SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12 Hibernia Funds - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) Federated Services Company - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1. Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2. Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5. Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary proxy materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: ____________________________________________________________ 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ____________________________________________________________ 3) Filing Party: ____________________________________________________________ 4) Date Filed: ____________________________________________________________ PROXY STATEMENT HIBERNIA FUNDS Hibernia Capital Appreciation Fund Hibernia Louisiana Municipal Income Fund Hibernia Mid Cap Equity Fund Hibernia Total Return Bond Fund Hibernia U.S. Government Income Fund Hibernia Cash Reserve Fund Hibernia U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MARCH 7, 2003 A Special Meeting of the shareholders of Hibernia Capital Appreciation Fund, Hibernia Louisiana Municipal Income Fund, Hibernia Mid Cap Equity Fund, Hibernia Total Return Bond Fund, Hibernia U.S. Government Income Fund, Hibernia Cash Reserve Fund, and Hibernia U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund (the "Funds"), portfolios of the Hibernia Funds (the "Trust"), will be held at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time), on March 7, 2003, to elect three Trustees and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Trustees has fixed December 30, 2002 as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. By Order of the Board of Trustees, Timothy S. Johnson Secretary January 3, 2003 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU CAN HELP THE TRUST AVOID THE NECESSITY AND EXPENSE OF SENDING FOLLOW-UP LETTERS TO ENSURE A QUORUM BY PROMPTLY SIGNING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY SO THAT THE NECESSARY QUORUM MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Proxy Solicitation and the Meeting.....................1 PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF THREE TRUSTEES.............................2 About the Election of Trustees...................................2 INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST......................................6 Proxies, Quorum and Voting at the Meeting........................6 Share Ownership..................................................6 OTHER MATTERS AND DISCRETION OF ATTORNEYS NAMED IN THE PROXY.....8 8 PROXY STATEMENT HIBERNIA FUNDS 5800 Corporate Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7010 About the Proxy Solicitation and the Meeting The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board" or "Trustees"). The proxies will be voted at the special meeting of shareholders of the Funds which are portfolios of the Trust, to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. (such special meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof are referred to as the "Meeting"). The cost of the solicitation, including the printing and mailing of proxy materials, will be borne by the Trust. In addition to solicitations through the mails, proxies may be solicited by officers, employees, and agents of the Trust or, if necessary, a communications firm retained for this purpose. Such solicitations may be by telephone, telegraph, or otherwise. Any telephonic solicitations will follow procedures designed to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud, including requiring identifying shareholder information, recording the shareholder's instructions, and confirming to the shareholder after the fact. Shareholders who communicate proxies by telephone or by other electronic means have the same power and authority to issue, revoke, or otherwise change their voting instruction as shareholders submitting proxies in written form. The Trust may reimburse custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for the reasonable costs incurred by them in connection with forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons. The purpose of the Meeting is set forth in the accompanying Notice. The Trustees know of no business other than that mentioned in the Notice that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. Should other business properly be brought before the Meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named as proxies. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy cards are expected to be mailed on or about January 13, 2003, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 30, 2002 (the "Record Date"). On the Record Date, the Funds had outstanding shares of beneficial interest as follows: Hibernia Capital Appreciation Fund had 12,940,674 Class A Shares and 727,246 Class B Shares; Hibernia Louisiana Municipal Income Fund had 7,528,977 Class A Shares and 311,596 Class B Shares; Hibernia Mid Cap Equity Fund had 3,989,029 Class A Shares and 302,662 Class B Shares; Hibernia Total Return Bond Fund had 4,720,463 Shares; Hibernia U.S. Government Income Fund had 8,296,848 Shares; Hibernia Cash Reserve Fund had 204,907,762 Class A Shares and 771, 317 Class B Shares; and Hibernia U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund had 179,408,015 Shares. The Funds' annual report, which include audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, was previously mailed to shareholders. The Fund will furnish the Annual Report without charge upon either written or telephonic request. The Trust's principal executive offices are located at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7010. The Trust's toll-free