.81% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 1.13% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 1.00% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Value Income Stock Fund 0.80%
Except for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund, the Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. With respect to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund, the Adviser oversees the Subadviser to ensure compliance with each Fund's investment policies and guidelines and monitors the Subadviser's adherence to its investment style. The Adviser pays the Subadviser out of the fees it receives from the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and Subadviser and establishes policies that the Adviser and Subadviser must follow in their management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. INVESTMENT SUBADVISER Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC, 601 Union Street, Seattle, Washington 98101, serves as the subadviser to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund and manages the portfolios of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Subadviser was founded in 1987 and manages domestic growth equity assets. The firm's client base is comprised of a blend of institutional tax-exempt and taxable separately managed accounts. As a domestic growth equity manager, the Subadviser manages assets for a variety of entities, including public funds, foundations, endowments, corporations, pooled accounts, and private individuals. As of June 30, 2004, the Subadviser had approximately $1.0 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser selects, buys, and sells securities for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund under the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. The Subadviser is entitled to receive from the Adviser 0.625% of each of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund's and Emerging Growth Stock Funds daily net assets. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Brett Barner, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI Capital Management, N.A. (STI) since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in January 1997. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Mr. Edward E. Best, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since June 2000, after serving as Vice President since September 1999 and Associate since joining Trusco in January 1998. Mr. Best also serves as the senior quantitative equity analyst for Trusco. He has managed the STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in August 2003. He has more than 11 years of investment experience. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS PROSPECTUS 47 Ms. Brooke de Boutray, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1992. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. de Boutray has more than 21 years of investment experience. Mr. Chad Deakins, CFA, has served as Vice President of Trusco since May 1996. He has managed the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND since February 1999 and the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND since May 2000. In addition, he has managed the MID-CAP EQUITY FUND since September 2004, after co-managing the Fund since February 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Deakins worked at SunTrust Bank. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, has served as a Portfolio Manager of Trusco since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND since it began operating in October 1998. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Jeffrey E. Markunas, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Senior Vice President of Trusco since January 1999 and Senior Vice President and Director of Equity Management for Crestar Asset Management Company from 1992 until July 2000. Mr. Markunas has managed the GROWTH AND INCOME FUND since it began operating in September 1992. He has more than 20 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert J. Rhodes, CFA, joined Trusco in 1973. Mr. Rhodes has served as Executive Vice President and head of the equity funds group at Trusco since February 2000, after serving as Director of Research at Trusco from 1980 to 2000. He has managed the BALANCED FUND (EQUITY PORTION ONLY) since June 2000. Mr. Rhodes has also managed the CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND since June 2000. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Mills Riddick, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1994. He has managed the VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND since April 1995. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY) since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Parker W. Thomas, Jr. has served as Vice President since joining Trusco in April 2004. He has managed the TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND since April 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Thomas served as Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank, Nashville from January 1988 to September 2002. From September 2002 to March 2004 he served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Personal Asset Management, for SunTrust Banks Inc. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Francis P. Walsh has served as Vice President of Trusco since June 2004. He has managed the INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND since September 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Walsh served as a Managing Member of PhiCap Partners from December 2001 to December 2002. He also served as a Senior Research Analyst of Putnam Investments and co-managed technology portfolios for Putnam from November 1994 to September 2001. Mr. Walsh has more than nine years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY), since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group form February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Ms. Leslie Tubbs, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1995. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Tubbs has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. Don Wordell has served as a Portfolio Manager since joining Trusco in 1996. In addition, Mr. Wordell is a member of the Association for Investment Management & Research (AIMR) and the Orlando Society of Financial Analysts. He has managed the MID- PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 48 PROSPECTUS CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND since December 2003, after co-managing it since it began operating in November 2001. He has more than 8 years of investment experience. Ms. Nancy Zevenbergen, CFA, has served as President and Chief Investment Officer for the Subadviser since January 1987. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Zevenbergen has more than 22 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") and exchange A Shares and L Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your securities account is established, you may buy shares of the Funds by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) * The Funds do not accept cash as payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through Investment Representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for Fund share transactions. Your institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by a Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding a Fund to your institution. A Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early -- such as on days in advance of certain holidays -- the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Some Funds hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these Funds' investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 49 MINIMUM/MAXIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest in any Fund at least:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA L Shares accounts)
Purchases of L Shares of a Fund requested in an amount of $1,000,000 or more will be automatically made in A Shares of that Fund. Your subsequent investments of shares of any Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. The Funds may accept investments of smaller amounts for either class of shares at its discretion. FUNDLINK FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call SunTrust at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase shares of either class automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $500 minimum initial investment, you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 to $100,000 once or twice a month. If you are buying L Shares, you should plan on investing at least $5,000 per Fund during the first two years. The Distributor may close your account if you do not meet this minimum investment requirement at the end of two years. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an Anti- PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 50 PROSPECTUS Money Laundering Compliance Program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. (DOLLAR ICON) SALES CHARGES FRONT-END SALES CHARGES -- A SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after a Fund receives your request, plus the front-end sales charge. The amount of any front-end sales charge included in your offering price varies, depending on the amount of your investment:
YOUR SALES CHARGE YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF AS A PERCENTAGE OF IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: OFFERING PRICE* YOUR NET INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 3.75% 3.90% $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.25% 3.36% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.50% 2.56% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. INVESTMENTS OF $1,000,000 OR MORE. You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of A Shares (excluding A Shares of STI Classic Money Market Funds) in either a single investment or through our rights of accumulation, letter of intent, or combined purchase/quantity discount programs. However, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if you redeem any of these A Shares within one year of purchase. The deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lessor of (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sales request. The deferred sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. WAIVER OF FRONT-END SALES CHARGE -- A SHARES The front-end sales charge will be waived on A Shares purchased: - through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; - through a SunTrust Securities, Inc. asset allocation account; - by persons repurchasing shares they redeemed within the last 180 days (see "Repurchase of A Shares"); - by employees, and members of their immediate family (spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and children (including step-children) under the age of 21 years), of SunTrust and its affiliates; - by persons reinvesting distributions from qualified employee benefit retirement plans and rollovers from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) previously with the Trust department of a bank affiliated with SunTrust; - by persons investing an amount less than or equal to the value of an account distribution when an account for which a bank affiliated with SunTrust acted in a fiduciary, administrative, custodial or investment advisory capacity is closed; or - through dealers, retirement plans, asset allocation programs and financial institutions that, under their dealer agreements with the Distributor or otherwise, do not receive any portion of the front-end sales charge. REPURCHASE OF A SHARES You may repurchase any amount of A Shares of any Fund at NAV (without the normal front-end sales charge), up to the limit of the value of any amount of A Shares (other than those which were purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions) that you redeemed within the past 180 days. In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without re-paying the front-end sales charge. Such repurchases may be subject to special tax rules. See the section on Taxes in the Statement of Additional Information for more information. To exercise this privilege, the Funds must receive your purchase order within 180 days of your redemption. In addition, you PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 51 must notify the Fund when you send in your purchase order that you are repurchasing shares. REDUCED SALES CHARGES -- A SHARES RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. In calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, this right allows you to add the market value (at the close of business on the day of the current purchase) of the A Shares you already own to the amount that you are currently purchasing. The Funds will combine the value of your current purchases with the market value of any A Shares you purchased previously for (i) your account, (ii) your spouse's account, (iii) a joint account with your spouse, or (iv) your minor children's trust or custodial accounts. A fiduciary purchasing shares for the same fiduciary account, trust or estate may also use this right of accumulation. The Funds will only consider the market value of A Shares purchased previously that were sold subject to a sales charge. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares already owned, you must ask us for the reduction at the time of purchase. You may be required to provide the Funds with your account number(s), account name(s), and copies of the account statements, and, if applicable, the account number(s) account name(s), and copies of the account statements, for your spouse and/or children (and provide the children's ages). Your financial institution may require documentation or other information in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. The Funds may amend or terminate this right of accumulation at any time. LETTER OF INTENT. You may purchase A Shares at the sales charge rate applicable to the total amount of the purchases you intend to make over a 13-month period. In other words, a Letter of Intent allows you to purchase A Shares of a Fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if you had purchased all the shares at the same time. The Funds will only consider the value of A Shares sold subject to a sales charge. As a result, shares of the A Shares purchased with dividends or distributions will not be included in the calculation. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares you intend to purchase over the 13-month period, you must send the Funds a Letter of Intent. In calculating the total amount of purchases you may include in your letter purchases made up to 90 days before the date of the Letter. The 13-month period begins on the date of the first purchase, including those purchases made in the 90-day period before the date of the Letter. Please note that the purchase price of these prior purchases will not be adjusted. You are not legally bound by the terms of your Letter of Intent to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the Letter. The Letter does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 3.75% of the total amount you intend to purchase. If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, the Fund's transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased). COMBINED PURCHASE/QUANTITY DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE. When calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, the Fund will combine same day purchases of A Shares (that are subject to a sales charge) made by you, your spouse and your minor children (under age 21). This combination also applies to A Shares you purchase with a Letter of Intent. You can also obtain this information about sales charges, rights of accumulation and letters of intent on the Funds' website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC) -- L SHARES You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase L Shares. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. But if you sell your shares within the first year after your purchase, you will pay a CDSC equal to 2.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sale request, whichever is less. The CDSC does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. So, you never pay a CDSC on any increase in your investment above the initial offering price. The CDSC does not apply to exchanges of L Shares of one Fund for L Shares of another Fund. IF YOU SELL YOUR L SHARES The CDSC will be waived if you sell your L Shares for the following reasons: - to make certain withdrawals from a retirement plan (not including IRAs); PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 52 PROSPECTUS - because of death or disability; or - for certain payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan -- up to 12% annually of the value of your shares of each Fund held at the time of the withdrawal (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is discussed later in more detail). OFFERING PRICE OF FUND SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after the transfer agent receives your request, plus the front-end sales load. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust Securities, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Fund in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request less, in the case of L Shares, any applicable deferred sales charge. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the systematic withdrawal plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from any Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliates bank, electronically transferred to your account. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Funds receive your request. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below the required minimum you may be required to sell your shares. The account balance minimums are:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 $5,000 ($2,000 for IRA L Shares accounts)
But, the Funds will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. A Class Shares acquired via purchase or exchange of either the International Equity Fund or the International Equity Index Fund may not be exchanged for shares of any other STI Classic Fund within thirty (30) days of purchase or exchange into the Fund. Of PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 53 course, you may redeem your shares of any STI Classic Fund at any time. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of a Fund, all Funds reserve the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) a Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) a Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund as outlined under "Market Timers" as defined later in this prospectus. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK, OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. EXCHANGES When you exchange shares, you are really selling your shares and buying other Fund shares. So, your sale price and purchase price will be based on the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your exchange requests. A SHARES You may exchange A Shares of any Fund for A Shares of any other Fund. If you exchange shares that you purchased without a sales charge or with a lower sales charge into a Fund with a sales charge or with a higher sales charge, the exchange is subject to an incremental sales charge (e.g., the difference between the lower and higher applicable sales charges). If you exchange shares into a Fund with the same, lower or no sales charge there is no incremental sales charge for the exchange. L SHARES You may exchange L Shares of any Fund for L Shares of any other Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to L Shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by any exchange. However, if you exchange L Shares of any STI Classic Fund for L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, you must first pay any applicable CDSC for the shares you are selling. Similarly, if you exchange L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund, any CDSC for the Fund you are exchanging into will be computed from the date of the exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of a Fund (other than the International PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 54 PROSPECTUS Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund) within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase A Shares or L Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive any dealer commissions and also may not be eligible to receive 12b-1 fees from the original date of purchase. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. The International Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. Shares held for 60 days or more are not subject to the redemption fee. Shares you have held the longest will always be redeemed first. If you transfer your shares to a different account registration, the shares will retain their original purchase date for redemption fee purposes. If you transfer less than 100% of your account balance, the redemption fee status of your shares will be carried over on a proportionate basis. Waiver of the redemption fee may be granted at the discretion of the Funds. The Funds reserve the right to modify its redemption fee policies at any time without advance notice to shareholders and may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES Each Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. While L Shares are sold without any initial sales charge, the distributor may pay at the time of sale up to 2% of the amount invested to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who sell L Shares. Through the distribution plan, the distributor is reimbursed for these payments, as well as other distribution related services provided by the distributor. Maximum distribution fees, as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows: FOR A SHARES: Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 0.35% Balanced Fund 0.28% Capital Appreciation Fund 0.68% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 0.35% Growth and Income Fund 0.25% Information and Technology Fund 0.55% International Equity Fund 0.33% International Equity Index Fund 0.38% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 0.43% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 0.40% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 0.50% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 0.33% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 0.25% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 0.40% Value Income Stock Fund 0.33%
For L Shares the maximum distribution fee is 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 55 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund distributes its net investment income as follows: QUARTERLY Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund Information and Technology Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund ANNUALLY International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable as either ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Dividends that are qualified dividend income are eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF A DIFFERENT STI CLASSIC FUND IS TREATED THE SAME AS A SALE. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The International Equity Fund and International Equity Index Fund may be able to pass along a tax credit for foreign income taxes they pay. In such event, each Fund will provide you with the information necessary to reflect such foreign taxes on your federal income tax return. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 56 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $10.00 $(0.03)(1) $ 0.02(1) $(0.01) L Shares 2004(2)..................... $10.00 $(0.04)(1) $ 0.01(1) $(0.03) BALANCED FUND A Shares 2004........................ $11.97 $ 0.14(1) $ 0.33(1) $ 0.47 2003........................ 12.24 0.16 (0.24) (0.08) 2002........................ 13.24 0.18 (0.64) (0.46) 2001........................ 13.43 0.27 0.11 0.38 2000........................ 13.32 0.29 0.31 0.60 L Shares 2004........................ $11.82 $ 0.05(1) $ 0.32(1) $ 0.37 2003........................ 12.07 0.08 (0.22) (0.14) 2002........................ 13.07 0.10 (0.65) (0.55) 2001........................ 13.27 0.16 0.11 0.27 2000........................ 13.17 0.17 0.33 0.50 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND A Shares 2004........................ $10.63 $(0.10)(1) $ 1.29(1) $ 1.19 2003........................ 11.89 (0.10)(1) (1.16)(1) (1.26) 2002........................ 13.59 (0.10) (1.48) (1.58) 2001........................ 16.91 (0.14) (0.38) (0.52) 2000........................ 16.53 (0.11) 1.41 1.30 L Shares 2004........................ $10.15 $(0.15)(1) $ 1.22(1) $ 1.07 2003........................ 11.40 (0.14)(1) (1.11)(1) (1.25) 2002........................ 13.09 (0.06) (1.51) (1.57) 2001........................ 16.45 (0.16) (0.40) (0.56) 2000........................ 16.18 (0.24) 1.43 1.19 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ----------------- ------------- ----------------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- L Shares 2004(2)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- BALANCED FUND A Shares 2004........................ $(0.16) $ -- $(0.16) 2003........................ (0.19) -- (0.19) 2002........................ (0.20) (0.34) (0.54) 2001........................ (0.27) (0.30) (0.57) 2000........................ (0.25) (0.24) (0.49) L Shares 2004........................ $(0.07) $ -- $(0.07) 2003........................ (0.11) -- (0.11) 2002........................ (0.11) (0.34) (0.45) 2001........................ (0.17) (0.30) (0.47) 2000........................ (0.16) (0.24) (0.40) CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- (0.12) (0.12) 2001........................ -- (2.80) (2.80) 2000........................ -- (0.92) (0.92) L Shares 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- (0.12) (0.12) 2001........................ -- (2.80) (2.80) 2000........................ -- (0.92) (0.92)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on February 23, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 57
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.99 (0.10)% $ 49 1.65% $ 9.97 (0.30)% $ 65 2.10% $12.28 3.91% $ 8,902 1.34% 11.97 (0.54) 8,285 1.33 12.24 (3.57) 9,020 1.33 13.24 2.91 7,834 1.32 13.43 4.66 9,627 1.27 $12.12 3.12% $ 65,435 2.09% 11.82 (1.15) 67,567 2.09 12.07 (4.33) 74,880 2.09 13.07 2.11 67,824 2.07 13.27 3.88 64,322 2.03 $11.82 11.19% $145,883 1.88% 10.63 (10.60) 141,488 1.88 11.89 (11.68) 163,155 1.88 13.59 (4.38) 202,548 1.86 16.91 8.29 251,421 1.82 $11.22 10.54% $100,472 2.35% 10.15 (10.96) 94,505 2.35 11.40 (12.05) 110,923 2.35 13.09 (4.79) 112,497 2.33 16.45 7.77 128,159 2.29 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- (1.25)% 11.29%++ 2% (1.69)% 8.78%++ 2% 1.18% 1.54% 116% 1.43 1.55 102 1.46 1.55 95 1.93 1.54 99 2.07 1.51 182 0.42% 2.18% 116% 0.67 2.18 102 0.71 2.16 95 1.18 2.15 99 1.33 2.18 182 (0.91)% 2.00% 106% (0.98) 2.00 69 (1.20) 1.99 75 (0.94) 1.98 75 (0.55) 1.98 129 (1.38)% 2.43% 106% (1.45) 2.45 69 (1.67) 2.39 75 (1.41) 2.39 75 (1.03) 2.39 129
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 58 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $10.00 $(0.04)(1) $(0.37)(1) L Shares 2004(3)..................... $10.14 $(0.05)(1) $(0.51)(1) GROWTH AND INCOME FUND A Shares 2004........................ $12.31 $ 0.12(1) $ 2.51(1) 2003........................ 13.91 0.11 (1.61) 2002........................ 15.17 0.06 (1.27) 2001........................ 15.65 0.04 (0.04) 2000........................ 16.21 0.09 0.55 L Shares 2004........................ $12.08 $ 0.01(1) $ 2.47(1) 2003........................ 13.66 -- (1.56) 2002........................ 14.96 (0.02) (1.28) 2001........................ 15.49 (0.05) (0.05) 2000........................ 16.10 -- 0.51 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND A Shares 2004(4)..................... $ 7.16 $(0.07)(1) $ 0.40(1) L Shares 2004........................ $ 5.86 $(0.12)(1) $ 1.44(1) 2003........................ 7.86 (0.09)(1) (1.91)(1) 2002........................ 13.15 (0.14) (5.15) 2001........................ 15.81 (0.22) (2.44) 2000(5)..................... 18.20 (0.07) (2.32) INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 7.92 $ 0.04(1) $ 2.17(1) 2003........................ 9.21 0.04 (1.30) 2002........................ 10.11 0.14 (1.04) 2001........................ 12.47 (0.02) (1.23) 2000........................ 12.89 (0.11) 1.37 L Shares 2004........................ $ 7.50 $(0.01)(1) $ 2.06(1) 2003........................ 8.75 (0.01) (1.24) 2002........................ 9.68 0.04 (0.97) 2001........................ 12.06 (0.16) (1.11) 2000........................ 12.58 (0.32) 1.46 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $(0.41) $ -- $ -- $ -- L Shares 2004(3)..................... $(0.56) $ -- $ -- $ -- GROWTH AND INCOME FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 2.63 $(0.11) $ -- $(0.11) 2003........................ (1.50) (0.10) -- (0.10) 2002........................ (1.21) (0.05) -- (0.05) 2001........................ -- (0.05) (0.43) (0.48) 2000........................ 0.64 (0.08) (1.12) (1.20) L Shares 2004........................ $ 2.48 $(0.02) $ -- $(0.02) 2003........................ (1.56) (0.02) -- (0.02) 2002........................ (1.30) -- -- -- 2001........................ (0.10) -- (0.43) (0.43) 2000........................ 0.51 -- (1.12) (1.12) INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND A Shares 2004(4)..................... $ 0.33 $ -- $ -- $ -- L Shares 2004........................ $ 1.32 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (2.00) -- -- -- 2002........................ (5.29) -- -- -- 2001........................ (2.66) -- -- -- 2000(5)..................... (2.39) -- -- -- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 2.21 $(0.10) $ -- $(0.10) 2003........................ (1.26) (0.03) -- (0.03) 2002........................ (0.90) -- -- -- 2001........................ (1.25) -- (1.11) (1.11) 2000........................ 1.26 (0.02) (1.66) (1.68) L Shares 2004........................ $ 2.05 $(0.06) $ -- $(0.06) 2003........................ (1.25) -- -- -- 2002........................ (0.93) -- -- -- 2001........................ (1.27) -- (1.11) (1.11) 2000........................ 1.14 -- (1.66) (1.66)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on February 23, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) Commenced operations on February 27, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (4) A Shares were offered beginning on October 27, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (5) L Shares were offered beginning on January 24, 2000. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 59
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 9.59 (4.10)% $ 39 1.65% $ 9.58 (5.52)% $ 34 2.11% $14.83 21.45% $45,808 1.18% 12.31 (10.74) 36,305 1.18 13.91 (7.97) 36,789 1.18 15.17 (0.07) 40,174 1.18 15.65 3.92 42,666 1.18 $14.54 20.58% $97,899 1.93% 12.08 (11.41) 74,261 1.93 13.66 (8.69) 94,671 1.93 14.96 (0.77) 78,376 1.93 15.49 3.11 62,462 1.93 $ 7.49 4.61% $ 2 1.72% $ 7.18 22.53% $ 7,377 2.25% 5.86 (25.45) 6,485 2.25 7.86 (40.23) 10,851 2.25 13.15 (16.82) 22,104 2.25 15.81 (13.13) 20,201 2.25 $10.03 27.97% $ 7,056 1.83% 7.92 (13.70) 6,408 1.83 9.21 (8.90) 5,272 1.83 10.11 (11.13) 7,517 1.79 12.47 10.15 10,462 1.83 $ 9.49 27.32% $ 7,606 2.53% 7.50 (14.29) 5,678 2.53 8.75 (9.61) 6,567 2.53 9.68 (11.71) 7,765 2.48 12.06 9.38 10,891 2.53 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- (1.46)% 13.36%++ 11% (1.95)% 18.36%++ 11% 0.84% 1.36% 51% 0.88 1.38 52 0.44 1.36 68 0.30 1.35 73 0.58 1.31 53 0.09% 2.17% 51% 0.11 2.20 52 (0.29) 2.16 68 (0.45) 2.14 73 (0.14) 2.18 53 (1.52)% 310.77%++ 384% (1.79)% 2.86% 384% (1.68) 3.00 1,259 (1.99) 2.57 1,102 (1.50) 2.45 750 (1.65) 2.40 250 0.46% 2.06% 58% 0.59 2.22 89 (0.21) 2.08 102 0.18 1.97 68 0.33 1.95 179 (0.15)% 2.86% 58% (0.17) 3.03 89 (0.73) 2.93 102 (0.51) 2.57 68 (0.38) 2.74 179
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 60 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 8.28 $ 0.07(1) $ 2.68(1) 2003........................ 9.64 0.10(1) (1.45)(1) 2002........................ 11.05 (0.02) (1.38) 2001........................ 13.80 (0.01) (2.65) 2000........................ 11.70 (0.11) 2.32 L Shares 2004........................ $ 8.10 $ 0.02(1) $ 2.62(1) 2003........................ 9.48 0.01(1) (1.39)(1) 2002........................ 10.93 (0.12) (1.33) 2001........................ 13.74 (0.06) (2.66) 2000........................ 11.73 0.08 2.04 MID-CAP EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 8.42 $ 0.02(1) $ 1.51(1) 2003........................ 9.47 (0.05)(1) (1.00)(1) 2002........................ 10.64 (0.03) (1.14) 2001........................ 13.82 (0.05) (0.62) 2000........................ 12.50 (0.19) 2.37 L Shares 2004........................ $ 7.92 $(0.04)(1) $ 1.43(1) 2003........................ 8.97 (0.10)(1) (0.95)(1) 2002........................ 10.14 0.02 (1.19) 2001........................ 13.35 (0.07) (0.63) 2000........................ 12.17 (0.22) 2.26 MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(4)..................... $ 9.39 $ 0.02(1) $ 1.55(1) L Shares 2004........................ $ 8.58 $(0.01)(1) $ 2.33(1) 2003........................ 10.92 0.01 (2.16) 2002(2)..................... 10.00 (0.01) 0.93 SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004........................ $15.00 $(0.22)(1) $ 5.14(1) 2003........................ 17.12 (0.17)(1) (1.70)(1) 2002........................ 18.26 (0.17) (0.90) 2001........................ 18.27 (0.59) 2.04 2000(3)..................... 16.46 (0.07) 1.88 L Shares 2004........................ $14.45 $(0.34)(1) $ 4.95(1) 2003........................ 16.62 (0.26)(1) (1.66)(1) 2002........................ 17.85 (0.02) (1.14) 2001........................ 18.00 (0.25) 1.56 2000........................ 14.46 (0.04) 3.77 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 2.75 $(0.10) $ -- $(0.10) 2003........................ (1.35) (0.01) -- (0.01) 2002........................ (1.40) (0.01) -- (0.01) 2001........................ (2.66) -- (0.09) (0.09) 2000........................ 2.21 -- (0.11) (0.11) L Shares 2004........................ $ 2.64 $(0.05) $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ (1.38) -- -- -- 2002........................ (1.45) -- -- -- 2001........................ (2.72) -- (0.09) (0.09) 2000........................ 2.12 -- (0.11) (0.11) MID-CAP EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 1.53 $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) 2003........................ (1.05) -- -- -- 2002........................ (1.17) -- -- -- 2001........................ (0.67) -- (2.51) (2.51) 2000........................ 2.18 -- (0.86) (0.86) L Shares 2004........................ $ 1.39 $(0.01) $ -- $(0.01) 2003........................ (1.05) -- -- -- 2002........................ (1.17) -- -- -- 2001........................ (0.70) -- (2.51) (2.51) 2000........................ 2.04 -- (0.86) (0.86) MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(4)..................... $ 1.57 $(0.02) $ -- $(0.02) L Shares 2004........................ $ 2.32 $ --* $ -- $ --* 2003........................ (2.15) (0.01) (0.18) (0.19) 2002(2)..................... 0.92 -- -- -- SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 4.92 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (1.87) -- (0.25) (0.25) 2002........................ (1.07) -- (0.07) (0.07) 2001........................ 1.45 -- (1.46) (1.46) 2000(3)..................... 1.81 -- -- -- L Shares 2004........................ $ 4.61 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (1.92) -- (0.25) (0.25) 2002........................ (1.16) -- (0.07) (0.07) 2001........................ 1.31 -- (1.46) (1.46) 2000........................ 3.73 -- (0.19) (0.19)
* Amount represents less than $0.005. + Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) A Shares were offered beginning on December 12, 1999. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (4) A Shares were offered beginning on October 27, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 61
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.93 33.26% $15,037 1.49% 8.28 (14.03) 9,877 1.49 9.64 (12.65) 3,222 1.49 11.05 (19.31) 3,451 1.46 13.80 18.86 4,563 1.47 $10.69 32.60% $ 5,208 2.14% 8.10 (14.56) 3,093 2.14 9.48 (13.27) 3,505 2.14 10.93 (19.84) 4,731 2.10 13.74 18.04 5,853 2.12 $ 9.92 18.16% $17,125 1.68% 8.42 (11.09) 12,137 1.68 9.47 (11.00) 10,766 1.68 10.64 (7.34) 12,316 1.66 13.82 18.55 14,513 1.62 $ 9.30 17.51% $15,998 2.28% 7.92 (11.71) 12,013 2.28 8.97 (11.54) 13,937 2.28 10.14 (7.88) 12,910 2.26 13.35 17.87 14,588 2.22 $10.94 16.73% $ 610 1.60% $10.90 27.06% $ 7,880 1.90% 8.58 (19.58) 5,744 1.90 10.92 9.24 5,465 1.89 $19.92 32.80% $40,590 1.61% 15.00 (10.77) 21,887 1.61 17.12 (5.86) 24,978 1.61 18.26 7.89 28,933 1.60 18.27 11.00 39,865 1.55 $19.06 31.90% $40,354 2.31% 14.45 (11.40) 25,601 2.31 16.62 (6.50) 29,457 2.31 17.85 7.19 26,941 2.29 18.00 25.95 23,228 2.25 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 0.73% 1.61% 10% 1.33 1.87 25 (0.12) 1.90 35 0.05 1.83 13 0.07 1.79 9 0.25% 2.54% 10% 0.18 2.82 25 (0.68) 2.62 35 (0.61) 2.15 13 (0.36) 2.61 9 0.20% 1.87% 126% (0.68) 1.92 144 (0.63) 1.89 87 (0.69) 1.86 100 (0.43) 1.81 131 (0.41)% 2.54% 126% (1.33) 2.60 144 (1.23) 2.50 87 (1.29) 2.46 100 (1.05) 2.44 131 0.24% 4.23% 95% (0.11)% 2.74% 95% 0.03 2.85 71 (0.31) 2.72 30 (1.20)% 1.88% 107% (1.23) 1.93 96 (1.37) 1.88 100 (1.33) 1.87 112 (1.26) 1.79 110 (1.90)% 2.40% 107% (1.93) 2.46 96 (2.07) 2.41 100 (2.01) 2.39 112 (1.92) 2.42 110
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 62 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $15.75 $ 0.03(1) $ 2.41(1) L Shares 2004........................ $13.55 $(0.10)(1) $ 4.46(1) 2003........................ 14.43 (0.04) (0.84) 2002........................ 12.15 -- 2.29 2001........................ 9.10 0.07 3.04 2000........................ 9.65 -- (0.54) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(3)..................... $11.35 $(0.05)(1) $ 1.00(1) L Shares 2004(4)..................... $11.64 $(0.11)(1) $ 0.72(1) TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(5)..................... $22.32 $(0.10)(1) $ 1.04(1) L Shares 2004........................ $19.85 $(0.29)(1) $ 2.48(1) 2003........................ 22.45 (0.20)(1) (2.40)(1) 2002........................ 26.10 (0.41) (3.24) 2001........................ 32.65 (0.36) (6.19) 2000........................ 29.85 (0.16) 2.96 VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 9.70 $ 0.11(1) $ 1.73(1) 2003........................ 11.01 0.12 (1.32) 2002........................ 11.58 0.08 (0.56) 2001........................ 10.35 0.14 1.25 2000........................ 12.81 0.19 (1.48) L Shares 2004........................ $ 9.60 $ 0.03(1) $ 1.72(1) 2003........................ 10.90 0.05 (1.31) 2002........................ 11.46 -- (0.55) 2001........................ 10.24 0.04 1.26 2000........................ 12.68 0.08 (1.44) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(2)..................... $ 2.44 $(0.01) $ -- $(0.01) L Shares 2004........................ $ 4.36 $ --* $ -- $ --* 2003........................ (0.88) -- -- -- 2002........................ 2.29 (0.01) -- (0.01) 2001........................ 3.11 (0.06) -- (0.06) 2000........................ (0.54) (0.01) -- (0.01) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND A Shares 2004(3)..................... $ 0.95 $ -- $(0.25) $(0.25) L Shares 2004(4)..................... $ 0.61 $ -- $(0.25) $(0.25) TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND A Shares 2004(5)..................... $ 0.94 $ -- $ -- $ -- L Shares 2004........................ $ 2.19 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (2.60) -- -- -- 2002........................ (3.65) -- -- -- 2001........................ (6.55) -- -- -- 2000........................ 2.80 -- -- -- VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND A Shares 2004........................ $ 1.84 $(0.11) $ -- $(0.11) 2003........................ (1.20) (0.11) -- (0.11) 2002........................ (0.48) (0.09) -- (0.09) 2001........................ 1.39 (0.16) -- (0.16) 2000........................ (1.29) (0.18) (0.99) (1.17) L Shares 2004........................ $ 1.75 $(0.04) $ -- $(0.04) 2003........................ (1.26) (0.04) -- (0.04) 2002........................ (0.55) (0.01) -- (0.01) 2001........................ 1.30 (0.08) -- (0.08) 2000........................ (1.36) (0.09) (0.99) (1.08)
* Amount represents less than $0.005. + Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) A Shares were offered beginning on October 9, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) A Shares were offered beginning on October 8, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (4) L Shares were offered beginning on October 13, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (5) A Shares were offered beginning on October 14, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 63
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $18.18 15.51% $ 4,088 1.55% $17.91 32.20% $ 46,192 2.26% 13.55 (6.10) 34,064 2.31 14.43 18.92 32,708 2.31 12.15 34.30 11,167 2.30 9.10 (5.65) 8,596 2.27 $12.05 8.48% $ 155 1.55% $12.00 5.34% $ 1,573 2.30% $23.26 4.21% $ 365 1.65% $22.04 11.03% $ 92,966 2.31% 19.85 (11.58) 110,085 2.31 22.45 (13.98) 167,973 2.31 26.10 (20.06) 233,496 2.30 32.65 9.38 290,595 2.25 $11.43 19.10% $ 73,257 1.28% 9.70 (10.85) 65,294 1.28 11.01 (4.14) 75,697 1.28 11.58 13.63 85,584 1.28 10.35 (10.83) 104,178 1.28 $11.31 18.27% $ 57,403 2.02% 9.60 (11.56) 49,007 2.02 10.90 (4.82) 59,392 2.02 11.46 12.85 65,895 2.01 10.24 (11.50) 84,563 2.02 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 0.30% 2.15% 44% (0.64)% 2.45% 44% (0.40) 2.50 29 (0.38) 2.52 29 0.63 2.66 86 0.21 2.56 65 (0.67)% 10.70%++ 344% (1.42)% 3.09% 344% (0.71)% 4.48%++ 49% (1.34)% 2.41% 49% (1.07) 2.40 58 (1.16) 2.36 69 (1.15) 2.34 103 (0.91) 2.35 30 1.01% 1.31% 67% 1.29 1.32 46 0.74 1.31 60 1.31 1.31 77 1.64 1.28 62 0.27% 2.07% 67% 0.55 2.10 46 -- 2.05 60 0.59 2.05 77 0.91 2.03 62
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUALE1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS FOR PARTICIPANTS OF SUNTRUST BANKS SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND BALANCED FUND CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND GROWTH AND INCOME FUND HIGH INCOME FUND INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND MID-CAP EQUITY FUND MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND SHORT-TERM BOND FUND SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND STRATEGIC INCOME FUND STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") INVESTMENT SUBADVISER: (Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund) ZEVENBERGEN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC (the "Subadviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of each Fund (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 4 BALANCED FUND 7 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 9 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 11 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 14 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 16 EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 18 GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 20 HIGH INCOME FUND 23 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 26 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 29 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 32 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 35 LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 38 MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 41 MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 43 SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 46 SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 48 SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 50 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 53 STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 56 STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 58 TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 61 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 64 VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 66 PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 68 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 70 U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 72 LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 75 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 78 LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 82 LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 85 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 87 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 88 INVESTMENT ADVISER 88 INVESTMENT SUBADVISER 89 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 91 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 94 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 94 TAXES 96 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES SHAKE ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP EQUITY FUNDS Aggressive Growth Stock Fund T Shares 2/23/04 SCATX 784767188 Balanced Fund T Shares 1/3/94 SBATX 784766735 Capital Appreciation Fund T Shares 7/1/92 STCAX 784766867 Emerging Growth Stock Fund T Shares 2/23/04 SEGTX 784767238 Growth and Income Fund T Shares 9/26/92 CRVAX 784766198 Information & Technology Fund T Shares 9/30/99 STECX 784767840 International Equity Fund T Shares 12/1/95 STITX 784766388 International Equity Index Fund T Shares 6/6/94 SIEIX 784766594 Mid-Cap Equity Fund T Shares 2/2/94 SAGTX 784766750 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund T Shares 11/30/01 SMVTX 784767725 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund T Shares 10/8/98 SSCTX 784766263 Small Cap Value Equity Fund T Shares 1/31/97 SCETX 784766370 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund T Shares 8/7/03 SQETX 784767527 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund T Shares 12/11/98 STTAX 784766230 Value Income Stock Fund T Shares 10/31/89 STVTX 784766834 FIXED INCOME FUNDS Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund T Shares 11/13/03 SHQTX 784767477 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund T Shares 10/3/02 STSSX 784767584 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund T Shares 1/14/04 STBTX 784767469 High Income Fund T Shares 10/3/01 STHTX 784767766 Investment Grade Bond Fund T Shares 7/16/92 STIGX 784766701 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund T Shares 6/6/94 SLMTX 784766628 Short-Term Bond Fund T Shares 3/15/93 SSBTX 784766826 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund T Shares 3/15/93 SUSTX 784766792 Strategic Income Fund T Shares 11/30/01 STICX 784767691 U.S. Government Securities Fund T Shares 8/1/94 SUGTX 784766644 MONEY MARKET FUNDS Prime Quality Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 SQTXX 784766107 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund T Shares 6/8/92 STUXX 784766305 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund T Shares 2/18/87 CUSXX 784767402 LIFE VISION FUNDS Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CVMGX 784767881 Life Vision Conservative Fund T Shares 10/01/03 SCCTX 784767485 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CLVGX 784767873 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund T Shares 6/30/97 CLVBX 784767865
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser (or the Subadviser) invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's (or the Subadviser's) judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser (or the Subadviser) does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund (other than a money market fund) is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. multi-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies of all sizes that exhibit strong growth characteristics. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid- capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Aggressive Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 3 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.32% ------------------- 1.57% Total Annual Operating Expenses**
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Aggressive Growth Stock Fund - T Shares 1.22%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $160 $496
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." BALANCED FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY U.S. common stocks SECONDARY Bonds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with a history of earnings growth and bonds with minimal risk INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Balanced Fund invests in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, U.S. government obligations and investment grade corporate bonds. In selecting stocks for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify high-quality companies with a history of above average earnings growth. In selecting bonds, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." BALANCED FUND PROSPECTUS 5 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 25.51% 1996 12.13% 1997 21.14% 1998 19.55% 1999 4.66% 2000 4.79% 2001 0.23% 2002 -8.53% 2003 10.05%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 12.57% -5.97% (12/31/98) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.26%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Balanced Fund 10.05% 2.04% 8.00% Hybrid 60/40 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 18.76% 2.70% 9.77% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/ Credit Index 4.67% 6.66% 6.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on January 3, 1994. Benchmark returns since December 31, 1993 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. BALANCED FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.95% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.01%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Balanced Fund - T Shares 0.99%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $103 $322 $558 $1,236
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Capital Appreciation Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other equity securities that the Adviser believes have strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, cash flows and earnings trends. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes have above average growth potential. The Adviser uses a "bottom-up" process based on individual company earnings trends and fundamentals to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. The Adviser's strategy focuses primarily on large-cap stocks but will also utilize mid-cap stocks. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -7.41% 1995 31.15% 1996 20.31% 1997 31.13% 1998 28.06% 1999 9.71% 2000 1.62% 2001 -6.49% 2002 -21.98% 2003 18.52%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 22.93% -14.98% (12/31/98) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.71%. CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND 8 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500 (R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Capital Appreciation Fund 18.52% -0.73% 8.99% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.20%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $122 $381 $660 $1,455
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS High quality fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify intermediate duration securities that offer solid return potential and yield INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income and yield consistent with intermediate share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in high quality fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, A rated or higher, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities (rated A or better by at least one National Statistical Ratings Organization). The Fund may also invest in futures, options, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure, relative value sector and security analysis. The average duration of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 3 to 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund commenced operations on October 27, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND 10 PROSPECTUS This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.47% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.97%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund - T Shares 0.82%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $99 $309 $536 $1,190
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income consistent with preserving capital and maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Short duration investment grade money market and fixed income securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify short duration securities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than money market funds INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors seeking to maximize income consistent with limited share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in short duration, investment grade money market and fixed income securities including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, obligations of supranational entities and foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporate debt obligations, taxable municipal debt securities, mortgage-backed and asset- backed securities, repurchase agreements, and other mutual funds. The Fund normally expects to maintain an average effective duration between three months and one year. Individual purchases will generally be limited to securities with a maturity/average life of less than three years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to maximize income by identifying securities that offer an acceptable yield for a given level of credit risk and maturity. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The price (NAV) of the Fund will fluctuate depending on general changes in interest rates as well as changes in the yields of the specific securities in the Fund. General (or macro) changes in interest rates may be as a result of economic developments or Federal Reserve policy while issuer specific changes in yield may be as a result of a change in creditworthiness of a particular issuer or industry. In general, the NAV of the Fund will rise when interest rates fall, and likewise, the NAV of the Fund will fall when interest rates rise. An objective of the Fund is to minimize NAV fluctuation by (a) maintaining the Fund average weighted duration between three months and one year and (b) diversifying the Fund among issuers and industries. The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. government debt securities may under perform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND 12 PROSPECTUS similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows the performance of the Fund's T Shares for the last year.* (BAR CHART) 2003 0.94%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.41% -0.17% (3/31/03) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.65%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index, iMoneyNet First Tier Institutional Average and Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.94% 0.73% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 1.27% iMoneyNet First Tier Institutional Average 0.84% 0.92% Lipper Ultra-Short Obligation Funds Average 1.50% 1.79%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 3, 2002. Benchmark returns since September 30, 2002 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury Bills. iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Institutional Average is a widely recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The number of funds in the Average varies. The Lipper Ultra Short Obligation Funds Average consists of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues, or better, and maintain a portfolio dollar-weighted average maturity between 91 days and 365 days. The number of funds in the Average varies. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND PROSPECTUS 13 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.50% Other Expenses* 0.32% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund - T Shares 0.51%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $84 $262 $455 $1,014
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Current income and price appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities, plus other opportunistic investments SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to recognize relative value in fixed income markets INVESTOR PROFILE Investors seeking diversification and attractive total returns in the fixed income market
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a wide array of fixed income securities, primarily utilizing U.S. government, investment grade corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in high yield securities, international bonds, convertible bonds, futures, options, preferred stocks, taxable municipal securities, asset backed securities and CMOs. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of duration, yield curve structure and relative value sector and security analysis. The average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range from 4 to 10 years. Due to its investment strategy the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 15 Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund commenced operations on October 15, 2003, and, therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.45% Other Expenses* 0.42% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.87%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund - T Shares 0.72%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $89 $278 $482 $1,073
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of U.S. small- and mid-cap growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of small-and mid-capitalization companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment, but do not need income, and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Emerging Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with market capitalizations below $10 billion that exhibit strong growth characteristics. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Subadviser emphasizes companies that have a market capitalization of $5 billion or less. Using a "bottom-up" approach, the Subadviser identifies companies with favorable prospects for future revenue, earnings, and/or cash flow growth. Growth "drivers" are identified for each company and become critical to the ongoing evaluation process. Industry growth dynamics, company competitive positioning, pricing flexibility, and diversified product offerings are evaluated, providing the foundation for further fundamental research to determine the weighting of the Fund's investments in various equity market sectors. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid- capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Emerging Growth Stock Fund commenced operations on February 23, 2004, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 17 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.40% ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.65%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Emerging Growth Stock Fund -- T Shares 1.22%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $168 $520
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 18 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Long-term capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities of companies with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion with attractive valuation and/or above average earnings potential relative either to their sectors or the market as a whole INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for capital appreciation potential and some income with less volatility than the equity market as a whole
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Growth and Income Fund invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks of domestic companies and listed American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of foreign companies, all with market capitalizations of at least $1.5 billion. However, the average market capitalization can vary throughout a full market cycle and will be flexible to allow the Adviser to capture market opportunities. The Adviser uses a quantitative screening process to identify companies with attractive fundamental profiles. The portfolio management team selects stocks of companies with strong financial quality and above average earnings potential to secure the best relative values in each economic sector. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.81% 1995 29.38% 1996 19.06% 1997 27.69% 1998 18.20% 1999 14.17% 2000 1.43% 2001 -6.60% 2002 -19.64% 2003 28.14%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.38% -18.44% (6/30/97) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.80%. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 19 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500 (R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Growth and Income Fund 28.14% 2.18% 9.89% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $ 98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." HIGH INCOME FUND 20 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY High current income SECONDARY Total return INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify lower-rated securities offering high current income of issuers generating adequate cash flow to meet their obligations INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income and who are willing to accept greater share price volatility through investment in high yield, below investment grade debt instruments
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The High Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of higher yielding, lower-rated income producing securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. The Fund will invest at least 65%, and may invest up to 100%, of its assets in securities rated as "non-investment grade" by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or by Standard & Poor's Rating Services or in unrated securities if, in the Adviser's opinion, they are of comparable quality. Such securities are commonly known as "junk bonds" and offer greater risks than investment grade bonds (i.e., rated BBB- or above by S&P or Baa3 or above by Moody's). In selecting debt securities for the Fund the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the HIGH INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 21 issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 -3.33% 2003 25.81%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 8.73% -5.50% (6/30/03) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.38%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* High Income Fund 25.81% 10.77% Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index 28.97% 14.08%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 3, 2001. Benchmark returns since September 30, 2001 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index which covers the universe of fixed rate, non-investment grade debt. HIGH INCOME FUND 22 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.87%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. High Income Fund - T Shares 0.73%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $89 $278 $482 $1,073
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 23 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth INVESTMENT FOCUS Common stocks of companies benefiting from information and technology SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Very high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies benefiting from technology and information to achieve above average growth INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors with long-term investment goals who are willing to accept significant volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Information and Technology Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks of U.S. companies that are expected to benefit substantially from information and technology and achieve above average growth. The Fund believes that information- oriented companies and technology-oriented companies offer the potential for significant long-term growth. The Fund's holdings are generally diversified across three market segments. The first segment is comprised of corporations whose core line of business focuses on an emerging information-related or technology-related market. The second segment consists of established technology companies that provide the infrastructure to support the transfer of information. The third segment includes established, non-tech corporations from multiple industries that are harnessing the power of information to drive company growth. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser uses a "bottom-up" analysis that evaluates the competitive advantages and market sustainability of individual companies. The Fund invests primarily in companies with market capitalizations over $1 billion, but may invest a portion of its assets in smaller companies. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. Due to the focus of the Fund, many holdings share similar risk factors. Many companies in the portfolio have limited operating histories, function in rapidly changing business environments and trade at valuations that are significantly higher than average. As a result, the Fund's net asset value (NAV) may be more volatile than other, broadly diversified equity funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND 24 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2000 -16.75% 2001 -26.65% 2002 -49.81% 2003 42.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.45% -32.91% (12/31/01) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.76%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index and the Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Information and Technology Fund 42.16% -6.20% Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index 54.19% -11.99% Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective 55.95% -10.91%
* Since inception of the T Shares on September 30, 1999. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index is a modified capitalization-weighted index of selected technology funds. The Lipper Science & Technology Funds Objective is an average of funds that invest 65% of their equity portfolio in science and technology stocks. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND PROSPECTUS 25 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.10% Other Expenses* 0.22% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $134 $418 $723 $1,590
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 26 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with good fundamentals or a history of consistent growth INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want an increase in the value of their investment without regard to income, are willing to accept the increased risks of international investing for the possibility of higher returns, and want exposure to a diversified portfolio of international stocks
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund invests primarily in developed countries, but may invest in countries with emerging markets. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection focuses on individual stocks and fundamental characteristics of companies. The Adviser's goal is to find companies with top management, quality products and sound financial positions, or a history of consistent growth in cash flows, sales, operating profits, returns on equity and returns on invested capital. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser diversifies the Fund's investments among at least three foreign countries. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. Emerging market countries are countries that the World Bank or the United Nations considers to be emerging or developing. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with the Fund's investments in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 27 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 1, 1995. Performance prior to December 1, 1995 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on January 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 22.08% 1997 13.35% 1998 11.22% 1999 9.47% 2000 -3.46% 2001 -17.71% 2002 -17.02% 2003 36.86%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.75% -19.71% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.18%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI (R) EAFE (R)) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* International Equity Fund 36.86% -0.25% 8.69% MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index 38.59% -0.05% 4.60%
* Since inception of the collective investment fund on January 31, 1995. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND 28 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.12% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.37%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $139 $434 $750 $1,646
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 29 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Investment results that correspond to the performance of the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTMENT FOCUS Foreign equity securities in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Statistical analysis to track the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index INVESTOR PROFILE Aggressive investors who want exposure to foreign markets and are willing to accept the increased risks of foreign investing for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the International Equity Index Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies included in the MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index, an index of equity securities of companies located in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. While the Fund is structured to have overall investment characteristics similar to those of the Index, it selects a sample of securities within the Index using a statistical process. Therefore, the Fund will not hold all securities included in the Index. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that foreign equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. In addition to the above mentioned risks, the Adviser may not be able to match the performance of the Fund's benchmark. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND 30 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 10.73% 1996 6.04% 1997 8.99% 1998 30.02% 1999 30.66% 2000 -17.06% 2001 -23.47% 2002 -16.52% 2003 40.54%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 21.26% -20.53% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.95%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East - Gross Domestic Product (MSCI (R) EAFE (R)-GDP) Weighted Index.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* International Equity Index Fund 40.54% -0.55% 4.88% MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index 40.00% -0.79% 3.87%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The MSCI(R) EAFE(R)-GDP Weighted Index is a widely-recognized, market capitalization index that measures market equity performance based upon indices from 21 foreign and developed countries. The country weighting of the Index is calculated using the gross domestic product of each of the various countries and then with respect to the market capitalization of the various companies operating in each country. INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND PROSPECTUS 31 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.90% Other Expenses* 0.13% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.03%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. International Equity Index Fund - T Shares 0.98%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $105 $328 $569 $1,259
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 32 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High total return through current income and capital appreciation, while preserving the principal amount invested INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify relatively inexpensive securities in a selected market index INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Investment Grade Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade fixed income securities. The Adviser focuses on corporate debt securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, and mortgage-backed securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to minimize risk while attempting to outperform selected market indices. Currently, the Adviser's selected index is the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, a widely-recognized, unmanaged index of investment grade government and corporate debt securities. The Adviser seeks to invest more in portions of the Index that seem relatively inexpensive, and less in those that seem expensive. The Adviser allocates the Fund's investments among various market sectors based on the Adviser's analysis of historical data, yield information and credit ratings. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 33 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.32% 1995 17.80% 1996 2.34% 1997 9.08% 1998 9.19% 1999 -1.53% 2000 6.57% 2001 9.06% 2002 7.42% 2003 3.70%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 6.11% -2.67% (6/30/95) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.57%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Investment Grade Bond Fund 3.70% 4.98% 5.87% Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index 4.67% 6.66% 6.98% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective 4.56% 5.81% 6.16%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index is a widely-recognized composite made up of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government Index and the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index which include U.S. government, Treasury and agency securities, as well as high grade corporate bonds. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Lipper Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt Funds Objective is a widely-recognized, equally weighted average that invests primarily in investment grade debt issues (rated in the top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. The number of funds in the Objective varies. INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 34 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 35 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that are less prone to prepayment risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities, such as Fannie Mae, GNMA and collateralized mortgage obligations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to identify securities that the Adviser expects to perform well in rising and falling markets. The Adviser also attempts to reduce the risk that the underlying mortgages are prepaid by focusing on securities that it believes are less prone to this risk. For example, Fannie Mae or GNMA securities that were issued years ago may be less prone to prepayment risk because there have been many opportunities for prepayment, but few have occurred. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mortgage-backed securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND 36 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 12.14% 1996 4.53% 1997 6.74% 1998 6.90% 1999 1.25% 2000 8.60% 2001 7.41% 2002 7.50% 2003 1.42%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.36% -0.94% (9/30/01) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.03%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index and the Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 1.42% 5.18% 5.88% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/ Agencies Index 2.15% 5.82% 6.44% Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index 2.06% 5.72% 6.40%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 6, 1994. Benchmark returns since May 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year AAA U.S. Treasuries/Agencies Index includes U.S. government and agency bonds that have a minimum issue size of $150 million. The current market value of the Index is $1.50 trillion with duration of 2.06 years and yield to maturity of 2.48%. The Merrill Lynch 1-5 Year U.S. Treasuries Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of 1 year or greater and no more than 5 years. LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 37 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund - T Shares 0.68%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 38 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate to high PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with above average growth potential at an attractive price INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow and who are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and other equity U.S. traded securities that have small- to mid-sized capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations of $500 million to $10 billion or companies in the Russell Midcap(R) Index). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that, in its opinion, offer above average stock price appreciation relative to other companies in the same economic sector. The Adviser utilizes proprietary, sector based models to rank stocks in each sector of the small- and mid-cap markets. These models utilize fundamental stock characteristics such as growth rates and cash flows. The Adviser utilizes fundamental research in the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of the sector based models to reflect change in the underlying small-and mid-cap markets. Risk management is utilized extensively and a critical component of the overall investment process. The strategy is diversified with 100 to 140 stocks in the portfolio. Each stock is generally limited to no more than two percent of the portfolio. The portfolio is managed to reduce tracking error and overall volatility to the benchmark. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small- and mid-cap common stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small- and mid-cap sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." MID-CAP EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 39 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 31.22% 1996 15.42% 1997 21.23% 1998 6.48% 1999 16.14% 2000 -2.97% 2001 2.38% 2002 -28.78% 2003 28.99%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.73% -19.96% (12/31/98) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.68%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap (R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
SINCE T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Mid-Cap Equity Fund 28.99% 1.17% 7.45% Russell Midcap(R) Index 40.06% 7.23% 11.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on February 2, 1994, Benchmark return since January 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(R) Index, which represent approximately 26% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000(R) Index. The Russell 1000(R) Index is widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. MID-CAP EQUITY FUND 40 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.22%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $124 $387 $670 $1,477
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 41 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. mid-cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued mid-cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between approximately $1 billion and $12 billion. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses common stocks that it believes are undervalued in the market. The Adviser may sell a security when it achieves a designated target price, a company's growth prospects change, or the opportunity for a better investment arises. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that mid-cap equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 -21.26% 2003 29.51%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 17.79% -23.08% (6/30/03) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 8.88%. MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 42 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell Midcap (R) Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 29.51% 3.41% Russell Midcap(R) Value Index 38.07% 13.39%
* Since inception of the T Shares on November 30, 2001. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell Midcap(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap(R) companies with lower price- to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The stocks are also members of the Russell 1000(R) Value index. The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a widely- recognized index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000(R) Index is a widely-recognized comprehensive large-cap index measuring the performance of the largest 1,000 U.S. incorporated companies. Each security in the Russell 1000(R) Index is float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted to ensure investable positions. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund - T Shares 1.24%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $134 $418 $723 $1,590
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 43 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Investment grade U.S. government and corporate debt securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better return than similar securities for a given level of credit risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Short-Term Bond Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of short- to medium-term investment grade U.S. Treasury, corporate debt, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Fund expects that it will normally maintain an effective maturity of 3 years or less. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser attempts to identify securities that offer a comparably better investment return for a given level of credit risk. For example, short-term bonds generally have better returns than money market instruments, with a fairly modest increase in credit risk and/or volatility. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view towards maximizing returns. The Adviser analyzes yields, market sectors and credit risk in an effort to identify attractive investments with the best risk/reward trade-off. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans or underlying assets such as truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan, receivables or other assets underlying these securities. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in the market place. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayment or prepayment of the underlying asset that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SHORT-TERM BOND FUND 44 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -0.07% 1995 11.77% 1996 3.90% 1997 6.78% 1998 6.84% 1999 0.92% 2000 7.64% 2001 7.54% 2002 2.59% 2003 2.53%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 3.86% -0.75% (9/30/01) (12/31/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Short-Term Bond Fund 2.53% 4.20% 4.99% Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index 2.88% 5.86% 5.93%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Government/ Credit Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities, government agency obligations, and corporate debt securities rated at least investment grade (BBB). The securities in the Index have maturities of 1 year or greater and less than 3 years. SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PROSPECTUS 45 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term Bond Fund - T Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND 46 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Short-term U.S. Treasury securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify Treasury securities with maturities that offer a comparably better return potential and yield than either shorter maturity or longer maturity securities for a given level of interest rate risk INVESTOR PROFILE Income oriented investors who are willing to accept increased risk for the possibility of returns greater than money market investing
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund invests exclusively in short-term U.S. Treasury securities (those with remaining maturities of 3 years or less) and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund intends to maintain an average weighted maturity from 1 to 2 years. The Fund offers investors the opportunity to capture the advantage of investing in short-term bonds over money market instruments. Generally, short-term bonds offer a comparably better return than money market instruments, with a modest increase in interest rate risk. The Adviser manages the Fund from a total return perspective. That is, the Adviser makes day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund with a view toward maximizing returns and yield. The Adviser tries to select those U.S. Treasury securities that offer the best risk/reward trade-off. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that short-term U.S. Treasury securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 1.41% 1995 8.58% 1996 4.52% 1997 5.86% 1998 6.24% 1999 2.71% 2000 6.65% 2001 6.55% 2002 4.61% 2003 1.37%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 2.64% -0.10% (9/30/01) (3/31/94)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.36%. SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 47 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index and the Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 1.37% 4.35% 4.82% Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index 1.88% 5.37% 5.65% Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.18% 3.67% 4.47%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Citigroup 1-3 Year Treasury Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of one year or greater and less than three years. The Citigroup 6-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 6 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.72%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund - T Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $74 $230 $401 $894
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND 48 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Identifies small cap companies with above average growth potential INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion in size. U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. The Fund's investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, a strong balance sheet, strong current and projected business fundamentals, and priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization growth stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1999 20.55% 2000 11.76% 2001 -0.82% 2002 -22.71% 2003 45.64%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 24.19% -22.83% (6/30/03) (9/30/01)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 7.41%. SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 49 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P Small Cap 600 (R)/BARRA Growth Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
SINCE T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 45.64% 8.51% 16.28% S&P Small Cap 600(R)/ BARRA Growth Index 37.31% 6.67% 10.45%
* Since inception of the T Shares on October 8, 1998. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1998 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P Small Cap 600(R)/BARRA Growth Index is a widely-recognized index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 600(R) Index consisting of those companies with the highest price-to-book ratios within the S&P 600(R) Index. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." 50 PROSPECTUS SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued small cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities that have small capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations under $3 billion). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes are undervalued in the market, relative to the industry sector and the company's own valuation history. The Adviser evaluates potential catalysts that may increase a stock's value to such an extent that the stock no longer meets the Fund's investment criteria. Additionally, all common stocks purchased for the Fund are required to pay cash dividends. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 51 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on January 31, 1997. Performance prior to January 31, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on August 31, 1994. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 30.99% 1996 34.25% 1997 32.59% 1998 -13.45% 1999 -2.72% 2000 17.96% 2001 21.21% 2002 -1.74% 2003 37.05%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 19.82% -21.99% (6/30/99) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 9.85%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell 2000 (R) Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Small Cap Value Equity Fund 37.05% 13.37% 15.40% Russell 2000(R) Value Index 46.03% 12.28% 13.36%
* Since inception of the collective investment fund on August 31, 1994. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell 2000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of companies in the Russell 2000(R) Index with lower growth rates and price-to-book ratios. The Russell 2000(R) Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that consists of a subset of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 52 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 53 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Preservation of capital INVESTMENT FOCUS High yield corporate, government, and other debt instruments of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income while reducing share price volatility through diversification across three major sectors of the fixed income market INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who seek high current income with reduced risk of share price volatility
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Strategic Income Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of high yield corporate, U.S. government and international bonds. The Fund will maintain a minimum average credit quality rating of BBB. The Fund will invest at least 15%, but not more than 60%, of its assets in a particular sector. In selecting debt securities for the Fund, the Adviser seeks out companies with good fundamentals and performing prospects that are currently out of favor with investors. The primary basis for security selection is the potential income offered by the security relative to the Adviser's assessment of the issuer's ability to generate the cash flow required to meet its obligation. The Adviser employs a "bottom-up" approach, identifying investment opportunities based on the underlying financial and economic fundamentals of the specific issuer. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. High yield securities involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Junk bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. In addition, issuers of junk bonds may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. Junk bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. Investing in foreign countries poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country. These various risks will be even greater for investments in emerging market countries since political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." STRATEGIC INCOME FUND 54 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 2002 3.58% 2003 11.50%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 4.99% -0.97% (6/30/03) (6/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.69%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index, Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index and the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Strategic Income Fund 11.50% 6.68% Hybrid 34/33/33 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 10.27% 7.25% Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index 2.36% 6.01%
T SHARES 1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION* Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index 28.15% 11.19% Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index 1.90% 3.98%
* Since inception of the T Shares on November 30, 2001. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch AAA U.S. Treasury/Agency Master Index is a widely-recognized U.S. Government index that tracks the performance of the combined U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency markets. It includes U.S. dollar-denominated, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency bonds, issued in the U.S. domestic bond market, having at least one year remaining term to maturity, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $1 billion for U.S. Treasuries and $150 million for U.S. agencies. The Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index is a widely-recognized, market-value weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index that tracks the performance of below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond II ex U.S. Index is a widely-recognized subset of the Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index including Belgian, Danish, Irish, Italian, New Zealand, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish returns. The Merrill Lynch Global Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, broad-based index consisting of various maturities comprising Australian, Canadian, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Swiss, U.K., and U.S. individual country returns. STRATEGIC INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 55 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.85% Other Expenses* 0.11% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.96%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Income Fund - T Shares 0.87%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $98 $306 $531 $1,178
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND 56 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of companies with positive earnings characteristics purchased at reasonable value SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies with superior earnings/valuation cycle characteristics within specific market sectors INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment and are willing to accept more volatility for the possibility of higher returns
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund attempts, through the use of disciplined quantitative modeling, to objectively and consistently identify those companies with the most attractive earnings growth prospects and valuation characteristics within each sector. Those characteristics vary by sector. In some sectors, attractive stocks are selected based solely upon growth characteristics. In other sectors, a combination of growth and valuation characteristics are used to identify attractive stocks. The Adviser believes that companies with higher earnings growth prospects will have more highly valued stocks. Companies producing sustained accelerating rates of earnings growth will generate increasing stock valuations. Companies producing sustained decelerating rates of earnings growth will generate decreasing stock valuations. This cycle of accelerating earnings growth with increasing stock valuation and decelerating earnings growth with decreasing stock valuation is called the earnings-valuation cycle. The Adviser uses quantitative modeling to evaluate and select the common stock of companies based on the philosophy that earnings/valuation cycles dictate stock performance, earnings/valuation cycles differ among market sectors, and diversification controls risk. The Fund invests in companies of all sizes so long as they have growth potential. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and the potential for capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The small- to mid-sized capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small to mid-sized companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over- the counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund commenced operations on August 7, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 57 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.14% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.29%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund - T Shares 1.11%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $131 $409 $708 $1,556
