COLUMBIA HIGH YIELD FUND, VARIABLE SERIES (THE "FUND") SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUSES DATED MAY 1, 2004 The Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved a proposal to reorganize the Fund into Nations High Yield Bond Portfolio (the "Acquiring Fund"), subject to approval by the Board of the Acquiring Fund and shareholders of the Fund. If the Board of the Acquiring Fund and shareholders of the Fund approve the proposal relating to the reorganization of the Fund, all of the assets of the Fund will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund and shareholders of the Fund will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund in exchange for their shares. Shareholders of the Fund will vote on the proposal relating to the reorganization of their Fund at a special meeting of shareholders to be held at a date to be determined in the future. If approved at the special meeting, the reorganization is proposed to take place within a reasonable time thereafter. The foregoing is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, shares of the Acquiring Fund, nor is it a solicitation of any proxy. For more information regarding the Acquiring Fund, or to receive a free copy of a prospectus/proxy statement relating to a proposed reorganization (and containing important information about fees, expenses and risk considerations) once a registration statement relating to the proposed reorganizations has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and become effective, please call 1-800-345-6611 or visit the Fund's website at www.columbiafunds.com. The prospectus/proxy statement will also be available for free on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website (http://www.sec.gov). Please read the prospectus/information statement carefully before making any investment decisions. February 16, 2005