CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------

As  independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the use in this Form
N-14 filing of our auditors  reports on the financial  statements of the Utility
Fund, the Equity Fund, the Growth/Value  Fund and the Aggressive  Growth Fund of
Countrywide  Strategic  Trust dated April 30, 1999 and to all  references to our
Firm included in or made a part of this Pre-Effective  Amendment No. 1 Form N-14
filing.

                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio,
 March 28, 2000