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 58 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital growth with nominal dividend income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks of growth companies SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify companies that have above average growth potential and uses a low portfolio turnover strategy to reduce capital gains distributions INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want to increase the value of their investment while minimizing taxable capital gains distributions
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. The Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of financially strong U.S. growth companies. Many of these companies have a history of stable or rising dividend payout policies. The Adviser attempts to minimize the impact of capital gains taxes on investment returns by using a low turnover rate (generally 50% or less) strategy, in conjunction with other tax management strategies. These strategies may lead to lower capital gains distributions and, therefore, lower capital gains taxes. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases common stocks, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the stock markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's common stocks may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of stocks issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that common stocks of U.S. growth companies may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 59 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on December 11, 1998. Performance prior to December 11, 1998 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on December 31, 1995. The collective investment fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective investment fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective investment fund's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1996 21.04% 1997 28.76% 1998 31.73% 1999 24.74% 2000 -12.15% 2001 -18.21% 2002 -22.02% 2003 21.16%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 27.73% -16.20% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.15%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of S&P 500 (R) Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 21.16% -3.27% 7.16% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 9.38%
* Since inception of the collective investment fund on December 31, 1995. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND 60 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your share at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 61 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital INVESTMENT FOCUS Mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low to moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. government debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations. In an attempt to provide a consistently high dividend without adding undue risk, the Fund focuses its investments in mortgage-backed securities. The effective average weighted maturity of the Fund's portfolio will typically range between 4 to 10 years. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. The Fund is also subject to the risk that U.S. government debt securities may underperform other segments of the fixed income market or the fixed income market as a whole. Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments that must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND 62 PROSPECTUS (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 17.33% 1996 2.55% 1997 8.94% 1998 8.16% 1999 -0.97% 2000 10.98% 2001 6.92% 2002 9.68% 2003 1.29%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 5.89% -2.24% (6/30/95) (3/31/96)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was -0.14%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Merrill Lynch Government/Mortgage Custom Index and the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* U.S. Government Securities Fund 1.29% 5.48% 6.57% Merrill Lynch Government/ Mortgage Custom Index 2.84% 6.46% 7.49% Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index 2.29% 6.18% 6.85%
* Since inception of the T Shares on August 1, 1994. Benchmark returns since July 31, 1994 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Merrill Lynch Government/ Mortgage Custom Index is a synthetic index created by combining, at their respective market weights (i) the Merrill Lynch Government Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities with a maturity of at least 1 year; and (ii) the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Master Index, which is a widely-recognized index comprised of mortgage-backed securities including 15 and 30 year single family mortgages in addition to aggregated pooled mortgages. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government Bond Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value bonds have more influence than lower market value bonds) index of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency obligations, and corporate debt backed by the U.S. Government, fixed-rate nonconvertible corporate debt securities, Yankee bonds, and nonconvertible debt securities issued by or guaranteed by foreign governments and agencies. All securities in the Index are rated investment grade (BBB) or higher, with maturities of at least 1 year. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND PROSPECTUS 63 (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.74% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.80%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $82 $255 $444 $990
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND 64 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Current income SECONDARY Capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. common stocks SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify high dividend-paying, undervalued stocks INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who are looking for current income and capital appreciation with less volatility than the average stock fund
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Value Income Stock Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity securities of companies. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser primarily chooses U.S. companies that have a market capitalization of at least $2 billion and that have a history of paying regular dividends. The Adviser focuses on dividend-paying stocks that trade below their historical value. The Adviser's "bottom-up" approach to stock selection emphasizes individual stocks over economic trends. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.54% 1995 35.93% 1996 19.46% 1997 27.08% 1998 10.58% 1999 -2.93% 2000 10.85% 2001 -0.95% 2002 -15.47% 2003 23.64%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 15.35% -19.89% (6/30/99) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 5.59%. VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND PROSPECTUS 65 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the S&P 500 (R)/BARRA Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Value Income Stock Fund 23.64% 2.18% 10.16% S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index 31.79% 1.95% 10.55%
(LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R)/BARRA Value Index is a widely-recognized index comprised of securities in the S&P 500(R) Index that have lower price-to-book ratios. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.80% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $88 $274 $477 $1,061
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 66 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Prime Quality Money Market Fund invests exclusively in high quality U.S. money market instruments and foreign money market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk. The Adviser analyzes maturity, yields, market sectors and credit risk. Investments are made in money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.77% 1995 5.47% 1996 4.99% 1997 5.15% 1998 5.10% 1999 4.74% 2000 6.04% 2001 3.72% 2002 1.44% 2003 0.67%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.55% 0.13% (9/30/00) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.25%. PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 67 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.67% 3.30% 4.10% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average 0.49% 3.04% 3.87%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two recognized rating agencies. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.70%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Prime Quality Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.61%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $72 $224 $390 $871
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 68 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, repurchase agreements involving these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.64% 1995 5.39% 1996 4.81% 1997 4.99% 1998 4.88% 1999 4.41% 2000 5.71% 2001 3.67% 2002 1.35% 2003 0.55%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.49% 0.10% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.23%. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 69 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.55% 3.12% 3.93% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average 0.48% 3.03% 3.82%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of all money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements or securities issued by agencies of the U.S. Government. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.63%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 70 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations, repurchase agreements that are collateralized by obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund limits its investments so as to obtain the highest investment quality rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (Standard and Poor's Corporation, AAA). As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.50% 1995 5.33% 1996 4.77% 1997 4.93% 1998 4.82% 1999 4.38% 2000 5.63% 2001 3.32% 2002 1.17% 2003 0.50%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.46% 0.09% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.15%. U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 71 ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.50% 2.98% 3.82% iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average 0.42% 2.91% 3.74%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average is a widely- recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements backed by these securities. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.71%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund - T Shares 0.63%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $73 $227 $395 $883
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 72 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and money market funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing at least 80% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Equity Funds 80-100% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains taxes for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 73 (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -4.30% 1995 25.12% 1996 16.62% 1997 22.53% 1998 12.31% 1999 10.31% 2000 6.30% 2001 -6.52% 2002 -18.11% 2003 26.69%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.72% -16.74% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.35%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS* Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 26.69% 2.61% 8.13% Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 25.71% -0.04% 10.49% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 4.30%
* Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 74 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.10% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.35%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.08%. Therefore, total annualized expenses would be 1.43% before waivers and 1.29% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, this Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $36 $113 $197 $443
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.43%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $146 $452 $782 $1,713
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 75 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY Bond funds SECONDARY Equity funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Bond Funds, and to a lesser extent, STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, but want to reduce risk by limiting exposure to equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Conservative Fund invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities, but may invest up to 35% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Bond Funds 65-100% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Equity Funds 0-35% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund ------------------------------------------------------
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 76 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower rated securities is even greater than that of higher rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Life Vision Conservative Fund commenced operations on March 11, 2003, and, therefore, does not have performance history for a full calendar year. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.52% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.77%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Conservative Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the cost borne by the Fund's investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.01%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.78% before waivers and 1.22% after waivers. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 77 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $79 $246
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.78%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS $181 $560
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund's estimated expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 78 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity Funds and, to a lesser extent, STI Classic Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want their assets to grow, but want to moderate the risks of equity securities through investment of a portion of their assets in bonds
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Growth and Income Fund invests at least 70% to 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in either equity securities or fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ----------------------------------------------------- Equity Funds 50-80% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ----------------------------------------------------- Bond Funds 20-50% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund -----------------------------------------------------
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 79 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.52% 1995 22.68% 1996 12.16% 1997 18.08% 1998 11.16% 1999 7.95% 2000 7.08% 2001 -2.55% 2002 -11.99% 2003 23.99%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 13.65% -12.87% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 3.17%. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 80 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS* Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 23.99% 4.22% 7.92% Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 18.20% 1.34% 8.91% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 4.30%
* Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation programs. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Growth and Income Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.06%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.38% before waivers and 1.27% after waivers. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 81 EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $33 $103 $180 $406
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses after waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.38%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $140 $437 $755 $1,657
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 82 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity and Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund principally invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
VISION MODERATE GROWTH INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) ------------------------------------------------------ Equity Funds 35-65% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Bond Funds 35-65% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund ------------------------------------------------------
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains taxes for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 83 particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -2.97% 1995 20.52% 1996 10.51% 1997 16.41% 1998 11.15% 1999 6.19% 2000 5.46% 2001 -1.10% 2002 -8.28% 2003 19.98%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 11.24% -9.20% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.42%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS* Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 19.98% 4.04% 7.38% Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks 15.67% 3.09% 9.07% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 4.30%
* Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 84 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC- registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold T Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% Other Expenses* 0.07% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund - T Shares 0.21%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.09%. Therefore, total expenses would be 1.41% before waivers and 1.30% after waivers. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $33 $103 $180 $406
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.41%):
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $144 $446 $771 $1,691
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 85 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund High Income Fund Information and Technology Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Income Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Value Income Stock Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund Information and Technology Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 86 PROSPECTUS general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund High Income Fund Information and Technology Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Income Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Value Income Stock Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. FIXED INCOME RISK Balanced Fund Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund High Income Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term Bond Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund The market value of fixed income investments change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to the following additional risk: CREDIT RISK Balanced Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Short-Term Bond Fund The possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 87 FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Growth and Income Fund High Income Fund International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund Strategic Income Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. TRACKING ERROR RISK International Equity Index Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund Factors such as Fund expenses, imperfect correlation between the Fund's investments and those of its benchmarks, rounding of share prices, changes to the benchmark, regulatory policies, and leverage, may affect the Fund's ability to achieve perfect correlation. The magnitude of any tracking error may be affected by a higher portfolio turnover rate. Because an index is just a composite of the prices of the securities it represents rather than an actual portfolio of those securities, an index will have no expenses. As a result, the Fund, which will have expenses such as taxes, custody, management fees and other operational costs, and brokerage, may not achieve its investment objective of accurately correlating to an index. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund (except the Money Market Funds) may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations. The Small Cap Value Equity Fund also may invest in investment grade fixed income securities and mid- to large-cap common stocks that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objective. In addition, the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund, Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund, Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund, Investment Grade Bond, Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund, Short-Term Bond Fund, Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund and U.S. Government Securities Fund each may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Fund (other than a Money Market Fund) will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. INVESTMENT SUBADVISER 88 PROSPECTUS (MAGNIFYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Balanced Fund 0.92% Capital Appreciation Fund 1.13% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 0.40% Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.20% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 0.35% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 1.10% Growth and Income Fund 0.90% High Income Fund 0.65% Information and Technology Fund 1.10% International Equity Fund 1.25% International Equity Index Fund 0.81% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.72% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.60% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 1.13% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.60% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.59% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Strategic Income Fund 0.75% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 1.00% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1.15% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.71% Value Income Stock Fund 0.80% Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.54% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.56% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.56% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.11% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.10% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.14% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.14%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. With respect to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund, the Adviser oversees the Subadviser to ensure compliance with each Fund's investment policies and guidelines and monitors the Subadviser's adherence to its investment style. The Adviser pays the Subadviser out of the fees it receives from the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and Subadviser and establishes policies that the Adviser and Subadviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. INVESTMENT SUBADVISER Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC, 601 Union Street, Seattle, Washington 98101, serves as the subadviser to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund and manages the portfolios of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Subadviser was founded in 1987 and manages domestic growth equity assets. The firm's client base is comprised of a blend of institutional tax-exempt and taxable separately managed accounts. As a domestic growth equity manager, the Subadviser manages assets for a variety of entities, including public funds, foundations, endowments, corporations, pooled accounts, and private individuals. As of June 30, 2004, the Subadviser had approximately $1.0 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser selects, buys, and sells securities for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund under the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. The Subadviser is entitled to receive from the Adviser INVESTMENT SUBADVISER PROSPECTUS 89 0.625% of each of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund's and Emerging Growth Stock Fund's daily net assets. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds, except the Life Vision Funds, is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Each of the Life Vision Funds is managed by a team of investment professionals. No one person is primarily responsible for making investment recommendations. Mr. Brett Barner, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI Capital Management, N.A. (STI) since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in January 1997. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Mr. Edward E. Best, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since June 2000, after serving as Vice President since September 1999 and Associate since joining Trusco in January 1998. Mr. Best also serves as the senior quantitative equity analyst for Trusco. He has managed the STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND since it began operating in August 2003. He has more than 11 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert S. Bowman, CFA, has served as Vice President of Trusco since January 1999. He has managed the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Bowman served as Vice President of Crestar Asset Management Company from 1995 to 1999, after serving as an assistant trader at Crestar Asset Management Company from 1994 to 1995. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. Joseph Calabrese, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND and the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Calabrese served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert W. Corner has served as Managing Director of Trusco since September 1996. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004, after managing the fund since it began operating in April 2002. Mr. Corner has also co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. Chad Deakins, CFA, has served as Vice President of Trusco since May 1996. He has managed the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND since February 1999 and the INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND since May 2000. In addition, he has managed the MID CAP EQUITY FUND since September 2004, after co-managing the Fund since February 2003. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Deakins worked at SunTrust Bank. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Ms. Brooke de Boutray, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1992. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and the EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. de Boutray has more than 21 years of investment experience. Mr. Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, has served as a Portfolio Manager of Trusco since 1994. He has managed the SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND since it began operating in October 1998. He has more than 17 years of investment experience. Mr. George Goudelias has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Goudelias served as Director of High Yield Research of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from February 2001 to May 2004. Prior to joining Seix, Mr. Goudelias was employed at JP Morgan Securities, Inc. as a Senior High Yield Research Analyst from July 1998 to February 2001. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Mr. Jeffrey E. Markunas, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Senior Vice President of Trusco since January 1999 and Senior Vice President and Director of Equity Management for Crestar Asset Management Company from 1992 until July 2000. Mr. Markunas has managed the GROWTH AND INCOME FUND since it began operating in September 1992. He has more than 20 years of investment experience. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 90 PROSPECTUS Mr. Michael McEachern, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the HIGH INCOME FUND and the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. McEachern served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from June 1997 to May 2004. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Mr. H. Rick Nelson has served as Managing Director of Trusco since March 2002. He has co-managed the SHORT-TERM BOND FUND since January 2003 and the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Nelson served as Senior Vice President at Wachovia Asset Management from June 1985 to March 2002. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. Robert J. Rhodes, CFA, joined Trusco in 1973. Mr. Rhodes has served as Executive Vice President and head of the equity funds group at Trusco since February 2000, after serving as Director of Research at Trusco from 1980 to 2000. He has managed the BALANCED FUND (EQUITY PORTION ONLY) since June 2000. Mr. Rhodes has also managed the CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND since June 2000. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Mills Riddick, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI since 1994. He has managed the VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND since April 1995. He has more than 22 years of investment experience. Mr. John Talty, CFA, has served as Executive Vice President since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY), CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND, INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND, LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND, and U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Talty served as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from January 1993 to May 2004. He has more than 23 years of investment experience. Mr. Parker W. Thomas, Jr. has served as Vice President since joining Trusco in April 2004. He has managed the TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND since April 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Thomas served as Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank, Nashville from January 1988 to September 2002. From September 2002 to March 2004 he served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Personal Asset Management, for SunTrust Banks Inc. He has more than 31 years of investment experience. Mr. Perry Troisi has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the BALANCED FUND (FIXED INCOME PORTION ONLY), CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND, CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND, and the INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND since July 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Troisi served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix from November 1999 to May 2004, after serving as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at GRE Insurance Group form February 1996 to July 1999. He has more than 18 years of investment experience. Ms. Leslie Tubbs, CFA, has served as Managing Director, Principal, Portfolio Manager and Analyst for the Subadviser since 1995. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and the EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Tubbs has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. Francis P. Walsh has served as Vice President of Trusco since June 2004. He has managed the INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND since September 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Walsh served as a Managing Member of PhiCap Partners from December 2001 to December 2002. He also served as a Senior Research Analyst of Putnam Investments and co-managed technology portfolios for Putnam from November 1994 to September 2001. Mr. Walsh has more than nine years of investment experience. Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, has served as Managing Director since joining Trusco in May 2004. He has co-managed the CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND and the STRATEGIC INCOME FUND since October 2004. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Webb served as Senior Portfolio Manager of Seix Investment Advisors, Inc. from May 2000 to May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Fixed Income, at Conning Asset Management from June 1995 to May 2000. He has more than 9 years of investment experience. Mr. Don Wordell, has served as a Portfolio Manager since joining Trusco in 1996. In addition, Mr. Wordell is a member of the Association for Investment Management & Research (AIMR) and the Orlando PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 91 Society of Financial Analysts. He has managed the MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND since December 2003, after co-managing it since it began operating in November 2001. He has more than 8 years of investment experience. Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in June 1992, the SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND since July 1996, and the U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. Ms. Nancy Zevenbergen, CFA, has served as President and Chief Investment Officer for the Subadviser since January 1987. She has co-managed the AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND and EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND since they began operating in February 2004. Ms. Zevenbergen has more than 22 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase and sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Funds offer T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Funds may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). But you may not do so for shares of the Money Market Funds on federal holidays. The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV for each Fund (except the Money Market Funds), a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as on days in advance of certain holidays - the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. Each Money Market Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to be eligible to receive dividends declared on the day you submit your purchase order, the Money Market Funds must receive your order before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time and receive federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Otherwise, your purchase order will be effective the following Business Day, as long as each Money Market Fund receives federal funds before calculating its NAV the following day. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, each Fund (except the Money Market Funds) generally values its investment portfolio at market price. In calculating NAV for each Money Market Fund, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 92 PROSPECTUS which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Money Market Fund expects its NAV to remain constant at $1.00 per share, although the Fund cannot guarantee this. Some Funds hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the NAV of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 93 Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Funds or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Funds receive your request. Redemption orders must be received by the Money Market Funds on any Business Day before 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Orders received after this time will be executed the following Business Day. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Adviser receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund (other than the International Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund) within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. THIS REDEMPTION FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO 401(K)/403(B) TYPE PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS, SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN ACCOUNTS, SUNTRUST SECURITIES ASSET ALLOCATION ACCOUNTS OR ACCOUNTS HELD THROUGH AN OMNIBUS ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERS. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. The International Equity Fund and the International Equity Index Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. Shares held for 60 days or more are not subject to the redemption fee. Shares you have held the longest will always be redeemed first. If you transfer your shares to a different account registration, the DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 94 PROSPECTUS shares will retain their original purchase date for redemption fee purposes. If you transfer less than 100% of your account balance, the redemption fee status of your shares will be carried over on a proportionate basis. Waiver of the redemption fee may be granted at the discretion of the Funds. The Funds reserve the right to modify its redemption fee policies at any time without advance notice to shareholders and may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund distributes its net investment income as follows: QUARTERLY ------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Balanced Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund Information and Technology Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Value Income Stock Fund Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund ANNUALLY ------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity Fund International Equity Index Fund The Bond and Money Market Funds declare dividends daily and pay these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Dividends and distributions will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis if you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan that qualifies for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws. Generally, you will not owe taxes on these distributions until you begin withdrawals from the plan. Withdrawals from the plan are subject to special tax rules and may be subject to a penalty tax in the case of premature withdrawals. You should consult your plan administrator, your plan's Summary Plan Description, and/or your tax advisor about the tax consequences of plan withdrawals. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROSPECTUS 95 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 96 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 97
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $10.00 $(0.02)(2) $ 0.02(2) $ -- BALANCED FUND T Shares 2004........................ $11.92 $ 0.18(2) $ 0.32(2) $ 0.50 2003........................ 12.18 0.20 (0.23) (0.03) 2002........................ 13.18 0.23 (0.65) (0.42) 2001........................ 13.37 0.30 0.12 0.42 2000........................ 13.26 0.32 0.33 0.65 CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T Shares 2004........................ $11.02 $(0.03)(2) $ 1.34(2) $ 1.31 2003........................ 12.24 (0.03)(2) (1.19)(2) (1.22) 2002........................ 13.89 -- (1.53) (1.53) 2001........................ 17.12 (0.05) (0.38) (0.43) 2000........................ 16.62 0.02 1.40 1.42 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $10.00 $ 0.11(2) $(0.16)(2) $(0.05) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.01 $ 0.03(2) $(0.01)(2) $ 0.02 2003(4)..................... 2.02 0.02 (0.01) 0.01 CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND T Shares 2004(5)..................... $10.20 $ 0.11(2) $(0.38)(2) $(0.27) EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $10.00 $(0.03)(2) $(0.37)(2) $(0.40) GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $12.21 $ 0.14(2) $ 2.50(2) $ 2.64 2003........................ 13.80 0.13 (1.60) (1.47) 2002........................ 15.05 0.09 (1.26) (1.17) 2001........................ 15.53 0.07 (0.04) 0.03 2000........................ 16.09 0.11 0.55 0.66 HIGH INCOME FUND(A) T Shares 2004........................ $ 7.16 $ 0.62(2) $ 0.22(2) $ 0.84 2003........................ 7.25 0.61 (0.09) 0.52 2002(6)..................... 7.37 0.39 (0.12) 0.27 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ----------------- ------------- ----------------- AGGRESSIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- BALANCED FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.19) $ -- $(0.19) 2003........................ (0.23) -- (0.23) 2002........................ (0.24) (0.34) (0.58) 2001........................ (0.31) (0.30) (0.61) 2000........................ (0.30) (0.24) (0.54) CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ -- -- -- 2002........................ -- (0.12) (0.12) 2001........................ -- (2.80) (2.80) 2000........................ -- (0.92) (0.92) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $(0.11) $ -- $(0.11) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) 2003(4)..................... (0.02) --* (0.02) CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND T Shares 2004(5)..................... $(0.12) $ -- $(0.12) EMERGING GROWTH STOCK FUND T SHARES 2004(1)..................... $ -- $ -- $ -- GROWTH AND INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003........................ (0.12) -- (0.12) 2002........................ (0.08) -- (0.08) 2001........................ (0.08) (0.43) (0.51) 2000........................ (0.10) (1.12) (1.22) HIGH INCOME FUND(A) T Shares 2004........................ $(0.62) $ -- $(0.62) 2003........................ (0.61) -- (0.61) 2002(6)..................... (0.39) -- (0.39)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. (1) Commenced operations on February 23, 2004. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (2) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (3) Commenced operations on November 13, 2003. All ratios have been annualized. (4) Commenced operations on October 3, 2002. All ratios have been annualized. (5) Commenced operations on January 14, 2004. All ratios have been annualized. (6) T Shares commenced operations on October 3, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) On March 28, 2000, the ESC Strategic Income Fund exchanged all of its assets and liabilities for shares of the High Income Fund. The ESC Strategic Income Fund is the accounting survivor in this transaction, and as a result, its basis of accounting for assets and liabilities and its operating results for the periods prior to March 28, 2000 have been carried forward in these financial highlights. Subsequent to the merger, the High Income Fund changed its fiscal year end to May 31. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 97
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.00 --% $ 20,501 1.22% $12.23 4.24% $ 244,042 1.02% 11.92 (0.14) 228,475 1.02 12.18 (3.29) 241,604 1.02 13.18 3.24 209,316 1.01 13.37 5.02 223,634 0.97 $12.33 11.89% $1,248,636 1.23% 11.02 (9.97) 1,090,549 1.22 12.24 (11.06) 1,204,445 1.22 13.89 (3.74) 1,177,933 1.21 17.12 8.98 1,296,927 1.17 $ 9.84 (0.52)% $ 108,782 0.82% $ 2.00 0.81% $ 137,387 0.51% 2.01 0.64 69,797 0.57 $ 9.81 (2.69)% $ 31,937 0.72% $ 9.60 (4.00)% $ 12,891 1.22% $14.72 21.76% $ 782,665 1.00% 12.21 (10.58) 598,862 0.99 13.80 (7.80) 792,557 0.99 15.05 0.11 867,664 0.99 15.53 4.11 885,109 1.01 $ 7.38 11.94% $ 71,314 0.76% 7.16 8.19 100,852 0.78 7.25 3.70 28,767 0.82 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- (0.74)% 1.61% 2% 1.50% 1.05% 116% 1.74 1.05 102 1.78 1.05 95 2.24 1.05 99 2.39 1.07 182 (0.25)% 1.24% 106% (0.32) 1.24 69 (0.54) 1.24 75 (0.29) 1.24 75 0.10 1.26 129 2.00% 1.04% 31% 1.31% 0.86% 83% 1.43 0.92 56 2.96% 1.03% 121% (1.04)% 1.69% 11% 1.03% 1.00% 51% 1.05 0.99 52 0.63 0.99 68 0.49 0.99 73 0.76 1.01 53 8.27% 0.91% 49% 8.95 0.93 20 8.27 0.97 59
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 98 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 6.07 $(0.06)(1) $ 1.49(1) 2003........................ 8.06 (0.04)(1) (1.95)(1) 2002........................ 13.34 0.01 (5.29) 2001........................ 15.87 (0.08) (2.45) 2000(2)..................... 10.00 (0.04) 5.91 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.00 $ 0.10(1) $ 2.19(1) 2003........................ 9.31 0.07 (1.32) 2002........................ 10.19 0.19 (1.07) 2001........................ 12.56 -- (1.22) 2000........................ 12.97 (0.10) 1.42 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.39 $ 0.14(1) $ 2.71(1) 2003........................ 9.76 0.10(1) (1.43)(1) 2002........................ 11.18 0.04 (1.43) 2001........................ 13.97 0.06 (2.69) 2000........................ 11.82 0.16 2.13 INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.94 $ 0.35(1) $(0.60)(1) 2003........................ 10.24 0.40 0.76 2002........................ 10.23 0.51 0.01 2001........................ 9.58 0.61 0.65 2000........................ 10.36 0.61 (0.78) LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.59 $ 0.24(1) $(0.36)(1) 2003........................ 10.31 0.29(1) 0.42(1) 2002........................ 10.01 0.43 0.32 2001........................ 9.62 0.55 0.39 2000........................ 9.94 0.55 (0.32) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.43 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (1.99) -- -- -- 2002........................ (5.28) -- -- -- 2001........................ (2.53) -- -- -- 2000(2)..................... 5.87 -- -- -- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.29 $(0.14) $ -- $(0.14) 2003........................ (1.25) (0.06) -- (0.06) 2002........................ (0.88) -- -- -- 2001........................ (1.22) (0.04) (1.11) (1.15) 2000........................ 1.32 (0.07) (1.66) (1.73) INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.85 $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003........................ (1.33) (0.04) -- (0.04) 2002........................ (1.39) (0.03) -- (0.03) 2001........................ (2.63) (0.07) (0.09) (0.16) 2000........................ 2.29 (0.03) (0.11) (0.14) INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.25) $(0.38) $ -- $(0.38) 2003........................ 1.16 (0.46) -- (0.46) 2002........................ 0.52 (0.51) -- (0.51) 2001........................ 1.26 (0.61) -- (0.61) 2000........................ (0.17) (0.61) -- (0.61) LIMITED-TERM FEDERAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.12) $(0.29) $ -- $(0.29) 2003........................ 0.71 (0.42) (0.01) (0.43) 2002........................ 0.75 (0.43) (0.02) (0.45) 2001........................ 0.94 (0.55) -- (0.55) 2000........................ 0.23 (0.55) -- (0.55)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) T Shares were offered beginning on September 30, 1999. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 99
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $ 7.50 23.56% $ 9,712 1.36% 6.07 (24.69) 11,789 1.25 8.06 (39.58) 32,068 1.19 13.34 (15.94) 87,045 1.20 15.87 58.70 106,425 1.20 $10.15 28.64% $332,180 1.41% 8.00 (13.40) 191,041 1.46 9.31 (8.64) 252,991 1.48 10.19 (10.79) 208,120 1.45 12.56 10.58 299,100 1.48 $11.11 34.07% $351,163 0.98% 8.39 (13.63) 248,770 1.03 9.76 (12.43) 287,944 1.04 11.18 (18.90) 236,862 1.06 13.97 19.36 340,853 1.07 $10.31 (2.31)% $578,345 0.82% 10.94 11.61 821,342 0.81 10.24 5.18 886,471 0.81 10.23 13.55 860,073 0.81 9.58 (1.76) 998,596 0.77 $10.18 (1.10)% $435,446 0.70% 10.59 6.99 320,718 0.70 10.31 7.53 164,624 0.70 10.01 10.02 107,674 0.70 9.62 2.33 125,355 0.67 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- (0.87)% 1.36% 384% (0.72) 1.25 1,259 (0.92) 1.19 1,102 (0.45) 1.21 750 (0.54) 1.34 250 1.08% 1.41% 58% 0.83 1.46 89 0.48 1.48 102 0.50 1.45 68 0.59 1.48 179 1.38% 1.07% 10% 1.26 1.12 25 0.63 1.12 35 0.40 1.09 13 0.83 1.18 9 3.29% 0.84% 119% 3.92 0.83 137 4.81 0.83 123 6.17 0.84 131 6.05 0.84 202 2.32% 0.75% 146% 2.79 0.75 117 3.72 0.75 410 5.62 0.76 532 5.60 0.79 384
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 100 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.74 $ 0.06(1) $ 1.57(1) 2003........................ 9.79 (0.03)(1) (1.02)(1)++ 2002........................ 10.95 0.01 (1.17) 2001........................ 14.10 (0.03) (0.61) 2000........................ 12.68 (0.04) 2.32 MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.62 $ 0.05(1) $ 2.33(1) 2003........................ 10.95 0.05 (2.16) 2002(2)..................... 10.00 0.02 0.94 SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.04 $ 0.24(1) $(0.19)(1) 2003........................ 10.01 0.33 0.03 2002........................ 10.04 0.46 (0.03) 2001........................ 9.65 0.56 0.39 2000........................ 9.91 0.53 (0.25) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- MID-CAP EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.63 $(0.05) $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ (1.05)++ -- -- -- 2002........................ (1.16) -- -- -- 2001........................ (0.64) -- (2.51) (2.51) 2000........................ 2.28 -- (0.86) (0.86) MID-CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.38 $(0.05) $ -- $(0.05) 2003........................ (2.11) (0.04) (0.18) (0.22) 2002(2)..................... 0.96 (0.01) -- (0.01) SHORT-TERM BOND FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 0.05 $(0.25) $ -- $(0.25) 2003........................ 0.36 (0.33) -- (0.33) 2002........................ 0.43 (0.46) -- (0.46) 2001........................ 0.95 (0.56) -- (0.56) 2000........................ 0.28 (0.53) (0.01) (0.54)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Includes redemption fees of $0.01. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 101
NET ASSETS, NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) ------------- ------- ------------ $10.32 18.70% $177,128 8.74 (10.73) 118,092 9.79 (10.59) 171,813 10.95 (6.92) 156,111 14.10 19.10 206,545 $10.95 27.71% $147,185 8.62 (19.05) 99,854 10.95 9.65 174,859 $ 9.84 0.45% $282,188 10.04 3.70 302,708 10.01 4.29 305,884 10.04 10.13 215,458 9.65 2.87 180,402 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING EXPENSES TO (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ------------------ ---------- --------------- ------------- 1.23% 0.64% 1.26% 126% 1.22 (0.31) 1.25 144 1.22 (0.18) 1.24 87 1.21 (0.24) 1.25 100 1.17 -- 1.25 131 1.26% 0.53% 1.36% 95% 1.25 0.63 1.35 71 1.27 0.29 1.37 30 0.70% 2.42% 0.75% 66% 0.70 3.34 0.75 89 0.70 4.48 0.75 142 0.70 5.71 0.76 87 0.67 5.40 0.76 70
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 102 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.36 $ 0.14(1) $(0.13)(1) 2003........................ 10.20 0.22 0.22 2002........................ 10.13 0.37 0.10 2001........................ 9.85 0.49 0.28 2000........................ 9.95 0.46 (0.10) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $15.19 $(0.16)(1) $ 5.22(1) 2003........................ 17.28 (0.12)(1) (1.72)(1) 2002........................ 18.37 -- (1.02) 2001........................ 18.30 (0.18) 1.71 2000........................ 14.55 (0.08) 4.02 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $13.73 $ 0.06(1) $ 4.53(1) 2003........................ 14.54 0.08 (0.82) 2002........................ 12.21 0.08 2.35 2001........................ 9.13 0.17 3.07 2000........................ 9.70 0.13 (0.59) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 9.99 $ 0.55(1) $(0.14)(1) 2003........................ 9.80 0.61 0.20 2002(2)..................... 10.00 0.27 (0.20) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $10.00 $(0.02)(1) $ 2.35(1) TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $20.78 $(0.06)(1) $ 2.59(1) 2003........................ 23.25 --(1) (2.47)(1) 2002........................ 26.74 (0.02) (3.47) 2001........................ 33.10 (0.03) (6.33) 2000........................ 29.96 0.02 3.12 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $10.93 $ 0.31(1) $(0.50)(1) 2003........................ 10.47 0.44 0.51 2002........................ 10.38 0.54 0.26 2001........................ 9.86 0.58 0.52 2000........................ 10.28 0.58 (0.42) VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 9.73 $ 0.15(1) $ 1.74(1) 2003........................ 11.05 0.15 (1.33) 2002........................ 11.61 0.12 (0.56) 2001........................ 10.38 0.19 1.24 2000........................ 12.85 0.23 (1.49) DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- SHORT-TERM U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 0.01 $(0.14) $(0.12) $(0.26) 2003........................ 0.44 (0.22) (0.06) (0.28) 2002........................ 0.47 (0.37) (0.03) (0.40) 2001........................ 0.77 (0.49) -- (0.49) 2000........................ 0.36 (0.46) -- (0.46) SMALL CAP GROWTH STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 5.06 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (1.84) -- (0.25) (0.25) 2002........................ (1.02) -- (0.07) (0.07) 2001........................ 1.53 -- (1.46) (1.46) 2000........................ 3.94 -- (0.19) (0.19) SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 4.59 $(0.06) $ -- $(0.06) 2003........................ (0.74) (0.07) -- (0.07) 2002........................ 2.43 (0.10) -- (0.10) 2001........................ 3.24 (0.16) -- (0.16) 2000........................ (0.46) (0.11) -- (0.11) STRATEGIC INCOME FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 0.41 $(0.53) $(0.06) $(0.59) 2003........................ 0.81 (0.62) -- (0.62) 2002(2)..................... 0.07 (0.27) -- (0.27) STRATEGIC QUANTITATIVE EQUITY FUND T Shares 2004(3)..................... $ 2.33 $ -- $(0.25) $(0.25) TAX SENSITIVE GROWTH STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 2.53 $ -- $ -- $ -- 2003........................ (2.47) -- -- -- 2002........................ (3.49) -- -- -- 2001........................ (6.36) -- -- -- 2000........................ 3.14 -- -- -- U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND T Shares 2004........................ $(0.19) $(0.35) $(0.04) $(0.39) 2003........................ 0.95 (0.46) (0.03) (0.49) 2002........................ 0.80 (0.54) (0.17) (0.71) 2001........................ 1.10 (0.58) -- (0.58) 2000........................ 0.16 (0.58) -- (0.58) VALUE INCOME STOCK FUND T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.89 $(0.15) $ -- $(0.15) 2003........................ (1.18) (0.14) -- (0.14) 2002........................ (0.44) (0.12) -- (0.12) 2001........................ 1.43 (0.20) -- (0.20) 2000........................ (1.26) (0.22) (0.99) (1.21)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) Commenced operations on November 30, 2001. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (3) T Shares were offered beginning on August 7, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 103
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.11 0.11% $ 92,371 0.70% 10.36 4.31 121,617 0.69 10.20 4.69 107,169 0.70 10.13 8.02 88,398 0.71 9.85 3.75 72,570 0.67 $20.25 33.31% $789,650 1.25% 15.19 (10.50) 567,714 1.24 17.28 (5.55) 593,211 1.25 18.37 8.33 508,857 1.24 18.30 27.24 431,478 1.20 $18.26 33.56% $682,567 1.25% 13.73 (5.09) 518,468 1.24 14.54 20.06 614,199 1.25 12.21 35.90 401,900 1.25 9.13 (4.72) 212,074 1.22 $ 9.81 4.15% $ 98,570 0.90% 9.99 8.73 61,906 0.91 9.80 0.74 43,717 0.94 $12.08 23.43% $ 66,812 1.13% $23.31 12.18% $144,732 1.25% 20.78 (10.62) 198,429 1.24 23.25 (13.05) 244,707 1.24 26.74 (19.21) 460,311 1.24 33.10 10.48 710,179 1.20 $10.35 (1.77)% $298,997 0.81% 10.93 9.25 258,585 0.81 10.47 7.90 168,609 0.82 10.38 11.41 148,666 0.81 9.86 1.63 85,420 0.77 $11.47 19.58% $715,928 0.90% 9.73 (10.54) 681,899 0.89 11.05 (3.68) 686,014 0.90 11.61 14.09 704,842 0.90 10.38 (10.52) 921,797 0.89 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 1.36% 0.76% 131% 2.07 0.75 140 3.57 0.76 117 4.95 0.78 87 4.70 0.79 50 (0.83)% 1.25% 107% (0.87) 1.24 96 (1.01) 1.25 100 (0.95) 1.25 112 (0.86) 1.23 110 0.38% 1.25% 44% 0.64 1.24 29 0.67 1.25 29 1.72 1.25 86 1.31 1.25 65 5.53% 1.00% 95% 6.39 1.01 52 6.07 1.04 43 (0.22)% 1.33% 344% (0.28)% 1.25% 49% (0.01) 1.24 58 (0.10) 1.24 69 (0.10) 1.25 103 0.13 1.26 30 2.95% 0.84% 240% 4.00 0.84 150 5.09 0.85 262 5.66 0.85 207 5.77 0.84 29 1.40% 0.90% 67% 1.68 0.89 46 1.13 0.90 60 1.70 0.90 77 2.02 0.89 62
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 104 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------ -------------- ---------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $0.01 $ -- $0.01 $(0.01) 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.06 -- 0.06 (0.06) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $ --* $(0.01) 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.06) 2000............. -- (0.05) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $ -- $ --* 2003............. -- (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND T Shares 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. Amounts designated as "-- " are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 105
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $1.00 0.52% $3,477,598 0.63% 1.00 1.17 4,284,266 0.63 1.00 2.29 3,907,203 0.63 1.00 5.75 3,728,371 0.63 1.00 5.20 3,311,229 0.60 $1.00 0.43% $ 615,324 0.66% 1.00 1.01 992,560 0.65 1.00 2.25 997,759 0.66 1.00 5.56 805,285 0.65 1.00 4.86 468,568 0.63 $1.00 0.37% $1,233,565 0.66% 1.00 0.88 1,080,779 0.65 1.00 1.96 871,946 0.65 1.00 5.36 733,768 0.66 1.00 4.81 723,277 0.63 RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET TO AVERAGE ASSETS (EXCLUDING NET ASSETS WAIVERS) ---------- -------- 0.52% 0.74% 1.14 0.74 2.22 0.74 5.57 0.75 5.06 0.75 0.43% 0.75% 1.00 0.74 2.17 0.75 5.29 0.75 4.80 0.74 0.32% 0.75% 0.81 0.74 1.90 0.74 5.23 0.76 4.71 0.74
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 106 PROSPECTUS For the Years Ended May 31, (unless otherwise indicated) For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET REALIZED NET ASSET NET AND UNREALIZED VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS --------- ------------- -------------- LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 8.55 $0.04(1) $ 1.70(1) 2003........................ 9.57 0.03 (1.02) 2002........................ 10.31 0.02 (0.74) 2001........................ 11.61 0.11 0.23 2000........................ 11.31 0.05 0.74 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004(2)..................... $10.71 $0.15(1) $ 0.14(1) LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 9.33 $0.14(1) $ 1.43(1) 2003........................ 9.98 0.13 (0.65) 2002........................ 10.42 0.12 (0.43) 2001........................ 10.50 0.24 0.40 2000........................ 10.33 0.07 0.52 LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 9.02 $0.16(1) $ 1.04(1) 2003........................ 9.40 0.16 (0.38) 2002........................ 9.73 0.17 (0.32) 2001........................ 10.61 0.32 0.20 2000........................ 10.80 0.33 0.13 DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL FROM FROM NET FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ---------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.74 $(0.04)* $ -- $(0.04)* 2003........................ (0.99) (0.03) -- (0.03) 2002........................ (0.72) (0.02) -- (0.02) 2001........................ 0.34 (0.12) (1.52) (1.64) 2000........................ 0.79 (0.05) (0.44) (0.49) LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004(2)..................... $ 0.29 $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.57 $(0.14) $ -- $(0.14) 2003........................ (0.52) (0.13) -- (0.13) 2002........................ (0.31) (0.13) -- (0.13) 2001........................ 0.64 (0.25) (0.47) (0.72) 2000........................ 0.59 (0.17) (0.25) (0.42) LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) T Shares 2004........................ $ 1.20 $(0.16) $ -- $(0.16) 2003........................ (0.22) (0.16) -- (0.16) 2002........................ (0.15) (0.18) -- (0.18) 2001........................ 0.52 (0.34) (1.06) (1.40) 2000........................ 0.46 (0.21) (0.44) (0.65)
* Includes return of capital of $0.003. + Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. (1)Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (2) T Shares were offered beginning on November 6, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) The Life Vision Funds and its shareholders indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The expense ratios do not include such expenses. (B) Recognition of net investment income by the Life Vision Funds is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the STI Classic Funds in which the Life Vision Funds invest. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 107
NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ $10.25 20.34% $ 38,468 0.25% 8.55 (10.36) 28,681 0.25 9.57 (6.96) 34,398 0.25 10.31 3.07 23,936 0.25 11.61 7.25 18,412 0.25 $10.87 2.68% $ 30 0.25% $10.76 16.92% $ 75,083 0.25% 9.33 (5.16) 59,449 0.25 9.98 (2.97) 77,395 0.25 10.42 6.31 37,550 0.25 10.50 5.81 30,473 0.25 $10.06 13.35% $121,659 0.25% 9.02 (2.21) 93,722 0.25 9.40 (1.52) 88,592 0.25 9.73 5.28 73,429 0.25 10.61 4.46 69,622 0.25 RATIO OF EXPENSES RATIO OF NET TO AVERAGE NET INVESTMENT INCOME ASSETS (EXCLUDING (LOSS) TO AVERAGE WAIVERS AND PORTFOLIO NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) TURNOVER RATE ---------- --------------- ------------- 0.39% 0.39% 44% 0.33 0.40 50 0.17 0.41 101 1.05 0.43 202 0.48 0.44 183 2.41% 85.33%++ 138% 1.38% 0.36% 97% 1.46 0.37 139 1.25 0.39 166 2.41 0.39 286 1.77 0.42 189 1.65% 0.36% 109% 1.87 0.36 101 1.81 0.36 202 3.04 0.37 247 2.19 0.37 151
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call at 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUSRP1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS MONEY MARKET FUNDS A SHARES L SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the A Shares and L Shares of the Money Market Funds (Funds) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 5 TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND 7 U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 9 U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 11 VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND 13 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 13 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 13 INVESTMENT ADVISER 14 PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 14 PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 19 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 19 TAXES 20 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHAKE FUND SHARES ICON) (DOLLAR SALES CHARGES ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION TICKER CUSIP Prime Quality Money Market Fund A Shares 6/8/92 SQIXX 784766206 Prime Quality Money Market Fund L Shares 10/4/99 SQFXX 784767774 Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund A Shares 6/8/92 SEIXX 784766602 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund A Shares 6/8/92 SUIXX 784766404 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SATXX 784767287 Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund A Shares 5/5/93 CIAXX 784767600
RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Prime Quality Money Market Fund invests exclusively in high quality U.S. money market instruments and foreign money market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk. The Adviser analyzes maturity, yields, market sectors and credit risk. Investments are made in money market instruments with the most attractive risk/return trade-off. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.60% 1995 5.30% 1996 4.82% 1997 4.97% 1998 4.92% 1999 4.56% 2000 5.86% 2001 3.54% 2002 1.26% 2003 0.49%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.51% 0.08% (9/30/00) (12/31/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.16%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.49% 3.12% 3.92% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average 0.49% 3.04% 3.87%
PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 3
L SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION* Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.35% N/A 2.28% iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average 0.49% N/A 2.81%
* Since inception of the L Shares on October 4, 1999. Benchmark returns since September 30, 1999 (benchmark returns available only on a month end basis). To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. First Tier Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in securities rated in the highest category by at least two of the recognized rating agencies. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None None Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of net asset value)* None 2.00%
* This sales charge is imposed if you sell L Shares within 1 year of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES L SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.20% 0.75% Other Expenses* 0.05% 0.05% ------ ------ Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.90% 1.45%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Prime Quality Money Market Fund - A Shares 0.81% Prime Quality Money Market Fund - L Shares 0.89%
PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND 4 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $ 92 $287 $498 $1,108 L Shares $348 $459 $792 $1,735
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS A Shares $ 92 $287 $498 $1,108 L Shares $148 $459 $792 $1,735
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 5 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current interest income exempt from federal income taxes, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Municipal money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without added risk by analyzing credit quality INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current tax-exempt income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund invests substantially all of its net assets in money market instruments issued by municipalities and issuers that pay income exempt from regular federal income taxes. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser analyzes the credit quality and structure of each security to minimize risk. The Adviser actively manages the Fund's average maturity based on current interest rates and the Adviser's outlook of the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 2.37% 1995 3.36% 1996 2.94% 1997 3.11% 1998 2.90% 1999 2.69% 2000 3.57% 2001 2.13% 2002 0.79% 2003 0.42%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.95% 0.05% (6/30/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.18%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.42% 1.91% 2.42% iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average 0.44% 1.88% 2.37%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in short-term municipal securities, the income of which is exempt from federal taxation. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.55% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.15% Other Expenses* 0.05% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.75%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund - A Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $77 $240 $417 $930
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, and repurchase agreements PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, repurchase agreements involving these securities, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser tries to increase income without adding undue risk by analyzing yields. The Adviser actively manages the maturity of the Fund and its portfolio to maximize the Fund's yield based on current market interest rates and the Adviser's outlook on the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 3.48% 1995 5.25% 1996 4.66% 1997 4.85% 1998 4.73% 1999 4.26% 2000 5.56% 2001 3.52% 2002 1.20% 2003 0.40%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.46% 0.06% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.15%. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND 8 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.40% 2.97% 3.78% iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average 0.48% 3.03% 3.82%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Government & Agency Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements or securities issued by agencies of the U.S. Government. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.17% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.88%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund - A Shares 0.80%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $90 $281 $488 $1,084
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 9 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income, while maintaining liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Money market instruments issued and guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing in U.S. Treasury obligations and repurchase agreements INVESTOR PROFILE Conservative investors who want to receive current income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund invests solely in U.S. Treasury obligations, repurchase agreements that are collateralized by obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, and shares of registered money market funds that invest in the foregoing. The Fund limits its investments so as to obtain the highest investment quality rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (Standard and Poor's Corporation, AAA). As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund's U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* Since T Shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, returns for A Shares will be substantially similar to those of the T Shares, shown here, and differ only to the extent that A Share expenses are higher, and therefore, performance would be lower than that of the T Shares. (BAR CHART) 1994 3.50% 1995 5.33% 1996 4.77% 1997 4.93% 1998 4.82% 1999 4.38% 2000 5.63% 2001 3.32% 2002 1.17% 2004 0.50%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 1.46% 0.09% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.15%. U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND 10 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.50% 2.98% 3.82% iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average 0.42% 2.91% 3.74%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Treasury & Repo Retail Average is a widely- recognized composite of money market funds that invest in U.S. Treasury bills and repurchase agreements backed by these securities. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.65% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund - A Shares 0.75%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $88 $274 $477 $1,061
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND PROSPECTUS 11 (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High current income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes, while preserving capital and liquidity INVESTMENT FOCUS Virginia municipal money market instruments PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to increase income without added risk by analyzing credit quality INVESTOR PROFILE Virginia residents who want to receive current income exempt from federal and state income taxes
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund invests substantially all of its assets in money market instruments issued by municipalities and issuers that pay income exempt from federal and Virginia income taxes. Issuers of these securities can be located in Virginia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser analyzes the credit quality and structure of each security to minimize risk. The Adviser actively manages the Fund's average maturity based on current interest rates and the Adviser's outlook of the market. As a money market fund, the Fund follows strict rules about credit risk, maturity and diversification of its investments. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? An investment in the Fund is subject to income risk, which is the possibility that the Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. In addition, although a money market fund seeks to keep a constant price per share of $1.00, you may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund's concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Virginia subjects the Fund to economic and government policies within Virginia. There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's A Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 2.11% 1995 3.27% 1996 2.88% 1997 3.07% 1998 2.92% 1999 2.71% 2000 3.55% 2001 2.14% 2002 0.79% 2003 0.45%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 0.93% 0.06% (12/31/00) (9/30/03)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 0.18%. VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND 12 PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
A SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.45% 1.92% 2.41% iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average 0.44% 1.88% 2.37%
To obtain information about the Fund's current yield, call 1-800-814-3397. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN AVERAGE? ------------------------------------------------------------- An average is a composite of mutual funds with similar investment goals. The iMoneyNet, Inc. Tax-Free Retail Average is a widely-recognized composite of money market funds that invest in short-term municipal securities, the income of which is exempt from federal taxation. The number of funds in the Average varies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.40% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.40% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.86%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the level set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund - A Shares 0.67%
------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $88 $274 $477 $1,061
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK PROSPECTUS 13 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK FIXED INCOME RISK Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund The market value of fixed income investments changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to the following additional risks: MUNICIPAL ISSUER RISK Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund There may be economic or political changes that impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers may also adversely affect the value of a Fund's municipal securities. Constitutional or legislative limits on borrowing by municipal issuers may result in reduced supplies of municipal securities. Moreover, certain municipal securities are backed only by a municipal issuer's ability to levy and collect taxes. In addition, a Fund's concentration of investments in issuers located in a single state makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse political or economic developments affecting that state. The Fund also may be riskier than mutual funds that buy securities of issuers in numerous states. REGIONAL RISK Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund To the extent that the Fund's investments are concentrated in a specific geographic region, the Fund may be subject to political and other developments affecting that region. Regional economies are often closely interrelated, and political and economic developments affecting one region, country or state often affect other regions, countries or states, thus subjecting the Fund to additional risks. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. (MAGNIFYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.54% Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.45% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.56% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.56% Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.40%
The Adviser makes investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 14 PROSPECTUS when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS Each of the Funds is managed by co-portfolio managers or by a portfolio manager who is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. Mr. Robert S. Bowman, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since January 1999. He has managed the VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND since May 1995, the TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND since July 2000, and the U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. Prior to joining Trusco, Mr. Bowman served as Vice President of Crestar Asset Management Company from 1995 to 1999, after serving as an assistant trader at Crestar Asset Management Company from 1994 to 1995. He has more than 10 years of investment experience. Mr. David S. Yealy joined Trusco in 1991. Mr. Yealy has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Vice President of Trusco since September 1999. He has managed the PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND since it began operating in June 1992 and the U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND since October 2000. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") and exchange A Shares and L Shares of the Funds. L Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund are available only through exchanges of L Shares of other STI Classic Funds or, potentially, in the future, L Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund may be used to set up a systematic exchange program to purchase L Shares of other STI Classic Funds. Currently no such exchange program is available. L Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund (i) are subject to a 2% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) if you redeem your shares within one year of the date you purchased the original STI Classic Fund L Shares; and (ii) have higher annual expenses than A Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your account is established, you may buy shares of the Funds by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) * The Funds do not accept cash as a payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through investment representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for fund share transactions. Your institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by a Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding a Fund to your institution. A Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Federal Reserve are open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time.) So, for you to be PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 15 eligible to receive dividends declared on the day you submit your purchase order, the Funds must receive your order before 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund or before 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund. Also each Fund must receive federal funds (readily available funds) before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Otherwise, your purchase order will be effective the following Business Day, as long as each Fund receives federal funds before the Funds calculate their NAV the following day. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, a Fund generally values its investment portfolio using the amortized cost valuation method, which is described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. If the Adviser determines in good faith that this method is unreliable during certain market conditions or for other reasons, a Fund may value its portfolio at market price or fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM PURCHASES To purchase A Shares for the first time, you must invest at least $2,000 in any Fund. Your subsequent investments in any Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. A Fund may accept investments of smaller amounts at its discretion. FUNDLINK FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call the Funds at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase A Shares automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $500 minimum initial investment, you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 up to $100,000 once or twice a month. The Distributor may close your account if you do not meet this minimum investment requirement at the end of two years. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 16 PROSPECTUS provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next-determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal Law. The Funds have adopted an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. (DOLLAR ICON) SALES CHARGES CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSC) - L SHARES You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase L Shares. The offering price of L Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. But if you sell your shares within the first year after your purchase, you will pay a CDSC equal to 2.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sale request, whichever is less. The sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. So, you never pay a deferred sales charge on any increase in your investment above the initial offering price. This sales charge does not apply to exchanges of L Shares of one Fund for L Shares of another Fund. IF YOU SELL YOUR L SHARES The CDSC will be waived if you sell your L Shares for the following reasons: - to make certain withdrawals from a retirement plan (not including IRAs); - because of death or disability; or - for certain payments under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan - up to 12% annually of the value of your shares of each Fund held at the time of the withdrawal (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan is discussed later in more detail). OFFERING PRICE OF FUND SHARES The offering price of A Shares and L Shares is the NAV next calculated after the transfer agent receives your request. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust Securities, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 17 If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Fund in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the next NAV determined after the Fund receives your request less, in the case of L Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, any applicable deferred sales charge. Redemption orders must be received by the Funds on any Business Day before 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund or 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund. Orders received after these times will be executed the following Business Day. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the systematic withdrawal plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from any Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a bank, electronically transferred to your account. RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request, but it may take up to seven days. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below the required $2,000 because of redemptions you may be required to sell your shares. But, the Funds will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of a Fund, all Funds reserve the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) a Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) a Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 18 PROSPECTUS EXCHANGES When you exchange shares, you are really selling your shares and buying other Fund shares. So, your sale price and purchase price will be based on the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your exchange request. A SHARES You may exchange A Shares of any Fund for A Shares of any other Fund. If you exchange shares that you purchased without a sales charge or with a lower sales charge into a Fund with a sales charge or with a higher sales charge, the exchange is subject to an incremental sales charge (e.g., the difference between the lower and higher applicable sales charges). If you exchange shares into a Fund with the same, lower or no sales charge there is no incremental sales charge for the exchange. L SHARES You may exchange L Shares of any Fund for L Shares of any other Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to L Shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by any exchange. However, if you exchange L Shares of any STI Classic Fund for L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, you must first pay any applicable CDSC for the shares you are selling. Similarly, if you exchange L Shares of the STI Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund for L Shares of any other STI Classic Fund, any CDSC for the Fund you are exchanging into will be computed from the date of the exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES Each Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares, and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Maximum distribution fees, as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:
FOR A SHARES Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.20% Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.15% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.17% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.15% Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.40%
For L Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, the maximum distribution fee is 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES PROSPECTUS 19 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Fund in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Fund receives your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Fund written notice. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT; HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE FUND EXPECTS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE $1.00 NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO REALIZE ANY GAIN OR LOSS ON THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF YOUR FUND SHARES. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. The Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund intend to distribute federally tax-exempt income. Both of these Funds may invest a portion of their assets in securities that generate taxable income for federal or state income taxes. Income exempt from federal tax may be subject to state and local taxes. Any capital gains distributed by the Funds may be taxable. The Prime Quality Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund and the U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund expect to distribute primarily ordinary income. In addition, a significant portion of each of these three Funds' distributions may represent interest earned on U.S. obligations. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject to certain limitations. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 20 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by predecessor independent accounting firms, one of which has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Periods Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 21
NET ASSET NET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAIN (LOSS) TOTAL FROM FROM NET OF PERIOD INCOME ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INVESTMENT INCOME --------- ------ -------------- ---------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) L SHARES 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000(A).......... 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2001............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) 2000............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.02 -- 0.02 (0.02) 2001............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) 2000............. 1.00 0.05 -- 0.05 (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004(B).......... $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $1.00 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --* 2003............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2002............. 1.00 0.01 -- 0.01 (0.01) 2001............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) 2000............. 1.00 0.03 -- 0.03 (0.03) DISTRIBUTION FROM REALIZED TOTAL DIVIDENDS CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ----------------- PRIME QUALITY MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05) L SHARES 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.01) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000(A).......... -- (0.03) TAX-EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. --* (0.01) 2001............. -- (0.03) 2000............. -- (0.03) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $ -- $ --* 2003............. -- (0.01) 2002............. -- (0.02) 2001............. -- (0.05) 2000............. -- (0.05) U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004(B).......... $ --* $ --* VIRGINIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND A SHARES 2004............. $ --* $ --* 2003............. --* (0.01) 2002............. --* (0.01) 2001............. -- (0.03) 2000............. -- (0.03)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares. ++ Ratio reflects the impact of the initial low level of average net assets associated with commencement of operations. * Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. (A) Commenced operations on October 4, 1999. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (B) Commenced operations on November 12, 2003. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 21
RATIO OF NET RATIO OF EXPENSES NET ASSETS, RATIO OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO AVERAGE NET ASSET VALUE, TOTAL END OF EXPENSES TO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS END OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSETS (EXCLUDING WAIVERS) ------------- ------- ------------ ------------------ ---------- ------------------- $1.00 0.34% $1,851,615 0.81% 0.34% 0.95% 1.00 0.98 1,925,521 0.81 0.96 0.94 1.00 2.11 1,887,033 0.81 2.09 0.94 1.00 5.57 1,927,309 0.80 5.36 0.95 1.00 5.02 1,312,653 0.77 4.94 0.95 $1.00 0.22% $ 25,444 0.93% 0.21% 1.59% 1.00 0.54 14,633 1.25 0.53 1.62 1.00 1.36 12,302 1.54 1.04 1.70 1.00 4.75 4,051 1.53 4.54 1.92 1.00 2.93 3,445 1.50 4.46 1.99 $1.00 0.35% $ 274,543 0.67% 0.34% 0.80% 1.00 0.68 239,451 0.67 0.67 0.79 1.00 1.26 218,048 0.67 1.25 0.80 1.00 3.35 256,894 0.67 3.22 0.80 1.00 3.07 125,500 0.64 3.01 0.82 $1.00 0.28% $ 234,100 0.80% 0.28% 0.92% 1.00 0.86 250,246 0.80 0.86 0.92 1.00 2.11 210,004 0.80 2.02 0.92 1.00 5.41 158,087 0.79 5.14 0.93 1.00 4.71 79,311 0.77 4.62 0.93 $1.00 0.15% $ 401 0.75% 0.21% 3.17%++ $1.00 0.38% $ 118,339 0.67% 0.34% 0.90% 1.00 0.67 96,325 0.67 0.66 0.90 1.00 1.27 99,141 0.67 1.22 0.90 1.00 3.35 93,004 0.66 3.28 0.91 1.00 3.07 62,878 0.67 3.17 0.73
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUALMM1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS LIFE VISION FUNDS A SHARES B SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the A Shares and B Shares of each Life Vision Fund (Funds) that you should know before investing. Each Fund invests in a combination of other STI Classic Funds (underlying STI Classic Funds). Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. A Shares and B Shares have different expenses and other characteristics, allowing you to choose the class that best suits your needs. You should consider the amount you want to invest, how long you plan to invest, and whether you plan to make additional investments. A SHARES - Front-end sales charge - 12b-1 fees - $2,000 minimum initial investment B SHARES - Contingent deferred sales charge - Higher 12b-1 fees - Automatically convert to A Shares after eight years - $5,000 minimum initial investment This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see: 2 LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 6 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 10 LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 14 LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 18 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 19 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 20 INVESTMENT ADVISER 20 INVESTMENT TEAM 20 PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 27 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 28 TAXES 30 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE PRIVACY POLICY BACK COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION COVER ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHAKE FUND SHARES ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SLAAX 784767360 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund B Shares 3/11/03 SLABX 784767576 Life Vision Conservative Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SVCAX 784767337 Life Vision Conservative Fund B Shares 3/11/03 SCCBX 784767543 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund A Shares 9/30/03 SGIAX 784767352 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund B Shares 3/11/03 SGIBX 784767568 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund A Shares 9/30/03 -- 784767345 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund B Shares 3/11/03 SVGBX 784767550
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL High capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and money market funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY High PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing at least 80% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want the value of their investment to grow, but do not need to receive income on their investment, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND'S ASSET CLASS ASSETS) Equity Funds 80-100% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the STI Classic Funds' securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 3 Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. B Shares were offered beginning March 11, 2003. Performance between June 30, 1997 and March 11, 2003 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect B Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's B Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -4.30% 1995 25.12% 1996 16.62% 1997 22.53% 1998 12.31% 1999 10.31% 2000 6.30% 2001 -6.52% 2002 -18.11% 2003 25.84%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 18.72% -16.74% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 4.00%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund's Shares for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED B SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** Fund Returns Before Taxes 20.84% 2.13% 4.88% 8.06% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 20.81% 1.05% 3.53% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 13.59% 1.34% 3.56% N/A+ Hybrid 90/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 25.71% -0.04% 5.14% 10.49% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++ Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND 4 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold A Shares and B Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase price)** None 5.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell B Shares within five years of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% 0.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.10% 0.10% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.85% 1.35%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund - A Shares 0.51% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund - B Shares 1.00%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.08%. Therefore, total annualized expenses for A Shares would be 1.93% before waivers and 1.59% after waivers and for B Shares would be 2.43% before waivers and 2.08% after waivers. LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 5 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, this Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $459 $636 B Shares $637 $828
