Exhibit 17

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE  PRESENTS  that the  undersigned  shareholders  of the
Vintage  Balanced Fund (the "Fund"),  a portfolio of Vintage Mutual Funds,  Inc.
(the "Trust"),  hereby appoint Patricia Bonavia,  Jeff Lorenzen and Amy Mitchell
and each 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 "Special  Meeting") to be held on
September  15, 2005, at 1415 28th Street,  West Des Moines,  Iowa, at 10:00 a.m.
(Central Time), 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 matter. Discretionary authority is
hereby conferred as to all other matters as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED  ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TRUST.  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 PROPOSAL.

PROPOSAL:      To approve or disapprove a proposed Agreement and Plan of
               Reorganization pursuant to which Federated Stock and Bond Fund,
               Inc. would acquire all of the assets of Vintage Balanced Fund in
               exchange for Class A Shares of Federated Stock and Bond Fund,
               Inc. to be distributed pro rata by Vintage Balanced Fund to its
               shareholders, in complete liquidation and termination of Vintage
               Balanced Fund.


              FOR                   [   ]

              AGAINST               [   ]

              ABSTAIN               [   ]



                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

                   Please complete, sign and return this card
                              as soon as possible.

Dated
Signature

Please sign this proxy  exactly as your name  appears on the books of the Trust.
Joint owners should each sign personally. Directors 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.