telephone number is 1-800-999-0124. PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF THREE TRUSTEES The persons named as proxies intend to vote in favor of the election of Ernest E. Howard III, Teri G. Fontenot and Joe N. Averett, Jr. (collectively, the "Nominees") as Trustees of the Trust. Ms. Fontenot is presently serving as a Trustee of the Trust. Ms. Fontenot was appointed to the Board on March 13, 2001 and presently serves as a Trustee of the Trust. Mr. Averett is presently serving as a Trustee of the Trust. Mr. Averett was appointed to the Board on May 21, 2001 and presently serves as a Trustee of the Trust. If elected by shareholders, Mr. Howard is expected to assume his responsibilities as Trustee effective March 10, 2003. Please see "About the Election of Trustees" below for current information about the Nominees. The Nominees have consented to serve if elected. If elected, the Trustees will hold office without limit in time until death, resignation, retirement, or removal or until the next meeting of shareholders to elect Trustees and the election and qualification of their successors. Election of a Trustee is by a plurality vote, which means that the individuals receiving the greatest number of votes at the Meeting will be deemed to be elected. If a Nominee for election as a Trustee named above shall by reason of death or for any other reason become unavailable as a candidate at the Meeting, votes pursuant to the enclosed proxy will be cast for a substitute candidate by the proxies named on the proxy card, or their substitutes, present and acting at the Meeting. Any such substitute candidate for election as a Trustee who is an "interested person" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Trust shall be nominated by the Executive Committee. The selection of any substitute candidate for election as a Trustee who is not an "interested person" shall be made by a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust. The Board has no reason to believe that any Nominee will become unavailable for election as a Trustee. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO ELECT AS TRUSTEES THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST About the Election of Trustees When elected, the Trustees will hold office during the lifetime of the Trust except that: (a) any Trustee may resign; (b) any Trustee may be removed by written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired or who has become mentally or physically incapacitated may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; (d) each Trustee shall retire in accordance with the retirement policy adopted by the Board; and (e) a Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of the shareholders by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In case a vacancy shall exist for any reason, the remaining Trustees will fill such vacancy by appointment of another Trustee. The Trustees will not fill any vacancy by appointment if, immediately after filling such vacancy, less than two-thirds of the Trustees then holding office would have been elected by the shareholders. If, at any time, less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the shareholders, the Trustees then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the purpose of electing Trustees to fill vacancies. Otherwise, there will normally be no meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees. Where required, the tables separately list Board members who are "interested persons" of the Fund (i.e., "Interested" Board members) and those who are not (i.e., "Independent" Board members). The Hibernia Fund Complex is currently comprised of seven portfolios. Unless otherwise noted, each Board member oversees all portfolios in the Hibernia Fund Complex. Table 1, set forth below, provides a listing of each (i) Trustee standing for election, (ii) Nominee standing for election who is not presently serving as a Trustee, (iii) Trustee and (iv) Officer, along with their addresses, birth dates, present positions with the Trust, if applicable, and length of term in office, principal occupations during the past five years, other directorships held by Trustee or Nominee for Trustee, and aggregate compensation from the Trust. Table 2, set forth below, states the dollar range of equity securities owned by the Trustees or Nominee for Trustee standing for election. Table 3, set forth below, states each Trustee or Nominee for Trustee standing for election's information for each class of securities owned beneficially or of record in (1) an investment adviser, principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds, or (2) A person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser, principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds. Table 1 UNINTERESTED PERSONS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Address, Date Position(s) Principal Occupations Aggregate of Birth, Date Held for Past Five Years, Compensation Service Began with Other Directorships Held From Trust Fund and Previous Positions - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teri G. Fontenot Trustee Principal Occupation: President $18,000 18933 E. Pinnacle standing and Chief Executive Officer of Circle for Woman's Hospital, Certified Public Baton Rouge, LA 70810 election Accountant, MBA. Birth Date: June 16, 1953 Other Directorships Held: Began Serving June Immediate Past Chair of Greater 2001 Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Louisiana Hospital Association, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta-New Orleans Branch Board, Alliance Bank Board, Committee of 100, Chair-Elect Hospital Billing and Collection Services, Inc.; Board, Louisiana Perinatal Commission; LA Research and Technology Foundation Board; National Institute of Health-Advisory Council of Women's' Health Research. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe N. Averett, Jr. Trustee Principal Occupations: President $18,000 11000 Seville standing of Crystal Gas Storage, Inc., a Quarters for wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso Shreveport, LA election (NYSE:EPG). Birth Date: February 4, 1943 Began Serving June 2001 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ernest E. Howard III Nominee Principal Occupation: Retired $0 P.O. Box 55748 standing President and Chief Executive Metairie, LA 70055 for Officer of FM Properties, (NASDAQ: Birth Date: March election FMPO). 26, 1943 Other Directorships Held: Current/Former member of Board of Trustees of Paragon Portfolio, Board of Trustees of St. Martin's Episcopal School, Board of Directors of Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, Advisory Council of the Tulane/Xavier Center of Bioenvironmental Research, The Business School Council of the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, Board of Directors of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and the Business Advisory Council of the University of Mississippi, and the Finance Committee and the Administrative Board of Munholland United Methodist Church. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur Rhew Dooley, Trustee Principal Occupation: Registered $18,000 Jr. Professional Engineer; Chairman 2575 Ashley Street and CEO, Dooley Tackaberry, Inc. Beaumont, TX 77536 (distributors and fabricators of Birth Date: December fire protection and safety 17, 1942 equipment), 1967 to Present. Began Serving July 1999 Other Directorships Held: Chairman and CEO, dba Entire Business Technology Center, 1983 to 1999; Director, Loop Cold Storage Company. Previous Positions: Director, UTM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors; Director, Texas Energy Museum; Member, World Presidents Organization (former YPO Members); Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1 Cont. INTERESTED PERSONS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name, Address & Date Position(s)Principal Occupation(s) During of Birth Held Past 5 Years Other Directorships with Held Fund and Previous Positions - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward C. Gonzales* Trustee Principal Occupation: President, $0 1001 Liberty Avenue Executive Vice President and Pittsburgh, PA Treasurer of some of the Funds in Birth Date: October the Federated Investors Fund 22, 1930 Complex; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Trustee, Federated Administrative Services. Previous Position: Trustee or Director of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; CEO and Chairman, Federated Administrative Services. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter J. Germain* PresidentPrincipal Occupations: Senior $0 1001 Liberty Avenue and Vice President of Federated Pittsburgh, PA AssistantServices Company. Birth Date: Secretary September 3, 1959 Previous Position: Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Investors, Inc. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard J. Thomas* TreasurerPrincipal Occupation: Treasurer of $0 1001 Liberty Avenue the Federated Investors Fund Pittsburgh, PA Complex; Senior Vice President, Birth Date: June 17, Federated Administrative Services. 1954 Previous Positions: Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; held various management positions within Funds Financial Services Division of Federated Investors, Inc. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timothy S. Johnson** SecretaryPrincipal Occupation: Of Counsel, $0 1001 Liberty Avenue Reed Smith LLP. Pittsburgh, PA Birth Date: July 31, Previous Occupation: Vice 1961 President and Corporate Counsel, Federated Services Company. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Mr. Gonzales, Mr. Germain and Mr. Thomas are deemed interested persons due to the positions that they hold with Federated Investors, Inc., the parent company for the Funds' distributor. **Mr.Johnson is deemed an interested person due to his former position as Assistant Secretary of the Funds' distributor. Table 2 - ------------------------------------------------ Name of Trustee / Dollar Range of Nominee standing for Equity Securities election in the Funds - ------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------ Teri G. Fontenot $10,000-$50,000 - ------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------ Joe N. Averett, Jr. $50,001-$100,000 - ------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------ Ernest E. Howard III $00.00-$00.00 - ------------------------------------------------ Table 3 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name of Trustee/ Nominee Name of Owners Company Title Value Percent standing for election and relationships of of of to Class SecuritieClass Trustee/Nominee standing for election - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teri G. Fontenot -None- N/A N/A N/A N/A - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe N. Averett, Jr. -None- N/A N/A N/A N/A - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ernest E. Howard III -None- N/A N/A N/A N/A - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITTEES of the board Board Committee Committee Functions Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Committee Members Year - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Executive Edward C. In between meetings of the full Board, None Gonzales the Executive Committee generally may exercise all the powers of the full Board in the management and direction of the business and conduct of the affairs of the Trust