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $459 $636 B Shares $137 $428
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.93% for A Shares and 2.43% for B Shares): If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $564 $ 958 B Shares $746 $1,158
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $564 $958 B Shares $246 $758
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 6 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS PRIMARY Bond funds SECONDARY Equity funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Bond Funds, and to a lesser extent, STI Classic Equity Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, but want to reduce risk by limiting exposure to equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Conservative Fund invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities, but may invest up to 35% of the Fund's assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total return, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) Bond Funds 65-100% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE ASSET CLASS FUND'S ASSETS) Equity Funds 0-35% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 7 (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower rated securities is even greater than that of higher rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The Life Vision Conservative Fund commenced operations on March 11, 2003, and therefore does not have performance history for a full calendar year. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND 8 PROSPECTUS (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold A Shares and B Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase price)** None 5.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell B Shares within five years of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% 0.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.40% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.52% 0.52% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 1.17% 1.77%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Conservative Fund - A Shares 0.57% Life Vision Conservative Fund - B Shares 0.95%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.01%. Therefore, total estimated annualized expenses for A Shares would be 2.18% before waivers and 1.58% after waivers and for B Shares would be 2.78% before waivers and 1.96% after waivers. LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND PROSPECTUS 9 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $490 $733 B Shares $680 $957
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $490 $733 B Shares $180 $557
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (2.18% for A Shares and 2.78% for B Shares): If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $588 $1,032 B Shares $781 $1,262
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $588 $1,032 B Shares $281 $ 862
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund's estimated expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 10 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Long-term capital appreciation INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity Funds and, to a lesser extent, STI Classic Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want their assets to grow, but want to moderate the risks of equity securities through investment of a portion of their assets in bonds
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Growth and Income Fund invests at least 70% to 80% of its assets in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in either equity securities or fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION GROWTH AND ASSET CLASS INCOME FUND'S ASSETS) Equity Funds 50-80% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Bond Funds 20-50% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 11 securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. B Shares were offered beginning March 11, 2003. Performance between June 30, 1997 and March 11, 2003 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect B Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's B Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -3.52% 1995 22.68% 1996 12.16% 1997 18.08% 1998 11.16% 1999 7.95% 2000 7.08% 2001 -2.55% 2002 -11.99% 2003 23.41%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 13.65% -12.87% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 2.83%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED B SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fund Returns Before Taxes 18.41% 3.78% 5.90% 7.87% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 18.07% 2.76% 4.30% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 12.03% 2.65% 4.16% N/A+ Hybrid 65/25/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 18.20% 1.34% 5.44% 8.91% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 7.43% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++ Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND 12 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The Index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold A Shares and B Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase price)** None 5.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell B Shares within five years of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% 0.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82% 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Growth and Income Fund - A Shares 0.56% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund - B Shares 1.00%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.06%. Therefore, total annualized expenses for A Shares would be 1.88% before waivers and 1.62% after waivers and for B Shares would be 2.38% before waivers and 2.06% after waivers. LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND PROSPECTUS 13 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $456 $627 B Shares $634 $818
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $456 $627 B Shares $134 $418
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses after waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.88% for A Shares and 2.38% for B Shares): If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $559 $ 944 B Shares $741 $1,142
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $559 $944 B Shares $241 $742
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 14 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOAL Capital appreciation and current income INVESTMENT FOCUS Equity and bond funds SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Low PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Investing pursuant to an asset allocation strategy in a combination of STI Classic Equity and Bond Funds INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who want income from their investment, as well as an increase in its value, and are willing to be subject to the risks of equity securities
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund principally invests in STI Classic Funds that invest primarily in equity securities and fixed income securities. The Fund's remaining assets may be invested in shares of underlying STI Classic Money Market Funds, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements and short-term paper. In selecting a diversified portfolio of underlying STI Classic Funds, the Adviser analyzes many factors, including the underlying STI Classic Funds' investment objectives, total returns, volatility and expenses. The Fund currently plans to invest in shares of the following underlying STI Classic Funds within the percentage ranges indicated:
INVESTMENT RANGE (PERCENTAGE OF THE LIFE VISION MODERATE ASSET CLASS GROWTH FUND'S ASSETS) Equity Funds 35-65% Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Emerging Growth Stock Fund Growth and Income Fund International Equity Index Fund Mid-Cap Equity Fund Mid-Cap Value Fund Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Small Cap Value Equity Fund Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Value Income Stock Fund Bond Funds 35-65% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund High Income Fund Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Investment Grade Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund U.S. Government Securities Fund Money Market Funds 0-20% Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Other STI Classic Funds may be utilized. Due to its investment strategy, this Life Vision Fund holds STI Classic Funds that buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and additional capital gains tax liabilities for taxable investors. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. You can obtain information about the STI Classic Funds in which this Fund invests by calling 1-800-428-6970, or from the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? The value of an investment in this Life Vision Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying STI Classic Funds and the allocation of this Life Vision Fund's assets among them. Since it purchases equity funds, this Life Vision Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of an underlying STI Classic Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in this Life Vision Fund. The prices of an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, an underlying STI Classic Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa, and the volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Also, longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the average maturity or duration of these securities affects risk. This Life Vision Fund is also subject to the risk that the Adviser's asset allocation decisions will not anticipate LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 15 market trends successfully. For example, weighting common stocks too heavily during a stock market decline may result in a failure to preserve capital. Conversely, investing too heavily in fixed income securities during a period of stock market appreciation may result in lower total return. The risks associated with investing in this Life Vision Fund will vary depending upon how the assets are allocated among the underlying STI Classic Funds. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in this Life Vision Fund. Of course, this Life Vision Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how this Life Vision Fund will perform in the future. The Life Vision Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on June 30, 1997. Performance prior to June 30, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed asset allocation program, which began operations on December 31, 1992. The asset allocation program's performance has been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As an asset allocation program, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the asset allocation program's performance would have been lower. B Shares were offered beginning March 11, 2003. Performance between June 30, 1997 and March 11, 2003 is that of T Shares of the Fund, and has not been adjusted to reflect B Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. This bar chart shows changes in the performance of this Life Vision Fund's B Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1994 -2.97% 1995 20.52% 1996 10.51% 1997 16.41% 1998 11.15% 1999 6.19% 2000 5.46% 2001 -1.10% 2002 -8.28% 2003 19.24%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 11.24% -9.20% (12/31/98) (9/30/02)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 1.98%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the average annual total returns of this Life Vision Fund's T Shares for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of a Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the S&P 500 (R) Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. These returns reflect applicable sales charges and assumes shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
SINCE INCEPTION OF THE REGISTERED B SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS MUTUAL FUND* 10 YEARS** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fund Returns Before Taxes 14.24% 3.58% 5.70% 7.31% Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions 13.75% 2.02% 3.91% N/A+ Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 9.28% 2.23% 3.91% N/A+ Hybrid 50/40/10 Blend of the Following Market Benchmarks++ 15.67% 3.09% 6.37% 9.07% S&P 500(R) Index 28.67% -0.57% 5.10% 11.06% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 4.10% 6.62% 7.43% 6.95% Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index 1.07% 3.50% 3.87% 4.30%
* Since inception of the T Shares on June 30, 1997, when the Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund. ** Includes performance of the Adviser's asset allocation program. + It is not possible to reflect the impact of taxes on the Adviser's asset allocation program's performance. ++ Benchmarks reflect no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND 16 PROSPECTUS (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The S&P 500(R) Index is a widely-recognized, market value-weighted (higher market value stocks have more influence than lower market value stocks) index of 500 stocks designed to mimic the overall U.S. equity market's industry weightings. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities. The Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is a widely-recognized index of the 3 month U.S. Treasury bills. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold A Shares and B Shares of this Life Vision Fund. The table does not reflect any of the operating costs and investment advisory fees of the underlying STI Classic Funds. This Life Vision Fund and its shareholders will indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)* 3.75% None Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase price)** None 5.00% Redemption Fee (as a percentage of net asset value)*** 2.00% 2.00%
* This sales charge varies depending upon how much you invest. You may buy A Shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within one year of your purchase, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. See "Sales Charges." ** This sales charge is imposed if you sell B Shares within five years of your purchase. See "Sales Charges." *** This redemption fee may be imposed if you redeem or exchange your shares within ninety days of purchase. See "Market Timers." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SHARES B SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 0.25% 0.25% Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.50% 1.00% Other Expenses* 0.07% 0.07% ------------ ------------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses** 0.82% 1.32%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ** The Adviser or the Distributor may waive a portion of their fees in order to limit the total operating expenses to the levels set forth below. The Adviser or the Distributor may discontinue all or a part of these fee waivers at any time. Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund - A Shares 0.51% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund - B Shares 0.96%
The expenses set forth above are in addition to the costs of the underlying STI Classic Funds borne by the Fund. Based on restated expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds, the costs borne by the Fund on investments in underlying STI Classic Funds were 1.09%. Therefore, total annualized expenses for A Shares would be 1.91% before waivers and 1.60% after waivers and for B Shares would be 2.41% before waivers and 2.05% after waivers. LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND PROSPECTUS 17 ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Life Vision Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in this Life Vision Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, the Life Vision Fund's operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be: If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $456 $627 B Shares $634 $818
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $456 $627 B Shares $134 $418
These costs are all inclusive representing both direct Fund expenses before waivers and additional expenses associated with investments in underlying STI Classic Funds (1.91% for A Shares and 2.41% for B Shares): If you sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $562 $ 953 B Shares $744 $1,151
If you do not sell your shares at the end of the period:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS A Shares $562 $953 B Shares $244 $751
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Life Vision Fund expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Life Vision Fund's net assets. These expenses are deducted from Life Vision Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser" and "Distribution of Fund Shares." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 18 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK All Funds Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Funds are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK All Funds Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK All Funds The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When a Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 19 FIXED INCOME RISK Life Vision Conservative Fund Life Vision Growth and Income Fund Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund The market value of fixed income investments change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. In addition to these fundamental risks, different types of fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. FOREIGN SECURITY RISKS All Funds Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio. TRACKING ERROR RISK All Funds Factors such as Fund expenses, imperfect correlation between a Fund's investments and those of its benchmarks, rounding of share prices, changes to the benchmark, regulatory policies, and leverage, may affect the Fund's ability to achieve perfect correlation. The magnitude of any tracking error may be affected by a higher portfolio turnover rate. Because an index is just a composite of the prices of the securities it represents rather than an actual portfolio of those securities, an index will have no expenses. As a result, the Fund, which will have expenses such as taxes, custody, management fees and other operational costs, and brokerage, may not achieve its investment objective of accurately correlating to an index. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Funds' primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund's objectives. A Fund will do so only if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. INVESTMENT ADVISER 20 PROSPECTUS (MAGNIFYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of: Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.11% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.10% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.14% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.14%
The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus each Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Funds' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. THE INVESTMENT TEAM The LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND, LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND, LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, and LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND are managed by a team of investment professionals. No one person is primarily responsible for making investment recommendations. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase, sell (sometimes called "redeem") and exchange A Shares and B Shares of the Funds. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES Your investment professional can assist you in opening a brokerage account that will be used for all transactions regarding the purchase of STI Classic Funds. Once your securities account is established, you may buy shares of the Funds by: - Mail* - Telephone (1-800-874-4770) - Wire - Automated Clearing House (ACH) * The Funds do not accept cash as payment for Fund shares. You may also buy shares through investment representatives of certain correspondent banks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust) and other financial institutions that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers. Please contact your financial institution directly and follow its procedures for Fund share transactions. Your institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by a Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding a Fund to your institution. A Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Funds receive your purchase order. Each Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, a Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early - such as PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 21 on days in advance of certain holidays - the Funds reserve the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE, SALE AND EXCHANGE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE, SELL OR EXCHANGE FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. HOW THE FUNDS CALCULATE NAV In calculating NAV, each Fund values its underlying STI Classic Fund investments at the NAV reported by those STI Classic Funds. Other portfolio securities are generally valued at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. Some Funds hold securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV. As a result, the market value of these Funds' investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. MINIMUM/MAXIMUM PURCHASES To purchase shares for the first time, you must invest in any Fund at least:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 B Shares $5,000 ($2,000 for IRAs)
However, you may purchase no more than $99,999 of B Shares due to the fact that A Share purchases of $100,000 or more offer a reduced initial sales charge and have lower annual expenses. Your subsequent investments of shares of any Fund must be made in amounts of at least $1,000 or, if you pay by a statement coupon, $100. The Funds may accept investments of smaller amounts at its discretion. FUNDLINK FUNDLINK is a telephone activated service that allows you to transfer money quickly and easily between the STI Classic Funds and your SunTrust bank account(s). To use FUNDLINK, you must first contact your SunTrust Bank Investment Consultant and complete the FUNDLINK application and authorization agreements. Once you have signed up to use FUNDLINK, simply call SunTrust at 1-800-874-4770 to complete all of your purchase and redemption transactions. SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN If you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliate bank, you may purchase shares automatically through regular deductions from your account. With a $500 minimum initial investment, you may begin regularly-scheduled investments from $50 to $100,000 once or twice a month. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Funds do not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Funds subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 22 PROSPECTUS provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds' overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. (DOLLAR ICON) SALES CHARGES FRONT-END SALES CHARGES - A SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after a Fund receives your request, plus the front-end sales charge. The amount of any front-end sales charge included in your offering price varies, depending on the amount of your investment:
YOUR SALES YOUR SALES CHARGE AS A CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF OFFERING YOUR NET IF YOUR INVESTMENT IS: PRICE* INVESTMENT Less than $100,000 3.75% 3.90% $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.25% 3.36% $250,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.50% 2.56% $1,000,000 and over None None
* The Distributor may pay a percentage of the offering price as a commission to broker-dealers. While investments over $1,000,000 are not subject to a front-end sales charge, the Distributor may pay dealer commissions ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%. INVESTMENTS OF $1,000,000 OR MORE. You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of A Shares (excluding A Shares of STI Classic Money Market Funds) in either a single investment or through our rights of accumulation, letter of intent, or combined purchase/quantity discount programs. However, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if you redeem any of these A Shares within one year of purchase. The deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lessor of (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives your sales request. The deferred sales charge does not apply to shares you purchase through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. WAIVER OF FRONT-END SALES CHARGE - A SHARES The front-end sales charge will be waived on A Shares purchased: - through reinvestment of dividends and distributions; - through a SunTrust Securities, Inc. asset allocation account; PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 23 - by persons repurchasing shares they redeemed within the last 180 days (see "Repurchase of A Shares"); - by employees, and members of their immediate family (spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and children (including step-children) under the age of 21 years), of SunTrust and its affiliates; - by persons reinvesting distributions from qualified employee benefit retirement plans and rollovers from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) previously with the Trust department of a bank affiliated with SunTrust; - by persons investing an amount less than or equal to the value of an account distribution when an account for which a bank affiliated with SunTrust acted in a fiduciary, administrative, custodial or investment advisory capacity is closed; or - through dealers, retirement plans, asset allocation programs and financial institutions that, under their dealer agreements with the Distributor or otherwise, do not receive any portion of the front-end sales charge. REPURCHASE OF A SHARES You may repurchase any amount of A Shares of any Fund at NAV (without the normal front-end sales charge), up to the limit of the value of any amount of A Shares (other than those which were purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions) that you redeemed within the past 180 days. In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without re-paying the front-end sales charge. Such repurchases may be subject to special tax rules. See the section on Taxes in the Statement of Additional Information for more information. To exercise this privilege, the Funds must receive your purchase order within 180 days of your redemption. In addition, you must notify the Fund when you send in your purchase order that you are repurchasing shares. REDUCED SALES CHARGES - A SHARES RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. In calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, this right allows you to add the market value (at the close of business on the day of the current purchase) of the A Shares you already own to the amount that you are currently purchasing. The Funds will combine the value of your current purchases with the market value of any A Shares you purchased previously for (i) your account, (ii) your spouse's account, (iii) a joint account with your spouse, or (iv) your minor children's trust or custodial accounts. A fiduciary purchasing shares for the same fiduciary account, trust or estate may also use this right of accumulation. The Funds will only consider the market value of A Shares purchased previously that were sold subject to a sales charge. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares already owned, you must ask us for the reduction at the time of purchase. You may be required to provide the Funds with your account number(s), account name(s), and copies of the account statements, and, if applicable, the account number(s), account name(s), and copies of the account statements, for your spouse and/or children (and provide the children's ages). Your financial institution may require documentation or other information in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. The Fund may amend or terminate this right of accumulation at any time. LETTER OF INTENT. You may purchase A Shares at the sales charge rate applicable to the total amount of the purchases you intend to make over a 13-month period. In other words, a Letter of Intent allows you to purchase A Shares of a Fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if you had purchased all the shares at the same time. The Funds will only consider the value of A Shares sold subject to a sales charge. As a result, shares of the A Shares purchased with dividends or distributions will not be included in the calculation. To be entitled to a reduced sales charge based on shares you intend to purchase over the 13-month period, you must send the Funds a Letter of Intent. In calculating the total amount of purchases you may include in your letter purchases made up to 90 days before the date of the Letter. The 13-month period begins on the date of the first purchase, including those purchases made in the 90-day period before the date of the Letter. Please note that the purchase price of these prior purchases will not be adjusted. You are not legally bound by the terms of your Letter of Intent to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the Letter. The Letter does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 3.75% of the total amount you intend to purchase. If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 24 PROSPECTUS the Fund's transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased). COMBINED PURCHASE/QUANTITY DISCOUNT PRIVILEGE. When calculating the appropriate sales charge rate, the Fund will combine same day purchases of A Shares (that are subject to a sales charge) made by you, your spouse and your minor children (under age 21). This combination also applies to A Shares you purchase with a Letter of Intent. You can also obtain this information about sales charges, rights of accumulation and letters of intent on the Fund's website at www.sticlassicfunds.com. CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) - B SHARES You do not pay a sales charge when you purchase B Shares. However, if you redeem your shares within five years of purchase, you will generally pay a CDSC on these shares according to the following schedule:
CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE AMOUNT YEARS AFTER PURCHASE SUBJECT TO CHARGE 0 to 1 Year 5% 1 to 2 Years 4% 2 to 3 Years 4% 3 to 4 Years 3% 4 to 5 Years 2% 5 Years+* 0%
* B Shares automatically convert to A Shares after eight years. The CDSC does not apply to share price appreciation or shares acquired through dividend or capital gains distribution reinvestment. To minimize the CDSC, shares not subject to any charge will be redeemed first, followed by shares held longest (therefore having the lowest CDSC). WAIVER OF THE CDSC No CDSC is imposed if you sell your shares under any of the following circumstances: - Death or Disablement (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) - You are shareholder/joint shareholder or participant/beneficiary of certain retirement plans; - You die after the account is opened; - Redemption must be made within 1 year of such death/disability; - The Fund must be notified in writing of such death/disability at time of redemption request; - The Fund must be provided with satisfactory evidence of death (death certificate) or disability (doctor's certificate specifically referencing disability as defined in 72(m)(7) referenced above). - Shares purchased through dividend and capital gains reinvestment. - Participation in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan described below: - Withdrawal not to exceed 10% of the current balance of a Fund in a 12 month period, the 10% amount will be calculated as of the date of the initial Systematic Withdrawal Plan and recalculated annually on the 12 month anniversary date. Shares purchased through dividend or capital gains reinvestment, although not subject to the CDSC sales charge, will be included in calculating the account value and 10% limitation amount; - If the total of all Fund account withdrawals (Systematic Withdrawal Plan or otherwise) exceeds the 10% limit within the 12 month period following the initial calculation date, the entire Systematic Withdrawal Plan for the period will be subject to the applicable sales charge, in the initial year of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, the withdrawal limitation period shall begin 12 months before the initial Systematic Withdrawal Plan payment; - To qualify for the CDSC waiver under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan a Fund account must have a minimum of $25,000 at Systematic Withdrawal Plan inception and must also reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions. - Required mandatory minimum withdrawals made after 70 1/2 under any retirement plan qualified under IRS Code Section 401, 408 or 403(b) or resulting PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 25 from the tax free return of an excess distribution to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Satisfactory qualified plan documentation to support any waiver includes employer letter (separation from services) and plan administrator certificate (certain distributions under plan requirements). - Exchanges for B Shares of other Life Vision Funds. - Exchanges in connection with plans of Fund reorganizations such as mergers and acquisitions. To take advantage of any of these waivers, you must qualify in advance. To see if you qualify, please call your investment professional or other investment representative. These waivers are subject to change or elimination at any time at the discretion of the Funds. OFFERING PRICE OF FUND SHARES The offering price of A Shares is the NAV next calculated after the transfer agent receives your request, plus the front-end sales load. The offering price of B Shares is simply the next calculated NAV. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES If you own your shares through a brokerage account with SunTrust Securities, you may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities directly by mail or telephone at 1-800-874-4770. The minimum amount for telephone redemptions is $1,000. If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to sell your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. If you would like to sell $25,000 or more of your shares, please notify the Fund in writing and include a signature guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient). The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Fund receives your request less, in the case of B Shares, any applicable CDSC. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN If you have at least $10,000 in your account, you may use the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Under the plan you may arrange monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual automatic withdrawals of at least $50 from any Fund. The proceeds of each withdrawal will be mailed to you by check or, if you have a checking or savings account with a SunTrust affiliates bank, electronically transferred to your account. Withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be subject to a CDSC unless they meet the requirements described above under "Waiver of the CDSC." RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Funds will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Funds receive your request. Your proceeds can be wired to your bank account (subject to a $7.00 fee) or sent to you by check. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED YOUR SHARES BY CHECK OR THROUGH ACH, REDEMPTION PROCEEDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds' remaining shareholders), the Funds might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. INVOLUNTARY SALES OF YOUR SHARES If your account balance drops below the required minimum you may be required to sell your shares. The account balance minimums are:
CLASS DOLLAR AMOUNT A Shares $2,000 B Shares $5,000 ($2,000 for IRAs or other tax qualified accounts)
But the Funds will always give you at least 60 days written notice to give you time to add to your account and avoid the sale of your shares. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES 26 PROSPECTUS or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES You may exchange your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust Securities or your financial institution by mail or telephone. Exchange requests must be for an amount of at least $1,000. The exchange privilege is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive exchange activity may interfere with Fund management and may have an adverse effect on all shareholders. In order to limit excessive exchange activity and in other circumstances where it is in the best interests of a Fund, all Funds reserve the right to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount or number of exchanges or reject any exchange or restrict or refuse purchases if (1) a Fund or its manager(s) believes the Fund would be harmed or unable to invest effectively, or (2) a Fund receives or anticipates orders that may dramatically affect the Fund as outlined under "Market Timers" as defined later in this prospectus. IF YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES BY CHECK, OR THROUGH ACH, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES UNTIL YOUR CHECK HAS CLEARED (WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO 15 DAYS FROM YOUR DATE OF PURCHASE). This exchange privilege may be changed or canceled at any time upon 60 days notice. EXCHANGES When you exchange shares, you are really selling your shares and buying other Fund shares. So, your sale price and purchase price will be based on the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your exchange requests. A SHARES You may exchange A Shares of any Fund for A Shares of any other STI Classic Fund. If you exchange shares that you purchased without a sales charge or with a lower sales charge into an STI Classic Fund with a sales charge or with a higher sales charge, the exchange is subject to an incremental sales charge (e.g., the difference between the lower and higher applicable sales charges). If you exchange shares into an STI Classic Fund with the same, lower or no sales charge, there is no incremental sales charge for the exchange. B SHARES You may exchange B Shares of any Life Vision Fund for B Shares of any other Life Vision Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC applicable to B Shares, as well as the 8-year automatic conversion period, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the original date of purchase and will not be affected by an exchange. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing, selling and exchanging Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Funds have certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Funds are not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Funds reasonably believe to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Funds over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Funds reserve the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PROSPECTUS 27 Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of a Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. This redemption fee does not apply to 401(k)/403(b) type participant accounts, Systematic Withdrawal Plan accounts, SunTrust Securities asset allocation accounts or accounts held through an omnibus arrangement because information may not be available regarding beneficial owners. Dealers who purchase A Shares or B Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive any dealer commissions and also may not be eligible to receive 12b-1 fees from the original date of purchase. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES Each Fund has adopted a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund's assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. While B Shares are sold without any initial sales charge, the distributor may pay at the time of sale up to 4% of the amount invested to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who sell B Shares. Through the distribution plan, the distributor is reimbursed for these payments, as well as other distribution related services provided by the distributor. Maximum distribution fees, as a percentage of average daily net assets, are as follows:
FOR A SHARES Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.50% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.40% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.50% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.50%
For B Shares the maximum distribution fee is 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Funds for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Funds distribute their income quarterly. The Funds make distributions of capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund's record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution. You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice. TAXES 28 PROSPECTUS TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable either as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Dividends that are qualified dividend income are eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that a Fund receives qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. EACH SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. FOR TAX PURPOSES, AN EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES FOR SHARES OF A DIFFERENT STI CLASSIC FUND IS TREATED THE SAME AS A SALE. Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROSPECTUS 29 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 30 PROSPECTUS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the period ended May 31, 2003 and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The auditor's report for the period, along with the Funds' financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Year Ended May 31, 2003 For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS ON TOTAL FROM OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS --------- ------------- ----------- ---------- LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(1)..................... $ 9.46 $(0.01)(2) $0.81(2) $0.80 B SHARES 2004........................ $ 8.53 $(0.04)(2) $1.70(2) $1.66 2003(3)..................... 7.23 (0.01) 1.31 1.30 LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(4)..................... $10.68 $ 0.12(2) $0.18(2) $0.30 B SHARES 2004........................ $10.43 $ 0.17(2) $0.39(2) $0.56 2003(3)..................... 10.00 0.01 0.42 0.43 LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(5)..................... $10.18 $ 0.06(2) $0.58(2) $0.64 B SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.34 $ 0.07(2) $1.42(2) $1.49 2003(3)..................... 8.10 0.02 1.24 1.26 LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(6)..................... $ 9.58 $ 0.10(2) $0.45(2) $0.55 B SHARES 2004........................ $ 9.00 $ 0.09(2) $1.04(2) $1.13 2003(3)..................... 8.05 0.03 0.95 0.98 DIVIDENDS FROM NET DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL DIVIDENDS INVESTMENT FROM REALIZED AND INCOME CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------ ------------- ------------- LIFE VISION AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(1)..................... $(0.03) $ -- $(0.03) B SHARES 2004........................ $(0.01) $ -- $(0.01) 2003(3)..................... -- -- -- LIFE VISION CONSERVATIVE FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(4)..................... $(0.12) $ -- $(0.12) B SHARES 2004........................ $(0.13) $ -- $(0.13) 2003(3)..................... -- -- -- LIFE VISION GROWTH AND INCOME FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(5)..................... $(0.07) $ -- $(0.07) B SHARES 2004........................ $(0.09) $ -- $(0.09) 2003(3)..................... (0.02) -- (0.02) LIFE VISION MODERATE GROWTH FUND(A)(B) A SHARES 2004(6)..................... $(0.08) $ -- $(0.08) B SHARES 2004........................ $(0.10) $ -- $(0.10) 2003(3)..................... (0.03) -- (0.03)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (1) A Shares were offered beginning on October 16, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (2) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. (3) B Shares were offered beginning on March 11, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (4) A Shares were offered beginning on November 11, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (5) A Shares were offered beginning on November 5, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (6) A Shares were offered beginning on October 10, 2003. All ratios for the period have been annualized. (A) The Life Vision Funds and its shareholders indirectly bear a pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying STI Classic Funds. The expense ratios do not include such expenses. (B) Recognition of net investment income by the Life Vision Funds is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the STI Classic Funds in which the Life Vision Funds invest. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 31
NET ASSET NET ASSETS, VALUE, END TOTAL END OF OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) --------- ------- ------------ $10.23 8.43% $ 867 $10.18 19.49% $ 4,367 8.53 18.03 1,052 $10.86 2.82% $ 474 $10.86 5.38% $ 5,012 10.43 4.30 800 $10.75 6.32% $ 1,426 $10.74 15.99% $13,060 9.34 15.57 2,017 $10.05 5.79% $ 3,541 $10.03 12.66% $13,236 9.00 12.22 2,691 RATIO OF RATIO OF RATIO OF NET NET INVESTMENT EXPENSES TO EXPENSES INCOME (LOSS) AVERAGE NET ASSETS PORTFOLIO TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE (EXCLUDING WAIVERS TURNOVER NET ASSETS NET ASSETS AND REIMBURSEMENTS) RATE ---------- ---------- ------------------- ---- 0.51% (0.24)% 5.15% 44% 1.00% (0.36)% 1.95% 44% 0.89 (0.86) 1.36 50 0.57% 2.06% 4.00% 138% 0.95% 1.54% 1.81% 138% 0.92 0.85 1.39 160 0.56% 1.04% 1.95% 97% 1.00% 0.63% 1.61% 97% 0.90 0.39 1.34 139 0.55% 1.49% 1.27% 109% 1.00% 0.91% 1.56% 109% 0.91 0.93 1.34 101
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Funds is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list each Fund's holdings and contain information from the Funds' managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Funds BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUNDS' WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUABLV1004 (COVER GRAPHIC) STI CLASSIC FUNDS SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES PROSPECTUS OCTOBER 1, 2004 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES (CCE) 401(k) PLAN INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (the "Adviser") ----------------- STI CLASSIC FUNDS ----------------- THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. PROSPECTUS ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS The STI Classic Funds is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the T Shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund (Fund) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference. This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return. For more detailed information about the Fund, please see: 2 SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 2 FUND SUMMARY 2 INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2 WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? 2 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 3 FUND FEES AND EXPENSES 4 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 4 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 5 INVESTMENT ADVISER 5 PORTFOLIO MANAGER 5 PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 8 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 8 TAXES 10 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE BACK PRIVACY POLICY COVER BACK HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVER STI CLASSIC FUNDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (SUITCASE FUND SUMMARY ICON) (TELESCOPE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ICON) (LIFE WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING? PRESERVER ICON) (TARGET PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ICON) (LINE WHAT IS AN INDEX? GRAPH ICON) (COIN FUND FEES AND EXPENSES ICON) (MOUNTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS ICON) (MAGNIFYING INVESTMENT ADVISER GLASS ICON) (HAND PURCHASING AND SELLING SHAKE FUND SHARES ICON)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1, 2004 PROSPECTUS 1 CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOL
FUND NAME CLASS INCEPTION* TICKER CUSIP Small Cap Value Equity Fund T Shares 1/31/97 SCETX 784766370
* The performance included under "Performance Information" may include the performance of other classes of the Fund and/or predecessors of the Fund. RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders' money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities. The Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Adviser invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal. The Adviser's judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A FUND SHARE IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IT IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FDIC OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which it trades. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings. SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND 2 PROSPECTUS (SUITCASE ICON) FUND SUMMARY INVESTMENT GOALS PRIMARY Capital appreciation SECONDARY Current income INVESTMENT FOCUS U.S. small cap equity securities SHARE PRICE VOLATILITY Moderate PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY Attempts to identify undervalued small cap securities INVESTOR PROFILE Investors who primarily want the value of their investment to grow, but want to receive some income from their investment
(TELESCOPE ICON) INVESTMENT STRATEGY Under normal circumstances, the Small Cap Value Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity U.S. traded securities that have small capitalizations (i.e., companies with market capitalizations under $3 billion). U.S. traded securities may include American Depositary Receipts among other types of securities. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser chooses companies that it believes are undervalued in the market, relative to the industry sector and the company's own valuation history. The Adviser evaluates potential catalysts that may increase a stock's value to such an extent that the stock no longer meets the Fund's investment criteria. Additionally, all common stocks purchased for the Fund are required to pay a cash dividend. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THIS FUND? Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund's securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that small capitalization equity securities may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The smaller capitalization companies the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. For information about the risks involved when investing in derivatives, see "More Information About Risk." (TARGET ICON) PERFORMANCE INFORMATION The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. Of course, the Fund's past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating as a registered mutual fund on January 31, 1997. Performance prior to January 31, 1997 is that of the Adviser's similarly managed collective investment fund, which began operations on August 31, 1994. The collective fund's performance has been adjusted to reflect the current fees and expenses for T Shares of the Fund. As a collective fund, rather than a registered mutual fund, it was not subject to the same investment and tax restrictions. If it had been, the collective fund's performance would have been lower. SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND PROSPECTUS 3 This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's T Shares from year to year.* (BAR CHART) 1995 30.99% 1996 34.25% 1997 32.59% 1998 -13.45% 1999 -2.72% 2000 17.96% 2001 21.21% 2002 -1.74% 2003 37.05%
BEST QUARTER WORST QUARTER 19.82% -21.99% (6/30/99) (9/30/98)
* The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund's total return from 1/1/04 to 6/30/04 was 9.85%. ------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS ------------------------------------------------------------- This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2003, to those of the Russell 2000(R) Value Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
SINCE T SHARES 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION* Small Cap Value Equity Fund 37.05% 13.37% 15.40% Russell 2000(R) Value Index 46.03% 12.28% 13.36%
* Since inception of the collective investment fund on August 31, 1994. (LINE GRAPH ICON) ------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS AN INDEX? ------------------------------------------------------------- An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Russell 2000(R) Value Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization weighted (companies with larger market capitalizations have more influence than those with smaller market capitalizations) index of companies in the Russell 2000(R) Index with lower growth rates and price-to-book ratios. The Russell 2000(R) Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that consists of a subset of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. (COIN ICON) FUND FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the Fund's fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T SHARES Investment Advisory Fees 1.15% Other Expenses* 0.06% ----------------- Total Annual Operating Expenses 1.21%
* The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees. ------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE ------------------------------------------------------------- This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS $123 $384 $665 $1,466
------------------------------------------------------------- FUND EXPENSES ------------------------------------------------------------- Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund's expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund's net assets. For more information about these fees, see "Investment Adviser." MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK 4 PROSPECTUS (LIFE PRESERVER ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK DERIVATIVES RISK Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities: - The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates. - The Fund experiencing losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives. - There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives. - There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives. - Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange. - Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives. - The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counter-party risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. EQUITY RISK Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause a fund's net asset value to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND RISK The Fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") to temporarily gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual Funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF. (MOUNTAIN ICON) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS This prospectus describes the Fund's primary strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information. The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Adviser uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with the Fund's objectives. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal. INVESTMENT ADVISER PROSPECTUS 5 (MAGNIFIYING GLASS ICON) INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc., 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had approximately $66.7 billion in assets under management. For the fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the Adviser received advisory fees of 1.15% of the Fund's daily net assets. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted new rules and rule amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund. Information regarding the Adviser's, and thus the Fund's, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the STI Classic Funds at 1-800-874-4770 Option 5, or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. PORTFOLIO MANAGER Mr. Brett Barner, CFA, has served as Managing Director of Trusco since July 2000, after serving as Managing Director of STI Capital Management, N.A. (STI) since 1994. He has managed the Fund since it began operating in January 1997 and is supported by a back-up portfolio manager. He has more than 19 years of investment experience. (HAND SHAKE ICON) PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES This section tells you how to purchase or sell (sometimes called "redeem") T Shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing or selling shares through a pension or 401(k) plan should also refer to their Plan documents. HOW TO PURCHASE FUND SHARES The Fund offers T Shares only to financial institutions or intermediaries, including subsidiaries of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (SunTrust), for their own or their customers' accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian. As a result, you, as a customer of a financial institution may purchase T Shares through accounts made with financial institutions. T Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) your financial institution. Depending upon the terms of your account, however, you may have, or be given, the right to vote your T Shares. The Fund may reject any purchase order if it is determined that accepting the order would not be in the best interests of the STI Classic Funds or its shareholders. WHEN CAN YOU PURCHASE SHARES? You may purchase shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business (a Business Day). The price per share (the offering price) will be the net asset value per share (NAV) next determined after the Fund receives your purchase order. The Fund calculates its NAV once each Business Day at the regularly-scheduled close of normal trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). So, for you to receive the current Business Day's NAV, the Fund must receive your purchase order in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If the NYSE closes early -- such as on days in advance of certain holidays -- the Fund reserves the right to calculate NAV as of the earlier closing time. The Fund will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions. YOU MAY HAVE TO TRANSMIT YOUR PURCHASE AND SALE REQUESTS TO SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AT AN EARLIER TIME FOR YOUR TRANSACTION TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THAT DAY. THIS ALLOWS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TIME TO PROCESS YOUR REQUEST AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TRANSFER AGENT IN TIME TO MEET THE ABOVE STATED FUND CUT-OFF TIMES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PURCHASE OR SELL FUND SHARES, INCLUDING SPECIFIC SUNTRUST OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INTERNAL ORDER ENTRY CUT-OFF TIMES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION DIRECTLY. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES 6 PROSPECTUS HOW THE FUND CALCULATES NAV In calculating NAV, the Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are unavailable or the Adviser determines in good faith that the market price or amortized cost valuation method is unreliable, fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. NET ASSET VALUE NAV for one Fund share is the value of that share's portion of the net assets of the Fund. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION FOREIGN INVESTORS The Fund does not generally accept investments by non-U.S. persons. Non-U.S. persons may be permitted to invest in the Fund subject to the satisfaction of enhanced due diligence. CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account. In certain instances, the Fund is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer's identity. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund, your application will be rejected. Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV per share next determined. However, the Fund reserves the right to close your account at the then-current day's price if the Fund is unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Fund. If the Fund is unable to verify your identity, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day's price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Fund reserves the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM Customer identification and verification is part of the Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Fund has adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority. HOW TO SELL YOUR FUND SHARES You may sell your shares on any Business Day by contacting SunTrust or your financial institution. SunTrust or your financial institution will give you information about how to sell your shares including any specific cut-off times required. Holders of T Shares may sell shares by following the procedures established when they opened their account or accounts with the Fund or with their financial institution or intermediary. The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Fund receives your request. PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES PROSPECTUS 7 RECEIVING YOUR MONEY Normally, the Fund will send your sale proceeds within five Business Days after the Fund receives your request but it may take up to seven days. REDEMPTIONS IN KIND The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Fund's remaining shareholders), the Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption. SUSPENSION OF YOUR RIGHT TO SELL YOUR SHARES The Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS Purchasing and selling Fund shares over the telephone is extremely convenient, but not without risk. Although the Fund has certain safeguards and procedures to confirm the identity of callers and the authenticity of instructions, the Fund is not responsible for any losses or costs incurred by following telephone instructions the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine. If you or your financial institution transact with the Fund over the telephone, you will generally bear the risk of any loss. The Fund reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate telephone transaction privileges at any time. MARKET TIMERS It is the policy of the Funds to discourage investments by Market Timers. Short-term or excessive trading into and out of a Fund may harm long-term shareholders by disrupting the Adviser's investment strategy and by increasing Fund expenses. These increased expenses may reduce total return for long-term shareholders, who are not responsible for generating such expenses. Accordingly, any Fund may restrict or refuse purchase or exchange requests by Market Timers or investors who seem to follow a short-term trading pattern that may adversely affect a Fund. You may be classified as a Market Timer if you: - Request two substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) of any Fund within 14 days; or - Request three substantial full-cycle transactions (either a purchase and redemption, or an exchange in and out) during any 90 day continuous period. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Fund, its manager(s) or a shareholder servicing agent will be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer. Market Timers who redeem or exchange their shares out of any Fund within 90 days of purchase may be charged a redemption fee of up to 2% of redemption proceeds, which will automatically be paid to the Fund. THIS REDEMPTION FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO 401(K)/403(B) TYPE PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS, SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN ACCOUNTS, SUNTRUST SECURITIES ASSET ALLOCATION ACCOUNTS OR ACCOUNTS HELD THROUGH AN OMNIBUS ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERS. Dealers who purchase T Shares on behalf of Market Timers, including Market Timers with shares held through an omnibus account, may not be eligible to receive shareholder servicing fees or other contractual concession payments. Further, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase or exchange requests by any investor at any time. In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to discourage market timing, the Funds intend to continually evaluate and, if practical, implement other measures to deter market timing. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES The distributor may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by applicable state of self-regulatory agencies, such as the National Association of Securities Dealers. From its own assets, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 8 PROSPECTUS determined from time to time by the Adviser or the distributor. In addition, the Adviser, the distributor or their affiliates may pay fees, from their own assets, to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries for providing distribution-related or shareholder services, in addition to fees that may be paid by the Fund for these purposes. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Fund distributes its net investment income quarterly. The Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If your 401(k) Plan owns Fund shares on the Fund's record date, the Plan is entitled to receive the distribution. As Plan participants, you will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares if you own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated by the Plan. You will, therefore, not receive a dividend or distribution if you do not own shares of the Fund on the date the dividend or distribution is allocated. TAXES PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES. Below the Fund has summarized some important tax issues that affect the Fund and its shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change. Dividends and distributions will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis if you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan that qualifies for tax-exempt treatment under federal income tax laws. Generally, you will not owe taxes on these distributions until you begin withdrawals from the plan. Withdrawals from the plan are subject to numerous complex and special tax rules and may be subject to a penalty in the case of premature withdrawals. You should consult your plan administrator, your plan's Summary Plan Description, and/or your tax advisor about the tax consequences of plan withdrawals. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES IS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PROSPECTUS 9 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 10 PROSPECTUS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the period of the Fund's (and its predecessor's) operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information provided below for the periods ended May 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for prior periods has been audited by a predecessor independent accounting firms that has ceased operations. The auditor's report for each such period, along with the Fund's financial statements and related notes, are included in the Annual Reports to Shareholders for such periods. The 2004 Annual Report is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-428-6970. The 2004 Annual Report is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information. For the Years Ended May 31, For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods
NET ASSET NET REALIZED DIVIDENDS VALUE, NET AND UNREALIZED FROM NET BEGINNING INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OF PERIOD INCOME (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS OPERATIONS INCOME --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ------ SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004............. $13.73 $0.06(1) $ 4.53(1) $ 4.59 $(0.06) 2003............. 14.54 0.08 (0.82) (0.74) (0.07) 2002............. 12.21 0.08 2.35 2.43 (0.10) 2001............. 9.13 0.17 3.07 3.24 (0.16) 2000............. 9.70 0.13 (0.59) (0.46) (0.11) TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS FROM REALIZED AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS ------------- ------------- SMALL CAP VALUE EQUITY FUND T SHARES 2004............. $ -- $(0.06) 2003............. -- (0.07) 2002............. -- (0.10) 2001............. -- (0.16) 2000............. -- (0.11)
+ Returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total return figures do not include applicable sales loads. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. (1) Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method. Amounts designated as "-- " are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS PROSPECTUS 11
RATIO OF EXPENSES TO RATIO OF RATIO OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS NET ASSET NET ASSETS, NET EXPENSES NET INVESTMENT (EXCLUDING WAIVERS VALUE, END TOTAL END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME (LOSS) TO AND/OR OF PERIOD RETURN+ PERIOD (000) NET ASSETS AVERAGE NET ASSETS REIMBURSEMENTS) --------- ------- ------------ ---------- ------------------ --------------- $18.26 33.56% $682,567 1.25% 0.38% 1.25% 13.73 (5.09) 518,468 1.24 0.64 1.24 14.54 20.06 614,199 1.25 0.67 1.25 12.21 35.90 401,900 1.25 1.72 1.25 9.13 (4.72) 212,074 1.22 1.31 1.25 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE ---- 44% 29 29 86 65
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] PRIVACY POLICY STI CLASSIC FUNDS OUR PRIVACY POLICY. At the STI Classic Funds, we recognize the sensitive nature of your personal financial information, and take every precaution to protect your privacy. In providing services to you as an individual who owns or is considering investing in shares of the STI Classic Funds, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly safeguarded and confidential, and to use or disclose it only as necessary to provide services to you or as otherwise required or permitted by law. When you entrust us with your financial information, you can be certain it will be used only within our strict guidelines. Our privacy policy and practices apply equally to nonpublic personal information about former shareholders and individuals who have inquired about the STI Classic Funds. INFORMATION WE COLLECT. "Nonpublic personal information" is personally identifiable financial information about you as an individual or your family. The kinds of nonpublic personal information we have about you may include the information you provide us on your account application or in telephone calls or correspondence with us, information about your transactions in and holdings of STI Classic Fund shares, and information about how you vote your shares. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE. We disclose nonpublic personal information about you to companies that provide necessary services to the Fund, such as the Fund's transfer agent, distributor, administrator or investment adviser, to affiliates of the STI Classic Funds, or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law or authorized by you. HOW WE SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know that information to provide services to you or who are permitted by law to receive it. We maintain strict internal policies against unauthorized disclosure or use of customer information. If you have any questions regarding the STI Classic Funds' Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-428-6970. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISER Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 50 Hurt Plaza Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 DISTRIBUTOR BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP More information about the Fund is available without charge through the following: STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) The SAI includes detailed information about the STI Classic Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus. ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS These reports list the Fund's holdings and contain information from the Fund's manager about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Fund. TO OBTAIN AN SAI, ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT, OR MORE INFORMATION: BY TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-428-6970 BY MAIL: Write to the Fund STI Classic Funds BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, Ohio 43219 FROM THE FUND'S WEBSITE: www.sticlassicfunds.com FROM THE SEC: You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as other information about the STI Classic Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-942-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov. The STI Classic Funds' Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557. STIPUTSCV1004 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION STI CLASSIC FUNDS OCTOBER 1, 2004 INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (THE "ADVISER") This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of STI Classic Funds (the "Trust") and should be read in conjunction with the Trust's prospectuses dated October 1, 2004. This SAI relates to each class of the following series of the Trust (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"):
A SHARES B SHARES L SHARES T SHARES -------- -------- -------- -------- EQUITY FUNDS Aggressive Growth Stock Fund X X X Capital Appreciation Fund X X X Emerging Growth Stock Fund X X X Growth and Income Fund X X X Information and Technology Fund X X X International Equity Fund X X X International Equity Index Fund X X X Mid-Cap Equity Fund X X X Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund X X X Small Cap Growth Stock Fund X X X Small Cap Value Equity Fund X X X Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund X X X Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund X X X Value Income Stock Fund X X X BALANCED FUND Balanced Fund X X X BOND FUNDS High Income Fund X X X Investment Grade Bond Fund X X X Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund X X X Short-Term Bond Fund X X X Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund X X X Strategic Income Fund X X X U.S. Government Securities Fund X X X
A SHARES B SHARES L SHARES T SHARES -------- -------- -------- -------- TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUNDS Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X X Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X X Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X X Maryland Municipal Bond Fund X X X Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund X X X Virginia Municipal Bond Fund X X X MONEY MARKET FUNDS Prime Quality Money Market Fund X X X Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund X X U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund X X U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund X X Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund X X LIFE VISION FUNDS Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund X X X Life Vision Conservative Fund X X X Life Vision Growth and Income Fund X X X Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund X X X
This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Trust's prospectuses. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the prospectuses. A Prospectus may be obtained by writing to the Trust or calling toll-free 1-800-428-6970. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE TRUST.................................................................. 3 DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS....................................... 3 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS..................................................... 31 THE ADVISER................................................................ 33 THE SUBADVISER............................................................. 36 THE ADMINISTRATOR.......................................................... 37 THE DISTRIBUTOR............................................................ 39 THE TRANSFER AGENT......................................................... 48 THE CUSTODIAN.............................................................. 48 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.............................. 48 LEGAL COUNSEL.............................................................. 48 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST......................................... 48 PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES............................................ 53 DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE........................................... 53 TAXES...................................................................... 55 FUND TRANSACTIONS.......................................................... 60 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE.................................................... 66 DESCRIPTION OF SHARES...................................................... 67 VOTING RIGHTS.............................................................. 68 SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY...................................................... 68 LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY.......................................... 68 CODES OF ETHICS............................................................ 69 PROXY VOTING............................................................... 69 5% AND 25% SHAREHOLDERS.................................................... 69 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................................... 92 APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS........................................ A-1 APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING SUMMARIES........................................ B-1
2 THE TRUST Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company established under Massachusetts law as a Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration of Trust dated January 15, 1992. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") of units of beneficial interest ("shares") and different classes of shares of each Fund. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds and/or classes. DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS The Funds' respective investment objectives and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectuses. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectuses. Following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices discussed in the Funds' "Investment Strategy" section and the associated risk factors. The Adviser will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with and permitted by the Funds' stated investment policies. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS (ADRs), EUROPEAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS (EDRs) AND GLOBAL DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS (GDRs). ADRs, EDRs, and GDRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution or a non-U.S. financial institution in the case of an EDR or GDR (a "depositary"). The institution has ownership interests in a security, or a pool of securities, issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be available through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a depositary. An unsponsored facility may be established by a depositary without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables and mortgage-like assets such as home equity loans on manufactured housing. These securities may be traded over-the-counter and typically have a short-intermediate maturity structure depending on the pay down characteristics of the underlying financial assets which are passed through to the security holder. These securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities may also be debt obligations, which are known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity, such as a trust, organized solely for the purpose of owning these assets and issuing debt obligations. Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and, for a certain period, by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities. The purchase of asset-backed securities raises risk considerations peculiar to the financing of the instruments underlying such securities. There also is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those securities. Asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. In addition, credit card receivables are unsecured obligations of the card holder. 3 BORROWING. As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), a Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of the Fund's assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund's borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition to the foregoing, the Funds are authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets. This borrowing is not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement. The Funds are authorized to pledge portfolio securities as the Adviser deems appropriate in connection with any borrowings. Borrowing may subject the Funds to interest costs, which may exceed the interest received on the securities purchased with the borrowed funds. The Funds may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. Borrowing can involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money. BRADY BONDS. A Brady Bond is a U.S. dollar denominated bond issued by an emerging market, particularly those in Latin America, and collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds. 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 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. COMMERCIAL PAPER. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days. CONVERTIBLE BONDS. Convertible bonds are bonds which may be converted, at the option of either the issuer or the holder, into a specified amount of common stock of the issuer, or in the case of exchangeable bonds, into the common stock of another corporation. Convertible bonds are generally subordinate to other publicly held debt of the issuer, and therefore typically have a lower credit rating than non-convertible debt of the issuer. Convertible bonds generally carry a lower coupon rate than the issuer would otherwise pay at issuance in exchange for the conversion feature. In addition to the interest rate risk factors generally associated with fixed income investments, the market risk of a convertible bond is determined by changes in the credit quality of the issuer and price changes and volatility of the stock into which the bond may be converted. The conversion feature may cause a convertible bond to be significantly more volatile than other types of fixed income investments. Convertible bonds for which the value of the conversion feature is deemed worthless are generally referred to as "busted" convertibles, and risk associated more closely approximates that of similar debt without the conversion feature. CUSTODIAL RECEIPTS. A custodial receipt represents an indirect interest in a tax-exempt bond that is deposited with a custodian. For example, custodial receipts may be used to permit the sale of the deposited bond in smaller denominations than would otherwise be permitted. Frequently, custodial receipts are issued to attach bond insurance or other forms of credit enhancement to the deposited tax-exempt bond. Note, because a "separate security" is not created by the issuance of a receipt, many of the 4 tax advantages bestowed upon holders of the deposited tax-exempt bond are also conferred upon the custodial receipt holder. DEBT SECURITIES. Debt securities (e.g., bonds, notes, debentures) represent money borrowed that obligates the issuer (e.g., a corporation, municipality, government, government agency) to repay the borrowed amount at maturity (when the obligation is due and payable) and usually to pay the holder interest at specific times. DOLLAR ROLLS. Dollar rolls are transactions in which securities are sold for delivery in the current month and the seller contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. Any difference between the sale price and the purchase price (plus interest earned on the cash proceeds of the sale) is applied against the past interest income on the securities sold to arrive at an implied borrowing rate. Dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and initially may involve only a firm commitment agreement by the Fund to buy a security. If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll and that the security the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held. To avoid any leveraging concerns, the Fund will maintain U.S. government or other liquid assets in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligation. EQUIPMENT TRUST CERTIFICATES ("ETCs"). ETCs are issued by a trust formed to finance large purchases of equipment, such as airplanes, at favorable interest rates. Legal title on such equipment is held by a trustee. The trustee leases the equipment and sells ETCs at a small discount to the purchase price of the equipment. The lease payments are then used to pay principal and interest to the ETC holders. EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a fund invests will cause the net asset value of a fund to fluctuate. The Funds purchase equity securities traded in the U.S. or foreign countries on securities exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below: - COMMON STOCK. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock. - PREFERRED STOCK. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. - WARRANTS. Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the 5 underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments. - CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third-party. - Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their "conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities. - SMALL AND MEDIUM CAPITALIZATION ISSUERS. Generally, capitalization or market capitalization is a measure of a company' size. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general. EQUITY-LINKED SECURITIES. A Fund may invest in equity-linked securities, including, among others, PERCS, ELKS or LYONs, which are securities that are convertible into, or the value of which is based upon the value of, equity securities upon certain terms and conditions. The amount received by an investor at maturity of such securities is not fixed but is based on the price of the underlying common stock. It is impossible to predict whether the price of the underlying common stock will rise or fall. Trading prices of the underlying common stock will be influenced by the issuer's operational results, by complex, interrelated political, economic, financial or other factors affecting the capital markets, the stock exchanges on which the underlying common stock is traded and the market segment of which the issuer is a part. In addition, it is not possible to predict how equity-linked securities will trade in the secondary market. The market for such securities may be shallow, and high volume trades may be possible only 6 with discounting. In addition to the foregoing risks, the return on such securities depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities, which may be the issuer of the underlying securities or a third-party investment banker or other lender. The creditworthiness of such third-party issuer equity-linked securities may, and often does, exceed the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying securities. The advantage of using equity-linked securities over traditional equity and debt securities is that the former are income producing vehicles that may provide a higher income than the dividend income on the underlying equity securities while allowing some participation in the capital appreciation of the underlying equity securities. Another advantage of using equity-linked securities is that they may be used for hedging to reduce the risk of investing in the generally more volatile underlying equity securities. The following are three examples of equity-linked securities. A Fund may invest in the securities described below or other similar equity-linked securities. - PERCS. Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock ("PERCS") technically is preferred stock with some characteristics of common stock. PERCS are mandatorily convertible into common stock after a period of time, usually three years, during which the investors' capital gains are capped, usually at 30%. Commonly, PERCS may be redeemed by the issuer at any time or if the issuer's common stock is trading at a specified price level or better. The redemption price starts at the beginning of the PERCS duration period at a price that is above the cap by the amount of the extra dividends the PERCS holder is entitled to receive relative to the common stock over the duration of the PERCS and declines to the cap price shortly before maturity of the PERCS. In exchange for having the cap on capital gains and giving the issuer the option to redeem the PERCS at any time or at the specified common stock price level, the Fund may be compensated with a substantially higher dividend yield than that on the underlying common stock. - ELKS. Equity-Linked Securities ("ELKS") differ from ordinary debt securities, in that the principal amount received at maturity is not fixed but is based on the price of the issuer's common stock. ELKS are debt securities commonly issued in fully registered form for a term of three years under an indenture trust. At maturity, the holder of ELKS will be entitled to receive a principal amount equal to the lesser of a cap amount, commonly in the range of 30% to 55% greater than the current price of the issuer's common stock, or the average closing price per share of the issuer's common stock, subject to adjustment as a result of certain dilution events, for the 10 trading days immediately prior to maturity. Unlike PERCS, ELKS are commonly not subject to redemption prior to maturity. ELKS usually bear interest during the three-year term at a substantially higher rate than the dividend yield on the underlying common stock. In exchange for having the cap on the return that might have been received as capital gains on the underlying common stock, the Fund may be compensated with the higher yield, contingent on how well the underlying common stock does. - LYONS. Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONS") differ from ordinary debt securities, in that the amount received prior to maturity is not fixed but is based on the price of the issuer's common stock. LYONs are zero-coupon notes that sell at a large discount from face value. For an investment in LYONs, the Fund will not receive any interest payments until the notes mature, typically in 15 to 20 years, when the notes are redeemed at face, or par value. The yield on LYONs, typically, is lower-than-market rate for debt securities of the same maturity, due in part to the fact that the LYONs are convertible into common stock of the issuer at any time at the option of the holder of the LYONs. Commonly, the LYONs are redeemable by the issuer at any time after an initial period or if the issuer's common stock is trading at a specified price level or better, or, at the option of the holder, upon certain fixed dates. The redemption price typically is the purchase price of the LYONs plus accrued original issue discount to the date of redemption, 7 which amounts to the lower-than-market yield. The Fund will receive only the lower-than-market yield unless the underlying common stock increases in value at a substantial rate. LYONs are attractive to investors, like the Fund, when it appears that they will increase in value due to the rise in value of the underlying common stock. EURODOLLAR AND YANKEE DOLLAR OBLIGATIONS. Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued outside the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee dollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued in the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain to the domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk. Additionally, Yankee obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital from flowing across their borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization or foreign issuers. EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS ("ETFs"). ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. A Fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying securities directly. (See also "Investment Company Shares" below). FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Floating rate instruments have a rate of interest that is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as LIBOR). Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated in the prospectus. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities may include U.S. dollar denominated obligations or securities of foreign issuers denominated in other currencies. Possible investments include obligations of foreign corporations and other entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including, without limitation, European Certificates of Deposit, European Time Deposits, European Bankers' Acceptances, Canadian Time Deposits, Europaper and Yankee Certificates of Deposit, and investments in Canadian Commercial Paper and foreign securities. These instruments have investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. These risks include future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. These investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. 8 In making investment decisions for the Funds, the Adviser evaluates the risks associated with investing Fund assets in a particular country, including risks stemming from a country's financial infrastructure and settlement practices; the likelihood of expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of invested assets; prevailing or developing custodial practices in the country; the country's laws and regulations regarding the safekeeping, maintenance and recovery of invested assets, the likelihood of government-imposed exchange control restrictions which could impair the liquidity of Fund assets maintained with custodians in that country, as well as risks from political acts of foreign governments ("country risks"). Of course, the Adviser cannot assure that the Fund will not suffer losses resulting from investing in foreign countries. Holding Fund assets in foreign countries through specific foreign custodians presents additional risks, including but not limited to the risks that a particular foreign custodian or depository will not exercise proper care with respect to Fund assets or will not have the financial strength or adequate practices and procedures to properly safeguard Fund assets. By investing in foreign securities, the Funds attempt to take advantage of differences between both economic trends and the performance of securities markets in the various countries, regions and geographic areas as prescribed by each Fund's investment objective and policies. During certain periods the investment return on securities in some or all countries may exceed the return on similar investments in the United States, while at other times the investment return may be less than that on similar U.S. securities. The international investments of a Fund may reduce the effect that events in any one country or geographic area will have on its investment holdings. Of course, negative movement by a Fund's investments in one foreign market represented in its portfolio may offset potential gains from the Fund's investments in another country's markets. Emerging countries are all countries that are considered to be developing or emerging countries by the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation, as well as countries classified by the United Nations or otherwise regarded by the international financial community as developing. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS. Forward foreign currency contracts involve obligations to purchase or sell a specific currency amount at a future date, agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may also enter into a contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other appropriate currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's securities denominated in the foreign currency. A Fund may realize a gain or loss from currency transactions. FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). A Fund may use futures contracts and related options for bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent a Fund uses futures and/or options on futures, it will do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"). The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, no Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. 9 An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to "cover" its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks. A long position is established when the Adviser purchases a stock outright and a short position is established when the Adviser sells a security that it has borrowed. To cover its position, a Fund may maintain with its custodian bank (and marked-to-market on a daily basis), a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise "cover" its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund's outstanding portfolio securities. Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the fund arising from such investment activities. A Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. A Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. A Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. A Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option. There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option, (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. 10 In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund's exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure. GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS (GICS). A GIC is a general obligation of the issuing insurance company and not a separate account. The purchase price paid for a GIC becomes part of the general assets of the issuer, and the contract is paid at maturity from the general assets of the issuer. Generally, GICs are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance company. For this reason, an active secondary market in GICs does not currently exist and GICs are considered to be illiquid investments. HEDGING TECHNIQUES. Hedging is an investment strategy designed to offset investment risks. Hedging activities include, among other things, the use of options and futures. There are risks associated with hedging activities, including: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures and option on futures; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; and (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options. HIGH YIELD SECURITIES. High yield securities, commonly referred to as junk bonds, are debt obligations rated below investment grade, i.e., below BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or their unrated equivalents. The risks associated with investing in high yield securities include: (i) High yield, lower rated bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investments in investment grade securities (e.g., securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or higher by Moody's) due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. (ii) The market for high risk, high yield securities may be thinner and less active, causing market price volatility and limited liquidity in the secondary market. This may limit the ability of a Fund to sell these securities at their fair market values either to meet redemption requests, or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. (iii) Market prices for high risk, high yield securities may also be affected by investors' perception of the issuer's credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. Thus, prices for high risk, high yield securities may move independently of interest rates and the overall bond market. (iv) The market for high risk, high yield securities may be adversely affected by legislative and regulatory developments. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, the Fund's illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security's fair value price may differ from the actual price, which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund's investments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund's investments, the Adviser may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the 11 market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). A Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. INVESTMENT COMPANY SHARES. The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Funds. The Funds' purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Funds' expenses. Under applicable regulations, unless an exception is available, the Funds are prohibited from acquiring the securities of another investment company if, as a result of such acquisition: (1) the Funds own more than 3% of the total voting stock of the other company; (2) securities issued by any one investment company represent more than 5% of the Funds' total assets; or (3) securities (other than treasury stock) issued by all investment companies represent more than 10% of the total assets of the Funds. For hedging or other purposes, each Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as ETFs, are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company's shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things. Examples of ETFs include SPDRs(R), Select Sector SPDRs(R), DIAMONDS(SM), NASDAQ 100 Shares, and iShares. Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC to iShares and procedures approved by the Board, each Fund may invest in iShares ETFs in excess of the 5% and 10% limits described above, provided that the Fund has described ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. INVESTMENT GRADE OBLIGATIONS. Investment grade obligations are fixed income obligations rated by one or more of the rating agencies in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"), or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's or determined to be of equivalent quality by the Adviser). Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the lowest of four levels of investment grade obligations and are regarded as borderline between sound obligations and those in which the speculative element begins to predominate. Ratings assigned to fixed income securities represent only the opinion of the rating agency assigning the rating and are not dispositive of the credit risk associated with the purchase of a particular fixed income obligation. A Fund may hold unrated securities if the Adviser considers the risks involved in owning that security to be equivalent to the risks involved in holding an instrument grade security. Moreover, market risk also will affect the prices of even the highest rated fixed income obligation so that their prices may rise or fall even if the issuer's capacity to repay its obligation remains unchanged. LEVERAGED BUYOUTS. The Fund may invest in leveraged buyout limited partnerships and funds that, in turn, invest in leveraged buyout transactions ("LBOs"). An LBO, generally, is an acquisition of an existing business by a newly formed corporation financed largely with debt assumed by such newly formed corporation to be later repaid with funds generated from the acquired company. Since most LBOs are by nature highly leveraged (typically with debt to equity ratios of approximately 9 to 1), equity investments in LBOs may appreciate substantially in value given only modest growth in the earnings or cash flow of the acquired business. Investments in LBO partnerships and funds, however, present a 12 number of risks. Investments in LBO limited partnerships and funds will normally lack liquidity and may be subject to intense competition from other LBO limited partnerships and funds. Additionally, if the cash flow of the acquired company is insufficient to service the debt assumed in the LBO, the LBO limited partnership or fund could lose all or part of its investment in such acquired company. LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. Loan participations are interests in loans to U.S. corporations, which are administered by the lending bank or agent for a syndicate of lending banks. In a loan participation, the borrower corporation is the issuer of the participation interest except to the extent the Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank. Because the intermediary bank does not guarantee a loan participation, a loan participation is subject to the credit risks associated with the underlying corporate borrower. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the intermediary bank. In addition, in the event the underlying corporate borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the 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 borrower. Under the terms of a Loan Participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the intermediary bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the intermediary bank may become insolvent. The secondary market for loan participations is limited and any such participation purchased by the Fund may be regarded as illiquid. MEDIUM-TERM NOTES. Medium-term notes are periodically or continuously offered corporate or agency debt that differs from traditionally underwritten corporate bonds only in the process by which they are issued. MONEY MARKET SECURITIES. Money market securities include short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization ("NRSRO"), such as S & P or Moody's, or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described herein. For a description of ratings, see the Appendix A to this SAI. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") are securities which represent ownership interests in, or are debt obligations secured entirely or primarily by, "pools" of residential or commercial mortgage loans or other asset-backed securities (the "Underlying Assets"). Such securities may be issued by such entities as Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, or by issuers that are affiliates of or sponsored by such entities. Obligations of GNMA are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Obligations of Fannie Mae and FHLMC are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, but are considered to be of high quality since they are considered to be instrumentalities of the United States. Each Fund will not purchase mortgage-backed securities that do not meet the above minimum credit standards. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing ownership interests in the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans are distributed monthly to the holders of the 13 mortgage-backed securities. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing debt obligations secured by the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on such mortgage-backed securities. Certain mortgage-backed securities represent an undivided fractional interest in the entirety of the Underlying Assets (or in a substantial portion of the Underlying Assets, with additional interests junior to that of the mortgage-backed security), and thus have payment terms that closely resemble the payment terms of the Underlying Assets. In addition, many mortgage-backed securities are issued in multiple classes. Each class of such multi-class mortgage-backed securities, often referred to as a "tranche", is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayment on the Underlying Assets may cause the MBSs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all or most classes of the MBSs on a periodic basis, typically monthly or quarterly. The principal of and interest on the Underlying Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a MBS in many different ways. In a relatively common structure, payments of principal (including any principal prepayments) on the Underlying Assets are applied to the classes of a series of a MBS in the order of their respective stated maturities so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of MBSs until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity have been paid in full. An important feature of mortgage-backed securities is that the principal amount is generally subject to partial or total prepayment at any time because the Underlying Assets (i.e., loans) generally may be prepaid at any time. Private pass-through securities are mortgage-backed securities issued by a non-governmental agency, such as a trust. While they are generally structured with one or more types of credit enhancement, private pass-through securities generally lack a guarantee by an entity having the credit status of a governmental agency or instrumentality. The two principal types of private mortgage-backed securities are collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs"). CMOs are collateralized mortgage obligations, which are collateralized by mortgage pass-through securities. Cash flows from the mortgage pass-through securities are allocated to various tranches (a "tranche" is essentially a separate security) in a predetermined, specified order. Each tranche has a stated maturity - the latest date by which the tranche can be completely repaid, assuming no prepayments - and has an average life - the average of the time to receipt of a principal payment weighted by the size of the principal payment. The average life is typically used as a proxy for maturity because the debt is amortized (repaid a portion at a time), rather than being paid off entirely at maturity, as would be the case in a straight debt instrument. Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported by various types of insurance, and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-throughs issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed. REMICs are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities and are rated in one of the two highest categories by S&P or Moody's. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are known as "regular" interests, or "residual" interests. Guaranteed REMIC pass-through certificates ("REMIC Certificates") issued by 14 Fannie Mae or FHLMC represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, FHLMC or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates. For FHLMC REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest. GNMA REMIC Certificates are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are securities that are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The holder of the "principal only" security ("PO") receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the "interest only" security ("IO") receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect. MUNICIPAL FORWARDS. Municipal forwards are forward commitments for the purchase of tax-exempt bonds with a specified coupon to be delivered by an issuer at a future date, typically exceeding 45 days but normally less than one year after the commitment date. Municipal forwards are normally used as a refunding mechanism for bonds that may only be redeemed on a designated future date (see "When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitment Securities" for more information). MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Municipal lease obligations are securities issued by state and local governments and authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a conditional sales contract, or a participation interest in any of the above. MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility (for example, tolls from a bridge). Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development bonds generally is totally dependent on the ability of a facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property as security for the payment. Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. A Fund's investments in any of the notes described above will be limited to those obligations (i) where both principal and interest are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, (ii) which are rated MIG-2 or V-MIG-2 at the time of investment by Moody's, (iii) which are rated SP-2 at the time of investment by S&P, or (iv) which, if not rated by S&P or Moody's, are in the Adviser's judgment, of at least comparable quality to MIG-2, VMIG-2 or SP-2. Municipal bonds must be rated at least BBB or better by S&P or at least Baa or better by Moody's at the time of purchase for the Tax-Exempt Bond Funds or in one of the two highest short-term rating categories by S&P or Moody's for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund or, if not rated by S&P or Moody's, must be deemed by the Adviser to have essentially the same characteristics and quality as bonds having the above ratings. A Fund may purchase industrial development and pollution control bonds if the interest 15 paid is exempt from federal income tax. These bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. Private activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of states, or political subdivisions thereof, to finance privately owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control, and to finance activities of and facilities for charitable institutions. Private activity bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports parking and low-income housing. The payment of the principal and interest on private activity bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and may be secured by a pledge of real and personal property so financed. Investments in floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that the Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Adviser may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser has the authority to purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when they can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer, or a third-party (the "writer") at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a "standby commitment" or a "put." The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity in order to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The right to put the securities depends on the writer's ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. The Funds will limit their put transactions to those with institutions which the Adviser believes present minimum credit risks, and the Adviser will use its best efforts to initially determine and thereafter monitor the financial strength of the put providers by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however, be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers where adequate current financial information is not available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, the affected Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between a Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities in certain circumstances (for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying municipal securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer's credit); or a provision in the contract may provide that the put will not be exercised except in certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. A Fund could, however, sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security. Municipal securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the 16 securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, a Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to a Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that the Funds may purchase subject to a put. For the purpose of determining the "maturity" of securities purchased subject to an option to put, and for the purpose of determining the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Funds including such securities, the Trust will consider "maturity" to be the first date on which it has the right to demand payment from the writer of the put although the final maturity of the security is later than such date. Other types of tax-exempt instruments, which are permissible investments include floating rate notes. Investments in such floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that the Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Funds may also purchase participation interests in municipal securities (such as industrial development bonds and municipal lease/purchase agreements). A participation interest gives a Fund an undivided interest in the underlying municipal security. If it is unrated, the participation interest will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a credit-worthy financial institution or the payment obligations otherwise will be collateralized by U.S. government securities. Participation interests may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and may include a demand feature. A participation interest without a demand feature or with a demand feature exceeding seven days may be deemed to be an illiquid security subject to a Fund's investment limitations restricting its purchases of illiquid securities. A Fund may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. Opinions relating to the validity of municipal securities and to the exemption of interest thereon from federal income tax are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuers at the time of issuance. Neither the Funds nor the Adviser will review the proceedings relating to the issuance of municipal securities or the basis for such opinions. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS OF DESIGNATED STATES As described in the prospectuses, except for investments in temporary investments, each Tax-Exempt Bond Fund will invest substantially all of its net assets (at least 80%) in municipal bonds that are exempt from federal and state tax in that state ("Municipal Obligations"), generally Municipal Obligations issued in its respective state. Each Fund is therefore more susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors adversely affecting issuers of Municipal Obligations in its state. Set forth below is additional information that bears upon the risk of investing in Municipal Obligations issued by public authorities in the states of currently offered Funds. This information was obtained from official statements of issuers located in the respective states as well as from other publicly available official documents and statements. The Funds have not independently verified any of the information contained in such statements and documents. The information below is intended only as a general summary and is not intended as a discussion of any specific factor that may affect any particular obligation or issuer. 17 FACTORS PERTAINING TO FLORIDA Florida's service-based economy continues to outpace the national economy. Business and financial services, construction, tourism, and healthcare services are taking the lead in job growth. Venture capital moneys have increased substantially, beginning in the second half of 2003, with investments directed almost entirely to the software industry. Rapid population growth has also given strength to the economy, although such growth also increases the challenges of providing long-term economic development. Home price appreciation is running well above the national average, but the Fed tightening cycle that is underway poses near-term risk for moderation in prices. On balance, with interest rates on the rise, the State's large senior population, whose fixed incomes have been depressed due to the very low federal funds rate, should expect its income levels to rise. The general revenue budget of $24.3 billion for fiscal 2005 was approved by the legislature during a special session in May with major spending areas in education and human services. The budget stabilization reserve (equal to 5% of general revenues) remains fully funded but the budget was balanced using $454 million of transfers. The State has no personal income tax, but its other revenue sources, primarily sales tax, have grown consistently. State debt medians are above the national average, but are still moderate at 3.2% of personal income. Unemployment has remained below national levels at 4.5% in July 2004, down from 5.2% in July 2003, and below the July national average of 5.5%. Florida's per capita income of $30,446 in 2003 is approximately 96.2% of the national average of $31,632. Lower income levels are consistent with a large retirement population. As of September 4, 2004, Florida's general obligation debt carried ratings of Aa2 by Moody's, AA+ by Standard & Poor's, and AA by Fitch. These ratings reflect the State's credit quality only and do not indicate the creditworthiness of other tax-exempt securities in which the Fund may invest. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the State will maintain its current credit ratings. FACTORS PERTAINING TO GEORGIA Georgia's economy remains in recession reversing recent improvements in employment numbers. Except for manufacturing, which has unexpectedly added about 3,000 jobs statewide, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality services, and government have shed jobs statewide. Declines in non-durable goods manufacturing, textile and paper mills, and even the tobacco industry also reflect consolidation and loss of jobs. However, the State's economy has become more diversified and less dependent on these industries than some other southern states and now lists BellSouth, Coca Cola, Delta Air, Home Depot and UPS among its largest employers. Atlanta, hard hit during the recession, is re-emerging as the growth driver for the State despite rising oil prices that continue to erode profits for Atlanta based Delta Airlines. Housing markets are strong and home price appreciation continues to increase. Long-term, the State is expected to again become an above average performer. Georgia's central location, milder climate, and few restrictions on business should continue to support economic growth. At fiscal year end 2003, the state budget was based on 11.2% revenue growth to achieve balanced operations in fiscal 2004. Actual revenue growth over the period was just 7.1%, necessitating another round of departmental cuts, increased tobacco taxes and other fees, and use of onetime revenues. At the end of fiscal 2004, reserve balance was a modest $185 million, or 1.1% of general fund revenues. The State's other reserve components were depleted. Governor Sonny Perdue's $16.3 billion fiscal year 2005 general fund budget was enacted based on 6.1% revenue growth over fiscal 2004 levels, a 1.8% increase in appropriations, and includes the expectation that Georgia will begin to replenish reserves following a 18 difficult three year period. Tight state budgets have resulted in cutbacks in education funding resulting in higher property taxes and substantial tuition increases for state colleges and universities. The State's unemployment rate declined to 4.1% in July 2004 from 4.9% in July 2003, well below the national average of 5.5% in July 2004. Per capita income growth was weak when compared nationwide with only a 2.3% year-to-year increase. Personal income per capita in 2003 of $29,442 was 93% of the national average of $31,632. As of September 4, 2004, Georgia's general obligation debt carried AAA ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch. These ratings reflect the State's credit quality only and do not indicate the creditworthiness of other tax-exempt securities in which the Fund may invest. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the State will maintain its current credit ratings. FACTORS PERTAINING TO MARYLAND Maryland's economy continues its steady expansion. Strong Port of Baltimore activity, increased defense spending from the federal government, and ties to the vibrant Washington D.C. economy are boosting the State's economy and offsetting the negative impact of declining manufacturing and the State's budget problems. Spending by the federal government remains the primary growth driver, although tourism is the fastest growing industry and is expected to continue to grow at an accelerated pace. Promising developments include renewed growth in aerospace, medical research, security and distribution industries with several new facilities planned. Spending is lifting retail employment, house prices are appreciating faster than the national average, and population has accelerated in recent years. Maryland's revenues have begun to improve following two years of weakness resulting from the national recession. With strong financial management, the fiscal 2005 budget is balanced and revenues appear to beat the forecast, even as the State has closed $4.2 billion in budget shortfalls over the past three years. The general fund is expected to end with a surplus of $487 million, as well as an additional $520 million rainy day fund. Maryland is one of the few states that has managed to maintain healthy reserves despite the tight budget environment. The State historically has been one of the more heavily indebted, but again with strong management, debt ratios have decreased substantially with debt per capita down to a low $975. Spending pressures remain as rapid growth in Medicaid expenditures and spending on K-12 initiatives has created sizeable out-year deficits. An estimated $830 million shortfall is expected in fiscal 2006 as the option of slot machines at horse tracks continues to be considered. The State's unemployment rate was 4.1% in July 2004, down from 4.6% in July 2003, and well below the July 2004 national average of 5.5%. Maryland remains among the wealthiest states in the nation with personal income per capita of $37,331 in 2003 and, although declining relative to the national average since the 1980s, continues to exceed the 2003 national average of $31,632. Maryland's general obligation debt, which is constitutionally limited to a maximum term of 15 years, carried AAA ratings from Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch as of September 4, 2004. These ratings reflect the State's credit quality only and do not indicate the creditworthiness of other tax-exempt securities in which the Fund may invest. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the State will maintain its current credit ratings. FACTORS PERTAINING TO VIRGINIA Virginia's economy continues to grow and outperform the nation with construction, professional and business services, and retail contributing to renewed employment growth along with continued federal spending on defense. Strong tourism and improving hotel occupancy rates also add strength to the 19 economy and the State continues to benefit from above average home price appreciation and below average mortgage delinquencies. The strongest growth remains concentrated in Northern Virginia and Norfolk but growth is improving elsewhere. Governor Mark Warner's $25 billion general fund biennial budget for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 was approved by the General Assembly and will add more than $1.5 billion to the State's treasury over two years. The State's sales tax will increase to 5% and the State's tax on cigarettes will increase to 30 cents per pack. The State's car tax relief program will be frozen. Virginia's unemployment rate was 3.5% in July 2004, well below the national average of 5.5%, and below the State's 4.3% rate in July 2003. Per capita income was $33,671 in 2003, which is 106% of the national average of $31,632. As of September 4, 2004, Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch each gave Virginia's general obligation debt a AAA rating. Moody's removed the State from negative watch on May 27, 2004, and changed the outlook to stable based on improving revenues, a budget and tax reform package, and a cap on the State's liability for phasing out the tax on automobiles. These ratings reflect the State's credit quality only and do not indicate the creditworthiness of other tax-exempt securities in which the Fund may invest. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the State will maintain its current credit ratings. NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES; RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Funds may purchase securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), but that can be sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act ("Rule 144A Securities"). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund's limitation on the purchase of illiquid securities (usually 15% of a fund's net assets, 10% for the money market funds), unless the Fund's governing Board of Trustees determines on an ongoing basis that an adequate trading market exists for the security. In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board of Trustees will also consider factors such as trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Adviser the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A Securities, although the Board of Trustees will retain ultimate responsibility for any determination regarding liquidity. Non-publicly traded securities (including Rule 144A Securities) may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. These securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities, and the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly traded. The Fund's investments in illiquid securities are subject to the risk that should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected. OBLIGATIONS OF DOMESTIC BANKS, FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS. A Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve 20 risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. The Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks only when the Adviser believes that the risks associated with such investment are minimal and that all applicable quality standards have been satisfied. Bank obligations include the following: - BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. Bankers' acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers' acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less. - CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid. - TIME DEPOSITS. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities. The Funds will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser or its affiliates. OPTIONS. A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on securities or securities indices (traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter markets) and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities. The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an "opening transaction." In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a "closing transaction," which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise. 21 A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options ("OTC options") differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC's position that OTC options are generally illiquid. The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date. A Fund must cover all options it writes. For example, when a Fund writes an option on a security, index or foreign currency, it will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund's custodian in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain such coverage while the option is open. A Fund may otherwise cover the transaction by means of an offsetting transaction or other means permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. Each Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices or currencies, as the investment adviser or sub-adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund's investment objective. For example, a Fund may purchase put and call options on securities or indices to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. A Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund. In another instance, a Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities. There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the movement in prices of options held by the Fund and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security. OTHER INVESTMENTS. The Funds are not prohibited from investing in bank obligations issued by clients of BISYS Group, Inc., the parent company of the Funds' administrator and distributor. The purchase of Fund shares by these banks or their customers will not be a consideration in deciding which bank obligations the Funds will purchase. The Funds will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser. 22 PARALLEL PAY SECURITIES; PAC BONDS. Parallel pay CMOs and REMICs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date, but may be retired earlier. Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds") generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds are always parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes. PAY-IN-KIND SECURITIES. Pay-In-Kind securities are debt obligations or preferred stock, that pay interest or dividends in the form of additional debt obligations or preferred stock. PREFERRED STOCK. Preferred stock is a corporate equity security that pays a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred stock is generally a non-voting security. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. A REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things: invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs), cash and government securities; derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property; and distribute annually 95% or more of its otherwise taxable income to shareholders. REITs are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings; a Mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans. REITs in which a Fund invests may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which a Fund invests may concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types. Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of the Fund's investments to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such Mortgage REITs. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent. Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders. In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally 23 may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. REAL ESTATE SECURITIES. A Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate because of its policy of concentration in the securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry. For example, real estate values may fluctuate as a result of general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, demographic trends and variations in rental income, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, related party risks, changes in how appealing properties are to tenants, changes in interest rates and other real estate capital market influences. The value of securities of companies, which service the real estate business sector may also be affected by such risks. Because a Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs, a Fund may also be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Changes in prevailing interest rates may inversely affect the value of the debt securities in which a Fund will invest. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect a Fund's net asset value. Generally, increases in interest rates will increase the costs of obtaining financing which could directly and indirectly decrease the value of a Fund's investments. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. The Funds each follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of each Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of each of the Funds, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund's total assets. The investments of each of the Funds in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant. RESOURCE RECOVERY BONDS. The Tax-Exempt Bond and Money Market Funds may purchase resource recovery bonds, which are a type of revenue bond issued to build facilities such as solid waste 24 incinerators or waste-to-energy plants. Typically, a private corporation will be involved, at least during the construction phase, and the revenue stream will be secured by fees or rents paid by municipalities for use of the facilities. The viability of a resource recovery project, environmental protection regulations, and project operator tax incentives may affect the value and credit quality of resource recovery bonds. RESTRAINTS ON INVESTMENTS BY MONEY MARKET FUNDS. Investments by a money market fund are subject to limitations imposed under regulations adopted by the SEC. Under these regulations, money market funds may acquire only obligations that present minimal credit risk and that are "eligible securities," which means they are (i) rated, at the time of investment, by at least two NRSROs (one if it is the only organization rating such obligation) in the highest rating category or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality (a "first tier security"), or (ii) rated according to the foregoing criteria in the second highest rating category or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality ("second tier security"). In the case of taxable money market funds, investments in second tier securities are subject to further constraints in that (i) no more than 5% of a money market fund's assets may be invested in second tier securities and (ii) any investment in securities of any one such issuer is limited to the greater of 1% of the money market fund's total assets or $1 million. A taxable money market fund may not purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies of instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund would be invested the securities of one issuer. A taxable money market fund may also hold more than 5% of its assets in first tier securities of a single issuer for three "business days" (that is, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or customary business holiday). SECURITIES LENDING. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Fund's Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). No Fund will lend portfolio securities to its investment adviser, sub-adviser or their affiliates unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. A Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third party for acting as the Fund's securities lending agent. By lending its securities, a Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. Each Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund's administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. Any securities lending activity in which a Fund may engage will be undertaken pursuant to Board approved procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain 25 risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund's ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities. SHORT SALES. As consistent with each Fund's investment objective, a Fund may engage in short sales that are either "uncovered" or "against the box." A short sale is "against the box" if at all times during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale "against-the-box" is a taxable transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short. Uncovered short sales are transactions under which a Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short, or (b) otherwise cover the Fund's short positions. SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS. Short-term obligations are debt obligations maturing (becoming payable) in 397 days or less, including commercial paper and short-term corporate obligations. Short-term corporate obligations are short-term obligations issued by corporations. STANDBY COMMITMENTS AND PUTS. The Funds may purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when they can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer or a third-party (the "writer") at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a "standby commitment" or a "put." The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit the Funds to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The Funds reserve the right to engage in put transactions. The right to put the securities depends on the writer's ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. A Fund would limit its put transactions to institutions which the Adviser believes present minimal credit risks, and the Adviser would use its best efforts to initially determine and continue to monitor the financial strength of the sellers of the options by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers because adequate current financial information may not be available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, a Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on a parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between the Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities; for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer's credit or a provision in the contract that the put will not be 26 exercised except in certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. The Fund could, however, at any time sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security. The securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Therefore, the put would have value only to the Fund. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, the Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to the Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that the Fund may purchase subject to a standby commitment or put, but the amount paid directly or indirectly for all standby commitments or puts which are not integral parts of the security as originally issued held in the Fund will not exceed one-half of 1% of the value of the total assets of such Fund calculated immediately after any such put is acquired. STRIPS. Separately Traded Interest and Principal Securities ("STRIPS") are component parts of U.S. Treasury securities traded through the federal book-entry system. An Adviser will only purchase STRIPS that it determines are liquid or, if illiquid, do not violate the affected Fund's investment policy concerning investments in illiquid securities. Consistent with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser will only purchase STRIPS for money market funds that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less; therefore, the money market funds currently may only purchase interest component parts of U.S. Treasury securities. While there is no limitation on the percentage of a Fund's assets that may be comprised of STRIPS, the Adviser will monitor the level of such holdings to avoid the risk of impairing shareholders' redemption rights and of deviations in the value of shares of the money market funds. STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS. Structured Investments are derivatives in the form of a unit or units representing an undivided interest(s) in assets held in a trust that is not an investment company as defined in the 1940 Act. A trust unit pays a return based on the total return of securities and other investments held by the trust and the trust may enter into one or more swaps to achieve its objective. For example, a trust may purchase a basket of securities and agree to exchange the return generated by those securities for the return generated by another basket or index of securities. The Fund will purchase structured investments in trusts that engage in such swaps only where the counterparties are approved by the Adviser in accordance with credit-risk guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. STRUCTURED NOTES. Notes are derivatives where the amount of principal repayment and or interest payments is based upon the movement of one or more factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate and LIBOR) and stock indices such as the S&P 500(R) Index. In some cases, the impact of the movements of these factors may increase or decrease through the use of multipliers or deflators. The use of structured notes allows the Fund to tailor its investments to the specific risks and returns the Adviser wishes to accept while avoiding or reducing certain other risks. SUPRANATIONAL AGENCY OBLIGATIONS. Supranational agency obligations are obligations of supranational entities established through the joint participation of several governments, including the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (also known as the "World Bank"), African Development Bank, European Union, European Investment Bank, and the Nordic Investment Bank. 27 SWAP AGREEMENTS. The Funds may enter into equity index or interest rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap," interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or "floor;" and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. A credit default swap is a specific kind of counterparty agreement designed to transfer the third party credit risk between parties. One party in the swap is a lender and faces credit risk from a third party and the counterparty in the credit default swap agrees to insure this risk in exchange for regular periodic payments (essentially an insurance premium). If the third party defaults, the party providing insurance will have to purchase from the insured party the defaulted asset. Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). A Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities" for purposes of a Fund's investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund's illiquid investment limitations. A Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Each Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement 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. Swap agreements typically are settled 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 a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is 28 contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, a Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by a Fund's custodian. In as much as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and their Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund's borrowing restrictions. 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 over-the-counter market. The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Examples of types of U.S. government obligations in which the Funds may invest include U.S. Treasury obligations and the obligations of U.S. government agencies such as Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, General Services Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Freddie Mac (formerly Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Maritime Administration, and other similar agencies. Whether backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or not, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to fluctuating interest rates. - U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and Treasury Receipts ("TRs"). - RECEIPTS. Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities. - TREASURY INFLATION PROTECTED NOTES ("TIPS"). TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of 29 this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. - ZERO COUPON OBLIGATIONS. Zero coupon obligations are debt obligations that do not bear any interest, but instead are issued at a deep discount from face value or par. The value of a zero coupon obligation increases over time to reflect the interest accumulated. These obligations will not result in the payment of interest until maturity, and will have greater price volatility than similar securities that are issued at face value or par and pay interest periodically. - U.S. GOVERNMENT ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities. See "Mortgage-Backed Securities." - U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of a Fund's shares. VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Certain of the obligations purchased by the Funds may carry variable or floating rates of interest, may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature and may include variable amount master demand notes. Such instruments bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly or some other reset period, and may have a floor or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such securities. VARIABLE RATE MASTER DEMAND NOTES. Variable rate master demand notes permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between a Fund, as lender, and a borrower. Such notes provide that the interest rate on the amount outstanding varies on a daily, weekly or monthly basis depending upon a stated short-term interest rate index. Both the lender and the borrower have the right to reduce the amount of outstanding indebtedness at any time. There is no secondary market for the notes and it is not generally contemplated that such instruments will be traded. The quality of the note or the underlying credit must, in the opinion of the Adviser, be equivalent to the ratings applicable to permitted investments for the particular Fund. The Adviser will monitor on an ongoing basis the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and will similarly monitor the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. Variable rate master demand notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit. 30 WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENT SECURITIES. When-issued securities are securities that are delivered and paid for normally within 45 days after the date of commitment to purchase. Although a Fund will only make commitments to purchase when-issued and forward commitment securities with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, a Fund may sell them before the settlement date. When-issued securities are subject to market fluctuation, and accrue no interest to the purchaser during this pre-settlement period. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities are each fixed at the time the purchaser enters into the commitment. Purchasing when-issued and forward commitment securities entails leveraging and can involve a risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. In that case, there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. A Fund will maintain, on a daily basis, high-quality, liquid assets in an amount at least equal in value to its commitments to purchase when-issued and forward commitment securities. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Funds. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of each Fund's outstanding shares. The term "majority of the outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is less. No Fund may: 1. With respect to 75% of each Fund's total assets (50% in the case of Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund and Virginia Municipal Bond Fund), invest more than 5% of the value of the total assets of a Fund in the securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements involving such securities, and securities issued by investment companies), or purchase the securities of any one issuer if such purchase would cause more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be held by a Fund. 2. Borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets, provided that, for the purposes of this limitation, investment strategies that either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or require a Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing. Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowing, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes (less than 60 days), and in an amount not exceeding 5% of its total assets. 3. Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the sale of portfolio securities. 4. Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC. 31 5. Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities and securities issued by investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry. 5.1 With respect to the money market funds, this limitation does not apply to obligations issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks subject to the same regulations as U.S. banks. 5.2 No Life Vision Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in underlying STI Classic Funds that, as a matter of policy, concentrate their assets in any one industry. However, a Life Vision Fund may indirectly invest more than 25% of its total assets in one industry through its investments in the underlying STI Classic Funds. Each Life Vision Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in securities issued by investment companies. 6. Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments either issued by companies that invest in real estate, backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business). 7. Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. 8. Make loans, except that a Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its portfolio securities. NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES The following investment policies are non-fundamental policies of the Funds and may be changed by the Funds' Board of Trustees: 1. Any change to a Fund's investment policy to invest at least 80% of such Fund's net assets in securities of companies in a specific sector is subject to 60 days prior notice to shareholders. 2. No Fund may purchase or hold illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of for their approximate carrying value in seven days or less (which term includes repurchase agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven days) if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets (10% for the Prime Quality Money Market, U.S. Government Securities Money Market, U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, and Tax-Exempt Money Market Funds) would be invested in illiquid securities. 3. No Life Vision Fund currently intends to purchase securities on margin, except that a Life Vision Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. 4. No Life Vision Fund currently intends to sell securities short. 32 5. No Life Vision Fund currently intends to purchase or sell futures contracts or put or call options. 6. No Life Vision Fund may invest in shares of unaffiliated money market funds, except as permitted by the SEC. With the exception of the limitations on liquidity standards, the foregoing percentages will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of a purchase of such security. THE ADVISER GENERAL. Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco" or the "Adviser") is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds (except the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund) and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The principal business address of the Adviser is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had discretionary management authority with respect to approximately $66.7 billion of assets under management. ADVISORY AGREEMENTS WITH THE TRUST. Prior to January 1, 2000, STI Capital Management, N.A. ("STI"), a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, Inc., served as investment adviser to the Balanced Fund, Capital Appreciation Fund, Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, International Equity Fund, Investment Grade Bond Fund, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund, Mid-Cap Equity Fund, Small Cap Value Equity Fund and Value Income Stock Fund. On January 1, 2000, SunTrust Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank, Atlanta), a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, Inc. and the investment adviser of the Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, succeeded STI as the investment adviser to those Funds. On July 1, 2000, SunTrust Banks, Inc. reorganized its money management units, including those of SunTrust Bank, into Trusco. As a result, Trusco now serves as the investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to three separate agreements (the "Advisory Agreements"). The Advisory Agreements provide that the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder. The Advisory Agreements provide that if, for any fiscal year, the ratio of expenses of any Fund (including amounts payable to the Adviser but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) exceeds limitations established by certain states, the Adviser and/or the Fund's administrator will bear the amount of such excess. The Adviser will not be required to bear expenses of the Trust to an extent which would result in a Fund's inability to qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Code. The continuance of the Advisory Agreements, after the first 2 years, must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreements or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreements will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and each is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to the Funds, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds, on not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90 days written notice to the Trust. 33 ADVISORY FEES PAID TO THE ADVISER. For its services under the Advisory Agreements, the Adviser is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the specified annual rate of each Fund's average daily net assets:
FUND FEES --------------------------------------------- ----- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 1.25% Balanced Fund 0.95% Capital Appreciation Fund 1.15% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 1.25% Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.65% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.65% Growth and Income Fund 0.90% High Income Fund 0.80% Information and Technology Fund 1.10% International Equity Fund 1.25% International Equity Index Fund 0.90% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.74% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.74% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.25% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.25% Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.25% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.25% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.65% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 1.15% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1.25% Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.65% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.65% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.65% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 1.15% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1.15% Strategic Income Fund 0.85% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 1.15% Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.55% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1.15% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.74% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.65% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.65% Value Income Stock Fund 0.80% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.65% Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.40%
For the period from commencement of operations to the fiscal periods ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following advisory fees:
FEES PAID($) FEES WAIVED($) ---------------------------- --------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ---------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 26,000 * * 10,000 * *
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FEES PAID ($) FEES WAIVED ($) ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- Balanced Fund 3,000,000 2,638,000 2,772,000 91,000 81,000 85,000 Capital Appreciation Fund 16,252,000 14,174,000 16,284,000 284,000 251,000 288,000 Emerging Growth Stock Fund 19,000 * * 9,000 * * Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 1,219,000 1,021,000 823,000 90,000 76,000 61,000 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 724,000 685,000 666,000 54,000 51,000 50,000 Growth and Income Fund 7,647,000 6,313,000 8,312,000 0 0 0 High Income Fund 1,173,000 600,000 241,000 271,000 139,000 56,000 Information and Technology Fund 205,000 243,000 772,000 0 0 0 International Equity Fund 3,256,000 2,639,000 2,389,000 0 0 0 International Equity Index Fund 2,651,000 2,013,000 1,970,000 278,000 212,000 208,000 Investment Grade Bond Fund 5,400,000 6,625,000 6,721,000 155,000 193,000 196,000 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 1,740,000 1,522,000 1,286,000 79,000 69,000 59,000 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 44,000 26,000 23,000 51,000 42,000 45,000 Life Vision Conservative Fund 4,000 0 * 6,000 0 * Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 111,000 84,000 59,000 90,000 75,000 69,000 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 173,000 122,000 111,000 128,000 94,000 94,000 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 3,393,000 1,875,000 801,000 281,000 156,000 67,000 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 312,000 359,000 280,000 44,000 50,000 39,000 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 2,153,000 1,661,000 2,196,000 48,000 37,000 49,000 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1,556,000 1,263,000 627,000 135,000 110,000 55,000 Prime Quality Money Market Fund 31,166,000 32,586,000 31,332,000 6,339,000 6,637,000 6,382,000 Short-Term Bond Fund 2,006,000 2,051,000 1,755,000 157,000 162,000 138,000 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 1,295,000 1,392,000 864,000 131,000 142,000 88,000 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 9,361,000 5,975,000 6,800,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 7,677,000 6,017,000 5,714,000 0 0 0 Strategic Income Fund 1,674,000 873,000 171,000 222,000 116,000 23,000 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 355,000 * * 77,000 * * Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 6,134,000 5,525,000 5,338,000 1,342,000 1,213,000 1,172,000 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 3,168,000 3,593,000 6,100,000 0 0 0 U.S. Government Securities Fund 2,221,000 1,846,000 1,422,000 101,000 85,000 65,000
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FEES PAID($) FEES WAIVED($) ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------- U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 5,267,000 6,683,000 5,955,000 843,000 1,074,000 957,000 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 6,340,000 5,472,000 4,771,000 1,016,000 879,000 766,000 Value Income Stock Fund 6,572,000 5,640,000 6,380,000 0 0 0 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 1,316,000 1,368,000 1,296,000 0 0 0 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 388,000 445,000 448,000 0 0 0 Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 1,269,000 1,328,000 1,399,000 0 0 0
* Not in operation during the period. ** Rounded to $0. THE SUBADVISER GENERAL. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC (the "Subadviser") serves as the subadviser to the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund and manages the portfolios of the Funds on a day-to-day basis. The Subadviser was founded in 1987 and manages domestic growth equity assets. The firm's client base is comprised of a blend of institutional tax-exempt and taxable separately managed accounts. As a domestic growth equity manager, the Subadviser manages assets for a variety of entities, including public funds, foundations, endowments, corporations, pooled accounts, and private individuals. The Subadviser selects, buys, and sells securities for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund under the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. The Adviser has a controlling interest in the subadviser because it owns a majority of its shares. The principal business address of the Subadviser is 601 Union Street, Suite 4600, Seattle, Washington 98101. As of June 30, 2004, the Subadviser had approximately $1.0 billion of assets under management. INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT. The Adviser and the Subadviser have entered into an investment subadvisory agreement (the "Subadvisory Agreement") under which the Subadviser makes the investment decisions for and continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the investment program of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the Emerging Growth Stock Fund, subject to the supervision of, and policies established by, the Adviser and the Trustees of the Trust. After the initial two year term, the continuance of the Subadvisory Agreement with respect to either Fund must be specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Trustees or a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Subadvisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Subadvisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty by (i) the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to either Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, (ii) the Adviser at any time on not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Subadviser, or (iii) the Subadviser on 90 days written notice to the Adviser. The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser shall not be protected against any liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder. SUBADVISORY FEES PAID TO THE SUBADVISER. For its services under the Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid quarterly by the Adviser, at an annual rate of 0.625% based on the average daily net assets of the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and the 36 Emerging Growth Stock Fund. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, the Subadviser received subadvisory fees of $7,000 and $7,000 for the Aggressive Growth Stock Fund and Emerging Growth Stock Fund, respectively. THE ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL. BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (the "Administrator"), serves as administrator of the Trust and is an affiliate of BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership, the Trust's distributor. The Administrator, an Ohio corporation, has its principal business offices at 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Administrator and its affiliates provide administration and distribution services to other investment companies. MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUST. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into a master services agreement (the "Master Services Agreement") effective July 26, 2004. Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative services, including day-to-day administration of matters necessary to each Fund's operations, maintenance of records and the books of the Trust, preparation of reports, assistance with compliance monitoring of the Funds' activities, and certain supplemental services in connection with the Trust's obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Master Services Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of five years until July 31, 2009, and shall continue in effect for successive one year periods subject to review at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust unless terminated by either party on not less than 90 days written notice to the other party. ADMINISTRATION FEES TO BE PAID TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to receive an asset-based fee for administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services of 2.75 basis points (0.0275%) on the first $25 billion in aggregate net assets of all Funds, 2.25 basis points (0.0225%) on the next $5 billion in aggregate net assets of all Funds, and 1.75 basis points (0.0175%) on the aggregate net assets of all Funds over $30 billion, plus an additional class fee of $2,500 per class per annum, applicable to each additional class of shares over 145 classes of shares. For the period from commencement of operations to the fiscal periods ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following administration fees:
FEES PAID($) FEES WAIVED($) --------------------------- ------------------------ FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ---- ----- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 2,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Balanced Fund 223,000 197,000 207,000 0 0 0 Capital Appreciation Fund 986,000 864,000 993,000 0 0 0 Emerging Growth Stock Fund 2,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 138,000 117,000 94,000 0 0 0 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 82,000 78,000 76,000 0 0 0 Growth and Income Fund 582,000 483,000 636,000 0 0 0 High Income Fund 124,000 64,000 25,000 0 0 0 Information and Technology Fund 13,000 15,000 48,000 0 0 0 International Equity Fund 179,000 146,000 132,000 0 0 0
37
FEES PAID($) FEES WAIVED($) ------------------------------------- ------------------------ FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---- ---- ---- International Equity Index Fund 223,000 170,000 167,000 0 0 0 Investment Grade Bond Fund 514,000 635,000 644,000 0 0 0 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 168,000 148,000 125,000 0 0 0 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 26,000 19,000 19,000 0 0 0 Life Vision Conservative Fund 3,000 0 ** 0 0 ** Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 55,000 44,000 35,000 0 0 0 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 83,000 60,000 57,000 0 0 0 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 387,000 215,000 92,000 0 0 0 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 37,000 43,000 34,000 0 0 0 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 131,000 102,000 134,000 0 0 0 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 93,000 76,000 37,000 0 0 0 Prime Quality Money Market Fund 3,954,000 4,158,000 3,999,000 0 0 0 Short-Term Bond Fund 228,000 235,000 201,000 0 0 0 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 151,000 163,000 101,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 558,000 358,000 407,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 458,000 361,000 342,000 0 0 0 Strategic Income Fund 153,000 80,000 16,000 0 0 0 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 26,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 932,000 844,000 816,000 0 0 0 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 189,000 215,000 366,000 0 0 0 U.S. Government Securities Fund 215,000 180,000 138,000 0 0 0 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 644,000 822,000 733,000 0 0 0 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 776,000 673,000 587,000 0 0 0 Value Income Stock Fund 563,000 486,000 549,000 0 0 0 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 139,000 145,000 138,000 0 0 0 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 41,000 47,000 47,000 0 0 0 Virginia Tax Free Money Market Fund 217,000 229,000 241,000 0 0 0
* For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, administration fees were paid by the Funds pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Global Funds Services. ** Not in operation during the period. 38 THE DISTRIBUTOR The Trust and BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership (the "Distributor") are parties to a distribution agreement dated July 26, 2004 (the "Distribution Agreement") whereby the Distributor acts as principal underwriter for the Trust's shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., which serves as the Trust's administrator and transfer agent. The principal business address of the Distributor is 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor must use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Trust. The Distributor will receive no compensation for distribution of T Shares, In addition, the A Shares of the Funds have a distribution plan (the "A Plan"), the B Shares of the Funds have a distribution and service plan (the "B Plan"), and the L Shares of the Funds have a distribution and service plan (the "L Plan"). After the initial two year term, the continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Funds and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to any Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, upon not more than 60 days written notice by either party. The Distributor and/or its affiliates, may finance from their own resources, certain activities intended to result in the distribution of the Trust's shares. The Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of the Trust's shares. Such compensation may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising campaigns regarding one or more Funds of the Trust, and/or other dealer-sponsored special events. In some instances, to the extent permissible, this compensation may be made available only to certain dealers. Compensation may include payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by invited registered representatives to locations appropriate to the purpose of the meeting for meetings or seminars of a business nature. Dealers may not use sales of a Fund's Shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent such may be prohibited by the laws of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the NASD. None of the aforementioned compensation is paid for by any Fund or its shareholders. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate sales charge payable to the Distributor with respect to the A Shares:
AGGREGATE SALES CHARGES PAYABLE TO AMOUNT RETAINED BY DISTRIBUTOR($)* DISTRIBUTOR($)* ------------------------------- ---------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------- ------- ------- --------- ---- ---- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Balanced Fund 25,000 22,000 23,000 0 0 0 Capital Appreciation Fund 990,000 935,000 1,220,000 0 0 0 Emerging Growth Stock Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 12,000 11,000 5,000 0 0 0 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 5,000 5,000 5,000 0 0 0 Growth and Income Fund 105,000 80,000 95,000 0 0 0 High Income Fund 2,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Information and Technology Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** **
39
AGGREGATE SALES CHARGES PAYABLE TO AMOUNT RETAINED BY DISTRIBUTOR($)* DISTRIBUTOR($)* --------------------------------- ---------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- ---- ---- International Equity Fund 24,000 17,000 61,000 0 0 0 International Equity Index Fund 56,000 19,000 41,000 0 0 0 Investment Grade Bond Fund 143,000 116,000 94,000 0 0 0 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 89,000 88,000 84,000 0 0 0 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 1,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Life Vision Conservative Fund 1,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 2,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 6,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 27,000 16,000 3,000 0 0 0 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund ** ** ** 0 ** ** Mid-Cap Equity Fund 63,000 43,000 47,000 0 0 0 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 1,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Prime Quality Money Market Fund 3,763,000 3,839,000 3,842,000 0 0 0 Short-Term Bond Fund 15,000 11,000 11,000 0 0 0 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 29,000 19,000 5,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 157,000 94,000 128,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 4,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Strategic Income Fund 6,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 401,000 357,000 336,000 0 0 0 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1,000 ** ** 0 ** ** U.S. Government Securities Fund 32,000 27,000 28,000 0 0 0 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 399,000 407,000 364,000 0 0 0 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Value Income Stock Fund 235,000 206,000 256,000 0 0 0 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 15,000 12,000 9,000 0 0 0 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 439,000 393,000 399,000 0 0 0
* The information in the above chart reflects gross distribution fees for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, which were paid by the Funds pursuant to a distribution agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Distribution Co. The information in the above chart was calculated and provided by SEI Investments Distribution Co. ** Not in operation during the period. The following table shows the amount of front-end sales charge that is paid to Investment Consultants (Dealers) as a percentage of the offering price of A Shares: 40
DEALERS' REALLOWANCE AS A PERCENTAGE OF OFFERING PRICE ------------------------------------------------------------ $100,000 $250,000 Less than but less than but less than $1,000,000 FUND(s) $100,000 $250,000 $1,000,000 and over --------------------------------------------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Aggressive Growth Stock, Balanced, Capital Appreciation, Emerging Growth Stock, Florida Tax-Exempt Bond, Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond, Growth and Income Fund, High Income, Information and Technology, International Equity, International Equity Index, Investment Grade Bond, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond, Life Vision Aggressive Growth, Life Vision Conservative, Life Vision Growth and Income, Life Vision Moderate Growth, Maryland Municipal Bond, Mid-Cap Equity, Mid-Cap Value Equity, Small Cap Growth Stock, Small Cap Value Equity, Strategic Income, Strategic Quantitative Equity, Tax Sensitive Growth Stock, U.S. Government Securities, Value Income Stock, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond and Virginia Municipal Bond Funds 3.75% 3.25% 2.50% 0.25%-1.00% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 2.50% 1.75% 1.25% 0.25%-1.00% Short-Term Bond Fund 2.00% 1.50% 1.00% 0.25%-1.00% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 1.00% 0.75% 0.50% 0.25%-1.00%
For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate sales charge payable to the Distributor with respect to the L Shares:
AGGREGATE SALES CHARGES PAYABLE TO AMOUNT RETAINED BY DISTRIBUTOR ($)* DISTRIBUTOR ($)* --------------------------------- ---------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- ---- ---- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Balanced Fund 713,000 653,000 707,000 0 0 0 Capital Appreciation Fund 1,030,000 902,000 1,067,000 0 0 0 Emerging Growth Stock Fund 0 ** ** 0 ** ** Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 310,000 329,000 177,000 0 0 0 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 163,000 148,000 157,000 0 0 0 Growth and Income Fund 910,000 734,000 837,000 0 0 0 High Income Fund 852,000 446,000 315,000 0 0 0 Information and Technology Fund 76,000 65,000 154,000 0 0 0 International Equity Fund 70,000 54,000 10,000 0 0 0 International Equity Index Fund 43,000 28,000 0 0 0 0 Investment Grade Bond Fund 319,000 365,000 328,000 0 0 0 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 290,000 283,000 227,000 0 0 0 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 1,237,000 868,000 69,000 0 0 0 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 253,000 268,000 190,000 0 0 0 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 153,000 115,000 132,000 0 0 0 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 73,000 49,000 13,000 0 0 0 Prime Quality Money Market Fund 184,000 120,000 63,000 0 0 0 Short-Term Bond Fund 299,000 305,000 169,000 0 0 0
41
AGGREGATE SALES CHARGE PAYABLE TO AMOUNT RETAINED BY DISTRIBUTOR ($)* DISTRIBUTOR ($)* --------------------------------- ---------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- ---- ---- ---- Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 975,000 1,075,000 441,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 370,000 233,000 256,000 0 0 0 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 434,000 305,000 172,000 0 0 0 Strategic Income Fund 1,520,000 638,000 106,000 0 0 0 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 7,000 ** ** 0 ** ** Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1,054,000 1,204,000 1,945,000 0 0 0 U.S. Government Securities Fund 289,000 370,000 314,000 0 0 0 Value Income Stock Fund 561,000 469,000 602,000 0 0 0 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund ** ** ** 0 ** ** Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 137,000 150,000 114,000 0 0 0
* The information in the above chart reflects gross distribution fees for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, which were paid by the Funds pursuant to a distribution agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Distribution Co. The information in the above chart was calculated and provided by SEI Investments Distribution Co. ** Not in operation during the period. A SHARES, B SHARES AND L SHARES DISTRIBUTION PLANS The Distribution Agreement and the A Plan adopted by the Trust provide that A Shares of the Funds will pay the Distributor fees of up to the following respective levels:
FUND: DISTRIBUTION FEE: ------------------------------------- ---------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 0.35% Balanced Fund 0.28% Capital Appreciation Fund 0.68% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 0.35% Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.18% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.18% Growth and Income Fund 0.25% High Income Fund 0.30% Information and Technology Fund 0.55% International Equity Fund 0.33% International Equity Index Fund 0.38% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.43% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.43% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.50% Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.40%
42
FUND: DISTRIBUTION FEE: ----- ----------------- Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.50% Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.50% Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.23% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.15% Mid-Cap Equity Fund 0.43% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 0.40% Prime Quality Money Market Fund 0.20% Short-Term Bond Fund 0.23% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.18% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 0.50% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 0.33% Strategic Income Fund 0.35% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 0.25% Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0.15% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 0.40% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.38% U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.17% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 0.15% Value Income Stock Fund 0.33% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.15% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.15% Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0.40%
In addition, the Distribution Agreement, the B Plan and the L Plan adopted by the Trust provide that B Shares and L Shares of each applicable Fund will pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of that Fund. The Distributor can use these fees to compensate broker-dealers and service providers, including SunTrust and its affiliates, which provide administrative and/or distribution services to A Shares, B Shares or L Shares shareholders or their customers who beneficially own A Shares, B Shares or L Shares. In addition, B Shares and L Shares are subject to a service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the B Shares and L Shares of each Fund. This service fee will be used for services provided and expenses incurred in maintaining shareholder accounts, responding to shareholder inquiries and providing information on their investments. Services for which broker-dealers and service providers may be compensated include establishing and maintaining customer accounts and records; aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests from customers; placing net purchase and redemption orders with the Distributor; automatically investing customer account cash balances; providing periodic statements to customers; arranging for wires; answering customer inquiries concerning their investments; assisting customers in changing 43 dividend options, account designations, and addresses; performing sub-accounting functions; processing dividend payments from the Trust on behalf of customers; and forwarding shareholder communications from the Trust (such as proxies, shareholder reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices) to these customers with respect to investments in the Trust. Certain state securities laws may require those financial institutions providing such distribution services to register as dealers pursuant to state law. Although banking laws and regulations prohibit banks from distributing shares of open-end investment companies such as the Trust, according to an opinion issued to the staff of the SEC by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, financial institutions are not prohibited from acting in other capacities for investment companies, such as providing shareholder services. Should future legislative, judicial, or administrative action prohibit or restrict the activities of financial institutions in connection with providing shareholder services, the Trust may be required to alter materially or discontinue its arrangements with such financial institutions. The Trust has adopted the A Plan, the B Plan and the L Plan in each case in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-l under the 1940 Act, which rule regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the A Plan, the B Plan and the L Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. The A Plan, the B Plan and the L Plan require that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the A Plan, the B Plan and the L Plan, respectively, and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The A Plan, the B Plan and the L Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount that may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected class of shares of the Trust. All material amendments of the Plans will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the disinterested Trustees. There is no sales charge on purchases of B Shares or L Shares, but B Shares and L Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if they are redeemed within five and one years, respectively, of purchase. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the B Plan and the L Plan, B Shares and L Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and service fee calculated on each Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to its B Shares or L Shares. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following amounts pursuant to the A Plan:
DISTRIBUTION FEES-AMOUNT PAID OR REIMBURSED($) ---------------------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund (1,000)** * # Balanced Fund 10,000 6,000 7,000 Capital Appreciation Fund 850,000 794,000 1,061,000 Emerging Growth Stock Fund (1,000)* * * Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 1,000 1,000 (7,000)** Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (7,000)** (7,000)** (7,000)** Growth and Income Fund 31,000 15,000 26,000
44
DISTRIBUTION FEES -- AMOUNT PAID OR REIMBURSED ($) -------------------------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- High Income Fund (3,000)** * * Information and Technology Fund (5,000)** * * International Equity Fund 8,000 (3,000)** 6,000 International Equity Index Fund 51,000 5,000 2,000 Investment Grade Bond Fund 97,000 78,000 59,000 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 67,000 68,000 62,000 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund (4,000)** * * Life Vision Conservative Fund (4,000)** * * Life Vision Growth and Income Fund (4,000)** * * Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund (1,000)** * * Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 9,000 3,000 (10,000)** Maryland Municipal Bond Fund * * * Mid-Cap Equity Fund 38,000 22,000 27,000 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund (4,000)** * * Prime Quality Money Market Fund 3,313,000 3,473,000 3,407,000 Short-Term Bond Fund (2,000)** (4,000)** (4,000)** Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 6,000 3,000 (8,000)** Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 72,000 33,000 58,000 Small Cap Value Equity Fund (3,000)** * * Strategic Income Fund 0 * * Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund (5,000)** * * Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 327,000 298,000 264,000 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund (4,000)** * * U.S. Government Securities Fund 10,000 13,000 17,000 U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 335,000 345,000 292,000 U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund (5,000)** * * Value Income Stock Fund 212,000 180,000 233,000 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (10,000)** (10,000)** (12,000)** Virginia Municipal Bond Fund (2,000)** * * Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 185,000 167,000 167,000
* Not in operation during the period. ** SEI Investments Distribution Co. reimbursed the Funds for other expenses. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004 and 2003, the Funds paid the following amounts pursuant to the B Plan:
DISTRIBUTION FEES -- AMOUNT PAID ($) ------------------------------------ FUND 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 6,000 1,000 Life Vision Conservative Fund 11,000 0 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 39,000 1,000 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 52,000 2,000
45 For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following amounts pursuant to the L Plan:
DISTRIBUTION FEES-AMOUNT PAID ($) ---------------------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund (1,000)** * * Balanced Fund 672,000 612,000 677,000 Capital Appreciation Fund 970,000 829,000 1,047,000 Emerging Growth Stock Fund (1,000)** * * Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 203,000 220,000 111,000 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 102,000 92,000 99,000 Growth and Income Fund 693,000 534,000 648,000 High Income Fund 488,000 246,000 167,000 Information and Technology Fund 30,000 17,000 104,000 International Equity Fund 47,000 27,000 42,000 International Equity Index Fund 29,000 11,000 25,000 Investment Grade Bond Fund 235,000 278,000 254,000 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 237,000 232,000 184,000 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 675,000 487,000 26,000 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 228,000 243,000 169,000 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 117,000 81,000 106,000 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 19,000 7,000 4,000 Prime Quality Money Market Fund 49,000 79,000 59,000 Short-Term Bond Fund 133,000 141,000 74,000 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 349,000 405,000 159,000 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 337,000 199,000 231,000 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 353,000 248,000 136,000 Strategic Income Fund 760,000 313,000 59,000 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 3,000 * * Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 956,000 1,095,000 1,844,000 U.S. Government Securities Fund 229,000 306,000 260,000 Value Income Stock Fund 536,000 433,000 581,000 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund * * * Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 115,000 128,000 94,000
* Not in operation during the period. ** SEI Investments Distribution Co. reimbursed the Funds for other expenses. Other than any portion of the sales charges imposed on purchases, the following table shows the level of compensation paid by the Distributor to broker-dealers selling A Shares and L Shares, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Distributor and such broker-dealer.
