Exhibit 16(b)


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------

    We, the undersigned Officers and Trustees of North American Funds (the
"Trust"), hereby severally constitute and appoint Joseph T. Grause, Jr., John I.
Fitzgerald, and Thomas J. Brown, and each of them singly, our true and lawful
attorneys, with full power to them and each of them, to sign for us, and in our
names and in the capacities indicated below, any Registration Statement on Form
N-14 of the Trust and any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to said Registration Statement and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto our said
attorneys, and each of them acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, and herby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys or any of them may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

    WITNESS our hands and common seal on the date set forth below.



Signature                            Title                        Date
- ---------                            -----                        ----

/s/ Alice T. Kane                    Chairman; Trustee;           March 14, 2000
- ------------------------             President; Principal
Alice T. Kane                        Executive Officer