in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Trust. However, the Executive Committee cannot elect or remove Board members, increase or decrease the number of Trustees, elect or remove any Officer, declare dividends, issue shares or recommend to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval. Audit Joe N. The Audit Committee reviews and Two Averett, Jr. recommends to the full Board the --------------- independent auditors to be selected to Arthur Rhew audit the Funds' financial statements; Dooley, Jr. meet with the independent auditors Teri G. periodically to review the results of the Fontenot audits and report the results to the full Board; evaluate the independence of the auditors, review legal and regulatory matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements, related compliance policies and programs, and the related reports received from regulators; review the Funds' internal audit function; review compliance with the Funds' code of conduct/ethics; review valuation issues; monitor inter-fund lending transactions; review custody services and issues and investigate any matters brought to the Committee's attention that are within the scope of its duties. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST Proxies, Quorum and Voting at the Meeting Only shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. Each share of each Fund is entitled to one vote with respect to matters impacting that Fund or the Trust generally. Fractional shares are entitled to proportionate shares of one vote. Under both the 1940 Act and the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the favorable vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting shares" of the Funds means: (a) the holders of 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds are present or represented by proxy; or (b) the vote of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less. Election of Trustees shall be decided by a plurality of the votes cast. Any person giving a proxy has the power to revoke it any time prior to its exercise by executing a superseding proxy or by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Trust. In addition, although mere attendance at the Meeting will not revoke a proxy, a shareholder present at the Meeting may withdraw his or her proxy and vote in person. All properly executed and unrevoked proxies received in time for the Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in the proxies. If no instruction is given on the proxy, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented thereby in favor of the matters set forth in the attached Notice. In order to hold the Meeting, a "quorum" of shareholders must be present. Holders of more than fifty percent of the total number of outstanding shares of the Trust entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall be required to constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on the proposals made. For purposes of determining a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, abstentions and broker "non-votes" (that is, proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares that are present but which have not been voted. For this reason, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a "no" vote for purposes of obtaining the requisite approval of the proposal. If a quorum is not present, the persons named as proxies may vote those proxies which have been received to adjourn the Meeting to a later date. In the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes in favor of one or more of the proposals have not been received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitations of proxies with respect to such proposal(s). All such adjournments will require the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present in person or by proxy at the session of the Meeting to be adjourned. The persons named as proxies will vote AGAINST any such adjournment those proxies which they are required to vote against the proposal and will vote in FAVOR of the adjournment other proxies which they are authorized to vote. Share Ownership Officers and Trustees of the Trust own less than 1% of the Funds' outstanding shares. At the close of business on the Record Date, the following persons owned, to the knowledge of management, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Funds: Hibernia Capital Appreciation Fund (Class A Shares) HIBILA, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 5,578,903 Class A Shares (43.11%); HIBSPEC, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,478,124 Class A Shares (19.15%); HIBFUND, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,001,353 Class A Shares (15.47%); and Hibernia National Bank, RPO Retirement Security Plan of Hibernia, New Orleans, Louisiana, owned approximately 1,684,554 Class A Shares (13.02%). Hibernia Capital Appreciation Fund (Class B Shares) There were no shareholders of record who owned 5% or more of the Fund's Class B Shares. Hibernia Louisiana Municipal Income Fund (Class A Shares) HIBILA, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,977,439 Class A Shares (39.55%); HIBSPEC, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 623,912 Class A Shares (8.29%); and HIBFUND, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 703,503 Class A Shares (9.34%). Hibernia Louisiana Municipal Income Fund (Class B Shares) Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette, Securities Corporation Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey, owned approximately 66,646 Class B Shares (21.39%) Hibernia Mid Cap Equity Fund (Class A Shares) HIBFUND, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,433,529 Class A Shares (61.01%); Hibernia National Bank, RPO Retirement Security