ANNUAL FIRST YEAR ANNUAL PAYOUT INITIAL PAYMENT- PAYOUT 12(b)-1 ANNUAL PAYOUT 12(b)-1 12(b)-1 EFFECTIVE AT TIME OF SALE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE 13TH MONTH FUND IMMEDIATELY (A)* (L) (L) (L) ---- ----------------- ----------------- --------------------- --------------------- EQUITY FUNDS Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60%
46
ANNUAL FIRST YEAR ANNUAL PAYOUT INITIAL PAYMENT- PAYOUT 12(b)-1 ANNUAL PAYOUT 12(b)-1 12(b)-1 EFFECTIVE AT TIME OF SALE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE 13TH MONTH FUND IMMEDIATELY (A)* (L) (L) (L) ---- ----------------- ----------------- --------------------- --------------------- Balanced Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.50% 0.65% Capital Appreciation Fund 0.35% 0.25% 0.50% 0.65% Emerging Growth Stock Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Growth and Income Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Information and Technology Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.50% 0.65% International Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% International Equity Index Fund 0.30% 0.25% 0.40% 0.50% Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0.20% N/A N/A N/A Life Vision Conservative Fund 0.15% N/A N/A N/A Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0.20% N/A N/A N/A Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0.20% N/A N/A N/A Mid-Cap Equity Fund 0.30% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 0.35% 0.25% 0.50% 0.65% Small Cap Value Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 0.25% 0.25% 0.40% 0.60% Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.45% 0.60% Value Income Stock Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.50% 0.65% FIXED INCOME FUNDS Florida Tax -Exempt Bond Fund 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.30% Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.30% High Income Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.20% 0.30% Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.30% Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.30% Limited Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 0.15% 0.15% 0.20% 0.25% Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.30% Short Term Bond Fund 0.15% 0.10% 0.20% 0.25% Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0.10% 0.10% 0.20% 0.25% Strategic Income Fund 0.20% 0.25% 0.20% 0.30% U.S. Government Securities Fund 0.15% 0.20% 0.20% 0.30% Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.30% Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.30%
* Initial Front End Sales Charge for A Shares ranges from 3.75% maximum to 0.50% depending on Fund and breakpoints (outlined in prospectus). 47 Other than any portion of the sales charges imposed on purchases, the following table shows the level of compensation paid by the Distributor to broker-dealers selling B Shares, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Distributor and such broker-dealer.
ANNUAL FIRST YEAR INITIAL PAYMENT- PAYOUT 12(b)-1 ANNUAL PAYOUT 12(b)-1 FUND AT TIME OF SALE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE 13TH MONTH ---- ----------------- --------------------- --------------------- Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 4.00% N/A N/A Life Vision Conservative Fund 4.00% N/A N/A Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 4.00% N/A N/A Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 4.00% N/A N/A
THE TRANSFER AGENT BISYS Funds Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the Trust's transfer agent. THE CUSTODIAN SunTrust Bank, 303 Peachtree Street N.E., 14th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308 serves as the custodian for all of the Funds except for the International Equity, International Equity Index and Strategic Income Funds. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street, Boston, MA 02109 serves as custodian for the International Equity, International Equity Index and Strategic Income Funds. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, served as independent registered public accountants for the Trust. LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES. The management and affairs of the Trust and each of the Funds are supervised by the Trustees under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each Trustee is responsible for overseeing each of the Trust's forty-six series, which includes series not described in this SAI. Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for each of the seven series of the STI Classic Variable Trust. The Trustees have approved contracts, as described above, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. Set forth below are the names, dates of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations for the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as Trustees of the Trust. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee is BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. THOMAS GALLAGHER (DOB 11/25/47) - Trustee - Mr. Gallagher has served since May 2000, and has no set term. He is President and CEO of Genuine Parts Company. His other directorships include: Director, Shepherd Center; Director, NAPA; Director, Genuine Parts Company; Director, Oxford Industries; Director, Stone Mountain Industrial Park; and Trustee, The Lovett School. 48 F. WENDELL GOOCH (DOB 12/03/32) - Trustee - Mr. Gooch has served since May 1992, and has no set term. He is retired, and currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the SEI Family of Funds and The Capitol Mutual Funds. JAMES O. ROBBINS (DOB 7/04/42) - Trustee - Mr. Robbins has served since May 2000, and has no set term. He has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cox Communications, Inc. since 1985. His other directorships include: Director, Cox Communications; Director, National Cable and Telecommunications Association; Director, Discovery Channel; Director, Cable Labs; Director, C-Span; and Trustee, St. Paul's Schools. JONATHAN T. WALTON (DOB 3/28/30) - Trustee - Mr. Walton has served since February 1998, and has no set term. He is retired, and currently serves as a Trustee of the W.K Kellogg Foundation. RICHARD W. COURTS, II (DOB 1/18/36) - Trustee* - Mr. Courts has served since November 2001, and has no set term. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Investment Company. His other directorships include: Director, Cousins Properties, Inc.; Director, Genuine Parts Company; Director, Piedmont Hospital; Director, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta; Chairman, Courts Foundation; and Chairman, J. Bulow Campbell Foundation. CLARENCE H. RIDLEY (DOB 6/03/42) - Trustee* - Mr. Ridley has served since November 2001, and has no set term. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Haverty Furniture Companies. He was a partner at King and Spalding LLP (law firm) from 1977 to 2000. His other directorships include: Director, Crawford & Co.; Director, Pike's Family Nurseries, Inc.; Trustee, St. Joseph's Health System, Inc.; Director High Museum of Atlanta. ---------- * Messrs. Courts and Ridley each may be deemed an "interested person" of the Trust as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Courts may be deemed an interested Trustee because of his directorships with affiliates of the Adviser. Mr. Ridley may be deemed an interested Trustee because of a material business relationship with the parent of the Adviser. BOARD COMMITTEES. The Board has established the following committees: - AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Board's Audit Committee is composed of each of the independent Trustees of the Trust. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: recommending which firm to engage as the Trust's independent auditor and whether to terminate this relationship; reviewing the independent auditors' compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm's independence; pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided by the Trust's independent auditor to the Trust and certain other affiliated entities; serving as a channel of communication between the independent auditor and the Trustees; reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent auditors' opinion, any related management letter, management's responses to recommendations made by the independent auditors in connection with the audit, reports submitted to the Committee by the internal auditing department of the Trust's Administrator that are material to the Trust as a whole, if any, and management's responses to any such reports; reviewing the Trust's audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust's management and the independent auditor that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; considering, in consultation with the independent auditors and the Trust's senior internal accounting executive, if any, the independent auditors' report on the adequacy of the Trust's internal financial controls; reviewing, in consultation with the Trust's independent auditors, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing the Trust's financial statements; and other audit related matters. Messrs. 49 Gallagher, Gooch, Robbins and Walton currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met two times in the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. - NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Board's Nominating Committee is composed of each of the independent Trustees of the Trust. The principal responsibility of the Nominating Committee is to consider, recommend and nominate candidates to fill vacancies on the Trust's Board, if any. The Nominating Committee does not have specific procedures in place to consider nominees recommended by shareholders, but would consider such nominees if submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. Messrs. Gallagher, Gooch, Robbins and Walton currently serve as members of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Gooch is Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met one time during the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. - FAIR VALUE PRICING COMMITTEE. The Board has established the Trust's Fair Value Pricing Committee, which is composed of a Trustee, as a non-voting member, and various representatives of the Trust's service providers, as appointed by the Board. The Fair Value Pricing Committee operates under procedures approved by the Board. The principal responsibility of the Fair Value Pricing Committee is to determine the fair value of securities for which current market quotations are not readily available. The Fair Value Pricing Committee's determinations are reviewed by the Board. The Fair Value Pricing Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met 30 times in the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. BOARD CONSIDERATIONS IN APPROVING THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT. As discussed in the section of this SAI entitled "The Adviser," the Board continuance of the Advisory Agreements must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each year, the Board of Trustees calls and holds a meeting to decide whether to renew the Advisory Agreements for the upcoming year. In preparation for the meeting, the Board requests and reviews a wide variety of information from the Adviser. The Trustees use this information, as well as other information that the Adviser and other Fund service providers may submit to the Board, to help them decide whether to renew the Advisory Agreements for another year. Before this year's meeting, the Board requested and received written materials from the Adviser about: (a) the quality of the Adviser's investment management and other services; (b) the Adviser's investment management personnel; (c) the Adviser's operations and financial condition; (d) the Adviser's brokerage practices (including any soft dollar arrangements) and investment strategies; (e) the level of the advisory fees that the Adviser charges the Fund compared with the fees it charges to comparable mutual funds or accounts(if any); (f) the Fund's overall fees and operating expenses compared with similar mutual funds; (g) the level of the Adviser's profitability from its Fund-related operations; (h) the Adviser's compliance systems; (i) the Adviser's policies on and compliance procedures for personal securities transactions; (j) the Adviser's reputation, expertise and resources in domestic financial markets; and (k) the Fund's performance compared with similar mutual funds. At the meeting, representatives from the Adviser presented additional oral and written information to the Board to help the Board evaluate the Adviser's fee and other aspects of the Agreement. Other Fund service providers also provided the Board with additional information at the meeting. The Trustees then discussed the written materials that the Board received before the meeting and the Adviser's oral presentation and any other information that the Board received at the meeting, and deliberated on the renewal of the Advisory Agreements in light of this information. In its deliberations, the Board did not 50 identify any single piece of information that was all-important, controlling or determinative of its decision. Based on the Board's deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board, including all of the independent Trustees, unanimously: (a) concluded that terms of the Agreements are fair and reasonable; (b) concluded that the Adviser's fees are reasonable in light of the services that the Adviser provides to the Trust; and (c) agreed to renew the Agreements for another year. FUND SHARES OWNED BY BOARD MEMBERS. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee's "beneficial ownership" of shares of each of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. "Beneficial ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-l(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SHARES IN ALL INVESTMENT COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF NAME OF TRUSTEE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES* INVESTMENT COMPANIES* --------------- ---------------------------- --------------------- Richard W. Courts, II None None $1-$10,000 (Capital Appreciation Fund) $1-$10,000 (Growth and Income Fund) $1-$10,000 (Information and Technology Fund) $1-$10,000 (Prime Quality Money Market Fund) Thomas Gallagher $1-$10,000 (Small Cap Growth Stock Fund) $10,001-$50,000 $1-$10,000 (Small Cap Value Equity Fund) $1-$10,000 (Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund) $1-$10,000 (Value Income Stock Fund) F.Wendell Gooch $10,001-$50,000 (Information and Technology Fund) $50,001-$100,000 $10,001-$50,000 (Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund) Clarence H. Ridley None None James 0. Robbins None None $1-$10,000 (Information and Technology Fund) $10,000-$50,000 (Small Cap Growth Stock Fund) $1-$10,000 (Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund) Jonathan T. Walton $10,001-$50,000 (Capital Appreciation Fund) $1-$10,000 (Prime Quality Money Market Fund) $10,001-$50,000 (Small Cap Value Equity Fund) $50,001-$100,000 $10,001-$50,000 (Value Income Stock Fund)
*Valuation date is December 31, 2003. BOARD COMPENSATION. The Trust paid the following fees to the Trustees during its most recently completed fiscal year: 51
PENSION OR ESTIMATED RETIREMENT BENEFIT ANNUAL TOTAL COMPENSATION AGGREGATE ACCRUED AS PART OF BENEFITS UPON FROM THE TRUST AND NAME OF TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FUND EXPENSES RETIREMENT FUND COMPLEX* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $42,000 for services Richard W. Courts, II $38,500 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $50,500 for services Thomas Gallagher $46,000 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $42,000 for services F. Wendell Gooch $38,500 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $43,500 for services Clarence H. Ridley $40,000 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $42,000 for services James O. Robbins $38,500 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $43,500 for services Jonathan T. Walton $40,000 N/A N/A on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The "Fund Complex" consists of the Trust and the STI Classic Variable Trust. TRUST OFFICERS. The executive officers of the Trust, their respective dates of birth, and their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each executive officer is BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The officers of the Trust may also serve as officers to one or more mutual funds for which BISYS Fund Services or its affiliates act as administrator, distributor or transfer agent. None of the officers receive compensation from the Trust for their services. R. JEFFREY YOUNG (DOB 08/22/64) - President - Senior Vice President, Relationship Management, BISYS Fund Services since April 2002. Vice President, Client Services, BISYS Fund Services from May 1997 to April 2002. BRYAN C. HAFT (DOB 01/23/65) - Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer - Vice President, Financial Administration, BISYS Fund Services since July 2000. Director, Administration Services, BISYS Fund Services from May 1998 to July 2000. DEBORAH A. LAMB (10/02/52) - Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer - 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 - Chief Compliance Officer and Managing Director of Trusco Capital Management, Inc. since March 2003 and President of Investment Industry Consultants, LLC since June 2000. Director of Compliance at INVESCO, Inc. from March 1995 to June 2000. KATHLEEN LENTZ (04/09/60) - Vice President and Assistant Secretary - 303 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite 340, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 - Vice President and Manager of Special Entities in Financial Intelligence Unit of SunTrust Bank since 2002. Vice President of the Third Party Mutual Funds Unit of SunTrust Bank from 1996 to 2002. ALAINA V. METZ (DOB 04/07/67) - Assistant Secretary - Vice President, Blue Sky Compliance, BISYS Fund Services since January 2002. Chief Administrative Officer, Blue Sky Compliance at BISYS Fund Services from June 1995 to January 2002. JULIE M. POWERS (DOB 10/08/67) - Assistant Secretary - Senior Paralegal, Legal Services, BISYS Fund Services since June 2000. Paralegal of Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber LLP from March 1998 to June 2000. 52 TRACI THELEN (DOB 02/14/73) - Secretary - Counsel, Legal Services, BISYS Fund Services since July 2004. General Counsel of ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc., from May 2002 to July 2004, after serving as Associate Counsel from October 1999 to May 2002. PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Funds may be made on any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. Shares of each Fund are offered and redeemed on a continuous basis. Currently, the NYSE is closed on the days the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. While the Trust does not accept cash as payment for Fund shares, it is currently the Trust's policy to pay for all redemptions in cash. The Trust retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of readily marketable securities held by the Funds in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges on the sale of any such securities so received in payment of redemptions. A shareholder will at all times be entitled to aggregate cash redemptions from all Funds of the Trust up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Trust's net assets during any 90-day period. The Trust has obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Trust to make in-kind redemptions to those shareholders of the Trust that are affiliated with the Trust solely by their ownership of a certain percentage of the Trust's investment portfolios. The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period on which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during the existence of an emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of disposal or valuation of a Fund's securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC has by order permitted. The Trust also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of a Fund for any period during which the NYSE, the Adviser, the Administrator and/or the Custodian are not open for business. The Trust reserves the right to waive any minimum investment requirements or sales charges for immediate family members of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or employees of the Adviser. "Immediate family" means a spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law or children (including step-children) age 21 years or under. The Trust will permit an exchange of L Shares of a Fund for A Shares of the same Fund, and will waive any sales charges that would otherwise apply, for those investors who hold L Shares of the Fund as a result of (i) reinvesting distributions from qualified employee benefit retirement plans and rollovers from IRAs previously with the trust department of a bank affiliated with SunTrust or (ii) investing an amount less than or equal to the value of an account distribution when an account for which a bank affiliated with SunTrust acted in a fiduciary, administrative, custodial, or investment advisory capacity is closed. If determined to be in the best interests of shareholders, the Trust also reserves the right to impose a redemption fee of up to 2% on Market Timers as described in the Trust's prospectuses payable directly to the Fund. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE GENERAL POLICY. Each of the Funds adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rules 2a-4 and 2a-7 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities, In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at 53 fair value as determined in good faith by the Trusts' Board of Trustees. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance. EQUITY SECURITIES. Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available, including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the official closing price or the last quoted sale price on the principal exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time if a security's principal exchange is normally open at that time). If there is no official closing price and there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, the security is valued at the most recent quoted bid price. If such prices are not available, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust's Board of Trustees. MONEY MARKET SECURITIES AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES. If available, Money Market Securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money Market Securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust's Board of Trustees. USE OF THIRD-PARTY INDEPENDENT PRICING AGENTS. Pursuant to contracts with the Trust's Administrator, prices for most securities held by the Funds are provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator. AMORTIZED COST METHOD OF VALUATION. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances) assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuations in general market rates of interest on the value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which a security's value, as determined by this method, is higher or lower than the price a Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield of a Fund may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a company with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio securities. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Fund resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in a Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from investment in a company utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in a Fund would experience a lower yield. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates. A Fund's use of amortized cost and the maintenance of a Fund's net asset value at $1.00 are permitted by regulations promulgated by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, provided that certain conditions are met. The regulations also require the Trustees to establish procedures which are reasonably designed to stabilize the net asset value per share at $1.00 for the Funds. Such procedures include the determination of the extent of deviation, if any, of the Funds current net asset value per share calculated using available market quotations from the Funds amortized cost price per share at such intervals as the Trustees deem appropriate and reasonable in light of market conditions and periodic reviews of the amount of the deviation and the methods used to calculate such deviation. In the event that such deviation exceeds one- 54 half of 1%, the Trustees are required to consider promptly what action, if any, should be initiated, and, if the Trustees believe that the extent of any deviation may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees are required to take such corrective action as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce such dilution or unfair results to the extent reasonably practicable. Such actions may include the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redeeming shares in kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations. In addition, if the Funds incur a significant loss or liability, the Trustees have the authority to reduce pro rata the number of shares of the Funds in each shareholder's account and to offset each shareholder's pro rata portion of such loss or liability from the shareholder's accrued but unpaid dividends or from future dividends while each other Fund must annually distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income. TAXES The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their investors. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal tax treatment of a Fund or its investors, and the discussion here and in the Trust's prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. FEDERAL INCOME TAX This discussion of federal income tax considerations is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations issued thereunder, in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions may change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under the Code, the Funds must distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its net investment income excludable from gross income plus 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income plus net short-term capital gain) (the "Distribution Requirement") and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund's gross income each taxable year must be derived 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, (ii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a Fund's assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers engaged in same or similar businesses if a Fund owns at least 20% of the voting power of such issuers. Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which only requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss), a Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year 98% of its ordinary income for that year and 98% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (and any retained amount from that prior calendar year on which the Fund paid no federal income tax). The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the federal excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies but can make no assurances that distributions will be sufficient to avoid this tax. 55 If a Fund fails to maintain qualification as a RIC for a tax year, that Fund will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income and gains at corporate rates, without any benefit for distributions paid to shareholders, and distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of that Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such case, the dividends received deduction generally will be available for eligible corporate shareholders (subject to certain limitations) and the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income would be available to individual shareholders. The board reserve the right not to maintain qualification of a Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders. Each Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gains, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund, and/or defer a Fund's ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by a Fund. The Bond Funds and Money Market Funds receive income generally in the form of interest derived from Fund investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes its net investment income from which dividends may be paid to shareholders. Any distributions by a Fund may be taxable to shareholders regardless of whether they are received in cash or additional shares. A Fund may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions of net short-term capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In general, the Bond Funds and Money Market Funds do not expect to realize net-long term capital gains because the Bond Funds and the portion of such Funds' distributions are expected to be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction. Gains and losses on the sale of a Money Market Fund's portfolio securities and unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the value of such securities may require a Fund to adjust distributions in order to maintain a $1.00 net asset value. These procedures may result in under- or over- distributions of net investment income. The Equity Funds receive income generally in the form of dividends and interest on Fund investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes its net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. All or a portion of the net investment income distributions may be treated as qualified dividend income (eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets)) to the extent that a Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, a Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to a Fund's shares. Any distributions by a Fund may be taxable to shareholders regardless of whether they are received in cash or in additional shares. The Equity Funds may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of each Fund's portfolio securities. Distributions from net short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from net long-term capital gains will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have held your shares in the fund. Currently, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains is 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. 56 Shareholders who have not held Fund shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may designate and distribute, as ordinary income or capital gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of investment in a Fund. Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year. If a Fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in a Fund and result in higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which distribution was received are sold. If a shareholder that is a tax-exempt investor (e.g., a pension plan, individual retirement account, 401(k), similar tax-advantaged plan, charitable organization, etc.) incurs debt to finance the acquisition of its shares, a portion of the income received by that shareholder with respect to its shares would constitute unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). A tax-exempt investor is generally subject to federal income tax to the extent that its UBTI for a taxable year exceeds its annual $1,000 exclusion. Sale, Redemption or Exchange of Fund Shares Sales, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal, state and local income tax purposes. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder who holds their shares as a capital asset will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, and short-term if for a year or less. If shares held for six months or less are sold or redeemed for a loss, two special rules apply. First, if shares on which a net capital gain distribution has been received are subsequently sold or redeemed, and such shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the long-term capital gain distributions. Second, any loss recognized by a shareholder upon the sale or redemption of shares of a tax-exempt fund held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. All or a portion of any loss that you realize upon the redemption of your fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in a Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy. With respect to the Money Market Funds, because each Fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value per share, you should not expect to realize a capital gain or loss upon redemption or exchange of your Fund shares. Tax-Exempt Funds If, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income, such Fund may pay "exempt-interest dividends," as defined in Section 852(b)(5) of the Code, to its shareholders. As noted in their prospectuses, the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, the Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund, the Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, and the State Tax-Exempt Bond Funds intend to pay exempt-interest dividends. Exempt-interest dividends are excludable from a shareholder's 57 gross income for regular federal income tax purposes, but may nevertheless be subject to the alternative minimum tax (the "Alternative Minimum Tax") imposed by Section 55 of the Code. The Alternative Minimum Tax is imposed at a maximum rate of 28% in the case of non-corporate taxpayers and at the rate of 20% in the case of corporate taxpayers, to the extent it exceeds the taxpayer's regular tax liability. The Alternative Minimum Tax may be imposed in two circumstances. First, exempt-interest dividends derived from certain "private activity bonds" issued after August 7, 1986, will generally be an item of tax preference and therefore potentially subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax for both corporate and non-corporate taxpayers. Second, in the case of exempt-interest dividends received by corporate shareholders, all exempt-interest dividends, regardless of when the bonds from which they are derived were issued or whether they are derived from private activity bonds, will be included in the corporation's "adjusted current earnings," as defined in Section 56(g) of the Code, in calculating the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income for purposes of determining the Alternative Minimum Tax. Distributions of exempt-interest dividends may result in additional federal income tax consequences to shareholders in tax-exempt funds. For example, interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry shares of a tax-exempt fund will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent that the Fund distributes exempt interest dividends during the taxable year. The deduction otherwise allowable to property and casualty insurance companies for "losses incurred" will be reduced by an amount equal to a portion of exempt-interest dividends received or accrued during any taxable year. Certain foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the U. S. will be subject to a "branch profits tax" on their "dividend equivalent amount" for the taxable year, which will include exempt-interest dividends. Certain Subchapter S corporations may also be subject to taxes on their "passive investment income," which could include exempt-interest dividends. Up to 85% of the Social Security benefits or railroad retirement benefits received by an individual during any taxable year will be included in the gross income of such individual if the individual's "modified adjusted gross income" (which includes exempt-interest dividends) plus one-half of the Social Security benefits or railroad retirement benefits received by such individual during that taxable year exceeds the base amount described in Section 86 of the Code. A tax-exempt fund may not be an appropriate investment for persons (including corporations and other business entities) who are "substantial users" (or persons related to such users) of facilities financed by industrial development or private activity bonds. A "substantial user" is defined generally to include certain persons who regularly use in a trade or business a facility financed from the proceeds of industrial development bonds or private activity bonds. Such entities or persons should consult their tax advisor before purchasing shares of a tax-exempt fund. Issuers of bonds purchased by a tax-exempt fund (or the beneficiary of such bonds) may have made certain representations or covenants in connection with the issuance of such bonds to satisfy certain requirements of the Code that must be satisfied subsequent to the issuance of such bonds. Investors should be aware that exempt-interest dividends derived from such bonds may become subject to federal income taxation retroactively to the date of issuance of the bonds to which such dividends are attributable thereof if such representations are determined to have been inaccurate or if the issuer of such bonds (or the beneficiary of such bonds) fails to comply with such covenants. The Funds will make annual reports to shareholders of the federal income tax status of all distributions. In certain cases, a Fund will be required to withhold, at the applicable witholding rates, an amount from any distributions and redemptions to shareholders, and to remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") if the shareholder: (1) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS, or (3) has failed to provide the Fund with certain 58 certifications that are required by the IRS, or (4) has failed to certify that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). STATE TAXES A Fund is not liable for any income or franchise tax in Massachusetts if it qualifies as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the Funds to investors and the ownership of shares may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding state and local taxes affecting an investment in shares of a Fund. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by a Fund. Investments in Government National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collaterized by U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations. FOREIGN TAXES Dividends and interests received by a Fund may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on the Fund's stock or securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors. If the International Equity and International Equity Index Funds meet the Distribution Requirement, and if more than 50% of the value of each such Fund's total assets at the close of their respective taxable years consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, each Fund will be eligible to, and will, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service that may enable shareholders, in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a deduction from such taxes, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Funds, subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to the election, each Fund will treat those taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders. Each such shareholder will be required to include a proportionate share of those taxes in gross income as income received from a foreign source and must treat the amount so included as if the shareholder had paid the foreign tax directly. The shareholder may then either deduct the taxes deemed paid by him or her in computing his or her taxable income or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating any foreign tax credit they may be entitled to use against the shareholders' federal income tax. If either of the two above-mentioned Funds make the election, such Fund will report annually to its shareholders the respective amounts per share of the Fund's income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions. The International Equity and International Equity Index Funds' transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Funds (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Funds and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require the Funds to mark-to-market certain types of positions in their portfolios (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause the Funds to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% and 98% distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. Each Fund intends to monitor its transactions, 59 intends to make the appropriate tax elections, and intends to make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any foreign currency or forward foreign currency contract in order to mitigate the effect of these rules so as to prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC and minimize the imposition of income and excise taxes. FUND TRANSACTIONS The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policies established by the Trustees, an Adviser is responsible for placing the orders to execute transactions for a Fund. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Trust to seek to obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operational facilities, and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Trust will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The money market securities in which the Funds invest are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Bonds and debentures are usually traded over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, the Adviser will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Money market securities are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of executing portfolio securities transactions of the Trust will primarily consist of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS. The Trust selects brokers or dealers to execute transactions for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities on the basis of its judgment of their professional capability to provide the service. The primary consideration is to have brokers or dealers provide transactions at best price and execution for the Trust. Best price and execution includes many factors, including the price paid or received for a security, the commission charged, the promptness and reliability of execution, the confidentiality and placement accorded the order and other factors affecting the overall benefit obtained by the account on the transaction. The Trust's determination of what are reasonably competitive rates is based upon the professional knowledge of its trading department as to rates paid and charged for similar transactions throughout the securities industry. In some instances, the Trust pays a minimal share transaction cost when the transaction presents no difficulty. Some trades are made on a net basis where the Trust either buys securities directly from the dealer or sells them to the dealer. In these instances, there is no direct commission charged but there is a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price) which is the equivalent of a commission. The Trust may allocate out of all commission business generated by all of the funds and accounts under management by the Adviser, brokerage business to brokers or dealers who provide brokerage and research services. These research services include advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing of analyses and reports concerning issuers, securities or industries; providing information on economic factors and trends, assisting in determining portfolio strategy, providing computer software used in security analyses, and providing portfolio performance evaluation and technical market analyses. Such services are used by the Adviser in connection with its investment decision-making process with respect to one or more funds and accounts managed by it, and may not be used exclusively with respect to a Fund or account generating the brokerage. 60 As provided in the 1934 Act higher commissions may be paid to broker-dealers who provide brokerage and research services than to broker-dealers who do not provide such services if such higher commissions are deemed reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Although transactions are directed to broker-dealers who provide such brokerage and research services, the Trust believes that the commissions paid to such broker-dealers are not, in general, higher than commissions that would be paid to broker-dealers not providing such services and that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. In addition, portfolio transactions which generate commissions or their equivalent are directed to broker-dealers who provide daily portfolio pricing services to the Trust. Subject to best price and execution, commissions used for pricing may or may not be generated by the funds receiving the pricing service. It is expected that the Trust may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser, both of which are registered broker-dealers, for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under these provisions, the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser is permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Trust on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the Distributor and the Trust expressly permitting the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the Distributor by the Trust for exchange transactions not exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time." For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions:
AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID ($) ------------------------------------------------ FUND 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 26,801 * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund 528,811 406,753 347,574 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation Fund 4,637,119 3,468,073 2,962,862 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock Fund 28,256 * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 994 188 7,494 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0 44 5,061 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth and Income Fund 1,534,256 1,693,527 2,103,432 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High Income Fund 0 535 2,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and Technology Fund 384,982 1,928,490 2,142,579 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity Fund 1,189,052 1,127,511 1,404,641 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity Index Fund 94,924 174,045 358,549 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond Fund 4,979 19,387 44,758 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 888 4,267 80,565 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision Conservative Fund 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0 0 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 23,608 14,392 8,134 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 1,218 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity Fund 719,857 750,689 458,284 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 535,146 519,820 516,020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61
AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID ($) ------------------------------------------------ FUND 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Quality Money Market Fund 46,404 49,465 220,347 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond Fund 0 0 7,234 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0 0 3,639 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1,256,292 926,708 1,165,793 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 4,425,364 3,038,457 1,475,533 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic Income Fund 0 0 802 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 303,252 * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0 0 29,400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 585,220 845,910 922,329 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government Securities Fund 7,952 1,634 5,112 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government Securities Money Market 127,807 194,725 157,937 Fund -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 423,336 365,760 320,083 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income Stock Fund 1,852,549 1,497,214 1,554,061 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 5,758 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 1,711 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0 0 8,685 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not in operation during the period. BROKERAGE SELECTION. The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Funds' Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser. With respect to transactions in equity securities, the Adviser may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided. Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause each Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to their investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to each Fund. To the extent research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account 62 that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Funds' Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services. In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses. From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. The NASD has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research "credits" in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e). For the Trust's most recently completed fiscal year, the Funds' paid the following commissions on brokerage transactions directed to brokers pursuant to an agreement or understanding whereby the broker provides research or other brokerage services to the Adviser:
FUND TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF TRANSACTIONS FUND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS FOR INVOLVING BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS RESEARCH SERVICES ($) RESEARCH SERVICES ($) Balanced Fund 442,892.82 283,926,877.89 Capital Appreciation Fund 3,902,770.06 2,483,046,396.19 Growth and Income Fund 1,442,170.03 880,875,151.99 Information and Technology Fund 363,086.14 136,957,908.61 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 632,645.92 320,092,416.94 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 522,909.89 254,550,199.22 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 3,531,664.12 1,199,684,809.45 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 1,201,118.73 546,716,238.42 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 2,569.66 3,686,573.76 Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 528,646.31 334,513,042.24 Value Income Stock Fund 1,819,814.93 1,080,901,945.13
BROKERAGE WITH FUND AFFILIATES. A Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under the 1940 Act and the 1934 Act, affiliated broker-dealers are permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the affiliate and the Fund expressly permitting the affiliate to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time." The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically. 63 For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected by affiliated brokers. All amounts shown reflect fees paid in connection with Fund repurchase agreement transactions.
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID PAID TO AFFILIATED EFFECTED THROUGH AFFILIATED TO AFFILIATED BROKERS ($)* BROKERS (%)** BROKERS (%) ---------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 176 *** *** 0.66 *** *** 9.64 *** *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balanced Fund 5,368 9,515 22,701 1.02 2.34 6.53 42.21 21.73 49.80 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital Appreciation Fund 17,138 13,299 50,843 0.37 0.38 1.72 25.14 25.96 36.59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Emerging Growth Stock Fund 103 *** *** 0.36 *** *** 11.15 *** *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Florida-Tax Exempt Bond Fund 994 188 7,494 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 0 44 5,061 100 100 100 0 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Growth and Income Fund 0 0 22,938 0 0 1.09 0 0 25.95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ High Income Fund 3 535 2,000 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information and Technology Fund 305 650 3,226 0.08 0.03 0.15 22.15 9.69 13.37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Equity Fund 0 0 4,747 0 0 0.34 0 0 2.10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Equity Index Fund 0 0 6,013 0 0 1.68 0 0 0.62 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investment Grade Bond Fund 4,979 19,387 44,758 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 888 4,267 80,565 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 0 0 *** 0 0 *** 0 0 *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life Vision Conservative Fund 0 0 *** 0 0 *** 0 0 *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 0 0 *** 0 0 *** 0 0 *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 0 0 *** 0 0 *** 0 0 *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 23,608 14,392 8,134 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 1,218 0 0 100 0 0 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mid-Cap Equity Fund 2,726 2,888 12,971 0.38 0.38 2.83 20.39 19.10 30.65 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 2,114 1,898 4,850 0.40 0.37 0.94 12.35 25.07 14.70 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prime Quality Money Market Fund 46,404 49,465 220,347 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Short-Term Bond Fund 0 0 7,234 0 0 100 0 0 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 0 0 3,639 0 0 100 0 0 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 10,384 3,100 17,884 0.37 0.10 1.21 4.50 5.45 10.37 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Small Cap Value Equity Fund 4,608 5,267 68,387 0.23 0.57 5.87 28.21 28.36 28.01 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Strategic Income Fund 0 0 802 0 0 100 0 0 14.45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 237 *** *** 0.08 *** *** 2.99 *** *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund 0 0 29,400 0 0 100 0 0 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 1,712 3,724 3,097 0.29 0.44 0.34 40.98 41.97 35.10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. Government Securities Fund 7,952 1,634 5,112 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 127,807 194,725 157,937 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 423,336 365,760 320,083 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Value Income Stock Fund 18,467 28,323 50,767 1.00 1.89 3.22 37.56 20.51 47.71 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE COMMISSION BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID PAID TO AFFILATED EFFECTED THROUGH AFFILIATED TO AFFILIATED BROKERS ($)* BROKER (%)** BROKER (%) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 4,953 0 0 86.02 0 0 57.54 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 0 0 1,711 0 0 100 0 0 100 Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund 0 0 8,685 0 0 100 0 0 100
* Prior to July 26, 2004, SEI Investments Distribution Co. served as the Trust's distributor. These amounts refer to brokerage commissions paid to, or brokered transactions effected through, SEI Investments Distribution Co. ** For most Bond Funds, transactions in repurchase agreements, which are generally traded through an affiliated broker-dealer, are the only transactions that result in the payment of commission. Therefore, it might appear, based on the percentage of commissions paid, that all of the Bond Fund's portfolio transactions are made through affiliated broker-dealers. Nonetheless, transactions in repurchase agreements make up only a small part of a Bond Fund's portfolio transactions. *** Not in operation during the period. SECURITIES OF "REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS." The Funds are required to identify any securities of its "regular brokers and dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which the Funds may hold at the close of their most recent fiscal year. As of May 31, 2004: (In 000's)
Fund Security Type ---- ------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund Bond Balanced Fund Bond Balanced Fund Bond Balanced Fund Bond Balanced Fund Bond Balanced Fund Common Stock Balanced Fund Common Stock Capital Appreciation Fund Common Stock Capital Appreciation Fund Common Stock Capital Appreciation Fund Common Stock Emerging Growth Stock Fund Bond Growth and Income Fund Common Stock Growth and Income Fund Common Stock Information and Technology Fund Bond Information and Technology Fund Common Stock Information and Technology Fund Common Stock International Equity Fund Common Stock International Equity Fund Common Stock International Equity Fund Common Stock International Equity Index Fund Common Stock International Equity Index Fund Common Stock International Equity Index Fund Common Stock Investment Grade Bond Fund Bond Investment Grade Bond Fund Bond Investment Grade Bond Fund Bond Investment Grade Bond Fund Bond Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Bond Fund Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Bond Fund
Security Holdings -------- -------- Chase Securities, Inc. $ 679 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 13,838 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 1,599 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 6,234 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 2,288 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 3,529 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 1,712 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 32,213 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 18,606 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 17,391 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 553 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 19,733 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 12,040 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 1,182 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 363 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 241 Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation $ 3,186 Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. $ 2,945 Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 2,640 Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. $ 4,299 Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 886 Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation $ 489 Salomon Smith Barney Inc. $ 27,209 Chase Securities Inc. $ 16,107 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 9,761 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 6,536 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 9,770 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 8,816 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 5,860
65 Mid-Cap Equity Fund Bond Mid-Cap Equity Fund Common Stock Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Prime Quality Money Market Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Small Cap Growth Stock Fund Bond Small Cap Value Equity Fund Common Stock Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Bond Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Common Stock Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund Common Stock Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Common Stock Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Common Stock Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund Bond Value Income Stock Fund Common Stock Value Income Stock Fund Common Stock Value Income Stock Fund Common Stock Value Income Stock Fund Common Stock
Chase Securities, Inc. $ 2,631 Legg Mason Wood Walker Incorporated $ 766 Credit Suisse First Boston Corp. $191,015 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $186,501 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $184,814 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 55,040 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 41,352 UBS Warburg Painewebber, Inc. $ 24,325 Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. $ 5,910 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 12,828 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 4,140 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 3,939 Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation $ 3,431 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 3,139 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 2,324 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 5,692 Jefferies & Co., Inc. $ 8,569 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 448 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 338 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 337 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 5,383 Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. $ 2,456 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 3,504 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 19,047 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 4,898 Bnp Paribas Brokerage Services $ 44,201 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 25,337 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 20,721 Ubs Warburg Painewebber, Inc. $ 16,133 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 15,765 Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 14,862 Deutsche Bank $214,517 Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $165,478 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 61,003 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 60,637 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 60,491 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 55,140 Ubs Warburg Painewebber, Inc. $ 43,341 Chase Securities, Inc. $ 16,162 Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 15,967 Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 14,018 Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 11,758
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE Portfolio turnover rate is defined under SEC rules as the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts and option contracts in which the Funds invest since such contracts generally have remaining 66 maturities of less than one-year. The Funds may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments such as money market instruments and repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover. For the Funds' two most recently completed fiscal periods ended May 31, 2004 and 2003, the portfolio turnover rate for each of the non-money market Funds was as follows:
TURNOVER RATE (%) ----------------- FUND 2004 2003 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth Stock Fund 2 * Balanced Fund 116 102 Capital Appreciation Fund 106 69 Emerging Growth Stock Fund 11 * Florida Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 56 62 Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 100 17 Growth and Income Fund 51 52 High Income Fund 49 20 Information and Technology Fund 384 1,259 International Equity Fund 58 89 International Equity Index Fund 10 25 Investment Grade Bond Fund 119 137 Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 242 329 Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund 44 50 Life Vision Conservative Fund 138 160 Life Vision Growth and Income Fund 97 139 Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund 109 101 Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund 146 117 Maryland Municipal Bond Fund 15 31 Mid-Cap Equity Fund 126 144 Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund 95 71 Short-Term Bond Fund 66 89 Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund 131 140 Small Cap Growth Stock Fund 107 96 Small Cap Value Equity Fund 44 29 Strategic Income Fund 95 52 Strategic Quantitative Equity Fund 344 * Tax Sensitive Growth Stock Fund 49 58 U.S. Government Securities Fund 240 150 Value Income Stock Fund 67 46 Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 26 30 Virginia Municipal Bond Fund 33 18
* Not in operation during the period. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of the Funds each of which represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share. Shares are entitled 67 upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the Funds. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the Trust may create additional series of shares. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that series and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued. VOTING RIGHTS Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one vote for each dollar invested. In other words, each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each full share held on the record date for any shareholder meeting. Each Fund will vote separately on matters relating solely to it. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders approval will be sought, however, for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of Trustees under certain circumstances. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the power to liquidate one or more Funds without shareholder approval. While the Trustees have no present intention of exercising this power, they may do so if a Fund fails to reach or maintain a viable size or for some other extraordinary reason. In addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting. SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. Even if, however, the Trust were held to be a partnership, the possibility of the shareholders' incurring financial loss for that reason appears remote because the Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees, and because the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Trust property for any investor held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust unless it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee's individual liability in any manner inconsistent with the federal securities laws. 68 CODES OF ETHICS The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, Subadviser, and Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees ("access persons"). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons of the Trust, the Adviser and the Subadviser are prohibited from acquiring beneficial ownership of securities offered in connection with initial public offerings. Certain access persons of the Adviser and Subadviser are further prohibited from acquiring beneficial ownership of securities offered in connection with a limited offering. The Distributor's Code of Ethics requires certain access persons to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings and limited offerings. Copies of these Code of Ethics are on file with the SEC and are available to the public. PROXY VOTING The Board has delegated the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Funds' proxy voting record. Information regarding how the Funds' voted proxies during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 has been filed with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Funds' proxy voting record is available on the Funds' website at www.sticlassicfunds.com, and without charge upon request by calling (800) 428-6970, or by writing to the Funds at STI Classic Funds, c/o BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership, 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Funds' proxy voting record is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. 5% AND 25% SHAREHOLDERS As of September 1, 2004, the following persons were the only persons who were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or 25% or more of the shares of the Funds. Persons who owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund's outstanding shares may be deemed to control the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust believes that most of the shares of the Funds were held for the record owner's fiduciary, agency or custodial customers.
NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth NFSC FEBO FER-114901 6,169.612 A Shares 75.71% Stock Fund DELORES F BENNETT TTEE 343 BAYSHORE DR U A 3 1489 PALM HARBOR, FL. 34683 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBHER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth WACHOVIA SECURITIES LLC FBO 1,979.521 A Shares 24.29% Stock Fund HERBERT W ALBIN JR 124 N 177TH ST SHORELINE, WA. 98133-4707 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth NFSC FEBO G1R-153664 6,512.627 L Shares 84.85% Stock Fund JONATHAN T WALTON TTEE 37 WARNER RD GROSSE POINTE, MI. 48236-3745 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth WACHOVIA SECURITIES LLC FBO 1,162.791 L Shares 15.15% Stock Fund LESLIE C TUBBS 12931 SE 26TH PL APT C2 BELLEVUE, WA. 98005-5112 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aggressive Growth TRUSTMAN 3,536,952.091 T Shares 100.00% Stock Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund NFSC FEBO A1F-832456 627,009.057 A Shares 82.30% NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA 10855 POACHER S RUN CHESTERFIELD, VA. 23832 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund NFSC FEBO A1F-719099 4,841,075.465 L Shares 98.11% KARIS TRUMBO JONES 3125 HANOVER AVE APT 12 RICHMOND, VA. 23221 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund SUNTRUST BANK 13,430,881.05 T Shares 66.80% VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund TRUSTMAN 5,314,859.062 T Shares 26.43% SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balanced Fund CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 1,174,118.233 T Shares 5.84% SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94104-4122 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation NFSC FEBO WXW-006483 6,233,366.449 A Shares 52.13% Fund NFS FMTC IRA 506 CHESAPEAKE DR TARPON SPRINGS, FL. 34689 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY 916,163.237 A Shares 7.66% Fund TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation NFSC FEBO F1R-238678 8,173,635.963 L Shares 96.91% Fund NFS FMTC IRA 2327 SPRINGS LANDING BLVD LONGWOOD, FL. 32779 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation TRUSTMAN 81,432,426.431 T Shares 65.50% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation GREAT WEST LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY 19,556,561.128 T Shares 15.73% Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD C/O FASCORP RECORDKEEPER GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Appreciation SUNTRUST BANK 18,411,077.722 T Shares 14.81% Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock NFSC FEBO FER-114901 6,443.484 A Shares 80.09% Fund DELORES F BENNETT TTEE 343 BAYSHORE DR U A 3 1489 PALM HARBOR, FL. 34683 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock WACHOVIA SECURITIES LLC 1,602.187 A Shares 19.91% Fund FBO MR HERBERT W ALBIN JR 124 N 177TH ST SHORELINE, WA. 98133-4707 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock NFSC FEBO G1R-153664 2,558.421 L Shares 71.00% Fund JONATHAN T WALTON TTEE 37 WARNER RD GROSSE POINTE, MI. 48236-3745 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock WACHOVIA SECURITIES LLC 1,044.932 L Shares 29.00% Fund FBO LESLIE C TUBBS 12931 SE 26TH PL APT C2 BELLEVUE, WA. 98005-5112 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emerging Growth Stock TRUSTMAN 1,771,957.037 T Shares 100.00% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Tax-Exempt Bond NFSC FEBO FFR-073431 496,246.321 A Shares 81.42% Fund MATTIE SUE GREGG 600 SIERRA CIR CORAL GABLES, FL. 33146 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Tax-Exempt Bond MILDRED MEINHART RAST 40,325.404 A Shares 6.62% Fund 821 LAKE PORT BLVD APT A404 LEESBURG, FL. 34748-7698 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Tax-Exempt Bond NFSC FEBO F9R-082910 1,478,997.211 L Shares 97.66% Fund STANLEY ACKER FAMILY LIMITED PAR 16500 SENTERRA DR DELRAY BEACH, FL. 33484-6985 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Tax-Exempt Bond TRUSTMAN 14,402,733.81 T Shares 100.00% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond NFSC FEBO G1F-081655 195,906.76 A Shares 74.86% Fund JULIA B ROGERS PO BOX 759 BLAIRSVILLE, GA. 30514 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond JOHN L CONYERS 14,623.64 A Shares 5.59% Fund 124 ETOWAH DR CARTERSVILLE, GA. 30120-3730 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond NFSC FEBO G8R-030341 1,044,683.539 L Shares 93.05% Fund ULUST HAYNES 2006 W WHITNEY AVE ALBANY, GA. 31707-4121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond TRUSTMAN 9,309,834.53 T Shares 99.87% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth and Income Fund NFSC FEBO FER-114901 2,369,405.924 A Shares 76.90% DELORES F BENNETT TTEE 343 BAYSHORE DR U A 3 14 89 PALM HARBOR, FL. 34683 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth and Income Fund NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY 328,148.574 A Shares 10.65% TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth and Income Fund NFSC FEBO FER-115517 6,305,236.569 L Shares 97.89% KAREN E WILLIAMS 18433 STERLING SILVER CIRCLE LUTZ, FL. 33549 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth and Income Fund TRUSTMAN 50,974,082.631 T Shares 95.05% SUNTRUST BANKS P 0 BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High Income Fund NFSC FEBO WXP-007790 227,860.168 A Shares 100.00% NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA 822 HILLSIDE DR S ST PETERSBURG, FL. 33705 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High Income Fund NFSC FEBO 073-183270 8,989,096.302 L Shares 98.36% UN CHA JOHNSON 13117 HOLLY LEAF CT WOODBRIDGE, VA. 22192 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High Income Fund TRUSTMAN 6,209,122.453 T Shares 96.79% SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and NFSC FEBO F6R-064696 184.531 A Shares 100.00% Technology Fund NFS/FMTC IRA 1168 PONTE VEDRA BLVD PONTE VEDRA, FL. 32082-4202 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and NFSC FEBO A3A-021130 903,483.777 L Shares 93.52% Technology Fund JOSEPH MICHAEL HELMS 8651 MCKEE RD UPATOI, GA. 31829 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and SUNTRUST BANK 613,396.444 T Shares 50.41% Technology Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and TRUSTMAN 570,638.496 T Shares 46.90% Technology Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International NFSC FEBO FER-114901 464,166.929 A Shares 65.14% Equity Fund DELORES F BENNETT TTEE 343 BAYSHORE DR U A 3 14 89 PALM HARBOR, FL. 34683 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY 146,117.785 A Shares 20.50% Fund TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity NFSC FEBO FEF-002526 717,544.879 L Shares 87.88% Fund STEPHEN J WALDING III 3525 SAM ALLEN OAKS CIRCLE PLANT CITY, FL. 33565 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity TRUSTMAN 33,066,012.216 T Shares 95.39% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity NFSC FEBO WXW-006491 1,358,857.625 A Shares 95.84% Index Fund THOMAS E ANDERSON 11019 GRAY MARSH PL IJAMSVILLE, MD. 21754 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity NFSC FEBO G3R-031194 495,498.34 L Shares 96.85% Index Fund JOSEPH M OWENS 205 DOULTON WAY COLUMBIA, SC. 29212 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity TRUSTMAN 23,979,357.164 T Shares 74.51% Index Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Equity STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST CO 6,957,694.696 T Shares 21.62% Index Fund EMORY UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT 1 ENTERPRISE DR QUINCY, MA. 02171-2126 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond NFSC FEBO F6R-067539 1,764,910.168 A Shares 60.14% Fund ELLEN V LAKE EX 242 1015 ATLANTIC BLVD ATLANTIC BEACH, FL. 32233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY 615,731.663 A Shares 20.98% Fund TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond NFSC FEBO F6R-067466 2,046,966.245 L Shares 96.67% Fund FLORA AITKEN APT 707 10660 SAINT AUGUSTINE ROAD JACKSONVILLE, FL. 32257 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond TRUSTMAN 42,720,778.019 T Shares 81.17% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade Bond SUNTRUST BANK 9,903,346.143 T Shares 18.82% Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade NFSC FEBO GA3-010758 618,832.437 A Shares 38.60% Tax-Exempt Bond Fund BRUCE R KOON REV TRUST 954 PINEAPPLE ROAD U A 03 21 95 SOUTH DAYTONA, FL. 32119 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER INC 141,302.645 A Shares 8.81% Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 309 20042-11 PO BOX 1476 BALTIMORE, MD. 21203-1476 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade MARION G NELSON 100,000 A Shares 6.24% Tax-Exempt Bond Fund PO BOX 2531 PANAMA CITY, FL. 32402-2531 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade NFSC FEBO 073-185035 1,529,610.254 L Shares 92.95% Tax-Exempt Bond Fund WILLIAM R CECIL 228 EMERSON STNW TOD SANDRA VINEY TOD D CECIL WASHINGTON, D.C. 20011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Grade TRUSTMAN 17,484,656.126 T Shares 92.00% Tax-Exempt Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO 04L-254673 91,338.735 A Shares 100.00% Aggressive NFS FMTC SEP IRA Growth Fund 1223 A PROVIDENCE ROAD TOWSON, MD. 21286 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO FER-115592 467,751.443 B Shares 100.00% Aggressive NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA Growth Fund 9324 125TH AVE LARGO, FL. 33773 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision SUNTRUST BANK 3,567,377.975 T Shares 92.99% Aggressive VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Growth Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision TRUSTMAN 263,118.181 T Shares 6.86% Aggressive SUNTRUST BANKS Growth Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO FFR-073156 37,246.133 A Shares 100.00% Conservative Fund NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA 101 PLATTE AVE EDGERTON, MO. 64444 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO A1F-912816 478,183.599 B Shares 100.00% Conservative Fund MARY STOUFFER SANDERS 10919 GATE VIEW RD COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision SUNTRUST BANK 2,868.81 T Shares 77.12% Conservative Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision TRUSTMAN 805.709 T Shares 21.66% Conservative Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision Growth NFSC FEBO FFR-073156 217,763.456 A Shares 97.48% and Income Fund NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA 101 PLATTE AVE EDGERTON, MO. 64444 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO FER-076830 1,362,024.407 B Shares 100.00% Growth and ELAINE HOOVER Income Fund 6316 ALCESTER DR NEW PORT RICHEY, FL. 34655 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision SUNTRUST BANK 7,210,589.867 T Shares 95.73% Growth and VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Income Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC EBO FFR-073156 419,896.458 A Shares 100.00% Moderate Growth NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA Fund 101 PLATTE AVE EDGERTON, MO. 64444 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision NFSC FEBO FFR-072486 1,353,420.224 B Shares 99.68% Moderate Growth SIDNEY B CREASEY Fund 4261 SW 154 PLACE MIAMI, FL. 33185 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision SUNTRUST BANK 10,017,351.225 T Shares 83.60% Moderate Growth VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Vision TRUSTMAN 1,801,116.68 T Shares 15.03% Moderate Growth SUNTRUST BANKS Fund P 0 BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited-Term NFSC FEBO 073-177440 755,235.278 A Shares 88.18% Federal Mortgage CATHERINE R BROADFOOT Securities Fund TTEE 5703 WILLIAMSBURG LANDING DR APT LIVING TR U A 5901 WILLIAMSBURG, VA. 23185 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited-Term NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 83,332.404 A Shares 9.73% Federal Mortgage COMPANY Securities Fund TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited-Term NFSC FEBO W14-244856 5,065,968.377 L Shares 98.84% Federal Mortgage NFS FMTC IRA Securities Fund 3400 STRATFORD RD NE APT 1411 ATLANTA, GA. 30326 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited-Term TRUSTMAN 42,256,959.199 T Shares 97.69% Federal Mortgage SUNTRUST BANKS Securities Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland SEI CORPORATION 9.355 A Shares 100.00% Municipal Bond 1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR Fund ATTN ROB SILVESTRI OAKS, PA. 19456 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland NFSC FEBO DFL-084662 1,567,399.995 L Shares 98.90% Municipal Bond WILLIAM E STAHR EX Fund 7909 LYNBROOK DR BETHESDA, MD. 20814 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland TRUSTMAN 2,861,866.686 T Shares 100.00% Municipal Bond SUNTRUST BANKS Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity NFSC FEBO WXW-001805 1,374,602.501 A Shares 78.31% Fund NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA 203 ANHINGA LANE JUPITER, FL. 33458 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 134,385.156 A Shares 7.66% Fund COMPANY TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity NFSC FEBO A1F-470953 1,545,675.56 L Shares 97.44% Fund MICHELE J PAGE 3528 OLD TOWNE RD ROANOKE, VA. 24018 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity TRUSTMAN 15,341,265.319 T Shares 93.57% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Equity SUNTRUST BANK 1,052,149.113 T Shares 6.42% Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Value NFSC FEBO 073-177440 88,963.493 A Shares 96.55% Equity Fund CATHERINE R BROADFOOT TTEE 5703 WILLIAMSBURG LANDING DR APT LIVING TR U A 5901 WILLIAMSBURG, VA. 23185 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Value NFSC FEBO G1F-083127 688,517.012 L Shares 99.15% Equity Fund CHARLES K LINDSEY 1460 WOOD PARK WAY NW KENNESAW, GA. 30152 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Cap Value TRUSTMAN 14,769,733.377 T Shares 98.43% Equity Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Quality NFSC FEBO F9R-171204 1,772,843,414.19 A Shares 97.61% Money Market WILLIAM J KAY Fund 2916 NE 1ST TERRACE WILTON MANORS, FL. 33334 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Quality NFSC FEBO DFL-086002 16,046,033.06 L Shares 98.57% Money Market SUSAN A SHERMAN Fund 3480 BLEAK HOUSE RD EARLYSVILLE, VA. 22936 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Quality SUNTRUST BANK 2,838,607,806.63 T Shares 90.46% Money Market MAIL CENTER 3133 Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Quality SUNTRUST BANK 221,928,502.43 T Shares 7.07% Money Market VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond NFSC FEBO G1R-307688 463,252.56 A Shares 72.10% Fund NFS FMTC IRA 255 MARSHSIDE DR ST AUGUSTINE, FL. 32080 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 142,988.509 A Shares 22.26% Fund COMPANY TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond NFSC FEBO F1R-239305 2,053,693.337 L Shares 98.48% Fund NFS FMTC IRA PO BOX 617292 ORLANDO, FL. 32861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond TRUSTMAN 26,361,774.093 T Shares 93.89% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term Bond SUNTRUST BANK 1,425,430.346 T Shares 5.08% Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. NFSC FEBO WXP-007781 1,057,475.63 A Shares 86.29% Treasury NFS FMTC ROLLOVER IRA Securities Fund 822 HILLSIDE DR S ST PETERSBURG, FL. 33705 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 125,319.103 A Shares 10.23% Treasury COMPANY Securities Fund TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH. 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. NFSC FEBO DFL-085049 4,962,024.5041 L Shares 98.82% Treasury MARY V SMITH TTEE Securities Fund PO BOX 7887 U A 12 12 00 HAMPTON, VA. 23666 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. TRUSTMAN 6,638,738.144 T Shares 75.31% Treasury S UNTRUST BANKS Securities Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. CENCO 1,519,466.952 T Shares 17.24% Treasury AMG 7TH FLOOR Securities Fund PO BOX 10566 BIRMINGHAM, AL. 35296-0566 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-Term U.S. SUNTRUST BANK 656,799.365 T Shares 7.45% Treasury VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Securities Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth NFSC FEBO FEF-003204 840,769.456 A Shares 38.89% Stock Fund MICHAEL A BEDKE 3616 WEST TACON ST TAMPA, FL. 33629 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth DAVENPORT COMPANY LLC 595,107.679 A Shares 27.53% Stock Fund ANNE H BOOTH IRA 3129 SCOTTSVILLE RD CHARLOTTESVLE, VA. 22902-7427 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 187,121.425 A Shares 8.66% Stock Fund COMPANY TRUST PO BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth NFSC FEBO A1F-470953 1,696,954.093 L Shares 85.75% Stock Fund MICHELE J PAGE 3528 OLD TOWNE RD ROANOKE, VA. 24018 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth TRUSTMAN 32,651,387.997 T Shares 85.47% Stock Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Growth SUNTRUST BANK 3,183,111.633 T Shares 8.33% Stock Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Value NFSC FEBO 073-177440 241,378.205 A Shares 98.13% Equity Fund CATHERINE R BROADFOOT TTEE 5703 WILLIAMSBURG LANDING DR APT LIVING TR U A 5901 WILLIAMSBURG, VA. 23185 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Value NFSC FEBO M71-004294 2,352,110.774 L Shares 96.92% Equity Fund CALIXTO SERGIO GARCIA 7530 SW 88TH PLACE MIAMI, FL. 33173 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Value TRUSTMAN 29,182,411.72 T Shares 82.01% Equity Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Small Cap Value SUNTRUST BANK 4,783,551.908 T Shares 13.44% Equity Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic Income NFSC FEBO F4R-070190 409,896.221 A Shares 98.25% Fund NFS/FMTC ROLL IRA 34938 DOUBLE EAGLE CT ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33541-2683 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic Income NFSC FEBO F6R-067539 9,505,760.986 L Shares 98.10% Fund ELLEN V LAKE EX 242 1015 ATLANTIC BLVD ATLANTIC BEACH, FL. 32233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic Income TRUSTMAN 10,675,863.075 T Shares 99.93% Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic NFSC FEBO F1F-026778 16,525.16 A Shares 93.46% Quantitative CARY LIPMAN Equity Fund 524 SOLITAIRE PALM DR INDIALANTIC, FL. 32903-3828 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic JESSE A MOHNEY 1,157.141 A Shares 6.54% Quantitative 7000 FOX GLOVE LN Equity Fund TALLAHASSEE, FL. 32312- 3644 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic NFSC FEBO G1R-309133 133,003.102 L Shares 99.14% Quantitative HENRY C MURPHY Equity Fund PO BOX 1145 KINGSLAND, GA. 31548 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic TRUSTMAN 6,047,739.6 T Shares 99.99% Quantitative SUNTRUST BANKS Equity Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Exempt Money NATIONAL FINANCIAL 280,125,394.49 A Shares 98.41% Market Fund SERVICES CORP EXCLUSIVE BENE OF OUR CUST 200 LIBERTY ST ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPARTMENT NEW YORK, NY 10281-5503 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Exempt SUNTRUST BANK 981,302,516.38 T Shares 100.00% Money Market MAIL CENTER 3133 Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Sensitive NFSC FEBO 073-179590 28,202.717 A Shares 100.00% Growth Stock NFS FMTC IRA Fund APT 1306 260 MARCELLA RD HAMPTON, VA. 23666 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Sensitive NFSC FEBO F9R-125636 3,679,216.043 L Shares 96.67% Growth Stock MAIKEL T VILA DUMIT CUST Fund SANTIAGO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GRAL CABRERA 57 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 057 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax Sensitive TRUSTMAN 5,034,958.358 T Shares 98.96% Growth Stock SUNTRUST BANKS Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government NFSC FEBO WXW-006505 758,290.826 A Shares 91.20% Securities Fund MIKAEL BACKMAN APT 302 677 NE 24TH ST MIAMI, FL. 33137 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government NFSC FEBO F3R-109959 1,566,789.871 L Shares 99.41% Securities Fund FRANCES I KRACKER 3390 YONGE AVE SARASOTA,FL. 34235 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government TRUSTMAN 25,443,368.674 T Shares 89.27% Securities Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government SUNTRUST BANK 2,794,134.493 T Shares 9.80% Securities Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government NATIONAL FINANCIAL 212,622,298.27 A Shares 92.50% Securities Money SERVICES CORP Market Fund EXCLUSIVE BENE OF OUR CUST 200 LIBERTY ST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT NEW YORK, NY. 10281-5503 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government SUNTRUST BANK 532,455,587.61 T Shares 86.95% Securities Money MAIL CENTER 3133 Market Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government SUNTRUST BANK 79,892,776.436 T Shares 13.05% Securities Money VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS Market Fund 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Treasury NATIONAL FINANCIAL 401,086.48 A Shares 100.00% Securities Money SERVICES CORP Market Fund EXCLUSIVE BENE OF OUR CUST 200 LIBERTY ST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT NEW YORK, NY. 10281-5503 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Treasury SUNTRUST BANK 1,265,370,984.33 T Shares 99.04% Securities Money MAIL CENTER 3133 Market Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income NFSC FEBO F6R-067539 3,569,845.015 A Shares 57.40% Stock Fund ELLEN V LAKE EX 242 1015 ATLANTIC BLVD ATLANTIC BEACH, FL. 32233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income NATIONWIDE INSURANCE 496,509.121 A Shares 7.98% Stock Fund COMPANY TRUST P O BOX 182029 C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING COLUMBUS, OH 43218-2029 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income NFSC FEBO F6R-067539 4,483,576.952 L Shares 92.38% Stock Fund ELLEN V LAKE EX 242 1015 ATLANTIC BLVD ATLANTIC BEACH, FL. 32233 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income TRUSTMAN 46,438,248.026 T Shares 73.31% Stock Fund SUNTRUST BANKS P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income SUNTRUST BANK 11,717,198.479 T Shares 18.50% Stock Fund VARIOUS BENEFIT PLANS 8515 E ORCHARD RD GREENWOOD VLG, CO. 80111-5002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Value Income NISSAN MOTOR CORP USA 5,184,674.09 T Shares 8.19% Stock Fund 401K PLN RH03 STATE STREET BANK P O BOX 1992 ATTN CATHIE NOYES BOSTON, MA. 02105-1992 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia NFSC FEBO 073-180726 897,521.568 A Shares 86.42% Intermediate ROY EUGENE PHILPOTTS JR Municipal Bond 312 PIONEER TRL Fund COLLINSVILLE, VA. 24078 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia SEI CORPORATION 9.551 L Shares 100.00% Intermediate 1 FREEDOM VALLEY DR Municipal Bond ATTN ROB SILVESTRI Fund OAKS, PA. 19456 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia TRUSTMAN 17,499,033.021 T Shares 100.00% Intermediate Bond SUNTRUST BANKS Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia NFSC FEBO A1F-865346 8,272.454 A Shares 99.89% Municipal Bond WILLIAM B HUTTER Fund 108 FAIRFAX CT LYNCHBURG, VA. 24503-2142 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia NFSC FEBO A1F-496561 799,005.452 L Shares 99.61% Municipal Bond WILLIAM F MCGOVERN Fund 3619 ROCK RUN RD GOLD VEIN, VA. 22720-1705 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia TRUSTMAN 4,360,971.731 T Shares 100.00% Municipal Bond SUNTRUST BANKS Fund P O BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tax-Free NATIONAL FINANCIAL 108,349,667.88 A Shares 100.00% Money Market Fund SERVICES CORP EXCLUSIVE BENE OF OUR CUST 200 LIBERTY ST ATTN MUTUAL FUND DEPARTMENT NEW YORK, NY. 10281-5503 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tax-Free SUNTRUST BANK 163,257,146.39 T Shares 90.49% Money Market Fund MAIL CENTER 3133 P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tax-Free STI CLASSIC VA TAX FREE 17,150,377.5 T Shares 9.51% Money Market Fund SUNTRUST CAPITAL MKTS 25TH FL MC 3906 ATTN JULIA HUGENOT ATLANTA, GA. 30308-3201 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements for the Trust's fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, including notes thereto and the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP thereon, are herein incorporated by reference. A copy of the 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders must accompany the delivery of this SAI. 92 APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS The following descriptions are summaries of published ratings. DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS A-1 This is the highest category by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group (S&P) and indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation. A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory and the obligation is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. PRIME-1 Issues rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's) 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. - Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity. The rating F1 (Highest Credit Quality) is the highest commercial rating assigned by Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"). Paper rated F1 is regarded as having the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. The rating F2 (Good Credit Quality) is the second highest commercial paper rating assigned by Fitch which reflects 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. The rating TBW-1 by Thomson BankWatch ("Thomson") indicates a very high likelihood that principal and interest will be paid on a timely basis. DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS Moody's highest rating for state and municipal and other short-term notes is MIG-1 and VMIG-1. Short-term municipal securities rated MIG-1 or VMIG-1 are of the best quality. They have strong protection from established cash flows, superior liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing or both. Short-term municipal securities rated MIG-2 or VMIG-2 are of high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the MIG-I/VMIG-2 group. An S&P note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment: - Amortization Schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note, and - Source of Payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. S&P note rating symbols are as follows: SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay a debt service is given a plus (+) designation. SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the votes. DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS S&P Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating S&P assigns to a debt obligation. Such a rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only in small degree. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories. Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories. Debt rated BB and B is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating. Debt rate B has greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category also is used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating. Moody's Bonds which are rated Aaa by Moody's are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large, or 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. Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are judged by Moody's to be of high quality by all standards. Together with bonds rated Aaa, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities. Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well. Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. Moody's bond ratings, where specified, are applied to financial contracts, senior bank obligations and insurance company senior policyholder and claims obligations with an original maturity in excess of one-year. Obligations relying upon support mechanisms such as letters-of-credit and bonds of indemnity are excluded unless explicitly rated. Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in countries which carry a Moody's sovereign rating. Such branch obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's sovereign rating for the bank deposits for the country in which the branch is located. When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do not incorporate an opinion as to whether payment of the obligation will be affected by the actions of the government controlling the currency of denomination. In addition, risk associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's home country and either the issuer's home country or the country where an issuer branch is located are not incorporated into Moody's ratings. Moody's makes no representation that rated bank obligations or insurance company obligations are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or issued in conformity with any other applicable law or regulation. Nor does Moody's represent that any specific bank or insurance company obligation is legally enforceable or is a valid senior obligation of a rated issuer. Moody's ratings are opinions, not recommendations to buy or sell, and their accuracy is not guaranteed. A rating should be weighed solely as one factor in an investment decision and you should make your own study and evaluation of any issuer whose securities or debt obligations you consider buying or selling. Fitch Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be strictly high grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by trustees and fiduciary institutions liable to but slight market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate. The prime feature of an AAA bond is a showing of earnings several times or many times interest requirements, with such stability of applicable earnings that safety is beyond reasonable question whatever changes occur in conditions. Bonds rated AA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be of safety virtually beyond question and are readily salable, whose merits are not unlike those of the AAA class, but whose margin of safety is less strikingly broad. The issue may be the obligation of a small company, strongly secured but influenced as to rating by the lesser financial power of the enterprise and more local type market. Bonds rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings. Bonds rated BBB are considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings. Bonds rated BB are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements. Bonds rated B are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue. Thomson Bonds rated AAA by Thomson BankWatch indicate that the ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis is extremely high. Bonds rated AA indicate a very strong ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis, with limited incremental risk compared to issues rated in the highest category. Bonds rated A indicate the ability to repay principal and interest is strong. Issues rated A could be more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings. Bonds rated BBB (the lowest investment-grade category) indicate an acceptable capacity to repay principal and interest. Issues rated "BBB" are, however, more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings. While not investment grade, the BB rating suggests that the likelihood of default is considerably less than for lower-rated issues. However, there are significant uncertainties that could affect the ability to adequately service debt obligations. Issues rated B show a higher degree of uncertainty and therefore greater likelihood of default than higher-rated issues. Adverse developments could negatively affect the payment of interest and principal on a timely basis. APPENDIX B [TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LOGO] TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PROXY DISCLOSURE TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS Dear Shareholders: Securities and Exchange Commission rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under our current contractual agreement, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco"), is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the STI Classic Funds. The rules require an investment company to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the fund: 1) votes proxies in the best interests of clients; 2) discloses information about those policies and procedures and how to obtain copies; 3) discloses how clients may obtain information about proxy votes cast; and 4) maintains appropriate records relating to actual proxy voting. The STI Classic Funds' board has delegated voting authority to Trusco and accordingly has adopted Trusco's proxy voting policies. Trusco's existing Proxy Voting Committee ("Committee") is structured to seek to ensure compliance with all of the requirements. After an extensive review, the Committee determined that the use of a professional proxy voting agency would be the most efficient and effective course of action to accommodate certain portions of the regulations. The Committee conducted comprehensive due diligence of the most respected proxy voting agencies in the industry and chose to hire Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as Trusco's agent to assist us with meeting the administrative, clerical and recordkeeping aspects of our fiduciary obligations. Several of the determining factors in choosing ISS as an agent to provide such services included its excellent research tools and advanced, state of the art technical and system support. The Committee recognizes that each proxy vote must be evaluated on its own merits. Factors such as a company's organizational structure, executive and operational management, structure of the board of directors, corporate culture and governance process, and the impact of economic, environmental and social implications remain key elements in all voting decisions. To address material conflicts of interest, as defined by SEC regulations, involving Trusco relationships, the Committee will engage the services of an independent fiduciary voting service to vote on any proxies for securities for which the Committee determines a material conflict of interest exists so as to provide shareholders with the most beneficial and objective proxy voting possible. Material conflicts might occur, for example, (1) in the case of securities of a company where a director or officer may serve as an independent director on Trusco's, SunTrust Banks, Inc. ("SunTrust") or a related SunTrust affiliate's board of directors or (2) where an issuer has substantial banking or other financial relationships with Trusco and/or SunTrust, or a SunTrust affiliate. If the Committee engages an independent fiduciary voting service to perform the voting analysis, ISS, as our agent for administrative, clerical and recordkeeping proxy services, will then vote the shares according to the directions of the independent fiduciary. Trusco will have no power to participate in, alter or change the decision or final vote for any proxy matters entrusted to the properly appointed independent fiduciary. Please be assured that although Trusco has engaged ISS to assist with physical proxy voting matters, we retain the primary obligation of proxy voting and will review all issues and actively monitor all information prior to determining each vote placed on behalf of shareholders. Trusco will continue to utilize available resources in order to make well-informed, qualified proxy vote decisions. Further information, such as copies of Trusco's Proxy Policies and Procedures and voting records of the STI Classic Funds, may be obtained without charge by contacting the STI Classic Funds by telephone at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5 or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. The policies and procedures are also available in the STI Classic Funds' Statement of Additional Information. Actual voting records will also be filed and available on the SEC's website. Again, please know that, as with all matters relating to the STI Classic Funds, we at Trusco take our fiduciary proxy voting obligations very seriously, and will continue to do our utmost to protect the interests of each and every shareholder. Regards, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 07/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC PROXY POLICY POLICY STATEMENT Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco") has a Proxy Committee ("Committee") that is responsible for establishing policies and procedures designed to ensure the firm ethically and effectively discharges its fiduciary obligation to vote all applicable proxies on behalf of all discretionary client accounts and mutual funds. The Committee will annually (or more often if needed) review, reaffirm and amend guidelines, strategies and proxy policies for all domestic and international clients, funds and product lines. Trusco, after an extensive review of service providers including size, experience and independence, has contracted with Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as its agent to provide administrative, clerical, and functional and recordkeeping services and support related to the firm's proxy voting processes/procedures, which include, but are not limited to: 1. Collection and coordination of proxy material from each custodian for each Trusco client's account, including Trusco's mutual fund clients. 2. Facilitating the mechanical act of proxy voting, reconciliation, and disclosure for each Trusco client's accounts, including Trusco's mutual fund clients, in accordance with Trusco's proxy policies and the Committee's direction. 3. Required record keeping and voting record retention of all Trusco proxy voting on behalf Trusco's clients, including Trusco's mutual fund clients. As reflected in our specific Trusco proxy policies, the Committee will affirmatively vote proxies for proposals that, as interpreted, are deemed to be in the best economic interest of its clients as shareholders and beneficiaries to those actions. The Committee will, at all times, retain the ability to consider client specific preferences and/or develop and apply criteria unique to its client base and product lines, where appropriate. This information will, as needed, be communicated to ISS as agent to ensure that the relative shares proxies will be voted accordingly. The Committee has reviewed ISS capabilities as agent for the services above and is confident in its abilities to effectively provide these services. The Committee will monitor such capability on an ongoing basis. AN INDEPENDENT, OBJECTIVE APPROACH TO PROXY ISSUES In the absence of express contractual provisions to the contrary, the Committee will vote proxies for all Trusco discretionary investment management clients and Trusco managed mutual funds, such as the STI Classic Funds. As indicated above, the Committee utilizes the services of an independent third party agent, ISS, to assist with facilitating the administrative, clerical, functional and recordkeeping duties and to assist in managing certain aspects of our proxy obligations. Accordingly, Trusco maintains proxy policies for U.S. domestic and global proxy voting issues, as well as guidelines applicable to "Taft Hartley" plans and relationships. ERISA accounts will be voted in accordance with the U.S. domestic proxy policy as it is an ERISA based policy. Trusco provides and maintains the following standard proxy voting policies: - Trusco U.S. Domestic Proxy Policy (an ERISA based policy) - Trusco Taft Hartley Proxy Policy - Trusco Global/International Proxy Policy Brief summaries and extended summaries are available for the Trusco Taft Hartley Proxy Policy and the Trusco Global/International Proxy Policy; and full complete versions of all of these policies are available as described below. The Committee will obtain and review all information regarding each issuer's proxy related material as it recognizes that there may not be one decision that is right for all situations and that each proxy vote must be evaluated on its own merits. Although this typically means that some proxy issues are voted on a case-by-case basis, the Committee utilizes the firm's pre-determined proxy voting policies and guidelines whenever possible to ensure consistency and relevancy with the overall proxy voting process. For example, some factors that are considered include an in-depth look at each company's organizational structure; executive and operating management styles, board of directors structure, corporate culture and governance processes, implicit and explicit social and economic product benefits, and the impact or economic implications of the available alternatives. EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY The guidelines as outlined herein generally do not apply where Trusco has contracted discretionary investment management and the authority to vote shares to a properly appointed subadvisor such as may be the case in some managed, separate, or wrap accounts. In those situations proxy votes cast by the subadvisor will be governed by the subadvisor's own proxy voting policies and procedures. The Committee will annually review the sub advisor's proxy voting policies and procedures. Trusco will retain voting responsibilities for its mutual fund clients unless it specifically delegates proxy voting responsibility to a properly appointed subadvisor. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Due to its diversified client base, numerous product lines, independent board of directors, and affiliation with SunTrust Banks, Inc., and its affiliates, occasions may from time to time arise in which the Committee believes that a potential conflict exists in connection with a proxy vote based on the SEC guidelines. In such instances, the Committee will review the potential conflict to determine if it is material.Examples of material conflicts of interest that may arise include those where the shares to be voted involve: 1. Common stock of SunTrust Banks, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., and/or other public corporate issuers with which either Trusco or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates, may have a similar on-going non-investment management associated relationship. 2. An issuer with a director, officer or employee who presently serves as an independent director on the board of Trusco or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of its affiliates. 3. An issuer having substantial and numerous banking, investment or other financial relationships with Trusco, SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates. 4. A direct common stock ownership position of five percent (5%) or greater held individually by Trusco or in conjunction with SunTrust Banks, Inc. and/or its affiliates Although Trusco utilizes a pre-determined proxy voting policy, a conflict of interest could be deemed to be material. In this case, the Committee will determine the most fair and reasonable procedure to be followed in order to properly address all conflict concerns. The Committee may employ one or more of the options listed below: 1. Retain an independent fiduciary to vote the shares. 2. Send the proxy material to the client (in the case of mutual funds, the funds' shareholders) so he or she may vote the proxies. Although Trusco does its best to alleviate or diffuse known conflicts, there is no guarantee that all situations have been or will be mitigated through proxy policy incorporation. SECURITIES LENDING PROGRAM Trusco also manages assets for several clients (including mutual funds, such as the STI Classic Funds) who engage in "security lending" programs. Security lending is where the clients or funds loan stock in their accounts or portfolio to various broker-dealers and collect interest based on the underlying value of the position. Consistent with SEC guidelines, the Committee will generally refrain from voting securities loaned out under this type of lending arrangement when the costs and lost revenue to the client or fund combined with the administrative effects of retrieving the securities outweigh the benefit of voting the proxy. In addition, the Committee must make a good-faith determination that the individual proxy ballot decisions would not materially impact the portfolio manager's desire to retain the position in the portfolio, and that the entire position of loaned shares' votes would not significantly affect the overall voting outcome. If any factor is determined to be material by the Committee, Trusco will initiate a total recall of the shares on loan to vote accordingly. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TRUSCO CLIENTS: Extended summaries of TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT. INC.'S U.S. DOMESTIC PROXY POLICY (an ERISA based policy), TAFT HARTLEY PROXY POLICY, and GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL PROXY POLICY and voting records are available to clients upon request. (Complete copies are quite voluminous but are also available.) For this information, or to obtain information about specific voting issues, please contact Trusco Capital Management, Inc, Attn: Proxy Voting Committee Administrator, 50 Hurt Plaza, 14th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, by telephone at 404.827.6177, or via e-mail at: PMP.operations@truscocapital.com. STI CLASSIC FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS: The above information as it relates to the STI Classic Funds is available to fund shareholders by contacting the STI Classic Funds by telephone at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5 or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. 02/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TAFT-HARTLEY PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES The Trasco Capital Management Taft-Hartley Voting Policy is based upon the AFL-CIO Proxy Voting Guidelines, which comply with all the fiduciary standards delineated by the U.S. Department of Labor. Taft-Hartley client accounts are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA sets forth the tenets under which pension fund assets must be managed and invested. Proxy voting rights have been declared by the Department of Labor to be valuable plan assets and therefore must be exercised in accordance with the fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence. The duty of loyalty requires that the voting fiduciary exercise proxy voting authority solely in the economic interest of participants and plan beneficiaries. The duty of prudence requires that decisions be made based on financial criteria and that a clear process exists for evaluating proxy issues. The Trusco Taft-Hartley voting policy was carefully crafted to meet those requirements by promoting long-term shareholder value, emphasizing the "economic best interests" of plan participants and beneficiaries. Trusco will assess the short-term and long-term impact of a vote and will promote a position that is consistent with the long-term economic best interests of plan members embodied in the principle of a "worker-owner view of value." Our guidelines address a broad range of issues, including election of directors, executive compensation, proxy contests, auditor ratification, and tender offer defenses - all significant voting items that affect long-term shareholder value. In addition, these guidelines delve deeper into workplace issues that may have an impact on corporate performance, including: - Corporate policies that affect job security and wage levels; - Corporate policies that affect local economic development and stability; - Corporate responsibility to employees and communities; and - Workplace safety and health issues. All votes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and no issues will be considered strictly routine. Each issue will be considered in the context of the company under review. In other words, proxy voting guidelines are just that - guidelines. When company-specific factors are taken into account, every proxy voting decision becomes a case-by-case decision. Keeping in mind the concept that no issue is considered "routine", outlined in the following pages are general voting parameters for various types of proxy voting issues (when there are no company-specific reasons for voting to the contrary). I) BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROPOSALS Electing directors is the single most important stock ownership right that shareholders can exercise. The board of directors is responsible for holding management accountable to performance standards on behalf of the shareholders. Trusco holds directors to a high standard when voting on their election, qualifications, and compensation. Votes on entire board of directors take into account factors that include: - Company performance relative to its peers; - Lack of majority independent board; - Board diversity; - Executive compensation-related (excessive salaries/bonuses/pensions, stock option repricing, misallocation of corporate funds, etc.); - Failure of board to respond to majority shareholder votes. Votes on individual director nominees are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors that include: - Poor attendance; - Independence of the key board committees (audit, compensation, and nominating); - Performance of the key board committees; - Failure to establish key board committees; and - Interlocking directorships. CEO SERVING AS CHAIRMAN: a principal function of the board is to monitor management, and a fundamental responsibility of the chairman is to monitor the company's CEO. Generally vote FOR proposals recommending that the positions of chairman and CEO be combined. . Several considerations for a joint position include: - Designated lead director appointed from the ranks of the independent board members with clearly delineated duties - Majority of independent directors on board - Independent key committees - Committee chairpersons nominated by the independent directors - Established governance guidelines - Company performance and structure - Effectiveness of senior officers and board members. Generally vote AGAINST proposals recommending that the positions of chairman and CEO be separate and distinct positions held by 2 different individuals. Approximately 60 percent of companies in both the S&P 500 and Russell 3000 have joint chairman and CEO positions, and there is no absolute proof that separating the positions provides shareholders with more security in how the company is run. In addition, a jointly held Chair/CEO position represents: continuity; a true hands-on vision oriented dedication to moving the company forward; and provides shareholders with a more unified understanding of how the company will continue. INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS: Trusco believes that a board independent of management is of critical value to safeguard a company and its shareholders. Board independence helps ensure that directors carry out their duties in an objective manner and without manager interference to select, monitor, and compensate management. We will cast votes in a manner consistent with supporting and reinforcing this philosophy. Independence is evaluated upon factors including: past or current employment with the company or its subsidiaries; the provision of consulting services; familial relationships; board interlocks; and service with a non-profit that receives contributions from the company. We vote FOR proposals that request that the board and/or its audit, compensation, and nominating committees be comprised of a majority of independent directors. We WITHHOLD votes from entire boards that are not majority-independent. BOARD STRUCTURE: Trusco supports the principle that all directors should be accountable to shareholder vote on an annual basis. A classified board is a board divided into separate classes (typically three), with only one class of nominees coming up to vote at the annual meeting each year. As a result, shareholders are only able to vote a single director approximately once every three years. Good corporate governance practice supports annually elected boards. We vote FOR classified boards when the issue comes up for vote. CUMULATIVE VOTING: Under a cumulative voting scheme, shareholders are permitted to have one vote per share for each director to be elected and may apportion these votes among the director candidates in any manner they wish. This voting method allows minority shareholders to influence the outcome of director contests by "cumulating" their votes for one nominee, thereby creating a measure of independence from management control. Trusco votes FOR proposals to allow cumulative voting and votes AGAINST proposals to eliminate it. POISON PILLS: Shareholder rights plans, more commonly known as poison pills, are warrants issued to shareholders allowing them to purchase shares from the company at a price far below market value when a certain ownership threshold has been reached, thereby effectively preventing a takeover. Poison pills can entrench management and give the board veto power over takeover bids, thereby altering the balance of power between shareholders and management. While we evaluate poison pills on a case-by-case basis depending on a company's particular set of circumstances, Trusco generally votes FOR proposals to eliminate or redeem poison pills. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to submit a company's poison pill to shareholder vote. PROPOSALS ON BOARD INCLUSIVENESS: Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals asking a company to make efforts to seek more women and minority group members for service on the board. A more diverse group of directors benefits shareholders and the company. II) CAPITAL STRUCTURE INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK: corporations seek shareholder approval to increase their supply of common stock for a variety of business reasons. We vote FOR proposals to increase authorized common stock when management has provided a specific justification for the increase, evaluating proposals on a case-by-case basis. We believe that an increase of up to 50 percent is enough to allow a company to meet its capital needs. We vote AGAINST proposals to increase an authorization by more than 50 percent unless management provides compelling reasons for the increase. DUAL CLASS STRUCTURES: Trusco does not support dual share class structures. Incumbent management can use a dual class structure to gain unequal voting rights. A separate class of shares with superior voting rights can allow management to concentrate its power and insulate itself from the majority of its shareholders. An additional drawback is the added cost and complication of maintaining the two class system. We will vote FOR a one share, one vote capital structure, and we will vote AGAINST the creation or continuation of dual class structures. III) RATIFYING AUDITORS Ratifying auditors is no longer a routine procedure. Accounting scandals at companies such as Enron and WorldCom underscore the need to ensure auditor independence in the face of selling consulting services to audit clients. A study by Richard Frankel, Marilyn Johnson, and Karen Nelson found that the ratio of non-audit fees to total fees paid is negatively associated with stock market returns on the filing date, indicating that investors associate non-audit fees "with lower quality audits and, by implication, lower quality earnings." This study also found that companies that pay high non-audit fees are more likely to engage in earnings management. Auditors are the backbone upon which a company's financial health is measured, and auditor independence is essential for rendering objective opinions upon which investors then rely. When an auditor is paid more in consulting fees than for auditing, its relationship with the company is left open to conflicts of interest. Because accounting scandals evaporate shareholder value, any proposal to ratify auditors is examined for potential conflicts of interest, with particular attention to the fees paid to the auditor. We vote AGAINST ratification of a company's auditor if it receives more than one-quarter of its total fees for consulting. We support shareholder proposals to ensure auditor independence. IV) MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS, AND TRANSACTIONS Trusco votes for corporate transactions that take the high road to competitiveness and company growth. Trusco believes that structuring merging companies to build long-term relationships with a stable and quality work force and preserving good jobs creates long-term company value. We oppose corporate transactions which indiscriminately layoff workers and shed valuable competitive resources. Factors taken into account for mergers and acquisitions include: - Impact on shareholder value; - Potential synergies; - Corporate governance and shareholder rights; - Fairness opinion; - Offer price (cost vs. premium); and - Impact on community stakeholders and workforce employees. REINCORPORATION: Trusco reviews proposals to change a company's state of incorporation on a case-by-case basis. We vote FOR proposals to reincorporate in another state when the company has provided satisfactory business reasons and there is no significant reduction in shareholder rights. We vote AGAINST proposals to reincorporate that reduce shareholder rights. In cases of offshore reincorporations to tax havens, among other factors, we evaluate the effect upon any and all legal recourse of shareholders in a new jurisdiction, potential harm to company brands and image, and any actual, qualified economic benefit. V) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION STOCK OPTION PLANS: Trusco supports compensating executives at a reasonable rate and believes that executive compensation should be strongly correlated to performance. Stock option and other forms of compensation should be performance-based with an eye toward improving shareholder value. Well-designed stock option plans align the interests of executives and shareholders by providing that executives benefit when stock prices rise as the company -- and shareholders -- prosper together. Many plans sponsored by management provide goals so easily attained that executives can realize massive rewards even though shareholder value is not necessarily created. Stock options that are awarded selectively and excessively can dilute shareholders' share value and voting power. In general, Trusco supports plans that are offered at fair terms to executives who satisfy well-defined performance goals. We evaluate option plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors including: offer price, dilution to outstanding share value, dilution to share voting power, and the presence of any repricing provisions. We support plans that retain tax deductibility through the use of performance goals and oppose plans whose award size exceeds the tax deduction limit. Trusco votes FOR option plans that provide legitimately challenging performance targets that truly motivate executives in the pursuit of excellent performance. Likewise, we vote AGAINST plans that offer unreasonable benefits to executives that are not available to any other shareholders. STOCK OPTION EXPENSING: A recent long-term study of stock option awards found that there was no correlation whatsoever between executive stock ownership and company performance. Given stock option's accounting treatment of not being charged as an expense against earnings, options have provided the ultimate tax dodge for companies wishing to lavishly compensate employees. Misused stock options can give executives an incentive to inflate their company's earnings or make irresponsibly optimistic forecasts in order to cash in on options in hand. Trusco supports shareholder resolutions calling for stock option grants to be treated as an expense. PROPOSALS TO LIMIT EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR PAY: Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information (current SEC requirements only call for the disclosure of the top five most highly compensated executives and only if they earn more than $100,000 in salary and benefits). We vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek to eliminate outside directors' retirement benefits. We review on a case-by-case basis all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay. This includes shareholder proposals that seek to link executive compensation to customer, employee, or stakeholder satisfaction. GOLDEN PARACHUTES: golden parachutes are designed to protect the senior level employees of a corporation in the event of a change-in-control. Under most golden parachute agreements, senior level management employees receive a lump sum pay-out triggered by a change-in-control at usually two to three times base salary. These severance agreements grant extremely generous benefits to well-paid executives and most often offer no value to shareholders. Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals to have all golden parachute agreements submitted for shareholder ratification, and we generally vote AGAINST all proposals to ratify golden parachutes. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS (ESOPS): Trusco generally votes FOR ESOPs which allow a company's employees to acquire stock in the company at a slight discount. Such plans help link employees' self-interest to the interests of the shareholders, thereby benefiting the company, its customers, and shareholders and creating long-term company value. VI) SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Increasingly, shareholders are presenting proposals related to company environmental practices, workplace practices, social issues and sustainability goals. Trusco provides specific narrative explanations for votes on these types of shareholder proposals. Trusco evaluates shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are in the best economic interests of the plan participants and beneficiaries. Trusco clients select investment strategies and criteria for their portfolios. Trusco views its responsibility to protect plan beneficiary economic interests through the use of the proxy. To meet this obligation, Trusco votes consistent with the economic best interests of the participants and beneficiaries to create "high road" shareholder and economic value. In most cases, Trusco supports proposals that request management to report to shareholders information and practices that would help in evaluating the company's operations. In order to be able to intelligently monitor their investments, shareholders often need information best provided by the company itself. Trusco supports proposals that seek management compliance with shareholder interests to ensure that shareholders are fully informed about actions harmful to society with special attention to the company's legal and ethical obligations, impact on company profitability, and the potential negative publicity for disreputable practices. CERES PRINCIPLES: the CERES Principles, formulated by the Coalition of Environmentally Responsible Economies, require signing companies to address environmental issues, including protection of the biosphere, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction and disposal of wastes, energy conservation, and employee and community risk reduction. Evidence suggests that environmentally conscious companies may realize long-term savings by implementing programs to pollute less and conserve resources while realizing good public relations and new marketing opportunities. Moreover, the reports that are required of signing companies provide shareholders with more information concerning topics they may deem relevant to their company's financial well-being. Many companies have voluntarily adopted these principles and proven that environmental sensitivity makes good business sense. Trusco supports proposals that improve a company's public image, reduce exposure to liabilities, and establish standards so that environmentally responsible companies and markets are not at a competitive financial disadvantage. Trusco votes FOR the adoption of the CERES Principles and FOR reporting to shareholders on environmental issues. CORPORATE CONDUCT, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR CODES: Trusco generally supports proposals that call for the adoption and/or enforcement of clear principles or codes of conduct relating to countries in which there are systematic violations of human rights. These conditions include the use of slave, child, or prison labor, undemocratically elected governments, widespread reports by human rights advocates, fervent pro-democracy protests, and/or economic sanctions and boycotts. Many proposals refer to the seven core conventions, commonly referred to as the "Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights At Work," ratified by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The seven conventions fall under four broad categories: i) Right to organize and bargain collectively; ii) Nondiscrimination in employment; iii) Abolition of forced labor; and iv) End of child labor. Each of the 180 member nations of the ILO body are bound to respect and promote these rights to the best of their abilities. Trusco supports the principles and codes of conduct relating to company investment in countries with patterns of human rights abuses (Northern Ireland, Columbia, Burma, former Soviet Union, and China). Trusco votes FOR proposals to implement and report on ILO codes of conduct. 02/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GLOBAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES Following is a concise summary of general policies for voting global proxies. In addition, Trusco has country- and market-specific policies, which are not captured below. FINANCIAL RESULTS/DIRECTOR AND AUDITOR REPORTS Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless: - there are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or - the company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS AND AUDITOR COMPENSATION Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless: - there are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used; - the auditors are being changed without explanation; or - nonaudit-related fees are substantial or are routinely in excess of standard annual audit fees. Vote AGAINST the appointment of external auditors if they have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. ABSTAIN if a company changes its auditor and fails to provide shareholders with an explanation for the change. APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL STATUTORY AUDITORS Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless: - there are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used; - questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or - the auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. ALLOCATION OF INCOME Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless: - the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or - the payout is excessive given the company's financial position. STOCK (SCRIP) DIVIDEND ALTERNATIVE Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals. Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. CHANGE IN COMPANY FISCAL TERM Vote FOR resolutions to change a company's fiscal term unless a company's motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM. LOWER DISCLOSURE THRESHOLD FOR STOCK OWNERSHIP Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below five percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold. AMEND QUORUM REQUIREMENTS Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. TRANSACT OTHER BUSINESS Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item. DIRECTOR ELECTIONS Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless: - there are clear concerns about the past performance of the company or the board; or -the board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards. Vote FOR individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities. Vote AGAINST shareholder nominees unless they demonstrate a clear ability to contribute positively to board deliberations. Vote AGAINST individual directors if they cannot provide an explanation for repeated absences at board meetings (in countries where this information is disclosed) DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to nonexecutive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry. Vote nonexecutive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both nonexecutive and executive directors into a single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for nonexecutive directors. DISCHARGE OF BOARD AND MANAGEMENT Vote FOR discharge of the board and management, unless: - there are serious questions about actions of the board or management for the year in question; or - legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders. DIRECTOR, OFFICER, AND AUDITOR INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY PROVISIONS Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors. BOARD STRUCTURE Vote FOR proposals to fix board size. Vote FOR the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors. Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board. SHARE ISSUANCE REQUESTS GENERAL ISSUANCES: Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital. Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital. SPECIFIC ISSUANCES: Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights. INCREASES IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL Vote FOR nonspecific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding. Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless: - the specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet Trusco's guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or - the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances (and less than 25 percent for companies in Japan). Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations. REDUCTION OF CAPITAL Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders. Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BYCASE basis. CAPITAL STRUCTURES Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one share, one vote capital structure. Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual class capital structures or the creation of new or additional supervoting shares. PREFERRED STOCK Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders. Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets Trusco's guidelines on equity issuance requests. Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares. Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid. Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BYCASE basis. DEBT ISSUANCE REQUESTS Vote nonconvertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive rights. Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets Trusco's guidelines on equity issuance requests. Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders. PLEDGING OF ASSETS FOR DEBT Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. INCREASE IN BORROWING POWERS Vote proposals to approve increases in a company's borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. SHARE REPURCHASE PLANS: Vote FOR share repurchase plans, unless: - clear evidence of past abuse of the authority is available; or - the plan contains no safeguards against selective buybacks. REISSUANCE OF SHARES REPURCHASED: Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past. CAPITALIZATION OF RESERVES FOR BONUS ISSUES/INCREASE IN PAR VALUE: Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value. REORGANIZATIONS/RESTRUCTURINGS: Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Vote FOR mergers and acquisitions, unless: - the impact on earnings or voting rights for one class of shareholders is disproportionate to the relative contributions of the group; or - the company's structure following the acquisition or merger does not reflect good corporate governance. Vote AGAINST if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision. ABSTAIN if there is insufficient information available to make an informed voting decision. MANDATORY TAKEOVER BID WAIVERS: Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BYCASE basis. REINCORPORATION PROPOSALS: Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. EXPANSION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES: Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS: Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. COMPENSATION PLANS: Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. ANTITAKEOVER MECHANISMS: Vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS: Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote FOR proposals that would improve the company's corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost. Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the company's business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit. PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 1.0. Operational Items Adjourn Meeting To provide management with the authority to F adjourn an annual or special meeting. 1.1. Operational Items Amend Quorum Requirements To reduce quorum requirements for shareholder A meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding 1.2. Operational Items Amend Minor Bylaws To make housekeeping changes (updates or F corrections) to bylaw or charter 1.3. Operational Items Change Company Name To change the corporate name F 1.4. Operational Items Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting Management proposals to change the date/time/ F location of the annual meeting 1.5. Operational Items Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting Shareholder proposals To change the date/time/ A location of the annual meeting 1.6. Operational Items Auditors To ratify auditors F 1.7. Operational Items Auditors Shareholder proposals asking companies to A prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services 1.8. Operational Items Auditors Shareholder proposals to require audit firm A rotation 1.9. Operational Items Transact Other Business To approve other business when it appears as A voting item 2.0. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who are not described below F Elections 2.1. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have Implement or W Elections renewed a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill 2.2. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have ignored a W Elections shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years 2.3. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have failed to act on W Elections takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares 2.4. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who enacted egregious W Elections corporate governance policies or failed to replace management as appropriate 2.5. Board of Directors Age Limits To limit the tenure of outside directors A either through term limits or mandatory retirement ages. 2.6. Board of Directors Board Size To fix the board size or designate a range F for the board size 2.7. Board of Directors Board Size To give management the ability to alter the A size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval 2.8. Board of Directors Classification/ Declassification of the MANAGEMENT and shareholder proposals to F Board classify the board 2.9. Board of Directors Classification/ Declassification of the MANAGEMENT and shareholder proposals to repeal A Board classified boards and to elect all directors annually 2.10. Board of Directors Cumulative Voting To eliminate cumulative voting. F 2.11. Board of Directors Cumulative Voting To restore or permit cumulative voting A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 2.12. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and Proposals on director and officer C Liability Protection indemnification and liability protection not particularly described below. 2.13. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To eliminate entirely directors' and officers' A Liability Protection liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care. 2.14. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To expand coverage beyond just legal expenses A Liability Protection to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness 2.15. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To expand coverage in cases when a director's F Liability Protection or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) only if the director's legal expenses would be covered. 2.16. Board of Directors Establish/ Amend Nominee Qualifications To establish or amend director qualifications A 2.17. Board of Directors Establish/ Amend Nominee Qualifications Shareholder proposals requiring two candidates A per board seat 2.18. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To provide that directors may be removed only A for cause. 2.19. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To restore shareholder ability to remove F directors with or without cause. 2.20. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To provide that only continuing directors may A elect replacements to fill board vacancies. 2.21. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To permit shareholders to elect directors to F fill board vacancies. 2.22. Board of Directors Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO) To recommend that the positions of chairman F and CEO be combined. 2.23. Board of Directors Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO To recommend that the positions of chairman A and CEO be separate and distinct positions held by 2 different individuals. 2.24. Board of Directors Majority of Independent Directors/ Shareholder proposals to require that a F Establishment of Committees majority or more of directors be independent 2.25. Board of Directors Majority of Independent Directors/ Shareholder proposals asking that board audit, A Establishment of Committees compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors 2.26. Board of Directors Open Access Shareholder proposals asking for open access A 2.27. Board of Directors Stock Ownership Requirements Shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum A amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board 2.28. Board of Directors Stock Ownership Requirements Shareholder proposals asking that the company A adopt a holding or retention period for its executives (for holding stock after the vesting or exercise of equity awards)
2 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 2.29. Board of Directors Term Limits Shareholder or management proposals to limit the A tenure of outside directors 3.0. Proxy Contests Voting for Director Nominees in Votes in a contested election of directors C Contested Elections 3.1. Proxy Contests Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation To reimburse proxy solicitation expenses C Expenses 3.2. Proxy Contests Confidential Voting Shareholder proposals requesting that corporations A adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election 3.3. Proxy Contests Confidential Voting Management proposals to adopt confidential voting. A 4.0. Antitakeover Defenses and Advance Notice Requirements for Advance notice proposals F Voting Related Issues Shareholder Proposals/Nomi nations 4.1. Antitakeover Defenses and Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to F Voting Related Issues Consent amend the bylaws 4.2. Antitakeover Defenses and Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Proposals giving the board the ability to amend F Voting Related Issues Consent the bylaws in addition to shareholders 4.3. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit F Voting Related Issues its poison pill for shareholder ratification 4.4. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Shareholder proposals asking that any future pill F Voting Related Issues be put to a shareholder vote 4.5. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Management proposals to ratify a poison pill C Voting Related Issues 4.6. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Act by To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take A Voting Related Issues Written Consent action by written consent 4.7. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Act by To allow or make easier shareholder action by F Voting Related Issues Written Consent written consent 4.8. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Call To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to A Voting Related Issues Special Meetings call special meetings. 4.9. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Call To remove restrictions on the right of shareholders F Voting Related Issues Special Meetings to act independently of management. 4.1 Antitakeover Defenses and Supermajority Vote Requirements To require a supermajority shareholder vote. A Voting Related Issues
3 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 4.11. Antitakeover Defenses and Supermajority Vote Requirements To lower supermajority vote requirements. F Voting Related Issues 5.0. Mergers and Corporate Appraisal Rights To restore, or provide shareholders with, rights A Restructurings of appraisal. 5.1. Mergers and Corporate Asset Purchases On asset purchase proposals C Restructurings 5.2. Mergers and Corporate Asset Sales Asset sales C Restructurings 5.3. Mergers and Corporate Bundled Proposals Bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals C Restructurings 5.4. Mergers and Corporate Conversion of Securities Proposals regarding conversion of securities, C Restructurings absent penalties or likely bankruptcy. 5.5. Mergers and Corporate Conversion of Securities Proposals regarding conversion of securities, if F Restructurings it is expected that the company will be subject to onerous penalties or will be forced to file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved. 5.6. Mergers and Corporate Corporate Reorganization Proposals to increase common and/or preferred C Restructurings shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan, absent likely bankruptcy. 5.7. Mergers and Corporate Corporate Reorganization Proposals to increase common and/or preferred F Restructurings shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan where bankruptcy is likely if the transaction is not approved 5.8. Mergers and Corporate Formation of Holding Company To form a holding company C Restructurings 5.9. Mergers and Corporate Going Private Transactions (LBOs To make the company private rather than public C Restructurings and Minority Squeeze outs) 5.10. Mergers and Corporate Joint Ventures To form joint ventures C Restructurings 5.11. Mergers and Corporate Liquidations To liquidate when bankruptcy is not likely C Restructurings 5.12. Mergers and Corporate Liquidations To liquidate when bankruptcy is likely F Restructurings 5.13. Mergers and Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions/ Issuance To merge with or acquire another company C Restructurings of Shares to Facilitate Merger or Acquisition 5.14. Mergers and Corporate Private Placements/ Warrants/ To issue a private placement security when C Restructurings Convertible Debentures bankruptcy is not likely
4 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 5.15. Mergers and Corporate Private Placements/ Warrants/ To issue a private placement security when F Restructurings Convertible Debentures bankruptcy is not likely 5.16. Mergers and Corporate Spin-offs To spin off a unit or line of business C Restructurings 5.17. Mergers and Corporate Value Maximization Proposals To maximize shareholder value by hiring a financial C Restructurings advisor to explore strategic alternatives, selling the company or liquidating the company and distributing the proceeds to shareholders. 6.0. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To opt out of control share acquisition statutes F Provisions 6.1. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To amend the charter to include control share A Provisions acquisition provisions. 6.2. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To restore voting rights to the control shares. F Provisions 6.3. State of Incorporation Control Share Cash out Provisions To opt out of control share cash out statutes. F 6.4. State of Incorporation Disgorgement Provisions To opt out of state disgorgement provisions. F 6.5. State of Incorporation Fair Price Provisions To adopt fair price provisions C 6.6. State of Incorporation Fair Price Provisions To adopt fair price provisions with shareholder A vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares. 6.7. State of Incorporation Freeze Out proposals to opt out of state freeze out provisions F 6.8. State of Incorporation Greenmail To adopt anti greenmail charter of bylaw amendments F Or otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail payments. 6.9. State of Incorporation Greenmail To adopt anti greenmail proposals when they are C bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments. 6.10. State of Incorporation Reincorporation Proposals To change a company's state of incorporation C 6.11. State of Incorporation Stakeholder Provisions To consider non-shareholder constituencies or other A non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination. 6.12. State of Incorporation State Anti takeover Statutes To opt in or out of state takeover statutes C (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severane pay and labor contract provisions, anti greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions). 7.0. Capital Structure Adjustments to Par Value of Common Management proposals to reduce or eliminate the par F Stock value of common stock. 7.1. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To increase the number of shares of common stock C authorized for issuance 7.2. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To increase the number of authorized shares of the C class of stock that has superior voting rights. 7.3. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To approve increases beyond the allowable increase F 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 7.4. Capital Structure Dual-class Stock Proposals to create a new class of common stock A with superior voting riqhts
5 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 7.5. Capital Structure Dual-class Stock To create a new class of nonvoting or sub-voting common stock if: F - 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 7.6. Capital Structure Issue Stock for Use with Rights To increase authorized common stock for the A Plan explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill). 7.7. Capital Structure Preemptive Rights Shareholder proposals that seek preemptive C rights 7.8. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To authorizing the creation of new classes of A preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights ("blank check" preferred stock). 7.9. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To create "declawed" blank check preferred F stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). 7.10. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To authorize preferred stock in cases where the F company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable 7.11. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To increase the number of blank check preferred A stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose. 7.12. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To increase the number of blank check preferred F shares 7.13. Capital Structure Recapitalization Recapitalizations (reclassifications of C securities) 7.14. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits Management proposals to implement a reverse F stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced 7.15. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits Management proposals to implement a reverse F stock split to avoid delisting. 7.16. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits To implement a reverse stock split that do not C proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized 7.17. Capital Structure Share Repurchase Programs Management proposals to institute open-market F share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms 7.18. Capital Structure Stock Distributions: Splits and Management proposals to increase the common F Dividends share authorization for a stock split or share dividend, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in an excessive number of shares available for issuance 7.19. Capital Structure Tracking Stock To authorize the creation of tracking stock C 8.0. Executive and Director Executive Compensation To approve or disapprove executive C Compensation compensation plans 8.1. Executive and Director Executive Compensation To approve compensation plans that expressly A Compensation permit the re-pricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval. 8.2. Executive and Director Executive Compensation Plans in which the CEO participates if there A Compensation is a disconnect between the CEO's pay and company performance 8.3. Executive and Director Director Compensation Plans for directors C Compensation 8.4. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash For plans which provide participants with the C Compensation option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock 8.5. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash Plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash F Compensation for stock exchange 8.6. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash Plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar A Compensation cash for stock exchange
6 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 8.7. Executive and Director Director Retirement Plans Retirement plans for non-employee directors. A Compensation 8.8. Executive and Director Director Retirement Plans Shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement Compensation plans for non-employee directors F 8.9. Executive and Director Management Proposals Seeking On management proposals seeking approval to A Compensation Approval to Re-price Options re-price options 8.10. Executive and Director Voting on Compensation Shareholder proposals to submit executive A Compensation compensation to a vote. 8.11. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans not described C Compensation below 8.12. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans where all of F Compensation the following apply - Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value - Offering period is 27 months or less 8.13. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans where any of A Compensation the following apply - Purchase price is less than 85 percent of fair market value, or - Offering period is greater than 27 months 8.14. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Simply amend shareholder-approved compensation F Compensation Deductibility Proposals plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m). 8.15. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax To add performance goals to existing F Compensation Deductibility Proposals compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) 8.16. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Plans to increase shares reserved and to F Compensation Deductibility Proposals qualify for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) 8.17. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Cash or cash and stock bonus plans that are F Compensation Deductibility Proposals submitted to shareholders for the purpose of exempting compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) if no increase in shares is requested. 8.18. Executive and Director Employee Stock Ownership Plans To implement an ESOP or increase authorized F Compensation (ESOPs) shares for existing ESOPs, unless the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (more than five percent of outstanding shares.) 8.19. Executive and Director 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans To implement a 401 (k) savings plan for F Compensation employees. 8.20. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals seeking additional A Compensation Executive and Director Pay disclosure of executive and director pay information, 8.21. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute A Compensation Executive and Director Pay levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation. 8.22. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals requiring director fees A Compensation Executive and Director Pay be paid in stock only
7 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 8.23. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals to put option F Compensation Executive and Director Pay re-pricings to a shareholder vote 8.24. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding For all other shareholder proposals regarding C Compensation Executive and Director Pay executive and director pay 8.25. Executive and Director Option Expensing Shareholder proposals asking the company to A Compensation expense stock options 8.26. Executive and Director Performance-Based Stock Options Shareholder proposals advocating the use of A Compensation performance-based stock options (indexed, premium-priced, and performance-vested options). 8.27. Executive and Director Golden Parachutes and Executive Shareholder proposals to require golden A Compensation Severance Agreements parachutes or executive severance agreements to be submitted for shareholder ratification 8.28. Executive and Director Golden Parachutes and Executive Proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. C Compensation Severance Agreements 8.29. Executive and Director Pension Plan Income Accounting Shareholder proposals to exclude pension plan F Compensation income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation 8.30. Executive and Director Supplemental Executive Retirement Shareholder proposals requesting to put A Compensation Plans (SERPs) extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote 9.0. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To phase out the use of animals in product A Issues SAFETY: Animal Rights testing 9.1. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To implement price restraints on pharmaceutical A Issues SAFETY: Drug Pricing products 9.2. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To voluntarily label genetically engineered A Issues SAFETY: Genetically Modified (GE) ingredients in their products or Foods alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labelIng and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients. 9.3. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods A report on the feasibility of labeling products Issues containing GE ingredients A 9.4. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods A report on the financial, legal, and A Issues environmental impact of continued use of GE ingredients/seeds 9.5. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods Report on the health and environmental effects A Issues of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) 9.6. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods To completely phase out GE ingredients from A Issues the company's products or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company's products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE 9.7. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports on a company's policies aimed at A Issues SAFETY: Handguns curtailing gun violence in the United States
8 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 9.8. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports outlining the impact of the health A Issues SAFETY: HIV/AIDS pandemic (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) on the company's Sub-Saharan operations 9.9. Social and Environmental HIV/AIDS To establish, implement, and report on a A Issues standard of response to the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria health pandemic in Africa and other developing countries 9.10. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports on the company's procedures for A Issues SAFETY: Predatory Lending preventing predatory lending, including the establishment of a board committee for oversight, 9.11. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Proposals seeking stronger product warnings A Issues SAFETY: Tobacco 9.12. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals asking that the company's operating Issues facilities be smoke-free A 9.13. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals dealing with product placement in Issues stores or advertising to youth. A 9.14. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals asking the company to cease Issues production of tobacco-related products or cease selling products to tobacco companies. A 9.15. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals to spin-off tobacco-related A Issues businesses: 9.16. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals prohibiting investment in tobacco A Issues equities. 9.17. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Arctic Requests for reports outlining potential A Issues National Wildlife Refuge environmental damage from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 9.18. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: CERES Proposals to adopt the CERES Principles A Issues Principles 9.19. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Proposals requests reports assessing economic A Issues Environmental-Economic risks of environmental pollution or climate Risk Report change. 9.20. Social and Environmental Environmental Reports Proposals for reports disclosing the company's A Issues environmental policies. 9.21. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Global Proposals to make reports on the level of A Issues Warming greenhouse gas emissions from the company's operations and products. 9.22. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Recycling Proposals to adopt a comprehensive recycling A Issues strategy 9.23. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Renewable Proposals to invest in renewable energy A Issues Energy sources. 9.24. Social and Environmental Renewable Energy Requests for reports on the feasibility of A Issues developing renewable energy sources 9.25. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Proposals to make report on its policies and A Issues Sustainability Report practices related to social, environmental, and economic sustainability 9.26. Social and Environmental GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES: Proposals to affirm political nonpartisanship A Issues Charitable/ Political in the workplace Contributions 9.27. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to report or publish in newspapers A Issues Contributions the company's political contributions
9 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 9.28. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to prohibit the company from making A Issues Contributions political contributions 9.29. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to restrict the company from making A Issues Contributions charitable contributions 9.30. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to publish a list of company A Issues Contributions executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company 9.31. Social and Environmental GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES: Proposals to review ways of linking executive A Issues Link Executive Compensation compensation to social factors to Social Performance 9.32. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to implement the China Principles. A Issues RIGHTS: China Principles 9.33. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to make reports detailing the A Issues RIGHTS: Country -specific human company's operations in a particular country rights reports and steps to protect human rights 9.34. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to implement certain human rights A Issues RIGHTS: International Codes of standards at company facilities or those of its Conduct/Vendor Standards suppliers and to commit to outside, independent monitoring 9.35. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to endorse or increase activity on A Issues RIGHTS: MacBride Principles the MacBride Principles. 9.36. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Foreign Proposals to make reports on foreign military A Issues Military Sales/Offsets sales or offsets. 9.37. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Landmines Proposals asking the company to renounce future A Issues and Cluster Bombs involvement in antipersonnel landmine production 9.38. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Nuclear Proposals asking the company to cease A Issues Weapons production of nuclear weapons components and delivery systems, including disengaging from current and proposed contracts 9.39. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Operations Proposals asking the company to appoint a board A Issues in Nations Sponsoring Terrorism committee review and report outlining the (Iran) company's financial and reputational risks from its operations in Iran, 9.40. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Spaced-Based Proposals asking the company to make reports on A Issues Weaponization a company's involvement in spaced-based weaponization 9.41. Social and Environmental WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board Requests for reports on the company's efforts F Issues Diversity to diversify the board, 9.42. Social and Environmental WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board Proposals asking the company to increase the C Issues Diversity representation of women and minorities on the board
10 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 9.43. Social and WORKPLACE Proposals to increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs A Environmental DIVERSITY: Issues Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 9.44. Social and WORKPLACE To increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs and Glass Ceiling A Environmental DIVERSITY: proposals Issues Glass Ceiling 9.45. Social and WORKPLACE Proposals to amend a company's EEO statement in order to prohibit A Environmental DIVERSITY: discrimination based on sexual orientation Issues Sexual Orientation 9.46. Social and Sexual Proposals to extend company benefits to or eliminate benefits from A Environmental Orientation domestic partners Issues 10.0. Mutual Fund Election Director nominees who are not described below F Proxies of Directors 10.1. Mutual Fund Election Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the W Proxies of votes cast for two consecutive years Directors 10.2. Mutual Fund Convert Conversion Proposals C Proxies Closed- end Fund to Open-end Fund 10.3. Mutual Fund Proxy Contests Proxy Contests C Proxies 10.4. Mutual Fund Investment Investment Advisory Agreements F Proxies Advisory Agreements 10.5. Mutual Fund Approve New The establishment of new classes or series of shares. F Proxies Classes or Series of Shares 10.6. Mutual Fund Change Proposals to change a fund's fundamental restriction to a non C Proxies Fundamental fundamental restriction Restriction to Nonfundamental Restriction 10.7. Mutual Fund Change Proposals to change a fund's fundamental investment objective to a C Proxies Fundamental non fundamental investment objective Investment Objective to Nonfundamental 10.8. Mutual Fund Name Change Name change proposals. F Proxies Proposals 10.9. Mutual Fund Change in To change a fund's sub-classification F Proxies Fund's Sub classification 10.10 Mutual Fund Disposition of To dispose of assets, liquidate or terminate the fund F Proxies Assets/Terminate on/Liquidation 10.11 Mutual Fund Changes to To make changes to the charter document C Proxies the Charter Document 10.12 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal shareholder approval requirement to reorganize or terminate F Proxies the the trust or any of its series Charter Document 10.13 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement for amendments to the F Proxies the new declaration of trust Charter Document 10.14 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to amend the fund's F Proxies the management contract, allowing the contract to be modified by the Charter investment manager and the trust management, as permitted by the Document 1940 Act 10.15 Mutual Fund Changes to Allow the trustees to impose other fees in addition to sales charges on F Proxies the investment in a fund, such as deferred sales charges and redemption Charter fees that may be imposed upon redemption of a fund's shares Document 10.16 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to engage in and F Proxies the terminate Sub-advisory arrangements Charter Document 10.17 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile F Proxies the of the fund Charter Document
11 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 10.18 Mutual Fund Change the Fund's Reincorporation C Proxies Fund's Domicile 10.19 Mutual Fund Authorize Proposals authorizing the board to hire/terminate sub-advisors without F Proxies the shareholder approval. Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisors Without Shareholder Approval 10.20 Mutual Fund Distribution Distribution agreements F Proxies Agreements 10.21 Mutual Fund Master-Feeder Establishment of a master-feeder structure. F Proxies Structure 10.22 Mutual Fund Mergers Mergers and Acquisitions C Proxies 10.23 Mutual Fund Shareholder To mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must A Proxies Proposals own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board to Establish Director Ownership Requirement 10.24 Mutual Shareholder To reimburse proxy solicitation expenses C Fund Proposals Proxies to Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses 10.25 Mutual Shareholder To terminate the investment advisor C Fund Proposals Proxies to Terminate Investment Advisor
12 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION STI CLASSIC FUNDS OCTOBER 1, 2004 INVESTMENT ADVISER: TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. (THE "ADVISER") This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Classic Institutional Money Market and Bond Funds of the STI Classic Funds (the "Trust"). This SAI relates to the following series of the Trust (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"): CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL CASH MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL HIGH QUALITY BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND CLASSIC INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUPER SHORT INCOME PLUS FUND This SAI is incorporated by reference into, and should be read in conjunction with, the Funds' prospectuses dated October 1, 2004. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the prospectuses. A prospectus may be obtained by writing to the Trust or calling toll-free 1-800-428-6970. TABLE OF CONTENTS THE TRUST............................................................... 1 DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS.................................... 1 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.................................................. 24 THE ADVISER............................................................. 26 THE ADMINISTRATOR....................................................... 27 THE DISTRIBUTOR......................................................... 28 THE TRANSFER AGENT...................................................... 31 THE CUSTODIAN........................................................... 31 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM........................... 31 LEGAL COUNSEL........................................................... 31 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST...................................... 31 PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES......................................... 35 DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE........................................ 36 TAXES................................................................... 37 FUND TRANSACTIONS....................................................... 39 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE................................................. 45 DESCRIPTION OF SHARES................................................... 45 VOTING RIGHTS........................................................... 45 SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY................................................... 46 LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY....................................... 46 CODES OF ETHICS......................................................... 46 PROXY VOTING............................................................ 46 5% AND 25% SHAREHOLDERS ................................................ 47 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................... 49 APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS..................................... A-1 APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING SUMMARIES..................................... B-1
i THE TRUST Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company established under Massachusetts law as a Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration of Trust dated January 15, 1992. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") of units of beneficial interest ("shares") and different classes of shares of each Fund. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds and/or classes. This SAI relates to shares of the Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund, Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund, Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund, Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund and Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund, which are offered through three separate classes (Institutional Shares, L Shares and T Shares), shares of the Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund, which are offered through two separate classes (Corporate Trust Shares and Institutional Shares), and shares of the Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund and Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, which are offered through a single class (Institutional Shares). DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS The Funds' respective investment objectives and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectuses. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectuses. Following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices discussed in the Funds' "Investment Strategy" section and the associated risk factors. The Adviser will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with and permitted by the Funds' stated investment policies. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables and mortgage-like assets such as home equity loans or loans on manufactured housing. These securities may be traded over-the-counter and typically have a short-intermediate maturity structure depending on the pay-down characteristics of the underlying financial assets which are passed through to the security holder. These securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities may also be debt obligations, which are known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity, such as a trust, organized solely for the purpose of owning these assets and issuing debt obligations. Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and, for a certain period, by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities. The purchase of asset-backed securities raises risk considerations peculiar to the financing of the instruments underlying such securities. There is also the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those securities. Asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. In addition, credit card receivables are unsecured obligations of the card holder. BORROWING. As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), a Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of the Fund's assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund's borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition to the foregoing, the Funds are authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets. This borrowing is not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement. The Funds are authorized to pledge portfolio securities as the Adviser deems appropriate in connection with any borrowings. Borrowing may subject the Funds to interest costs, which may exceed the interest received on the securities purchased with the borrowed funds. The Funds may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. Borrowing can involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money. BRADY BONDS. A Brady Bond is a U.S. dollar denominated bond issued by an emerging market, particularly those in Latin America, and collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds, 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 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. CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. Certificates of deposit are interest bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid. COMMERCIAL PAPER. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days. CONVERTIBLE BONDS. Convertible bonds are bonds which may be converted, at the option of either the issuer or the holder, into a specified amount of common stock of the issuer, or in the case of exchangeable bonds, into the common stock of another corporation. Convertible bonds are generally subordinate to other publicly held debt of the issuer, and therefore typically have a lower credit rating than non-convertible debt of the issuer. Convertible bonds generally carry a lower coupon rate than the issuer would otherwise pay at issuance in exchange for the conversion feature. In addition to the interest rate risk factors generally associated with fixed income investments, the market risk of a convertible bond is determined by changes in the credit quality of the issuer and price changes and volatility of the stock into which the bond may be converted. The conversion feature may cause a convertible bond to be significantly more volatile than other types of fixed income investments. Convertible bonds for which the value of the conversion feature is deemed worthless are generally referred to as "busted" convertibles, and risk associated more closely approximates that of similar debt without the conversion feature. CUSTODIAL RECEIPTS. A custodial receipt represents an indirect interest in a tax-exempt bond that is deposited with a custodian. For example, custodial receipts may be used to permit the sale of the deposited bond in smaller denominations than would otherwise be permitted. Frequently, custodial receipts are issued to attach bond insurance or other forms of credit enhancement to the deposited tax- 2 exempt bond. Note, because a "separate security" is not created by the issuance of a receipt, many of the tax advantages bestowed upon holders of the deposited tax-exempt bond are also conferred upon the custodial receipt holder. DEBT SECURITIES. Debt securities (e.g., bonds, notes, debentures) represent money borrowed that obligates the issuer (e.g., a corporation, municipality, government, government agency) to repay the borrowed amount at maturity (when the obligation is due and payable) and usually to pay the holder interest at specific times. DOLLAR ROLLS. Dollar rolls are transactions in which securities are sold for delivery in the current month and the seller contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. Any difference between the sale price and the purchase price (plus interest earned on the cash proceeds of the sale) is applied against the past interest income on the securities sold to arrive at an implied borrowing rate. Dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and initially may involve only a firm commitment agreement by the Fund to buy a security. If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll and that the security the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held. To avoid any leveraging concerns, the Fund will maintain U.S. government or other liquid assets in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligation. EQUIPMENT TRUST CERTIFICATES ("ETCs"). ETCs are issued by a trust formed to finance large purchases of equipment, such as airplanes, at favorable interest rates. Legal title on such equipment is held by a trustee. The trustee leases the equipment and sells ETCs at a small discount to the purchase price of the equipment. The lease payments are then used to pay principal and interest to the ETC holders. EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS ("ETFs"). ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. A Fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying securities directly. (See also "Investment Company Shares" below). EURODOLLAR AND YANKEE DOLLAR OBLIGATIONS. Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued outside the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee dollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued in the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain to the domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk. Additionally, Yankee obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital from flowing across their borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization or foreign issuers. FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. Fixed income securities are debt obligations issued by corporations, municipalities and other borrowers. The market value of fixed income investments will change in 3 response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally decline. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Changes by recognized agencies in the rating of any fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal will also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect the Funds' net asset value. FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Floating rate instruments have a rate of interest that is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as LIBOR). Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated in the prospectus. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities may include U.S. dollar denominated obligations or securities of foreign issuers denominated in other currencies. Possible investments include obligations of foreign corporations and other entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including, without limitation, European Certificates of Deposit, European Time Deposits, European Bankers' Acceptances, Canadian Time Deposits, Europaper and Yankee Certificates of Deposit, and investments in Canadian Commercial Paper and foreign securities. These instruments have investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. These risks include future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. These investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. In making investment decisions for the Funds, the Adviser evaluates the risks associated with investing Fund assets in a particular country, including risks stemming from a country's financial infrastructure and settlement practices; the likelihood of expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of invested assets; prevailing or developing custodial practices in the country; the country's laws and regulations regarding the safekeeping, maintenance and recovery of invested assets, the likelihood of government-imposed exchange control restrictions which could impair the liquidity of Fund assets maintained with custodians in that country, as well as risks from political acts of foreign governments ("country risks"). Of course, the Adviser cannot assure that the Fund will not suffer losses resulting from investing in foreign countries. Holding Fund assets in foreign countries through specific foreign custodians presents additional risks, including but not limited to the risks that a particular foreign custodian or depository will not exercise proper care with respect to Fund assets or will not have the financial strength or adequate practices and procedures to properly safeguard Fund assets. 4 By investing in foreign securities, the Funds attempt to take advantage of differences between both economic trends and the performance of securities markets in the various countries, regions and geographic areas as prescribed by each Fund's investment objective and policies. During certain periods the investment return on securities in some or all countries may exceed the return on similar investments in the United States, while at other times the investment return may be less than that on similar U.S. securities. The international investments of a Fund may reduce the effect that events in any one country or geographic area will have on its investment holdings. Of course, negative movement by a Fund's investments in one foreign market represented in its portfolio may offset potential gains from the Fund's investments in another country's markets. Emerging countries are all countries that are considered to be developing or emerging countries by the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation, as well as countries classified by the United Nations or otherwise regarded by the international financial community as developing. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS. Forward foreign currency contracts involve obligations to purchase or sell a specific currency amount at a future date, agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may also enter into a contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other appropriate currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's securities denominated in the foreign currency. A Fund may realize a gain or loss from currency transactions. FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). A Fund may use futures contracts and related options for bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent a Fund uses futures and/or options on futures, it will do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"). The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, no Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to "cover" its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks. A long position is established when the Adviser purchases a stock outright and a short position is established when the Adviser sells a security that it has borrowed. To cover its position, a Fund may maintain with its custodian bank (and marked-to-market on a daily basis), a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise "cover" its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the 5 potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund's outstanding portfolio securities. Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the fund arising from such investment activities. A Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. A Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. A Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. A Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option. There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option, (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund's exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure. GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS (GICs). A GIC is a general obligation of the issuing insurance company and not a separate account. The purchase price paid for a GIC becomes part of the general assets of the issuer, and the contract is paid at maturity from the general assets of the issuer. Pursuant to such contracts, a Fund may make cash contributions to a deposit fund of the insurance company's general account. The insurance company then credits to the Fund on a monthly basis guaranteed interest at either a fixed, variable or floating rate. Generally, GICs are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance company. For this reason, an active secondary market in GICs does not currently exist and GICs are considered to be illiquid investments. HEDGING TECHNIQUES. Hedging is an investment strategy designed to offset investment risks. Hedging activities include, among other things, the use of options and futures. There are risks associated with hedging activities, including: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict 6 movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures and option on futures; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; and (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options. HIGH YIELD SECURITIES. High yield securities, commonly referred to as junk bonds, are debt obligations rated below investment grade, i.e., below BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or their unrated equivalents. The risks associated with investing in high yield securities include: (i) High yield, lower rated bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investments in investment grade securities (e.g., securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or higher by Moody's) due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. (ii) The market for high risk, high yield securities may be thinner and less active, causing market price volatility and limited liquidity in the secondary market. This may limit the ability of a Fund to sell these securities at their fair market values either to meet redemption requests, or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. (iii) Market prices for high risk, high yield securities may also be affected by investors' perception of the issuer's credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. Thus, prices for high risk, high yield securities may move independently of interest rates and the overall bond market. (iv) The market for high risk, high yield securities may be adversely affected by legislative and regulatory developments. HIGH YIELD FOREIGN SOVEREIGN DEBT SECURITIES. Investing in fixed and floating rate high yield foreign sovereign debt securities will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in countries that issue the securities. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the obligor's balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its 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, which may further impair the obligor's ability or willingness to timely service its debts. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair 7 value prices, the Fund's illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security's fair value price may differ from the actual price which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a fund. Under the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund's investments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund's investments, the Adviser may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). A Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. INVESTMENT COMPANY SHARES. The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Funds. The Funds' purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Funds' expenses. Under applicable regulations, unless an exception is available, the Funds are prohibited from acquiring the securities of another investment company if, as a result of such acquisition: (1) the Funds own more than 3% of the total voting stock of the other company; (2) securities issued by any one investment company represent more than 5% of the Funds' total assets; or (3) securities (other than treasury stock) issued by all investment companies represent more than 10% of the total assets of the Funds. For hedging or other purposes, each Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as ETFs, are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company's shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things. Examples of ETFs include SPDRs(R), Select Sector SPDRs(R), DIAMONDS(SM), NASDAQ 100 Shares, and iShares. Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC to iShares and procedures approved by the Board, each Fund may invest in iShares ETFs in excess of the 5% and 10% limits described above, provided that the Fund has described ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. INVESTMENT GRADE OBLIGATIONS. Investment grade obligations are fixed income obligations rated by one or more of the rating agencies in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or Fitch, Inc., or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's or determined to be of equivalent quality by the Adviser). Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the lowest of four levels of investment grade obligations and are regarded as borderline between sound obligations and those in which the speculative element begins to predominate. Ratings assigned to fixed income securities represent only the opinion of the rating agency assigning the rating and are not dispositive of the credit risk associated with the purchase of a particular fixed income obligation. A Fund may hold unrated securities if the Adviser considers the risks involved in owning that security to be equivalent to the risks involved in holding an instrument grade security. Moreover, market risk also will affect the prices of even the highest rated fixed income obligation so that their prices may rise or fall even if the issuer's capacity to repay its obligation remains unchanged. 8 LEVERAGED BUYOUTS. The Fund may invest in leveraged buyout limited partnerships and funds that, in turn, invest in leveraged buyout transactions ("LBOs"). An LBO, generally, is an acquisition of an existing business by a newly formed corporation financed largely with debt assumed by such newly formed corporation to be later repaid with funds generated from the acquired company. Since most LBOs are by nature highly leveraged (typically with debt to equity ratios of approximately 9 to 1), equity investments in LBOs may appreciate substantially in value given only modest growth in the earnings or cash flow of the acquired business. Investments in LBO partnerships and funds, however, present a number of risks. Investments in LBO limited partnerships and funds will normally lack liquidity and may be subject to intense competition from other LBO limited partnerships and funds. Additionally, if the cash flow of the acquired company is insufficient to service the debt assumed in the LBO, the LBO limited partnership or fund could lose all or part of its investment in such acquired company. LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. Loan participations are interests in loans to U.S. corporations which are administered by the lending bank or agent for a syndicate of lending banks. In a loan participation, the borrower corporation is the issuer of the participation interest except to the extent the Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank. Because the intermediary bank does not guarantee a loan participation, a loan participation is subject to the credit risks associated with the underlying corporate borrower. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the intermediary bank. In addition, in the event the underlying corporate borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the 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 borrower. Under the terms of a Loan Participation, the Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the intermediary bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the intermediary bank may become insolvent. The secondary market for loan participations is limited and any such participation purchased by the Fund may be regarded as illiquid. MEDIUM-TERM NOTES. Medium-term notes are periodically or continuously offered corporate or agency debt that differs from traditionally underwritten corporate bonds only in the process by which they are issued. MONEY MARKET SECURITIES. Money market securities include short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization ("NRSRO"), such as S&P or Moody's, or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described herein. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") are securities which represent ownership interests in, or are debt obligations secured entirely or primarily by, "pools" of residential or commercial mortgage loans or other asset-backed securities (the "Underlying Assets"). Such securities may be issued by such entities as Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), commercial banks, savings and loan 9 associations, mortgage banks, or by issuers that are affiliates of or sponsored by such entities. Obligations of GNMA are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Obligations of Fannie Mae and FHLMC are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, but are considered to be of high quality since they are considered to be instrumentalities of the United States. Each Fund will not purchase mortgage-backed securities that do not meet the above minimum credit standards. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing ownership interests in the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans are distributed monthly to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing debt obligations secured by the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on such mortgage-backed securities. Certain mortgage-backed securities represent an undivided fractional interest in the entirety of the Underlying Assets (or in a substantial portion of the Underlying Assets, with additional interests junior to that of the mortgage-backed security), and thus have payment terms that closely resemble the payment terms of the Underlying Assets. In addition, many mortgage-backed securities are issued in multiple classes. Each class of such multiclass mortgage-backed securities, often referred to as a "tranche", is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayment on the Underlying Assets may cause the MBSs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all or most classes of the MBSs on a periodic basis, typically monthly or quarterly. The principal of and interest on the Underlying Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a MBS in many different ways. In a relatively common structure, payments of principal (including any principal prepayments) on the Underlying Assets are applied to the classes of a series of a MBS in the order of their respective stated maturities so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of MBSs until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity have been paid in full. An important feature of mortgage-backed securities is that the principal amount is generally subject to partial or total prepayment at any time because the Underlying Assets (i.e., loans) generally may be prepaid at any time. Private pass-through securities are mortgage-backed securities issued by a non-governmental agency, such as a trust. While they are generally structured with one or more types of credit enhancement, private pass-through securities generally lack a guarantee by an entity having the credit status of a governmental agency or instrumentality. The two principal types of private mortgage-backed securities are collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs"). CMOs are collateralized mortgage obligations which are collateralized by mortgage pass-through securities. Cash flows from the mortgage pass-through securities are allocated to various tranches (a "tranche" is essentially a separate security) in a predetermined, specified order. Each tranche has a stated maturity - the latest date by which the tranche can be completely repaid, assuming no prepayments - and has an average life - the average of the time to receipt of a principal payment weighted by the size of the principal payment. The average life is typically used as a proxy for maturity because the debt is amortized (repaid a portion at a time), rather than being paid off entirely at maturity, as would be the case in a straight debt instrument. Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported by various types of insurance, and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-throughs issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed. 10 REMICs are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities and are rated in one of the two highest categories by S&P or Moody's. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are known as "regular" interests, or "residual" interests. Guaranteed REMIC pass-through certificates ("REMIC Certificates") issued by Fannie Mae or FHLMC represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, FHLMC or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates. For FHLMC REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest. GNMA REMIC Certificates are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are securities that are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The holder of the "principal only" security ("PO") receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the "interest only" security ("IO") receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect. MUNICIPAL FORWARDS. Municipal forwards are forward commitments for the purchase of tax-exempt bonds with a specified coupon to be delivered by an issuer at a future date, typically exceeding 45 days but normally less than one year after the commitment date. Municipal forwards are normally used as a refunding mechanism for bonds that may only be redeemed on a designated future date (see "When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitment Securities" for more information). MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Municipal lease obligations are securities issued by state and local governments and authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a conditional sales contract, or a participation interest in any of the above. MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility (for example, tolls from a bridge). Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development bonds generally is totally dependent on the ability of a facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property as security for the payment. Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. A Fund's investments in any of the notes described above will be limited to those obligations (i) where both principal and interest are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, (ii) which are rated MIG-2 or V-MIG-2 at the time of investment by Moody's, (iii) which are rated SP-2 at the time of investment by S&P, or (iv) which, if not rated by S&P or Moody's, are in the Adviser's judgment, of at least comparable quality to MIG-2, VMIG-2 or SP-2. 11 Municipal bonds must be rated at least BBB or better by S&P or at least Baa or better by Moody's at the time of purchase for the Tax-Exempt Bond Funds or in one of the two highest short-term rating categories by S&P or Moody's for the Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund or, if not rated by S&P or Moody's, must be deemed by the Adviser to have essentially the same characteristics and quality as bonds having the above ratings. A Fund may purchase industrial development and pollution control bonds if the interest paid is exempt from federal income tax. These bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. Private activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of states, or political subdivisions thereof, to finance privately owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control, and to finance activities of and facilities for charitable institutions. Private activity bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports parking and low-income housing. The payment of the principal and interest on private activity bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and may be secured by a pledge of real and personal property so financed. Investments in floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that the Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Adviser may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser has the authority to purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when they can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer, or a third party (the "writer") at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a "standby commitment" or a "put." The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity in order to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The right to put the securities depends on the writer's ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. The Funds will limit their put transactions to those with institutions which the Adviser believes present minimum credit risks, and the Adviser will use its best efforts to initially determine and thereafter monitor the financial strength of the put providers by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however, be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers where adequate current financial information is not available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, the affected Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between a Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities in certain circumstances (for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying municipal securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer's credit); or a provision in the contract may provide that the put will not be exercised except in 12 certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. A Fund could, however, sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security. Municipal securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, a Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to a Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that the Funds may purchase subject to a put. For the purpose of determining the "maturity" of securities purchased subject to an option to put, and for the purpose of determining the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Funds including such securities, the Trust will consider "maturity" to be the first date on which it has the right to demand payment from the writer of the put although the final maturity of the security is later than such date. Other types of tax-exempt instruments which are permissible investments include floating rate notes. Investments in such floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that the Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Adviser's opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Adviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Funds may also purchase participation interests in municipal securities (such as industrial development bonds and municipal lease/purchase agreements). A participation interest gives a Fund an undivided interest in the underlying municipal security. If it is unrated, the participation interest will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a credit-worthy financial institution or the payment obligations otherwise will be collateralized by U.S. government securities. Participation interests may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and may include a demand feature. A participation interest without a demand feature or with a demand feature exceeding seven days may be deemed to be an illiquid security subject to a Fund's investment limitations restricting its purchases of illiquid securities. A Fund may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. Opinions relating to the validity of municipal securities and to the exemption of interest thereon from federal income tax are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuers at the time of issuance. Neither the Funds nor the Adviser will review the proceedings relating to the issuance of municipal securities or the basis for such opinions. NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES; RULE 144A SECURITIES. The Funds may purchase securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), but that can be sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act ("Rule 144A Securities"). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund's limitation on the purchase of illiquid securities (usually 15% of a fund's net assets, 10% for the money market funds), unless the Fund's governing Board of Trustees determines on an ongoing basis that an adequate trading market exists for the security. In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board of Trustees will also consider factors such as trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This 13 investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Adviser the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A Securities, although the Board of Trustees will retain ultimate responsibility for any determination regarding liquidity. Non-publicly traded securities (including Rule 144A Securities) may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. These securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities, and the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly traded. The Fund's investments in illiquid securities are subject to the risk that should the Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets could be adversely affected. OBLIGATIONS OF DOMESTIC BANKS, FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS. A Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. The Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks only when the Adviser believes that the risks associated with such investment are minimal and that all applicable quality standards have been satisfied. Bank obligations include the following: - BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. Bankers' acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers' acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less. - CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid. - TIME DEPOSITS. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities. The Funds will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser or its affiliates. OPTIONS. A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on securities or securities indices (traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter markets) and enter into related closing transactions. A put option 14 on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities. The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an "opening transaction." In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a "closing transaction," which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise. A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options ("OTC options") differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC's position that OTC options are generally illiquid. The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date. A Fund must cover all options it writes. For example, when a Fund writes an option on a security, index or foreign currency, it will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund's custodian in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain such coverage while the option is open. A Fund may otherwise cover the transaction by means of an offsetting transaction or other means permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. Each Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices or currencies, as the investment adviser or sub-adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund's investment objective. For example, a Fund may purchase put and call options on securities or indices to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. A Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund. In another instance, a Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would 15 make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities. There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the movement in prices of options held by the Fund and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security. OTHER INVESTMENTS. The Funds are not prohibited from investing in bank obligations issued by clients of BISYS Group, Inc., the parent company of the Funds' administrator and distributor. The purchase of Fund shares by these banks or their customers will not be a consideration in deciding which bank obligations the Funds will purchase. The Funds will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser. PARALLEL PAY SECURITIES; PAC BONDS. Parallel pay CMOs and REMICs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date, but may be retired earlier. Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds") generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds are always parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes. PAY-IN-KIND SECURITIES. Pay-In-Kind securities are debt obligations or preferred stock that pay interest or dividends in the form of additional debt obligations or preferred stock. PREFERRED STOCK. Preferred stock is a corporate equity security that pays a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred stock is generally a non-voting security. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. A REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things: invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs), cash and government securities; derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property; and distribute annually 95% or more of its otherwise taxable income to shareholders. REITs are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings; a Mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans. REITs in which a Fund invests may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which a Fund invests may concentrate investments 16 in particular geographic regions or property types. Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of the Fund's investments to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such Mortgage REITs. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent. Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders. In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. REAL ESTATE SECURITIES. A Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate because of its policy of concentration in the securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry. For example, real estate values may fluctuate as a result of general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, demographic trends and variations in rental income, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, related party risks, changes in how appealing properties are to tenants, changes in interest rates and other real estate capital market influences. The value of securities of companies, which service the real estate business sector, may also be affected by such risks. Because a Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs, a Fund may also be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Changes in prevailing interest rates may inversely affect the value of the debt securities in which a Fund will invest. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect a Fund's net asset value. Generally, increases in 17 interest rates will increase the costs of obtaining financing which could directly and indirectly decrease the value of a Fund's investments. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. The Funds each follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of each Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of each of the Funds, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund's total assets. The investments of each of the Funds in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant. RESTRAINTS ON INVESTMENTS BY MONEY MARKET FUNDS. Investments by a money market fund are subject to limitations imposed under regulations adopted by the SEC. Under these regulations, money market funds may acquire only obligations that present minimal credit risk and that are "eligible securities," which means they are (i) rated, at the time of investment, by at least two NRSROs (one if it is the only organization rating such obligation) in the highest rating category or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality (a "first tier security"), or (ii) rated according to the foregoing criteria in the second highest rating category or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality ("second tier security"). In the case of taxable money market funds, investments in second tier securities are subject to further constraints in that (i) no more than 5% of a money market fund's assets may be invested in second tier securities and (ii) any investment in securities of any one such issuer is limited to the greater of 1% of the money market fund's total assets or $1 million. A taxable money market fund may not purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies of instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund would be invested the securities of one issuer. A taxable money market fund may also hold more than 5% of its assets in first tier securities of a single issuer for three "business days" (that is, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or customary business holiday). SECURITIES LENDING. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Fund's Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). No Fund will lend portfolio securities to its investment adviser, sub-adviser or their affiliates unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. A Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third party for acting as the Fund's securities lending agent. By lending its securities, a Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either 18 investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. Each Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund's administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. Any securities lending activity in which a Fund may engage will be undertaken pursuant to Board approved procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund's ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities. SHORT SALES. As consistent with each Fund's investment objective, a Fund may engage in short sales that are either "uncovered" or "against the box." A short sale is "against the box" if at all times during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale "against-the-box" is a taxable transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short. Uncovered short sales are transactions under which a Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short, or (b) otherwise cover the Fund's short positions. SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS. Short-term obligations are debt obligations maturing (becoming payable) in 397 days or less, including commercial paper and short-term corporate obligations. Short-term corporate obligations are short-term obligations issued by corporations. STANDBY COMMITMENTS AND PUTS. A Money Market Fund may purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield-to-maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when it can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer, or a third party (the writer) at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a 19 right is generally denoted as a "standby commitment" or a "put." The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit the Fund to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The Fund reserves the right to engage in put transactions. The right to put the securities depends on the writer's ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. The Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund would limit its put transactions to institutions which the Adviser believes present minimal credit risks, and the Adviser would use its best efforts to initially determine and continue to monitor the financial strength of the sellers of the options by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers because adequate current financial information may not be available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, the Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on a parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between the Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities; for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer's credit or a provision in the contract that the put will not be exercised except in certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. The Fund could, however, at any time sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security. The securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Therefore, the put would have value only to the Fund. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, the Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to the Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that the Fund may purchase subject to a standby commitment or put, but the amount paid directly or indirectly for all standby commitments or puts which are not integral parts of the security as originally issued held in the Fund will not exceed one-half of 1% of the value of the total assets of such Fund calculated immediately after any such put is acquired. STRIPS. Separately Traded Interest and Principal Securities ("STRIPS") are component parts of U.S. Treasury securities traded through the federal book-entry system. An Adviser will only purchase STRIPS that it determines are liquid or, if illiquid, do not violate the affected Fund's investment policy concerning investments in illiquid securities. Consistent with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Adviser will only purchase STRIPS for money market funds that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less; therefore, the money market funds currently may only purchase interest component parts of U.S. Treasury securities. While there is no limitation on the percentage of a Fund's assets that may be comprised of STRIPS, the Adviser will monitor the level of such holdings to avoid the risk of impairing shareholders' redemption rights and of deviations in the value of shares of the money market funds. STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS. Structured Investments are derivatives in the form of a unit or units representing an undivided interest(s) in assets held in a trust that is not an investment company as defined in the 1940 Act. A trust unit pays a return based on the total return of securities and other investments held by the trust and the trust may enter into one or more swaps to achieve its objective. For example, a trust may purchase a basket of securities and agree to exchange the return generated by those securities for the return generated by another basket or index of securities. The Fund will purchase structured investments in trusts that engage in such swaps only where the counterparties are approved by the Adviser in accordance with credit-risk guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. 20 STRUCTURED NOTES. Notes are derivatives where the amount of principal repayment and or interest payments is based upon the movement of one or more factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate and LIBOR) and stock indices such as the S&P 500(R) Index. In some cases, the impact of the movements of these factors may increase or decrease through the use of multipliers or deflators. The use of structured notes allows the Fund to tailor its investments to the specific risks and returns the Adviser wishes to accept while avoiding or reducing certain other risks. SUPRANATIONAL AGENCY OBLIGATIONS. Supranational agency obligations are obligations of supranational entities established through the joint participation of several governments, including the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (also known as the "World Bank"), African Development Bank, European Union, European Investment Bank, and the Nordic Investment Bank. SWAP AGREEMENTS. The Funds may enter into equity index or interest rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap," interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or "floor;" and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. A credit default swap is a specific kind of counterparty agreement designed to transfer the third party credit risk between parties. One party in the swap is a lender and faces credit risk from a third party and the counterparty in the credit default swap agrees to insure this risk in exchange for regular periodic payments (essentially an insurance premium). If the third party defaults, the party providing insurance will have to purchase from the insured party the defaulted asset. Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). A Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities" for purposes of a Fund's investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund's illiquid investment limitations. A Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Each Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is 21 otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement 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. Swap agreements typically are settled 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 a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, a Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by a Fund's custodian. In as much as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and their Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund's borrowing restrictions. 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 over-the-counter market. The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. TAXABLE MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Taxable municipal securities are municipal securities the interest on which is not exempt from federal income tax. Taxable municipal securities include "private activity bonds" that are issued by or on behalf of states or political subdivisions thereof to finance privately-owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control and to finance activities of and facilities for charitable institutions. Private activity bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking lots, and low income housing. The payment of the principal and interest on private activity bonds is not backed by a pledge of tax revenues, and is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations, and may be secured by a pledge of real and personal property so financed. Interest on these bonds may not be exempt from federal income tax. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES Certain investments of a Fund may include U.S. government agency securities. Examples of types of U.S. government obligations in which the Funds may invest include U.S. Treasury obligations and the obligations of U.S. government agencies such as Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import 22 Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, General Services Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Freddie Mac (formerly Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Maritime Administration, and other similar agencies. Whether backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or not, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to fluctuating interest rates. - U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and Treasury Receipts ("TRs"). - RECEIPTS. Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities. - TREASURY INFLATION PROTECTED NOTES ("TIPS"). TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds. - ZERO COUPON OBLIGATIONS. Zero coupon obligations are debt obligations that do not bear any interest, but instead are issued at a deep discount from face value or par. The value of a zero coupon obligation increases over time to reflect the interest accumulated. These obligations will not result in the payment of interest until maturity, and will have greater price volatility than similar securities that are issued at face value or par and pay interest periodically. - U.S. GOVERNMENT ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities. See "Mortgage-Backed Securities." - U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. 23 Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of a Fund's shares. VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Certain of the obligations purchased by the Funds may carry variable or floating rates of interest, may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature and may include variable amount master demand notes. Such instruments bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly or some other reset period, and may have a floor or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such securities. VARIABLE RATE MASTER DEMAND NOTES. Variable rate master demand notes permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between a Fund, as lender, and a borrower. Such notes provide that the interest rate on the amount outstanding varies on a daily, weekly or monthly basis depending upon a stated short-term interest rate index. Both the lender and the borrower have the right to reduce the amount of outstanding indebtedness at any time. There is no secondary market for the notes and it is not generally contemplated that such instruments will be traded. The quality of the note or the underlying credit must, in the opinion of the Adviser, be equivalent to the ratings applicable to permitted investments for the particular Fund. The Adviser will monitor on an ongoing basis the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and will similarly monitor the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. Variable rate master demand notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit. WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENT SECURITIES. When-issued securities are securities that are delivered and paid for normally within 45 days after the date of commitment of purchase. Although a Fund will only make commitments to purchase when-issued and forward commitment securities with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, a Fund may sell them before the settlement date. When-issued securities are subject to market fluctuation, and accrue no interest to the purchaser during this pre-settlement period. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities are each fixed at the time the purchaser enters into the commitment. Purchasing when-issued and forward commitment securities entails leveraging and can involve a risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. In that case, there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. A Fund will maintain, on a daily basis, high-quality, liquid assets in an amount at least equal in value to its commitments to purchase when-issued and forward commitment securities. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Funds. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of each Fund's outstanding shares. The term "majority of the outstanding shares" means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is less. 24 No Fund may: 1. With respect to 75% of each Fund's total assets, invest more than 5% of the value of the total assets of a Fund in the securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements involving such securities, and securities issued by investment companies), or purchase the securities of any one issuer if such purchase would cause more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be held by a Fund. 2. Borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets, provided that, for the purposes of this limitation, investment strategies that either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or require a Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing. Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowing, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes (less than 60 days), and in an amount not exceeding 5% of its total assets. 3. Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the sale of portfolio securities. 4. Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC. 5. Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities and securities issued by investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry. 5.1 With respect to the money market funds, this limitation does not apply to obligations issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks subject to the same regulations as U.S. banks. 6. Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments either issued by companies that invest in real estate, backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business). 7. Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. 8. Make loans, except that a Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its portfolio securities. NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES The following investment policies are non-fundamental policies of the Funds and may be changed by the Funds' Board of Trustees: 25 1. Any change to a Fund's investment policy to invest at least 80% of such Fund's net assets in securities of companies in a specific sector is subject to 60 days prior notice to shareholders. 2. No Fund may purchase or hold illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of for their approximate carrying value in seven days or less (which term includes repurchase agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven days) if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets (10% for the Money Market Funds) would be invested in illiquid securities. With the exception of the limitations on liquidity standards, the foregoing percentages will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of a purchase of such security. THE ADVISER GENERAL. Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco" or the "Adviser") is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and continuously reviews, supervises and administers each Fund's respective investment program. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The principal business address of the Adviser is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. As of June 30, 2004, the Adviser had discretionary management authority with respect to approximately $66.7 billion of assets under management. ADVISORY AGREEMENTS WITH THE TRUST. The Advisory Agreements provide that the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder. The Advisory Agreements provide that if, for any fiscal year, the ratio of expenses of any Fund (including amounts payable to the Adviser but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) exceeds limitations established by certain states, the Adviser and/or the Administrator will bear the amount of such excess. The Adviser will not be required to bear expenses of the Trust to an extent, which would result in a Fund's inability to qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The continuance of the Advisory Agreements, after the first 2 years, must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreements or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreements will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and each is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to the Funds, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds, on not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90 days written notice to the Trust. ADVISORY FEES PAID TO THE ADVISER. For its services under the Advisory Agreements, the Adviser is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the specified annual rate of each Fund's average daily net assets:
FUND FEES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 0.20% Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 0.20%
26 Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 0.20% Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 0.50% Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 0.60% Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.50% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 0.45% Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 0.40%
For the period from commencement of operations to the fiscal periods ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Trust paid the following advisory fees:
FEES PAID ($) FEES WAIVED ($) --------------------------------- --------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 4,803,000 5,493,000 5,919,000 740,000 857,000 924,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 1,883,000 2,008,000 1,909,000 84,000 92,000 88,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 3,708,000 3,745,000 4,202,000 274,000 282,000 316,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 195,000 * * 57,000 * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 94,000 68,000 2,000 68,000 48,000 2,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 543,000 216,000 6,000 812,000 325,000 9,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 57,000 * * 29,000 * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 162,000 86,000 3,000 375,000 198,000 7,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not in operation during the period. THE ADMINISTRATOR GENERAL. BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (the "Administrator"), serves as administrator of the Trust and is an affiliate of BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership, the Trust's distributor. The Administrator, an Ohio corporation, has its principal business offices at 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Administrator and its affiliates provide administration and distribution services to other investment companies. MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUST. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into a master services agreement (the "Master Services Agreement") effective July 26, 2004. Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative services, including day-to-day administration of matters necessary to each Fund's operations, maintenance of records and the books of the Trust, preparation of reports, assistance with compliance monitoring of the Funds' activities, and certain supplemental services in connection with the Trust's obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Master Services Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of five years until July 31, 2009, and shall continue in effect for successive one year periods subject to review at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust unless terminated by either party on not less than 90 days written notice to the other party. ADMINISTRATION FEES PAID TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to receive an asset-based fee for administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services of 2.75 basis points (0.0275%) on the first $25 billion in aggregate net assets of all Funds, 27 2.25 basis points (0.0225%) on the next $5 billion in aggregate net assets of all Funds, and 1.75 basis points (0.0175%) on the aggregate net assets of all Funds over $30 billion, plus an additional class fee of $2,500 per class per annum, applicable to each additional class of shares over 145 classes of shares. For the period from commencement of operations to the fiscal periods ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following administration fees:
FEES PAID ($)* FEES WAIVED ($)* ------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 1,578,000 1,860,000 1,674,000 321,000 328,000 684,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 504,000 546,000 488,000 170,000 177,000 200,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 1,035,000 1,064,000 1,105,000 329,000 324,000 452,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 35,000 ** ** 0 ** ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 19,000 13,000 1,000 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 186,000 75,000 2,000 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 13,000 ** ** 0 ** ** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 92,000 49,000 2,000 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, administration fees were paid by the Funds pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Global Funds Services. ** Not in operation during the period. THE DISTRIBUTOR The Trust and BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership (the "Distributor") are parties to a distribution agreement dated July 26, 2004 (the "Distribution Agreement") whereby the Distributor acts as principal underwriter for the Trust's shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., which serves as the Trust's administrator and transfer agent. The principal business address of the Distributor is 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor must use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Trust. The Distributor receives compensation for distribution of L Shares of the Funds pursuant to a distribution and service plan (the "L Plan") as described below. In addition, the Distributor receives compensation for shareholder services provided to Corporate Trust Shares, Institutional Shares, and T Shares of the Funds pursuant to a shareholder service plan and agreement as described below. After the initial two year term, the continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Funds and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to any Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, upon not more than 60 days written notice by either party. 28 The Distributor and/or its affiliates, may finance from their own resources, certain activities intended to result in the distribution of the Trust's shares. The Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation to dealers in connection with sales of the Trust's shares. Such compensation may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising campaigns regarding one or more Funds of the Trust, and/or other dealer-sponsored special events. In some instances, to the extent permissible, this compensation may be made available only to certain dealers. Compensation may include payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by invited registered representatives to locations appropriate to the purpose of the meeting for meetings or seminars of a business nature. Dealers may not use sales of a Fund's Shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent such may be prohibited by the laws of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the NASD. None of the aforementioned compensation is paid for by any Fund or its shareholders. L SHARES DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN. The Distribution Agreement and the L Plan adopted by the Trust provide that L Shares of each applicable Fund will pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of that Fund. The Distributor can use these fees to compensate broker-dealers and service providers, including SunTrust and its affiliates, which provide administrative and/or distribution services to L Shares shareholders or their customers who beneficially own L Shares. In addition, L Shares are subject to a service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the L Shares of each Fund. This service fee will be used for services provided and expenses incurred in maintaining shareholder accounts, responding to shareholder inquiries and providing information on their investments. Services for which broker-dealers and service providers may be compensated include establishing and maintaining customer accounts and records; aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests from customers; placing net purchase and redemption orders with the Distributor; automatically investing customer account cash balances; providing periodic statements to customers; arranging for wires; answering customer inquiries concerning their investments; assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; performing sub-accounting functions; processing dividend payments from the Trust on behalf of customers; and forwarding shareholder communications from the Trust (such as proxies, shareholder reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices) to these customers with respect to investments in the Trust. Certain state securities laws may require those financial institutions providing such distribution services to register as dealers pursuant to state law. Although banking laws and regulations prohibit banks from distributing shares of open-end investment companies such as the Trust, according to an opinion issued to the staff of the SEC by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, financial institutions are not prohibited from acting in other capacities for investment companies, such as providing shareholder services. Should future legislative, judicial, or administrative action prohibit or restrict the activities of financial institutions in connection with providing shareholder services, the Trust may be required to alter materially or discontinue its arrangements with such financial institutions. The Trust has adopted the L Plan in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which rule regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the L Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. The L Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the L Plan, and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The L Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount which may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected class of shares of the Trust. All material amendments of the L Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the disinterested Trustees. 29 There is no sales charge on purchases of L Shares, but L Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if they are redeemed within one year of purchase. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and the L Plan, L Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and service fee calculated on each of the Funds' aggregate average daily net assets attributable to its L Shares. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004 and 2003, the Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund paid $95,000 and $3,000, respectively, pursuant to the L Plan. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLANS. The Trust has adopted shareholder service plans for the Corporate Trust Shares, the Institutional Shares, and the T Shares (collectively, the "Service Plan"). Under the Service Plan, a Fund will pay SunTrust Bank ("SunTrust") a fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Corporate Trust Shares or Institutional Shares or 0.40% of the average daily net assets attributable to the T Shares. SunTrust may perform, or may compensate other service providers for performing, the following shareholder services: maintaining client accounts; arranging for bank wires; responding to client inquiries concerning services provided on investments; assisting clients in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; sub-accounting; providing information on share positions to clients; forwarding shareholder communications to clients; processing purchase, exchange and redemption orders; and processing dividend payments. Under the Service Plan, the Distributor may retain as a profit any difference between the fee it receives and the amount it pays to third parties. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following amount pursuant to the Service Plan:
FEES - AMOUNT PAID ($) FEES - AMOUNT WAIVED ($) ------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund - Corporate Trust Shares 2,947,000 2,928,000 3,492,000 0 0 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 11,000 * * 20,000 * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund - T Shares 111,000 * * 41,000 * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 0 0 0 68,000 48,000 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund- Institutional Shares 0 0 0 360,000 230,000 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund- T Shares 254,000 33,000 * 63,000 8,000 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund - Institutional Shares 0 * * 16,000 * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund - T Shares 22,000 * * 17,000 * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund- Institutional Shares 0 0 0 224,000 174,000 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund- T Shares * * * * * * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not in operation during the period. 30 THE TRANSFER AGENT BISYS Funds Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219 serves as the Trust's transfer agent. THE CUSTODIAN SunTrust Bank, 303 Peachtree Street N.E., 14th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308 serves as the custodian for the Funds. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, served as independent registered public accountants for the Trust. LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES. The management and affairs of the Trust and each of the Funds are supervised by the Trustees under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each Trustee is responsible for overseeing each of the Trust's forty-six series, which includes series not described in this SAI. Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for each of the seven series of the STI Classic Variable Trust. The Trustees have approved contracts, as described above, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. Set forth below are the names, dates of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations for the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as Trustees of the Trust. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee is BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. THOMAS GALLAGHER (DOB 11/25/47) - Trustee - Mr. Gallagher has served since May 2000, and has no set term. He is President and CEO of Genuine Parts Company. His other directorships include: Director, Shepherd Center; Director, NAPA; Director, Genuine Parts Company; Director, Oxford Industries; Director, Stone Mountain Industrial Park; and Trustee, The Lovett School. F. WENDELL GOOCH (DOB 12/03/32) - Trustee - Mr. Gooch has served since May 1992, and has no set term. He is retired, and currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of the SEI Family of Funds and The Capitol Mutual Funds. JAMES O. ROBBINS (DOB 7/04/42) - Trustee - Mr. Robbins has served since May 2000, and has no set term. He has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cox Communications, Inc. since 1985. His other directorships include: Director, Cox Communications; Director, National Cable and Telecommunications Association; Director, Discovery Channel; Director, Cable Labs; Director, C-Span; and Trustee, St. Paul's Schools. JONATHAN T. WALTON (DOB 3/28/30) - Trustee - Mr. Walton has served since February 1998, and has no set term. He is retired, and currently serves as a Trustee of the W.K Kellogg Foundation. 31 RICHARD W. COURTS, II (DOB 1/18/36) - Trustee* - Mr. Courts has served since November 2001, and has no set term. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Investment Company. His other directorships include: Director, Cousins Properties, Inc.; Director, Genuine Parts Company; Director, Piedmont Hospital; Director, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta; Chairman, Courts Foundation; and Chairman, J. Bulow Campbell Foundation. CLARENCE H. RIDLEY (DOB 6/03/42) - Trustee* - Mr. Ridley has served since November 2001, and has no set term. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Haverty Furniture Companies. He was a partner at King and Spalding LLP (law firm) from 1977 to 2000. His other directorships include: Director, Crawford & Co.; Director, Pike's Family Nurseries, Inc.; Trustee, St. Joseph's Health System, Inc.; Director, High Museum of Atlanta. ---------------------------- * Messrs. Courts and Ridley each may be deemed an "interested person" of the Trust as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Courts may be deemed an interested Trustee because of his directorships with affiliates of the Adviser. Mr. Ridley may be deemed an interested Trustee because of a material business relationship with the parent of the Adviser. BOARD COMMITTEES. The Board has established the following committees: - AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Board's Audit Committee is composed of each of the independent Trustees of the Trust. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: recommending which firm to engage as the Trust's independent auditor and whether to terminate this relationship; reviewing the independent auditors' compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm's independence; pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided by the Trust's independent auditor to the Trust and certain other affiliated entities; serving as a channel of communication between the independent auditor and the Trustees; reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent auditors' opinion, any related management letter, management's responses to recommendations made by the independent auditors in connection with the audit, reports submitted to the Committee by the internal auditing department of the Trust's Administrator that are material to the Trust as a whole, if any, and management's responses to any such reports; reviewing the Trust's audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust's management and the independent auditor that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; considering, in consultation with the independent auditors and the Trust's senior internal accounting executive, if any, the independent auditors' report on the adequacy of the Trust's internal financial controls; reviewing, in consultation with the Trust's independent auditors, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing the Trust's financial statements; and other audit related matters. Messrs. Gallagher, Gooch, Robbins and Walton currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met two times in the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. - NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Board's Nominating Committee is composed of each of the independent Trustees of the Trust. The principal responsibility of the Nominating Committee is to consider, recommend and nominate candidates to fill vacancies on the Trust's Board, if any. The Nominating Committee does not have specific procedures in place to consider nominees recommended by shareholders, but would consider such nominees if submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. Messrs. Gallagher, Gooch, Robbins and Walton currently serve as members of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Gooch is Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met one time during the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. 32 - FAIR VALUE PRICING COMMITTEE. The Board has established the Trust's Fair Value Pricing Committee, which is composed of a Trustee, as a non-voting member, and various representatives of the Trust's service providers, as appointed by the Board. The Fair Value Pricing Committee operates under procedures approved by the Board. The principal responsibility of the Fair Value Pricing Committee is to determine the fair value of securities for which current market quotations are not readily available. The Fair Value Pricing Committee's determinations are reviewed by the Board. The Fair Value Pricing Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met 30 times in the most recently completed Trust fiscal year. BOARD CONSIDERATIONS IN APPROVING THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT. As discussed in the section of this SAI entitled "The Adviser," the Board continuance of the Advisory Agreements must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or "interested persons" of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each year, the Board of Trustees calls and holds a meeting to decide whether to renew the Trust's Advisory Agreements for the upcoming year. In preparation for the meeting, the Board requests and reviews a wide variety of information from the Adviser. The Trustees use this information, as well as other information that the Adviser and other Fund service providers may submit to the Board, to help them decide whether to renew the Advisory Agreements for another year. Before this year's meeting, the Board requested and received written materials from the Adviser about: (a) the quality of the Adviser's investment management and other services; (b) the Adviser's investment management personnel; (c) the Adviser's operations and financial condition; (d) the Adviser's brokerage practices (including any soft dollar arrangements) and investment strategies; (e) the level of the advisory fees that the Adviser charges the Fund compared with the fees it charges to comparable mutual funds or accounts(if any); (f) the Fund's overall fees and operating expenses compared with similar mutual funds; (g) the level of the Adviser's profitability from its Fund-related operations; (h) the Adviser's compliance systems; (i) the Adviser's policies on and compliance procedures for personal securities transactions; (j) the Adviser's reputation, expertise and resources in domestic financial markets; and (k) the Fund's performance compared with similar mutual funds. At the meeting, representatives from the Adviser presented additional oral and written information to the Board to help the Board evaluate the Adviser's fee and other aspects of the Agreement. Other Fund service providers also provided the Board with additional information at the meeting. The Trustees then discussed the written materials that the Board received before the meeting and the Adviser's oral presentation and any other information that the Board received at the meeting, and deliberated on the renewal of the Advisory Agreements in light of this information. In its deliberations, the Board did not identify any single piece of information that was all-important, controlling or determinative of its decision. Based on the Board's deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board, including all of the independent Trustees, unanimously: (a) concluded that terms of the Agreements are fair and reasonable; (b) concluded that the Adviser's fees are reasonable in light of the services that the Adviser provides to the Trust; and (c) agreed to renew the Agreements for another year. FUND SHARES OWNED BY BOARD MEMBERS. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee's "beneficial ownership" of shares of each of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. "Beneficial ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Trustees and officers of the Trust own less than 1 % of the outstanding shares of the Trust. 33
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SHARES IN ALL INVESTMENT COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF NAME OF TRUSTEE DOLLAR RANGE OF FUND SHARES* INVESTMENT COMPANIES* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard W. Courts, II None None --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Gallagher None $10,001-$50,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Wendell Gooch None $50,001-$100,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clarence H. Ridley None None --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James O. Robbins None None --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan T. Walton None $50,001-$100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Valuation date is December 31, 2003. BOARD COMPENSATION. The Trust paid the following fees to the Trustees during its most recently completed fiscal year:
PENSION OR ESTIMATED RETIREMENT BENEFITS ANNUAL BENEFIT TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM AGGREGATE ACCRUED AS PART OF UPON THE TRUST AND FUND NAME OF TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FUND EXPENSES RETIREMENT COMPLEX* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Richard W. Courts, II $38,500 N/A N/A $42,000 for services on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thomas Gallagher $46,000 N/A N/A $50,500 for services on two boards ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Wendell Gooch $38,500 N/A N/A $42,000 for services on two boards ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clarence H. Ridley $40,000 N/A N/A $43,500 for services on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ James O. Robbins $38,500 N/A N/A $42,000 for services on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jonathan T. Walton $40,000 N/A N/A $43,500 for services on two boards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The "Fund Complex" consists of the Trust and the STI Classic Variable Trust. TRUST OFFICERS. The executive officers of the Trust, their respective dates of birth, and their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each executive officer is BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The officers of the Trust may also serve as officers to one or more mutual funds for which BISYS Fund Services or its affiliates act as administrator, distributor or transfer agent. None of the officers receive compensation from the Trust for their services. R. JEFFREY YOUNG (DOB 08/22/64) - President - Senior Vice President, Relationship Management, BISYS Fund Services since April 2002. Vice President, Client Services, BISYS Fund Services from May 1997 to April 2002. BRYAN C. HAFT (DOB 01/23/65) - Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer - Vice President, Financial Administration, BISYS Fund Services since July 2000. Director, Administration Services, BISYS Fund Services from May 1998 to July 2000. 34 DEBORAH A. LAMB (10/02/52) - Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer - 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 - Chief Compliance Officer and Managing Director of Trusco Capital Management, Inc. since March 2003 and President of Investment Industry Consultants, LLC since June 2000. Director of Compliance at INVESCO, Inc. from March 1995 to June 2000. KATHLEEN LENTZ (04/09/60) - Vice President and Assistant Secretary - 303 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite 340, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 - Vice President and Manager of Special Entities in Financial Intelligence Unit of SunTrust Bank since 2002. Vice President of the Third Party Mutual Funds Unit of SunTrust Bank from 1996 to 2002. ALAINA V. METZ (DOB 04/07/67) - Assistant Secretary - Vice President, Blue Sky Compliance, BISYS Fund Services since January 2002. Chief Administrative Officer, Blue Sky Compliance at BISYS Fund Services from June 1995 to January 2002. JULIE M. POWERS (DOB 10/08/67) - Assistant Secretary - Senior Paralegal, Legal Services, BISYS Fund Services since June 2000. Paralegal of Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber LLP from March 1998 to June 2000. TRACI THELEN (DOB 02/14/73) - Secretary - Counsel, Legal Services, BISYS Fund Services since July 2004. General Counsel of ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc., from May 2002 to July 2004, after serving as Associate Counsel from October 1999 to May 2002. PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Funds may be made on any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. Shares of each Fund are offered and redeemed on a continuous basis. Currently, the NYSE is closed on the days the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. While the Trust does not accept cash as payment for Fund shares, it is currently the Trust's policy to pay for all redemptions in cash. The Trust retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of readily marketable securities held by the Funds in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges on the sale of any such securities so received in payment of redemptions. A shareholder will at all times be entitled to aggregate cash redemptions from all Funds of the Trust up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Trust's net assets during any 90-day period. The Trust has obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Trust to make in-kind redemptions to those shareholders of the Trust that are affiliated with the Trust solely by their ownership of a certain percentage of the Trust's investment portfolios. The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period on which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during the existence of an emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of disposal or valuation of a Fund's securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC has by order permitted. The Trust also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of a Fund for any period during which the NYSE, the Adviser, the Administrator and/or the Custodian are not open for business. The Trust reserves the right to waive any minimum investment requirements or sales charges for immediate family members of the Trustees or officers of the Trust or employees of the Adviser. 35 "Immediate family" means a spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law or children (including step-children) age 21 years or under. If determined to be in the best interests of shareholders, the Trust also reserves the right to impose a redemption fee of up to 2% on Market Timers as described in the Trust's prospectuses payable directly to the Fund. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE GENERAL POLICY. Each of the Funds adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rules 2a-4 and 2a-7 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trusts' Board of Trustees. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance. MONEY MARKET SECURITIES AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES. If available, Money Market Securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money Market Securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust's Board of Trustees. USE OF THIRD-PARTY INDEPENDENT PRICING AGENTS. Pursuant to contracts with the Trust's Administrator, prices for most securities held by the Funds are provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator. AMORTIZED COST METHOD OF VALUATION. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances) assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuations in general market rates of interest on the value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which a security's value, as determined by this method, is higher or lower than the price a Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield of a Fund may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a company with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio securities. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Fund resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in a Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from investment in a company utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in a Fund would experience a lower yield. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates. A Fund's use of amortized cost and the maintenance of a Fund's net asset value at $1.00 are permitted by regulations promulgated by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, provided that certain conditions are met. The regulations also require the Trustees to establish procedures, which are reasonably designed to stabilize the net asset value per share at $1.00 for the Funds. Such procedures include the determination of the extent of deviation, if any, of the Funds current net asset value per share calculated using available market 36 quotations from the Funds amortized cost price per share at such intervals as the Trustees deem appropriate and reasonable in light of market conditions and periodic reviews of the amount of the deviation and the methods used to calculate such deviation. In the event that such deviation exceeds one-half of 1%, the Trustees are required to consider promptly what action, if any, should be initiated, and, if the Trustees believe that the extent of any deviation may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees are required to take such corrective action as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce such dilution or unfair results to the extent reasonably practicable. Such actions may include the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redeeming shares in kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations. In addition, if the Funds incur a significant loss or liability, the Trustees have the authority to reduce pro rata the number of shares of the Funds in each shareholder's account and to offset each shareholder's pro rata portion of such loss or liability from the shareholder's accrued but unpaid dividends or from future dividends while each other Fund must annually distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income. TAXES The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their investors. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal tax treatment of a Fund or its investors, and the discussion here and in the Trust's prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. FEDERAL INCOME TAX This discussion of federal income tax considerations is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations issued thereunder, in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions may change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under the Code, the Funds must distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its net investment income excludable from gross income plus 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income plus net short-term capital gain) (the "Distribution Requirement") and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund's gross income each taxable year must be derived 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, (ii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a Fund's assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers engaged in same or similar businesses if a Fund owns at least 20% of the voting power of such issuers. Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which only requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss), a Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year 98% of its ordinary income for that year and 98% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (and any retained amount from that prior calendar year on 37 which the Fund paid no federal income tax). The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the federal excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies but can make no assurances that distributions will be sufficient to avoid this tax. If a Fund fails to maintain qualification as a RIC for a tax year, that Fund will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income and gains at corporate rates, without any benefit for distributions paid to shareholders, and distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of that Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such case, the dividends received deduction generally will be available for eligible corporate shareholders (subject to certain limitations) and the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income would be available to individual shareholders. The board reserve the right not to maintain qualification of a Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders. Each Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gains, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund, and/or defer a Fund's ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by a Fund. The Funds receive income generally in the form of interest derived from Fund investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes its net investment income from which dividends may be paid to shareholders. Any distributions by a Fund may be taxable to shareholders regardless of whether they are received in cash or additional shares. A Fund may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions of net short-term capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains will be taxable to shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains. In general, the Funds do not expect to receive any dividend income from corporations. Therefore, none of the Funds' distributions is expected to be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction or for the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Shareholders who have not held Fund shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may designate and distribute, as ordinary income or capital gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of investment in a Fund. If a Fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in a Fund and result in higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which distribution was received are sold. Sale, Redemption or Exchange of Fund Shares Sales, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal, state and local income tax purposes. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder who holds their shares as a capital asset will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, and short-term if for a year or less. If shares held for six months or less are sold or redeemed for a loss, two special rules apply. First, if shares on which a net capital gain distribution has been received are subsequently sold or redeemed, and such shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the long-term 38 capital gain distributions. Second, any loss recognized by a shareholder upon the sale or redemption of shares of a tax-exempt fund held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. All or a portion of any loss that you realize upon the redemption of your fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in a Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy. STATE TAXES A Fund is not liable for any income or franchise tax in Massachusetts if it qualifies as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the Funds to investors and the ownership of shares may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding state and local taxes affecting an investment in shares of a Fund. Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by a Fund. Investments in Government National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collaterized by U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations. FOREIGN TAXES Dividends and interests received by a Fund may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on the Fund's stock or securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors. FUND TRANSACTIONS The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policies established by the Trustees, an Adviser is responsible for placing the orders to execute transactions for a Fund. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Trust to seek to obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operational facilities, and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Trust will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The money market securities in which the Funds invest are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Bonds and debentures are usually traded over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, the Adviser will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Money market securities are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of executing portfolio securities transactions of the Trust will primarily consist of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. 39 BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS. The Trust selects brokers or dealers to execute transactions for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities on the basis of its judgment of their professional capability to provide the service. The primary consideration is to have brokers or dealers provide transactions at best price and execution for the Trust. Best price and execution includes many factors, including the price paid or received for a security, the commission charged, the promptness and reliability of execution, the confidentiality and placement accorded the order and other factors affecting the overall benefit obtained by the account on the transaction. The Trust's determination of what are reasonably competitive rates is based upon the professional knowledge of its trading department as to rates paid and charged for similar transactions throughout the securities industry. In some instances, the Trust pays a minimal share transaction cost when the transaction presents no difficulty. Some trades are made on a net basis where the Trust either buys securities directly from the dealer or sells them to the dealer. In these instances, there is no direct commission charged but there is a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price), which is the equivalent of a commission. The Trust may allocate out of all commission business generated by all of the funds and accounts under management by the Adviser, brokerage business to brokers or dealers who provide brokerage and research services. These research services include advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing of analyses and reports concerning issuers, securities or industries; providing information on economic factors and trends, assisting in determining portfolio strategy, providing computer software used in security analyses, and providing portfolio performance evaluation and technical market analyses. Such services are used by the Adviser in connection with its investment decision-making process with respect to one or more funds and accounts managed by it, and may not be used exclusively with respect to a Fund or account generating the brokerage. As provided in the 1934 Act, higher commissions may be paid to broker-dealers who provide brokerage and research services than to broker-dealers who do not provide such services if such higher commissions are deemed reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Although transactions are directed to broker-dealers who provide such brokerage and research services, the Trust believes that the commissions paid to such broker-dealers are not, in general, higher than commissions that would be paid to broker-dealers not providing such services and that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. In addition, portfolio transactions which generate commissions or their equivalent are directed to broker-dealers who provide daily portfolio pricing services to the Trust. Subject to best price and execution, commissions used for pricing may or may not be generated by the funds receiving the pricing service. It is expected that the Trust may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser, both of which are registered broker-dealers, for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under these provisions, the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser is permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Trust on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the Distributor and the Trust expressly permitting the Distributor or an affiliate of the Adviser to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the Distributor by the Trust for exchange transactions not exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other renumeration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time." 40 For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions:
AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID ($) --------------------------------------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 201,722 272,676 208,247 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 133,911 157,997 123,866 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 751,820 719,903 835,499 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 864 * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 0 0 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 10,693 6,802 270,303 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 364 * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 6,955 4,929 270 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not in operation during the period. BROKERAGE SELECTION. The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Funds' Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser. With respect to transactions in equity securities, the Adviser may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided. Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause each Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to their investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to each Fund. To the extent research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information, which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in 41 servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Funds' Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services. In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses. From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering, In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. The NASD has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research "credits" in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e). BROKERAGE WITH FUND AFFILIATES. A Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under the 1940 Act and the 1934 Act, affiliated broker-dealers are permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the affiliate and the Fund expressly permitting the affiliate to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time." The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected by affiliated brokers. All amounts shown reflect fees paid in connection with Fund repurchase agreement transactions. 42
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AGGREGATE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF BROKERAGE BROKERAGE BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS COMMISSIONS PAID TO TRANSACTIONS EFFECTED PAID TO AFFILIATED AFFILIATED BROKERS THROUGH AFFILIATED BROKERS ($) (%) BROKERS (%) ----------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------- FUND 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund 201,722 272,676 208,247 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund 133,911 157,997 123,866 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund 751,820 719,903 835,499 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 864 * * 100 * * 100 * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 0 0 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 10,693 6,802 303 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 364 * * 100 * * 100 * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 6,955 4,909 270 100 100 100 100 100 100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not in operation during the period. SECURITIES OF "REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS." The Funds are required to identify any securities of its "regular brokers and dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act), which the Funds may hold at the close of their most recent fiscal year. As of May 31, 2004(In 000's): 43
Security Fund Type Security Holdings ---- ---- -------- -------- Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 55,000 Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Credit Suisse First Boston $ 40,000 Corporation Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 31,424 Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 31,262 Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 19,237 Classic Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund Bond Ubs Warburg Painewebber Inc. $ 16,359 Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 25,134 Market Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Bond Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 22,691 Market Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Bond Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 22,514 Market Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Bond Ubs Warburg Paine Webber, Inc. $ 12,689 Market Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 8,756 Market Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $229,578 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Ubs Warburg Painewebber $287,411 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 86,773 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Deutsche Bank $ 86,434 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 73,749 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 62,193 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond JP Morgan Chase Bank $ 59,757 Fund Classic Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 57,163 Fund Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 4,879 Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Bond Chase Securities, Inc. $ 2,675 Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Bond Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 2,308 Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 1,562 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 1,125 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 430 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Chase Securities, Inc. $ 360 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Credit Suisse First Boston $ 343 Corporation Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 238 Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund Bond Lehman Brothers, Inc. $ 233 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 9,307 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Abn Amro Financial Services, Inc. $ 4,743 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Chase Securities, Inc. $ 4,059 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Ubs Warburg Painewebber, Inc. $ 3,306 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 2,502 Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Credit Suisse First Boston $ 2,004 Corporation Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund Bond Salomon Smith Barney Inc. $ 1,501 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Bond Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. $ 838
44 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Bond Chase Securities, Inc. $ 780 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Bond Merrill Lynch, Inc. $ 494 Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund Bond Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Inc. $ 277
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE Portfolio turnover rate is defined under SEC rules as the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts and option contracts in which the Funds invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one-year. The Funds may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments such as money market instruments and repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover. For the Funds' most recently completed fiscal period ended May 31, 2004, the portfolio turnover rate for each of the non-money market Funds was as follows:
FUND TURNOVER RATE(%) ---- ---------------- Classic Institutional High Quality Bond Fund 31% Classic Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund 70% Classic Institutional Super Short Income Plus Fund 83% Classic Institutional Total Return Bond Fund 121% Classic Institutional U.S. Government Securities Super Short Income Plus Fund 109%
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of the Funds each of which represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rate share in the net assets of the Funds. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the Trust may create additional series of shares. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that series and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued. VOTING RIGHTS Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one vote for each dollar invested. In other words, each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each full share held on the record date for any shareholder meeting. Each Fund will vote separately on matters relating solely to it. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders approval will be sought, however, for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of Trustees under certain circumstances. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the power to liquidate one or more Funds without shareholder approval. While the Trustees have no present intention of exercising this power, they may do so if a Fund fails to reach or maintain a viable size or for some other extraordinary reason. In addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting. 45 SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. Even if, however, the Trust were held to be a partnership, the possibility of the shareholders' incurring financial loss for that reason appears remote because the Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees, and because the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Trust property for any investor held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust unless it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee's individual liability in any manner inconsistent wit the federal securities laws. CODES OF ETHICS The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser and Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees ("access persons"). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons of the Trust and the Adviser are prohibited from acquiring beneficial ownership of securities offered in connection with initial public offerings. Certain access persons of the Adviser are further prohibited from acquiring beneficial ownership of securities offered in connection with a limited offering. The Distributor's Code of Ethics requires certain access persons to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings and limited offerings. Copies of these Code of Ethics are on file with the SEC and are available to the public. PROXY VOTING The Board has delegated the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Funds' proxy voting record. Information regarding how the Funds' voted proxies during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 has been filed with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Funds' proxy voting record is available on the Funds' website at www.sticlassicfunds.com, and without charge upon request by calling (800) 428-6970, 46 or by writing to the Funds at STI Classic Funds, c/o BISYS Fund Services, Limited Partnership, 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Funds' proxy voting record is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. 5% AND 25% SHAREHOLDERS As of September 1, 2004, the following persons were the only persons who were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% and 25% or more of the shares of the Funds. Persons who owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund's outstanding shares may be deemed to control the Fund within the meaning of the Act. The Trust believes that most of the shares of the Institutional Class of the Funds were held for the record owner's fiduciary, agency or custodial customers.