Plan of Hibernia Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana, owned approximately 557,373 Class A Shares (13.97%); and HIBILA, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 572,712 Class A Shares (14.36%). Hibernia Mid Cap Equity Fund (Class B Shares) Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette, Securities Corporation Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey, owned approximately 24,471 Class B Shares (8.09%). Hibernia Total Return Bond Fund HIBFUND, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 3,236,240 Shares (68.56%); Hibernia National Bank, RPO Retirement Security Plan of Hibernia., New Orleans, Louisiana, owned approximately 698,344 Shares (14.79%); and HIBSPEC, Marshall Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 489,058 Shares (10.36%). Hibernia U.S. Government Income Fund HIBILA, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,922,098 Shares (35.22%); HIBSPEC, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 2,474,435 Shares (29.82%); HIBFUND, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 1,851,526 Shares (22.32%). Hibernia Cash Reserve Fund (Class A Shares) HIBSPEC, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owned approximately 136,635,296 Class A Shares (66.68%); and Hibernia National Bank, RPO Retirement Security Plan of Hibernia, New Orleans, Louisiana, owned approximately 24,963,741 Class A Shares (12.18%). Hibernia Cash Reserve Fund (Class B Shares) Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette, Securities Corporation Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey, owned approximately 278,390 Class B Shares (35.96%). Hibernia U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund HIBSPEC, Marshall & Ilsley Trust Co., Milwaukee Wisconsin, owned approximately 124,352,330 Shares (69.91%). Shareholders owning 25% or more outstanding shares of a Fund may be in control and be able to effect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders. OTHER MATTERS AND DISCRETION OF ATTORNEYS NAMED IN THE PROXY The Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold regular annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders wishing to submit proposals for consideration for inclusion in a proxy statement for the next meeting of shareholders should send their written proposals to Hibernia Funds, 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7010, so that they are received within a reasonable time before any such meeting. No business other than the matters described above is expected to come before the Meeting, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise, including any question as to an adjournment or postponement of the Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote on such matters according to their best judgment in the interests of the Trust. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH NEEDS NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Order of the Board of Trustees, Timothy S. Johnson Secretary January 3, 2003 HIBERNIA FUNDS Investment Adviser HIBERNIA ASSET MANAGEMENT (a division of Hibernia National Bank) Attention: Hibernia Funds P.O. Box 61540 New Orleans, Louisiana 70161 Distributor EDGEWOOD SERVICES, INC. Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779 Administrator FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779 Cusip 428661102 Cusip 428661201 Cusip 428661508 Cusip 428661862 Cusip 428661607 Cusip 428661706 Cusip 428661805 Cusip 428661888 Cusip 428661300 Cusip 428661409 Cusip 428661870 28110 (01/03) KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA MID CAP EQUITY FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA CASH RESERVE FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned Shareholders of HIBERNIA U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND (the "FUND"), A PORTFOLIO OF HIBERNIA FUNDS (the "TRUST"), hereby appoint Timothy S. Johnson, Gregory P. Dulski, Maureen Ferguson, Susan K. Maroni, and Heather A. Eastgate, or any one of them, true and lawful attorneys, with the power of substitution of each, to vote all shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on March 7, 2003, at 5800 Corporate Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15237-7010, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof. The attorneys named will vote the shares represented by this proxy in accordance with the choices made on this ballot. If no choice is indicated as to the item, this proxy will be voted affirmatively on the matters. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HIBERNIA FUNDS. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSALS. By checking the box "FOR" below, you will vote to approve each of the proposed items in this proxy, and to elect each of the nominees as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] Proposal To elect Joe N. Averett, Jr., Teri G. Fontenot and Ernest E. Howard III as Trustees of the Trust FOR [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE [ ] VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT [ ] If you do not wish your shares to be voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the "VOTE FOR ALL EXCEPT" box and strike a line through the name of the nominee for whom you are NOT voting. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominees. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT Please complete, sign and return this card as soon as possible. Dated Signature Signature (Joint Owners) Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the Fund. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more than one name appears, a majority must sign. If a corporation, this signature should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title.