NUMBER OF % OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS SHARES CLASS CLASS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Cash SUNTRUST CAPITAL MARKETS 1,281,546,711.37 Institutional 49.11% Management Money ACH Shares Market Fund 303 PEACHTREE ST ATTN ANITA WOODS CTR 3910 ATLANTA, GA. 30308-3201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Cash SUNTRUST BANK 1,213,220,875.41 Institutional Management Money MAIL CENTER 3133 Shares 46.49% Market Fund PO BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High TRUSTMAN 3,545,331.655 Institutional 100.00% Quality Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS Shares PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional High TRUSTMAN 12,126,740.2 T Shares 100.00% Quality Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Short TRUSTMAN 3,355,542.944 Institutional 100.00% Term Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super TRUSTMAN 49,406,011.81 Institutional 100.00% Short Income Plus Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Super TRUSTMAN 71,918,400.945 T Shares 100.00% Short Income Plus Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total TRUSTMAN 1,051,288.81 Institutional 100.00% Return Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS Shares PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional Total TRUSTMAN 3,254,984.861 T Shares 100.00% Return Bond Fund SUNTRUST BANKS PO BOX 105870 ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. SUNTRUST BANK 549,787,544.49 Institutional 60.57% Government Securities MAIL CENTER 3133 Shares Money Market Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. SUNTRUST CAPITAL MARKETS 357,926,984.85 Institutional 39.43% Government Securities ACH Shares Money Market Fund 303 PEACHTREE ST ATTN ANITA WOODS CTR 3910 ATLANTA, GA. 30308-3201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. TRUSTMAN 32,519,705.394 Institutional Government Securities SUNTRUST BANKS Shares 69.03% Super Short Income Plus P O BOX 105870 Fund ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5870 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC 14,589,046.376 Institutional 30.97% Government Securities 635 MASSACHUSETTS AVE Shares Super Short Income Plus ATTN JAMES ELDER Fund WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001-3740 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. NFSC FEBO DFL-085103 2,499,848.814 L Shares 99.19% Government Securities GEORGE M CHURCH Super Short Income Plus 29 DULANEY HILL CT Fund COCKEYSVILLE, MD. 21030 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. SUNTRUST CAPITAL MARKETS 241,573,256.41 Institutional 53.28% Treasury Securities Money ACH Shares Market Fund -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 303 PEACHTREE ST ATTN ANITA WOODS CTR 3910 ATLANTA, GA. 30308-3201 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. SUNTRUST BANKS 159,776,693.58 Institutional 35.24% Treasury Securities Money MAIL CENTER 3133 Shares Market Fund P O BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. NATIONAL FINANCIAL 52,066,403.9 Institutional 11.48% Treasury Securities Money SERVICES CORP Shares Market Fund EXCLUSIVE BENE OF OUR CUST 200 LIBERTY ST ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT NEW YORK, NY. 10281-5503 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Institutional U.S. SUNTRUST BANK 1,306,343,430.35 Corporate 100.00% Treasury Securities Money MAIL CENTER 3133 Trust Shares Market Fund P 0 BOX 105504 ATTN SUSAN GRIDER ATLANTA, GA. 30348-5504 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements for the Trust's fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, including notes thereto and the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP thereon, are herein incorporated by reference. A copy of the 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders must accompany the delivery of this SAI. 49 APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS The following descriptions are summaries of published ratings. DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS A-1 This is the highest category by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (S&P) and indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation. A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory and the obligation is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. PRIME-1 Issues rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's") 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. - Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity. The rating F1 (Highest Credit Quality) is the highest commercial rating assigned by Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"). Paper rated F1 is regarded as having the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. The rating F2 (Good Credit Quality) is the second highest commercial paper rating assigned by Fitch which reflects 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. The rating TBW-1 by Thomson Bank Watch ("Thomson") indicates a very high likelihood that principal and interest will be paid on a timely basis. DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS Moody's highest rating for state and municipal and other short-term notes is MIG-1 and VMIG-1. Short-term municipal securities rated MIG-1 or VMIG-1 are of the best quality. They have strong protection from established cash flows, superior liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing or both. Short-term municipal securities rated MIG-2 or VMIG-2 are of high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the MIG-I/VMIG-2 group. An S&P note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment: - Amortization Schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note, and - Source of Payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. S&P note rating symbols are as follows: SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay a debt service is given a plus (+) designation. SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the votes. DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS S&P Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating S&P assigns to a debt obligation. Such a rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only in small degree. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories. Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories. Debt rated BB and B is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating. Debt rate B has greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category also is used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating. Moody's Bonds which are rated Aaa by Moody's are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large, or 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. Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are judged by Moody's to be of high quality by all standards. Together with bonds rated Aaa, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities. Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well. Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. Moody's bond ratings, where specified, are applied to financial contracts, senior bank obligations and insurance company senior policyholder and claims obligations with an original maturity in excess of one-year. Obligations relying upon support mechanisms such as letters-of-credit and bonds of indemnity are excluded unless explicitly rated. Obligations of a branch of a bank are considered to be domiciled in the country in which the branch is located. Unless noted as an exception, Moody's rating on a bank's ability to repay senior obligations extends only to branches located in countries which carry a Moody's sovereign rating. Such branch obligations are rated at the lower of the bank's rating or Moody's sovereign rating for the bank deposits for the country in which the branch is located. When the currency in which an obligation is denominated is not the same as the currency of the country in which the obligation is domiciled, Moody's ratings do not incorporate an opinion as to whether payment of the obligation will be affected by the actions of the government controlling the currency of denomination, In addition, risk associated with bilateral conflicts between an investor's home country and either the issuer's home country or the country where an issuer branch is located are not incorporated into Moody's ratings. Moody's makes no representation that rated bank obligations or insurance company obligations are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or issued in conformity with any other applicable law or regulation. Nor does Moody's represent that any specific bank or insurance company obligation is legally enforceable or is a valid senior obligation of a rated issuer. Moody's ratings are opinions, not recommendations to buy or sell, and their accuracy is not guaranteed. A rating should be weighed solely as one factor in an investment decision and you should make your own study and evaluation of any issuer whose securities or debt obligations you consider buying or selling. Fitch Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be strictly high grade, broadly marketable, suitable for investment by trustees and fiduciary institutions liable to but slight market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate. The prime feature of an AAA bond is a showing of earnings several times or many times interest requirements, with such stability of applicable earnings that safety is beyond reasonable question whatever changes occur in conditions. Bonds rated AA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be of safety virtually beyond question and are readily salable, whose merits are not unlike those of the AAA class, but whose margin of safety is less strikingly broad. The issue may be the obligation of a small company, strongly secured but influenced as to rating by the lesser financial power of the enterprise and more local type market. Bonds rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings. Bonds rated BBB are considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings. Bonds rated BB are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements. Bonds rated B are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue. Thomson Bonds rated AAA by Thomson BankWatch indicate that the ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis is extremely high. Bonds rated AA indicate a very strong ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis, with limited incremental risk compared to issues rated in the highest category. Bonds rated A indicate the ability to repay principal and interest is strong. Issues rated A could be more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings. Bonds rated BBB (the lowest investment-grade category) indicate an acceptable capacity to repay principal and interest. Issues rated "BBB" are, however, more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings. While not investment grade, the BB rating suggests that the likelihood of default is considerably less than for lower-rated issues. However, there are significant uncertainties that could affect the ability to adequately service debt obligations. Issues rated B show a higher degree of uncertainty and therefore greater likelihood of default than higher-rated issues. Adverse developments could negatively affect the payment of interest and principal on a timely basis. APPENDIX B [TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LOGO] TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PROXY DISCLOSURE TO THE STI CLASSIC FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS Dear Shareholders: Securities and Exchange Commission rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 address an investment adviser's fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under our current contractual agreement, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco"), is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the STI Classic Funds. The rules require an investment company to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the fund: 1) votes proxies in the best interests of clients; 2) discloses information about those policies and procedures and how to obtain copies; 3) discloses how clients may obtain information about proxy votes cast; and 4) maintains appropriate records relating to actual proxy voting. The STI Classic Funds' board has delegated voting authority to Trusco and accordingly has adopted Trusco's proxy voting policies. Trusco's existing Proxy Voting Committee ("Committee") is structured to seek to ensure compliance with all of the requirements. After an extensive review, the Committee determined that the use of a professional proxy voting agency would be the most efficient and effective course of action to accommodate certain portions of the regulations. The Committee conducted comprehensive due diligence of the most respected proxy voting agencies in the industry and chose to hire Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as Trusco's agent to assist us with meeting the administrative, clerical and recordkeeping aspects of our fiduciary obligations. Several of the determining factors in choosing ISS as an agent to provide such services included its excellent research tools and advanced, state of the art technical and system support. The Committee recognizes that each proxy vote must be evaluated on its own merits. Factors such as a company's organizational structure, executive and operational management, structure of the board of directors, corporate culture and governance process, and the impact of economic, environmental and social implications remain key elements in all voting decisions. To address material conflicts of interest, as defined by SEC regulations, involving Trusco relationships, the Committee will engage the services of an independent fiduciary voting service to vote on any proxies for securities for which the Committee determines a material conflict of interest exists so as to provide shareholders with the most beneficial and objective proxy voting possible. Material conflicts might occur, for example, (1) in the case of securities of a company where a director or officer may serve as an independent director on Trusco's, SunTrust Banks, Inc. ("SunTrust") or a related SunTrust affiliate's board of directors or (2) where an issuer has substantial banking or other financial relationships with Trusco and/or SunTrust, or a SunTrust affiliate. If the Committee engages an independent fiduciary voting service to perform the voting analysis, ISS, as our agent for administrative, clerical and recordkeeping proxy services, will then vote the shares according to the directions of the independent fiduciary. Trusco will have no power to participate in, alter or change the decision or final vote for any proxy matters entrusted to the properly appointed independent fiduciary. Please be assured that although Trusco has engaged ISS to assist with physical proxy voting matters, we retain the primary obligation of proxy voting and will review all issues and actively monitor all information prior to determining each vote placed on behalf of shareholders. Trusco will continue to utilize available resources in order to make well-informed, qualified proxy vote decisions. Further information, such as copies of Trusco's Proxy Policies and Procedures and voting records of the STI Classic Funds, may be obtained without charge by contacting the STI Classic Funds by telephone at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5 or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. The policies and procedures are also available in the STI Classic Funds' Statement of Additional Information. Actual voting records will also be filed and available on the SEC's website. Again, please know that, as with all matters relating to the STI Classic Funds, we at Trusco take our fiduciary proxy voting obligations very seriously, and will continue to do our utmost to protect the interests of each and every shareholder. Regards, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. 07/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC PROXY POLICY POLICY STATEMENT Trusco Capital Management, Inc. ("Trusco") has a Proxy Committee ("Committee") that is responsible for establishing policies and procedures designed to ensure the firm ethically and effectively discharges its fiduciary obligation to vote all applicable proxies on behalf of all discretionary client accounts and mutual funds. The Committee will annually (or more often if needed) review, reaffirm and amend guidelines, strategies and proxy policies for all domestic and international clients, funds and product lines. Trusco, after an extensive review of service providers including size, experience and independence, has contracted with Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as its agent to provide administrative, clerical, and functional and recordkeeping services and support related to the firm's proxy voting processes/procedures, which include, but are not limited to: 1. Collection and coordination of proxy material from each custodian for each Trusco client's account, including Trusco's mutual fund clients. 2. Facilitating the mechanical act of proxy voting, reconciliation, and disclosure for each Trusco client's accounts, including Trusco's mutual fund clients, in accordance with Trusco's proxy policies and the Committee's direction. 3. Required record keeping and voting record retention of all Trusco proxy voting on behalf Trusco's clients, including Trusco's mutual fund clients. As reflected in our specific Trusco proxy policies, the Committee will affirmatively vote proxies for proposals that, as interpreted, are deemed to be in the best economic interest of its clients as shareholders and beneficiaries to those actions. The Committee will, at all times, retain the ability to consider client specific preferences and/or develop and apply criteria unique to its client base and product lines, where appropriate. This information will, as needed, be communicated to ISS as agent to ensure that the relative shares proxies will be voted accordingly. The Committee has reviewed ISS capabilities as agent for the services above and is confident in its abilities to effectively provide these services. The Committee will monitor such capability on an ongoing basis. AN INDEPENDENT, OBJECTIVE APPROACH TO PROXY ISSUES In the absence of express contractual provisions to the contrary, the Committee will vote proxies for all Trusco discretionary investment management clients and Trusco managed mutual funds, such as the STI Classic Funds. As indicated above, the Committee utilizes the services of an independent third party agent, ISS, to assist with facilitating the administrative, clerical, functional and recordkeeping duties and to assist in managing certain aspects of our proxy obligations. Accordingly, Trusco maintains proxy policies for U.S. domestic and global proxy voting issues, as well as guidelines applicable to "Taft Hartley" plans and relationships. ERISA accounts will be voted in accordance with the U.S. domestic proxy policy as it is an ERISA based policy. Trusco provides and maintains the following standard proxy voting policies: - Trusco U.S. Domestic Proxy Policy (an ERISA based policy) - Trusco Taft Hartley Proxy Policy - Trusco Global/International Proxy Policy Brief summaries and extended summaries are available for the Trusco Taft Hartley Proxy Policy and the Trusco Global/International Proxy Policy; and full complete versions of all of these policies are available as described below. The Committee will obtain and review all information regarding each issuer's proxy related material as it recognizes that there may not be one decision that is right for all situations and that each proxy vote must be evaluated on its own merits. Although this typically means that some proxy issues are voted on a case-by-case basis, the Committee utilizes the firm's pre-determined proxy voting policies and guidelines whenever possible to ensure consistency and relevancy with the overall proxy voting process. For example, some factors that are considered include an in-depth look at each company's organizational structure; executive and operating management styles, board of directors structure, corporate culture and governance processes, implicit and explicit social and economic product benefits, and the impact or economic implications of the available alternatives. EXCEPTIONS TO POLICY The guidelines as outlined herein generally do not apply where Trusco has contracted discretionary investment management and the authority to vote shares to a properly appointed subadvisor such as may be the case in some managed, separate, or wrap accounts. In those situations proxy votes cast by the subadvisor will be governed by the subadvisor's own proxy voting policies and procedures. The Committee will annually review the sub advisor's proxy voting policies and procedures. Trusco will retain voting responsibilities for its mutual fund clients unless it specifically delegates proxy voting responsibility to a properly appointed subadvisor. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Due to its diversified client base, numerous product lines, independent board of directors, and affiliation with SunTrust Banks, Inc., and its affiliates, occasions may from time to time arise in which the Committee believes that a potential conflict exists in connection with a proxy vote based on the SEC guidelines. In such instances, the Committee will review the potential conflict to determine if it is material.Examples of material conflicts of interest that may arise include those where the shares to be voted involve: Common stock of SunTrust Banks, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., and/or other public corporate issuers with which either Trusco or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates, may have a similar on-going non-investment management associated relationship. 1. An issuer with a director, officer or employee who presently serves as an independent director on the board of Trusco or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of its affiliates. 2. An issuer having substantial and numerous banking, investment or other financial relationships with Trusco, SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates. 3. A direct common stock ownership position of five percent (5%) or greater held individually by Trusco or in conjunction with SunTrust Banks, Inc. and/or its affiliates Although Trusco utilizes a pre-determined proxy voting policy, a conflict of interest could be deemed to be material. In this case, the Committee will determine the most fair and reasonable procedure to be followed in order to properly address all conflict concerns. The Committee may employ one or more of the options listed below: 1. Retain an independent fiduciary to vote the shares. 2. Send the proxy material to the client (in the case of mutual funds, the funds' shareholders) so he or she may vote the proxies. Although Trusco does its best to alleviate or diffuse known conflicts, there is no guarantee that all situations have been or will be mitigated through proxy policy incorporation. SECURITIES LENDING PROGRAM Trusco also manages assets for several clients (including mutual funds, such as the STI Classic Funds) who engage in "security lending" programs. Security lending is where the clients or funds loan stock in their accounts or portfolio to various broker-dealers and collect interest based on the underlying value of the position. Consistent with SEC guidelines, the Committee will generally refrain from voting securities loaned out under this type of lending arrangement when the costs and lost revenue to the client or fund combined with the administrative effects of retrieving the securities outweigh the benefit of voting the proxy. In addition, the Committee must make a good-faith determination that the individual proxy ballot decisions would not materially impact the portfolio manager's desire to retain the position in the portfolio, and that the entire position of loaned shares' votes would not significantly affect the overall voting outcome. If any factor is determined to be material by the Committee, Trusco will initiate a total recall of the shares on loan to vote accordingly. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TRUSCO CLIENTS: Extended summaries of TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.'S U.S. DOMESTIC PROXY POLICY (an ERISA based policy), TAFT HARTLEY PROXY POLICY, and GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL PROXY POLICY and voting records are available to clients upon request. (Complete copies are quite voluminous but are also available.) For this information, or to obtain information about specific voting issues, please contact Trusco Capital Management, Inc, Attn: Proxy Voting Committee Administrator, 50 Hurt Plaza, 14th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, by telephone at 404.827.6177, or via e-mail at: PMP.operations@truscocapital.com. STI CLASSIC FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS: The above information as it relates to the STI Classic Funds is available to fund shareholders by contacting the STI Classic Funds by telephone at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5 or by visiting www.sticlassicfunds.com. 02/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TAFT-HARTLEY PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES The Trusco Capital Management Taft-Hartley Voting Policy is based upon the AFL-CIO Proxy Voting Guidelines, which comply with all the fiduciary standards delineated by the U.S. Department of Labor. Taft-Hartley client accounts are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). ERISA sets forth the tenets under which pension fund assets must be managed and invested. Proxy voting rights have been declared by the Department of Labor to be valuable plan assets and therefore must be exercised in accordance with the fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence. The duty of loyalty requires that the voting fiduciary exercise proxy voting authority solely in the economic interest of participants and plan beneficiaries. The duty of prudence requires that decisions be made based on financial criteria and that a clear process exists for evaluating proxy issues. The Trusco Taft-Hartley voting policy was carefully crafted to meet those requirements by promoting long-term shareholder value, emphasizing the "economic best interests" of plan participants and beneficiaries. Trusco will assess the short-term and long-term impact of a vote and will promote a position that is consistent with the long-term economic best interests of plan members embodied in the principle of a "worker-owner view of value." Our guidelines address a broad range of issues, including election of directors, executive compensation, proxy contests, auditor ratification, and tender offer defenses - all significant voting items that affect long-term shareholder value. In addition, these guidelines delve deeper into workplace issues that may have an impact on corporate performance, including: - Corporate policies that affect job security and wage levels; - Corporate policies that affect local economic development and stability; - Corporate responsibility to employees and communities; and - Workplace safety and health issues. All votes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and no issues will be considered strictly routine. Each issue will be considered in the context of the company under review. In other words, proxy voting guidelines are just that - guidelines. When company-specific factors are taken into account, every proxy voting decision becomes a case-by-case decision. Keeping in mind the concept that no issue is considered "routine", outlined in the following pages are general voting parameters for various types of proxy voting issues (when there are no company-specific reasons for voting to the contrary). I) BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROPOSALS Electing directors is the single most important stock ownership right that shareholders can exercise. The board of directors is responsible for holding management accountable to performance standards on behalf of the shareholders. Trusco holds directors to a high standard when voting on their election, qualifications, and compensation. Votes on entire board of directors take into account factors that include: - Company performance relative to its peers; - Lack of majority independent board; - Board diversity; - Executive compensation-related (excessive salaries/bonuses/pensions, stock option repricing, misallocation of corporate funds, etc.); - Failure of board to respond to majority shareholder votes. Votes on individual director nominees are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors that include: - Poor attendance; - Independence of the key board committees (audit, compensation, and nominating); - Performance of the key board committees; - Failure to establish key board committees; and - Interlocking directorships. CEO SERVING AS CHAIRMAN: a principal function of the board is to monitor management, and a fundamental responsibility of the chairman is to monitor the company's CEO. Generally vote FOR proposals recommending that the positions of chairman and CEO be combined.. Several considerations for a joint position include:: - Designated lead director appointed from the ranks of the independent board members with clearly delineated duties - Majority of independent directors on board - Independent key committees - Committee chairpersons nominated by the independent directors - Established governance guidelines - Company performance and structure - Effectiveness of senior officers and board members. Generally vote AGAINST proposals recommending that the positions of chairman and CEO be separate and distinct positions held by 2 different individuals. Approximately 60 percent of companies in both the S&P 500 and Russell 3000 have joint chairman and CEO positions, and there is no absolute proof that separating the positions provides shareholders with more security in how the company is run. In addition, a jointly held Chair/CEO position represents: continuity; a true hands-on vision oriented dedication to moving the company forward; and provides shareholders with a more unified understanding of how the company will continue. INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS: Trusco believes that a board independent of management is of critical value to safeguard a company and its shareholders. Board independence helps ensure that directors carry out their duties in an objective manner and without manager interference to select, monitor, and compensate management. We will cast votes in a manner consistent with supporting and reinforcing this philosophy. Independence is evaluated upon factors including: past or current employment with the company or its subsidiaries; the provision of consulting services; familial relationships; board interlocks; and service with a non-profit that receives contributions from the company. We vote FOR proposals that request that the board and/or its audit, compensation, and nominating committees be comprised of a majority of independent directors. We WITHHOLD votes from entire boards that are not majority-independent. BOARD STRUCTURE: Trusco supports the principle that all directors should be accountable to shareholder vote on an annual basis. A classified board is a board divided into separate classes (typically three), with only one class of nominees coming up to vote at the annual meeting each year. As a result, shareholders are only able to vote a single director approximately once every three years. Good corporate governance practice supports annually elected boards. We vote FOR classified boards when the issue comes up for vote. CUMULATIVE VOTING: Under a cumulative voting scheme, shareholders are permitted to have one vote per share for each director to be elected and may apportion these votes among the director candidates in any manner they wish. This voting method allows minority shareholders to influence the outcome of director contests by "cumulating" their votes for one nominee, thereby creating a measure of independence from management control. Trusco votes FOR proposals to allow cumulative voting and votes AGAINST proposals to eliminate it. POISON PILLS: Shareholder rights plans, more commonly known as poison pills, are warrants issued to shareholders allowing them to purchase shares from the company at a price far below market value when a certain ownership threshold has been reached, thereby effectively preventing a takeover. Poison pills can entrench management and give the board veto power over takeover bids, thereby altering the balance of power between shareholders and management. While we evaluate poison pills on a case-by-case basis depending on a company's particular set of circumstances, Trusco generally votes FOR proposals to eliminate or redeem poison pills. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to submit a company's poison pill to shareholder vote. PROPOSALS ON BOARD INCLUSIVENESS: Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals asking a company to make efforts to seek more women and minority group members for service on the board. A more diverse group of directors benefits shareholders and the company. II) CAPITAL STRUCTURE INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK: corporations seek shareholder approval to increase their supply of common stock for a variety of business reasons. We vote FOR proposals to increase authorized common stock when management has provided a specific justification for the increase, evaluating proposals on a case-by-case basis. We believe that an increase of up to 50 percent is enough to allow a company to meet its capital needs. We vote AGAINST proposals to increase an authorization by more than 50 percent unless management provides compelling reasons for the increase. DUAL CLASS STRUCTURES: Trusco does not support dual share class structures. Incumbent management can use a dual class structure to gain unequal voting rights. A separate class of shares with superior voting rights can allow management to concentrate its power and insulate itself from the majority of its shareholders. An additional drawback is the added cost and complication of maintaining the two class system. We will vote FOR a one share, one vote capital structure, and we will vote AGAINST the creation or continuation of dual class structures. III) RATIFYING AUDITORS Ratifying auditors is no longer a routine procedure. Accounting scandals at companies such as Enron and WorldCom underscore the need to ensure auditor independence in the face of selling consulting services to audit clients. A study by Richard Frankel, Marilyn Johnson, and Karen Nelson found that the ratio of non-audit fees to total fees paid is negatively associated with stock market returns on the filing date, indicating that investors associate non-audit fees "with lower quality audits and, by implication, lower quality earnings." This study also found that companies that pay high non-audit fees are more likely to engage in earnings management. Auditors are the backbone upon which a company's financial health is measured, and auditor independence is essential for rendering objective opinions upon which investors then rely. When an auditor is paid more in consulting fees than for auditing, its relationship with the company is left open to conflicts of interest. Because accounting scandals evaporate shareholder value, any proposal to ratify auditors is examined for potential conflicts of interest, with particular attention to the fees paid to the auditor. We vote AGAINST ratification of a company's auditor if it receives more than one-quarter of its total fees for consulting. We support shareholder proposals to ensure auditor independence. IV) MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS, AND TRANSACTIONS Trusco votes for corporate transactions that take the high road to competitiveness and company growth. Trusco believes that structuring merging companies to build long-term relationships with a stable and quality work force and preserving good jobs creates long-term company value. We oppose corporate transactions which indiscriminately layoff workers and shed valuable competitive resources. Factors taken into account for mergers and acquisitions include: - Impact on shareholder value; - Potential synergies; - Corporate governance and shareholder rights; - Fairness opinion; - Offer price (cost vs. premium); and - Impact on community stakeholders and workforce employees. REINCORPORATION: Trusco reviews proposals to change a company's state of incorporation on a case-by-case basis. We vote FOR proposals to reincorporate in another state when the company has provided satisfactory business reasons and there is no significant reduction in shareholder rights. We vote AGAINST proposals to reincorporate that reduce shareholder rights. In cases of offshore reincorporations to tax havens, among other factors, we evaluate the effect upon any and all legal recourse of shareholders in a new jurisdiction, potential harm to company brands and image, and any actual, qualified economic benefit. V) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION STOCK OPTION PLANS: Trusco supports compensating executives at a reasonable rate and believes that executive compensation should be strongly correlated to performance. Stock option and other forms of compensation should be performance-based with an eye toward improving shareholder value. Well-designed stock option plans align the interests of executives and shareholders by providing that executives benefit when stock prices rise as the company-- and shareholders-- prosper together. Many plans sponsored by management provide goals so easily attained that executives can realize massive rewards even though shareholder value is not necessarily created. Stock options that are awarded selectively and excessively can dilute shareholders' share value and voting power. In general, Trusco supports plans that are offered at fair terms to executives who satisfy well-defined performance goals. We evaluate option plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors including: offer price, dilution to outstanding share value, dilution to share voting power, and the presence of any repricing provisions. We support plans that retain tax deductibility through the use of performance goals and oppose plans whose award size exceeds the tax deduction limit. Trusco votes FOR option plans that provide legitimately challenging performance targets that truly motivate executives in the pursuit of excellent performance. Likewise, we vote AGAINST plans that offer unreasonable benefits to executives that are not available to any other shareholders. STOCK OPTION EXPENSING: A recent long-term study of stock option awards found that there was no correlation whatsoever between executive stock ownership and company performance. Given stock option's accounting treatment of not being charged as an expense against earnings, options have provided the ultimate tax dodge for companies wishing to lavishly compensate employees. Misused stock options can give executives an incentive to inflate their company's earnings or make irresponsibly optimistic forecasts in order to cash in on options in hand. Trusco supports shareholder resolutions calling for stock option grants to be treated as an expense. PROPOSALS TO LIMIT EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR PAY: Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information (current SEC requirements only call for the disclosure of the top five most highly compensated executives and only if they earn more than $100,000 in salary and benefits). We vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek to eliminate outside directors' retirement benefits. We review on a case-by-case basis all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay. This includes shareholder proposals that seek to link executive compensation to customer, employee, or stakeholder satisfaction. GOLDEN PARACHUTES: golden parachutes are designed to protect the senior level employees of a corporation in the event of a change-in-control. Under most golden parachute agreements, senior level management employees receive a lump sum pay-out triggered by a change-in-control at usually two to three times base salary. These severance agreements grant extremely generous benefits to well-paid executives and most often offer no value to shareholders. Trusco votes FOR shareholder proposals to have all golden parachute agreements submitted for shareholder ratification, and we generally vote AGAINST all proposals to ratify golden parachutes. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS (ESOPs): Trusco generally votes FOR ESOPs which allow a company's employees to acquire stock in the company at a slight discount. Such plans help link employees' self-interest to the interests of the shareholders, thereby benefiting the company, its customers, and shareholders and creating long-term company value. VI) SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Increasingly, shareholders are presenting proposals related to company environmental practices, workplace practices, social issues and sustainability goals. Trusco provides specific narrative explanations for votes on these types of shareholder proposals. Trusco evaluates shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are in the best economic interests of the plan participants and beneficiaries. Trusco clients select investment strategies and criteria for their portfolios. Trusco views its responsibility to protect plan beneficiary economic interests through the use of the proxy. To meet this obligation, Trusco votes consistent with the economic best interests of the participants and beneficiaries to create "high road" shareholder and economic value. In most cases, Trusco supports proposals that request management to report to shareholders information and practices that would help in evaluating the company's operations. In order to be able to intelligently monitor their investments, shareholders often need information best provided by the company itself. Trusco supports proposals that seek management compliance with shareholder interests to ensure that shareholders are fully informed about actions harmful to society with special attention to the company's legal and ethical obligations, impact on company profitability, and the potential negative publicity for disreputable practices. CERES PRINCIPLES: the CERES Principles, formulated by the Coalition of Environmentally Responsible Economies, require signing companies to address environmental issues, including protection of the biosphere, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction and disposal of wastes, energy conservation, and employee and community risk reduction. Evidence suggests that environmentally conscious companies may realize long-term savings by implementing programs to pollute less and conserve resources while realizing good public relations and new marketing opportunities. Moreover, the reports that are required of signing companies provide shareholders with more information concerning topics they may deem relevant to their company's financial well-being. Many companies have voluntarily adopted these principles and proven that environmental sensitivity makes good business sense. Trusco supports proposals that improve a company's public image, reduce exposure to liabilities, and establish standards so that environmentally responsible companies and markets are not at a competitive financial disadvantage. Trusco votes FOR the adoption of the CERES Principles and FOR reporting to shareholders on environmental issues. CORPORATE CONDUCT, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR CODES: Trusco generally supports proposals that call for the adoption and/or enforcement of clear principles or codes of conduct relating to countries in which there are systematic violations of human rights. These conditions include the use of slave, child, or prison labor, undemocratically elected governments, widespread reports by human rights advocates, fervent pro-democracy protests, and/or economic sanctions and boycotts. Many proposals refer to the seven core conventions, commonly referred to as the "Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights At Work," ratified by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The seven conventions fall under four broad categories: i) Right to organize and bargain collectively; ii) Nondiscrimination in employment; iii) Abolition of forced labor; and iv) End of child labor. Each of the 180 member nations of the ILO body are bound to respect and promote these rights to the best of their abilities. Trusco supports the principles and codes of conduct relating to company investment in countries with patterns of human rights abuses (Northern Ireland, Columbia, Burma, former Soviet Union, and China). Trusco votes FOR proposals to implement and report on ILO codes of conduct. 02/2004 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GLOBAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES Following is a concise summary of general policies for voting global proxies. In addition, Trusco has country- and market-specific policies, which are not captured below. FINANCIAL RESULTS/DIRECTOR AND AUDITOR REPORTS Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless: - there are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or - the company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS AND AUDITOR COMPENSATION Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless: - there are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used; - the auditors are being changed without explanation; or - nonaudit-related fees are substantial or are routinely in excess of standard annual audit fees. Vote AGAINST the appointment of external auditors if they have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. ABSTAIN if a company changes its auditor and fails to provide shareholders with an explanation for the change. APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL STATUTORY AUDITORS Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless: - there are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used; - questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or - the auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company. ALLOCATION OF INCOME Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless: - the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or - the payout is excessive given the company's financial position. STOCK (SCRIP) DIVIDEND ALTERNATIVE Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals. Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. CHANGE IN COMPANY FISCAL TERM Vote FOR resolutions to change a company's fiscal term unless a company's motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM. LOWER DISCLOSURE THRESHOLD FOR STOCK OWNERSHIP Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below five percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold. AMEND QUORUM REQUIREMENTS Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. TRANSACT OTHER BUSINESS Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item. DIRECTOR ELECTIONS Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless: - there are clear concerns about the past performance of the company or the board; or - the board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards. Vote FOR individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities. Vote AGAINST shareholder nominees unless they demonstrate a clear ability to contribute positively to board deliberations. Vote AGAINST individual directors if they cannot provide an explanation for repeated absences at board meetings (in countries where this information is disclosed) DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to nonexecutive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry. Vote nonexecutive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both nonexecutive and executive directors into a single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for nonexecutive directors. DISCHARGE OF BOARD AND MANAGEMENT Vote FOR discharge of the board and management, unless: - there are serious questions about actions of the board or management for the year in question; or - legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders. DIRECTOR, OFFICER, AND AUDITOR INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY PROVISIONS Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors. BOARD STRUCTURE Vote FOR proposals to fix board size. Vote FOR the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors. Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board. SHARE ISSUANCE REQUESTS GENERAL ISSUANCES: Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital. Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital. SPECIFIC ISSUANCES: Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights. INCREASES IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL Vote FOR nonspecific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding. Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless: - the specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet Trusco's guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or - the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances (and less than 25 percent for companies in Japan). Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations. REDUCTION OF CAPITAL Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders. Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BYCASE basis. CAPITAL STRUCTURES Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one share, one vote capital structure. Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual class capital structures or the creation of new or additional supervoting shares. PREFERRED STOCK Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders. Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets Trusco's guidelines on equity issuance requests. Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares. Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid. Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BYCASE basis. DEBT ISSUANCE REQUESTS Vote nonconvertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive rights. Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets Trusco's guidelines on equity issuance requests. Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders. PLEDGING OF ASSETS FOR DEBT Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. INCREASE IN BORROWING POWERS Vote proposals to approve increases in a company's borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. SHARE REPURCHASE PLANS: Vote FOR share repurchase plans, unless: - clear evidence of past abuse of the authority is available; or - the plan contains no safeguards against selective buybacks. REISSUANCE OF SHARES REPURCHASED: Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past. CAPITALIZATION OF RESERVES FOR BONUS ISSUES/INCREASE IN PAR VALUE: Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value. REORGANIZATIONS/RESTRUCTURINGS: Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Vote FOR mergers and acquisitions, unless: - the impact on earnings or voting rights for one class of shareholders is disproportionate to the relative contributions of the group; or - the company's structure following the acquisition or merger does not reflect good corporate governance. Vote AGAINST if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision. ABSTAIN if there is insufficient information available to make an informed voting decision. MANDATORY TAKEOVER BID WAIVERS: Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BYCASE basis. REINCORPORATION PROPOSALS: Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. EXPANSION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES: Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS: Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. COMPENSATION PLANS: Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. ANTITAKEOVER MECHANISMS: Vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS: Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Vote FOR proposals that would improve the company's corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost. Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the company's business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit. PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 1.0. Operational Items Adjourn Meeting To provide management with the authority to F adjourn an annual or special meeting. 1.1. Operational Items Amend Quorum Requirements To reduce quorum requirements for shareholder A meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding 1.2. Operational Items Amend Minor Bylaws To make housekeeping changes (updates or F corrections) to bylaw or charter 1.3. Operational Items Change Company Name To change the corporate name F 1.4. Operational Items Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting Management proposals to change the date/time/ F location of the annual meeting 1.5. Operational Items Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting Shareholder proposals To change the date/time/ A location of the annual meeting 1.6. Operational Items Auditors To ratify auditors F 1.7. Operational Items Auditors Shareholder proposals asking companies to A prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services 1.8. Operational Items Auditors Shareholder proposals to require audit firm A rotation 1.9. Operational Items Transact Other Business To approve other business when it appears as A voting item 2.0. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who are not described below F Elections 2.1. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have Implement or W Elections renewed a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill 2.2. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have ignored a W Elections shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years 2.3. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who have failed to act on W Elections takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares 2.4. Board of Directors Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Director nominees who enacted egregious W Elections corporate governance policies or failed to replace management as appropriate 2.5. Board of Directors Age Limits To limit the tenure of outside directors A either through term limits or mandatory retirement ages. 2.6. Board of Directors Board Size To fix the board size or designate a range F for the board size 2.7. Board of Directors Board Size To give management the ability to alter the A size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval 2.8. Board of Directors Classification/ Declassification of the MANAGEMENT and shareholder proposals to F Board classify the board 2.9. Board of Directors Classification/ Declassification of the MANAGEMENT and shareholder proposals to repeal A Board classified boards and to elect all directors annually 2.10. Board of Directors Cumulative Voting To eliminate cumulative voting. F 2.11. Board of Directors Cumulative Voting To restore or permit cumulative voting A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 2.12. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and Proposals on director and officer C Liability Protection indemnification and liability protection not particularly described below. 2.13. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To eliminate entirely directors' and officers' A Liability Protection liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care. 2.14. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To expand coverage beyond just legal expenses A Liability Protection to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness 2.15. Board of Directors Director and Officer Indemnification and To expand coverage in cases when a director's F Liability Protection or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) only if the director's legal expenses would be covered. 2.16. Board of Directors Establish/ Amend Nominee Qualifications To establish or amend director qualifications A 2.17. Board of Directors Establish/ Amend Nominee Qualifications Shareholder proposals requiring two candidates A per board seat 2.18. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To provide that directors may be removed only A for cause. 2.19. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To restore shareholder ability to remove F directors with or without cause. 2.20. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To provide that only continuing directors may A elect replacements to fill board vacancies. 2.21. Board of Directors Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors To permit shareholders to elect directors to F fill board vacancies. 2.22. Board of Directors Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO) To recommend that the positions of chairman F and CEO be combined. 2.23. Board of Directors Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO To recommend that the positions of chairman A and CEO be separate and distinct positions held by 2 different individuals. 2.24. Board of Directors Majority of Independent Directors/ Shareholder proposals to require that a F Establishment of Committees majority or more of directors be independent 2.25. Board of Directors Majority of Independent Directors/ Shareholder proposals asking that board audit, A Establishment of Committees compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors 2.26. Board of Directors Open Access Shareholder proposals asking for open access A 2.27. Board of Directors Stock Ownership Requirements Shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum A amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board 2.28. Board of Directors Stock Ownership Requirements Shareholder proposals asking that the company A adopt a holding or retention period for its executives (for holding stock after the vesting or exercise of equity awards)
2 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 2.29. Board of Directors Term Limits Shareholder or management proposals to limit the A tenure of outside directors 3.0. Proxy Contests Voting for Director Nominees in Votes in a contested election of directors C Contested Elections 3.1. Proxy Contests Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation To reimburse proxy solicitation expenses C Expenses 3.2. Proxy Contests Confidential Voting Shareholder proposals requesting that corporations A adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election 3.3. Proxy Contests Confidential Voting Management proposals to adopt confidential voting. A 4.0. Antitakeover Defenses and Advance Notice Requirements for Advance notice proposals F Voting Related Issues Shareholder Proposals/Nomi nations 4.1. Antitakeover Defenses and Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to F Voting Related Issues Consent amend the bylaws 4.2. Antitakeover Defenses and Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Proposals giving the board the ability to amend F Voting Related Issues Consent the bylaws in addition to shareholders 4.3. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit F Voting Related Issues its poison pill for shareholder ratification 4.4. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Shareholder proposals asking that any future pill F Voting Related Issues be put to a shareholder vote 4.5. Antitakeover Defenses and Poison Pills Management proposals to ratify a poison pill C Voting Related Issues 4.6. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Act by To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take A Voting Related Issues Written Consent action by written consent 4.7. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Act by To allow or make easier shareholder action by F Voting Related Issues Written Consent written consent 4.8. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Call To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to A Voting Related Issues Special Meetings call special meetings. 4.9. Antitakeover Defenses and Shareholder Ability to Call To remove restrictions on the right of shareholders F Voting Related Issues Special Meetings to act independently of management. 4.1 Antitakeover Defenses and Supermajority Vote Requirements To require a supermajority shareholder vote. A Voting Related Issues
3 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 4.11. Antitakeover Defenses and Supermajority Vote Requirements To lower supermajority vote requirements. F Voting Related Issues 5.0. Mergers and Corporate Appraisal Rights To restore, or provide shareholders with, rights A Restructurings of appraisal. 5.1. Mergers and Corporate Asset Purchases On asset purchase proposals C Restructurings 5.2. Mergers and Corporate Asset Sales Asset sales C Restructurings 5.3. Mergers and Corporate Bundled Proposals Bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals C Restructurings 5.4. Mergers and Corporate Conversion of Securities Proposals regarding conversion of securities, C Restructurings absent penalties or likely bankruptcy. 5.5. Mergers and Corporate Conversion of Securities Proposals regarding conversion of securities, if F Restructurings it is expected that the company will be subject to onerous penalties or will be forced to file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved. 5.6. Mergers and Corporate Corporate Reorganization Proposals to increase common and/or preferred C Restructurings shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan, absent likely bankruptcy. 5.7. Mergers and Corporate Corporate Reorganization Proposals to increase common and/or preferred F Restructurings shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan where bankruptcy is likely if the transaction is not approved 5.8. Mergers and Corporate Formation of Holding Company To form a holding company C Restructurings 5.9. Mergers and Corporate Going Private Transactions (LBOs To make the company private rather than public C Restructurings and Minority Squeeze outs) 5.10. Mergers and Corporate Joint Ventures To form joint ventures C Restructurings 5.11. Mergers and Corporate Liquidations To liquidate when bankruptcy is not likely C Restructurings 5.12. Mergers and Corporate Liquidations To liquidate when bankruptcy is likely F Restructurings 5.13. Mergers and Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions/ Issuance To merge with or acquire another company C Restructurings of Shares to Facilitate Merger or Acquisition 5.14. Mergers and Corporate Private Placements/ Warrants/ To issue a private placement security when C Restructurings Convertible Debentures bankruptcy is not likely
4 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 5.15. Mergers and Corporate Private Placements/ Warrants/ To issue a private placement security when F Restructurings Convertible Debentures bankruptcy is not likely 5.16. Mergers and Corporate Spin-offs To spin off a unit or line of business C Restructurings 5.17. Mergers and Corporate Value Maximization Proposals To maximize shareholder value by hiring a financial C Restructurings advisor to explore strategic alternatives, selling the company or liquidating the company and distributing the proceeds to shareholders. 6.0. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To opt out of control share acquisition statutes F Provisions 6.1. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To amend the charter to include control share A Provisions acquisition provisions. 6.2. State of Incorporation Control Share Acquisition To restore voting rights to the control shares. F Provisions 6.3. State of Incorporation Control Share Cash out Provisions To opt out of control share cash out statutes. F 6.4. State of Incorporation Disgorgement Provisions To opt out of state disgorgement provisions. F 6.5. State of Incorporation Fair Price Provisions To adopt fair price provisions C 6.6. State of Incorporation Fair Price Provisions To adopt fair price provisions with shareholder A vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares. 6.7. State of Incorporation Freeze Out proposals to opt out of state freeze out provisions F 6.8. State of Incorporation Greenmail To adopt anti greenmail charter of bylaw amendments F Or otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail payments. 6.9. State of Incorporation Greenmail To adopt anti greenmail proposals when they are C bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments. 6.10. State of Incorporation Reincorporation Proposals To change a company's state of incorporation C 6.11. State of Incorporation Stakeholder Provisions To consider non-shareholder constituencies or other A non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination. 6.12. State of Incorporation State Anti takeover Statutes To opt in or out of state takeover statutes C (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severane pay and labor contract provisions, anti greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions). 7.0. Capital Structure Adjustments to Par Value of Common Management proposals to reduce or eliminate the par F Stock value of common stock. 7.1. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To increase the number of shares of common stock C authorized for issuance 7.2. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To increase the number of authorized shares of the C class of stock that has superior voting rights. 7.3. Capital Structure Common Stock Authorization To approve increases beyond the allowable increase F 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 7.4. Capital Structure Dual-class Stock Proposals to create a new class of common stock A with superior voting riqhts
5 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 7.5. Capital Structure Dual-class Stock To create a new class of nonvoting or sub-voting common stock if: F - 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 7.6. Capital Structure Issue Stock for Use with Rights To increase authorized common stock for the A Plan explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill). 7.7. Capital Structure Preemptive Rights Shareholder proposals that seek preemptive C rights 7.8. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To authorizing the creation of new classes of A preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights ("blank check" preferred stock). 7.9. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To create "declawed" blank check preferred F stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). 7.10. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To authorize preferred stock in cases where the F company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable 7.11. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To increase the number of blank check preferred A stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose. 7.12. Capital Structure Preferred Stock To increase the number of blank check preferred F shares 7.13. Capital Structure Recapitalization Recapitalizations (reclassifications of C securities) 7.14. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits Management proposals to implement a reverse F stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced 7.15. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits Management proposals to implement a reverse F stock split to avoid delisting. 7.16. Capital Structure Reverse Stock Splits To implement a reverse stock split that do not C proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized 7.17. Capital Structure Share Repurchase Programs Management proposals to institute open-market F share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms 7.18. Capital Structure Stock Distributions: Splits and Management proposals to increase the common F Dividends share authorization for a stock split or share dividend, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in an excessive number of shares available for issuance 7.19. Capital Structure Tracking Stock To authorize the creation of tracking stock C 8.0. Executive and Director Executive Compensation To approve or disapprove executive C Compensation compensation plans 8.1. Executive and Director Executive Compensation To approve compensation plans that expressly A Compensation permit the re-pricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval. 8.2. Executive and Director Executive Compensation Plans in which the CEO participates if there A Compensation is a disconnect between the CEO's pay and company performance 8.3. Executive and Director Director Compensation Plans for directors C Compensation 8.4. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash For plans which provide participants with the C Compensation option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock 8.5. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash Plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash F Compensation for stock exchange 8.6. Executive and Director Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash Plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar A Compensation cash for stock exchange
6 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 8.7. Executive and Director Director Retirement Plans Retirement plans for non-employee directors. A Compensation 8.8. Executive and Director Director Retirement Plans Shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement Compensation plans for non-employee directors F 8.9. Executive and Director Management Proposals Seeking On management proposals seeking approval to A Compensation Approval to Re-price Options re-price options 8.10. Executive and Director Voting on Compensation Shareholder proposals to submit executive A Compensation compensation to a vote. 8.11. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans not described C Compensation below 8.12. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans where all of F Compensation the following apply - Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value - Offering period is 27 months or less 8.13. Executive and Director Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee stock purchase plans where any of A Compensation the following apply - Purchase price is less than 85 percent of fair market value, or - Offering period is greater than 27 months 8.14. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Simply amend shareholder-approved compensation F Compensation Deductibility Proposals plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m). 8.15. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax To add performance goals to existing F Compensation Deductibility Proposals compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) 8.16. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Plans to increase shares reserved and to F Compensation Deductibility Proposals qualify for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) 8.17. Executive and Director Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Cash or cash and stock bonus plans that are F Compensation Deductibility Proposals submitted to shareholders for the purpose of exempting compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) if no increase in shares is requested. 8.18. Executive and Director Employee Stock Ownership Plans To implement an ESOP or increase authorized F Compensation (ESOPs) shares for existing ESOPs, unless the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (more than five percent of outstanding shares.) 8.19. Executive and Director 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans To implement a 401 (k) savings plan for F Compensation employees. 8.20. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals seeking additional A Compensation Executive and Director Pay disclosure of executive and director pay information, 8.21. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute A Compensation Executive and Director Pay levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation. 8.22. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals requiring director fees A Compensation Executive and Director Pay be paid in stock only
7 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 8.23. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding Shareholder proposals to put option F Compensation Executive and Director Pay re-pricings to a shareholder vote 8.24. Executive and Director Shareholder Proposals Regarding For all other shareholder proposals regarding C Compensation Executive and Director Pay executive and director pay 8.25. Executive and Director Option Expensing Shareholder proposals asking the company to A Compensation expense stock options 8.26. Executive and Director Performance-Based Stock Options Shareholder proposals advocating the use of A Compensation performance-based stock options (indexed, premium-priced, and performance-vested options). 8.27. Executive and Director Golden Parachutes and Executive Shareholder proposals to require golden A Compensation Severance Agreements parachutes or executive severance agreements to be submitted for shareholder ratification 8.28. Executive and Director Golden Parachutes and Executive Proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. C Compensation Severance Agreements 8.29. Executive and Director Pension Plan Income Accounting Shareholder proposals to exclude pension plan F Compensation income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation 8.30. Executive and Director Supplemental Executive Retirement Shareholder proposals requesting to put A Compensation Plans (SERPs) extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote 9.0. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To phase out the use of animals in product A Issues SAFETY: Animal Rights testing 9.1. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To implement price restraints on pharmaceutical A Issues SAFETY: Drug Pricing products 9.2. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC To voluntarily label genetically engineered A Issues SAFETY: Genetically Modified (GE) ingredients in their products or Foods alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labelIng and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients. 9.3. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods A report on the feasibility of labeling products Issues containing GE ingredients A 9.4. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods A report on the financial, legal, and A Issues environmental impact of continued use of GE ingredients/seeds 9.5. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods Report on the health and environmental effects A Issues of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) 9.6. Social and Environmental Genetically Modified Foods To completely phase out GE ingredients from A Issues the company's products or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company's products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE 9.7. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports on a company's policies aimed at A Issues SAFETY: Handguns curtailing gun violence in the United States
8 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 9.8. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports outlining the impact of the health A Issues SAFETY: HIV/AIDS pandemic (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) on the company's Sub-Saharan operations 9.9. Social and Environmental HIV/AIDS To establish, implement, and report on a A Issues standard of response to the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria health pandemic in Africa and other developing countries 9.10. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Reports on the company's procedures for A Issues SAFETY: Predatory Lending preventing predatory lending, including the establishment of a board committee for oversight, 9.11. Social and Environmental CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC Proposals seeking stronger product warnings A Issues SAFETY: Tobacco 9.12. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals asking that the company's operating Issues facilities be smoke-free A 9.13. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals dealing with product placement in Issues stores or advertising to youth. A 9.14. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals asking the company to cease Issues production of tobacco-related products or cease selling products to tobacco companies. A 9.15. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals to spin-off tobacco-related A Issues businesses: 9.16. Social and Environmental Tobacco Proposals prohibiting investment in tobacco A Issues equities. 9.17. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Arctic Requests for reports outlining potential A Issues National Wildlife Refuge environmental damage from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 9.18. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: CERES Proposals to adopt the CERES Principles A Issues Principles 9.19. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Proposals requests reports assessing economic A Issues Environmental-Economic risks of environmental pollution or climate Risk Report change. 9.20. Social and Environmental Environmental Reports Proposals for reports disclosing the company's A Issues environmental policies. 9.21. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Global Proposals to make reports on the level of A Issues Warming greenhouse gas emissions from the company's operations and products. 9.22. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Recycling Proposals to adopt a comprehensive recycling A Issues strategy 9.23. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Renewable Proposals to invest in renewable energy A Issues Energy sources. 9.24. Social and Environmental Renewable Energy Requests for reports on the feasibility of A Issues developing renewable energy sources 9.25. Social and Environmental ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: Proposals to make report on its policies and A Issues Sustainability Report practices related to social, environmental, and economic sustainability 9.26. Social and Environmental GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES: Proposals to affirm political nonpartisanship A Issues Charitable/ Political in the workplace Contributions 9.27. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to report or publish in newspapers A Issues Contributions the company's political contributions
9 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ---------------------------------------------- ---- 9.28. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to prohibit the company from making A Issues Contributions political contributions 9.29. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to restrict the company from making A Issues Contributions charitable contributions 9.30. Social and Environmental Charitable/ Political Proposals to publish a list of company A Issues Contributions executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company 9.31. Social and Environmental GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES: Proposals to review ways of linking executive A Issues Link Executive Compensation compensation to social factors to Social Performance 9.32. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to implement the China Principles. A Issues RIGHTS: China Principles 9.33. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to make reports detailing the A Issues RIGHTS: Country -specific human company's operations in a particular country rights reports and steps to protect human rights 9.34. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to implement certain human rights A Issues RIGHTS: International Codes of standards at company facilities or those of its Conduct/Vendor Standards suppliers and to commit to outside, independent monitoring 9.35. Social and Environmental LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN Proposals to endorse or increase activity on A Issues RIGHTS: MacBride Principles the MacBride Principles. 9.36. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Foreign Proposals to make reports on foreign military A Issues Military Sales/Offsets sales or offsets. 9.37. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Landmines Proposals asking the company to renounce future A Issues and Cluster Bombs involvement in antipersonnel landmine production 9.38. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Nuclear Proposals asking the company to cease A Issues Weapons production of nuclear weapons components and delivery systems, including disengaging from current and proposed contracts 9.39. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Operations Proposals asking the company to appoint a board A Issues in Nations Sponsoring Terrorism committee review and report outlining the (Iran) company's financial and reputational risks from its operations in Iran, 9.40. Social and Environmental MILITARY BUSINESS: Spaced-Based Proposals asking the company to make reports on A Issues Weaponization a company's involvement in spaced-based weaponization 9.41. Social and Environmental WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board Requests for reports on the company's efforts F Issues Diversity to diversify the board, 9.42. Social and Environmental WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board Proposals asking the company to increase the C Issues Diversity representation of women and minorities on the board
10 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 9.43. Social and WORKPLACE Proposals to increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs A Environmental DIVERSITY: Issues Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 9.44. Social and WORKPLACE To increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs and Glass Ceiling A Environmental DIVERSITY: proposals Issues Glass Ceiling 9.45. Social and WORKPLACE Proposals to amend a company's EEO statement in order to prohibit A Environmental DIVERSITY: discrimination based on sexual orientation Issues Sexual Orientation 9.46. Social and Sexual Proposals to extend company benefits to or eliminate benefits from A Environmental Orientation domestic partners Issues 10.0. Mutual Fund Election Director nominees who are not described below F Proxies of Directors 10.1. Mutual Fund Election Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the W Proxies of votes cast for two consecutive years Directors 10.2. Mutual Fund Convert Conversion Proposals C Proxies Closed- end Fund to Open-end Fund 10.3. Mutual Fund Proxy Contests Proxy Contests C Proxies 10.4. Mutual Fund Investment Investment Advisory Agreements F Proxies Advisory Agreements 10.5. Mutual Fund Approve New The establishment of new classes or series of shares. F Proxies Classes or Series of Shares 10.6. Mutual Fund Change Proposals to change a fund's fundamental restriction to a non C Proxies Fundamental fundamental restriction Restriction to Nonfundamental Restriction 10.7. Mutual Fund Change Proposals to change a fund's fundamental investment objective to a C Proxies Fundamental non fundamental investment objective Investment Objective to Nonfundamental 10.8. Mutual Fund Name Change Name change proposals. F Proxies Proposals 10.9. Mutual Fund Change in To change a fund's sub-classification F Proxies Fund's Sub classification 10.10 Mutual Fund Disposition of To dispose of assets, liquidate or terminate the fund F Proxies Assets/Terminate on/Liquidation 10.11 Mutual Fund Changes to To make changes to the charter document C Proxies the Charter Document 10.12 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal shareholder approval requirement to reorganize or terminate F Proxies the the trust or any of its series Charter Document 10.13 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement for amendments to the F Proxies the new declaration of trust Charter Document 10.14 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to amend the fund's F Proxies the management contract, allowing the contract to be modified by the Charter investment manager and the trust management, as permitted by the Document 1940 Act 10.15 Mutual Fund Changes to Allow the trustees to impose other fees in addition to sales charges on F Proxies the investment in a fund, such as deferred sales charges and redemption Charter fees that may be imposed upon redemption of a fund's shares Document 10.16 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to engage in and F Proxies the terminate Sub-advisory arrangements Charter Document 10.17 Mutual Fund Changes to Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile F Proxies the of the fund Charter Document
11 PROXY VOTING POLICIES ADOPTED 4/19/04 TRUSCO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
BALLOT ITEM / PROPOSAL NUMBER CHAPTER SECTION [F=FOR, A=AGAINST, W=WITHHOLD, C=CASE BY CASE] VOTE ------ ------- ------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 10.18 Mutual Fund Change the Fund's Reincorporation C Proxies Fund's Domicile 10.19 Mutual Fund Authorize Proposals authorizing the board to hire/terminate sub-advisors without F Proxies the shareholder approval. Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisors Without Shareholder Approval 10.20 Mutual Fund Distribution Distribution agreements F Proxies Agreements 10.21 Mutual Fund Master-Feeder Establishment of a master-feeder structure. F Proxies Structure 10.22 Mutual Fund Mergers Mergers and Acquisitions C Proxies 10.23 Mutual Fund Shareholder To mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must A Proxies Proposals own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board to Establish Director Ownership Requirement 10.24 Mutual Shareholder To reimburse proxy solicitation expenses C Fund Proposals Proxies to Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses 10.25 Mutual Shareholder To terminate the investment advisor C Fund Proposals Proxies to Terminate Investment Advisor
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