FBF Fleetboston Financial Corp

Shareholder Class Action Filed Against FleetBoston Financial Corporation and Its Columbia Family of Mutual Funds by the Law Firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by the law firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP: Notice is hereby given that a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of all purchasers, redeemers and holders of shares of Columbia Acorn Fund (NASDAQ:LACAX), (NASDAQ:LACBX), (NASDAQ:LIACX), (NASDAQ:ACRNX), Columbia Acorn Select (NASDAQ:LTFAX) (NASDAQ:LTFBX), (NASDAQ:LTFCX), (NASDAQ:ACTWX), Columbia Acorn USA (NASDAQ:LAUAX) (NASDAQ:LAUBX), (NASDAQ:LAUCX), (NASDAQ:AUSAX), Columbia Asset Allocation Fund (NASDAQ:LAAAX), (NASDAQ:LAABX), (NASDAQ:LAACX), (NASDAQ:GBAAX), (NASDAQ:GAAAX), (NASDAQ:GAATX), Columbia Balanced Fund (NASDAQ:CBLAX), (NASDAQ:CBLBX), (NASDAQ:CBLCX), (NASDAQ:CBLDX), (NASDAQ:CBALX), andother of the Columbia family of funds ("Columbia Funds"), which are operated by FleetBoston Financial Corporation (NYSE:FBF), Columbia Management Group, Inc., Columbia Management Advisors, Inc. and Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. between February 13, 1999 and January 14, 2004, inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP (Marc A. Topaz, Esq. or Stuart L. Berman, Esq.) toll free at 1-888-299-7706 or 1-610-667-7706, or via e-mail at . The following Columbia Funds are part of this class action: Columbia Acorn Fund (NASDAQ:LACAX), (NASDAQ:LACBX), (NASDAQ:LIACX), (NASDAQ:ACRNX) Columbia Acorn Select (NASDAQ:LTFAX) (NASDAQ:LTFBX), (NASDAQ:LTFCX), (NASDAQ:ACTWX) Columbia Acorn USA (NASDAQ:LAUAX) (NASDAQ:LAUBX), (NASDAQ:LAUCX), (NASDAQ:AUSAX) Columbia Asset Allocation Fund (NASDAQ:LAAAX), (NASDAQ:LAABX), (NASDAQ:LAACX), (NASDAQ:GBAAX), (NASDAQ:GAAAX), (NASDAQ:GAATX) Columbia Balanced Fund (NASDAQ:CBLAX), (NASDAQ:CBLBX), (NASDAQ:CBLCX), (NASDAQ:CBLDX), (NASDAQ:CBALX) Columbia Common Stock Fund (NASDAQ:CMSAX), (NASDAQ:CMSBX), (NASDAQ:CCSCX), (NASDAQ:CMSDX), (NASDAQ:CMSTX) Columbia Disciplined Value Fund (NASDAQ:LEVAX), (NASDAQ:LEVBX), (NASDAQ:LEVCX), (NASDAQ:GEVBX), (NASDAQ:GALEX), (NASDAQ:GEVTX) Columbia Dividend Income Fund (NASDAQ:LBSAX), (NASDAQ:LBSBX), (NASDAQ:LBSCX), (NASDAQ:GEQBX), (NASDAQ:GEQAX), (NASDAQ:GSFTX) Columbia Growth & Income Fund (NASDAQ:CFGAX), (NASDAQ:CFGBX), (NASDAQ:CFGDX), (NASDAQ:LGISX) Columbia Growth Fund (NASDAQ:CGWAX), (NASDAQ:CGWBX), (NASDAQ:CGWCX), (NASDAQ:CGWDX), (NASDAQ:CGWGX), (NASDAQ:CLMBX) Columbia Growth Stock Fund (NASDAQ:CGSAX), (NASDAQ:CGSBX), (NASDAQ:CGSCX), (NASDAQ:SRFSX) Columbia Large Cap Core Fund (NASDAQ:LCCAX), (NASDAQ:LCCBX), (NASDAQ:LCCCX), (NASDAQ:GGRBX), (NASDAQ:SGIEX), (NASDAQ:SMGIX) Columbia Large Cap Growth Fund (NASDAQ:LEGAX), (NASDAQ:LEGBX), (NASDAQ:LEGCX), (NASDAQ:GBEGX), (NASDAQ:GAEGX), (NASDAQ:GEGTX) Columbia Large Company Index Fund (NASDAQ:LLIAX), (NASDAQ:LLIBX), (NASDAQ:LLICX), (NASDAQ:ILCIX) Columbia Liberty Fund (NASDAQ:COLFX), (NASDAQ:CCFBX), (NASDAQ:CTCCX), (NASDAQ:CTCFX) Columbia Mid Cap Growth Fund (NASDAQ:CBSAX), (NASDAQ:CBSBX), (NASDAQ:CMCCX), (NASDAQ:CBSDX), (NASDAQ:CBSGX), (NASDAQ:CBSTX), (NASDAQ:CLSPX) Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund (NASDAQ:COLGX), (NASDAQ:COGBX), (NASDAQ:CSVCX), (NASDAQ:LSVSX) Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund (NASDAQ:CREAX), (NASDAQ:CREBX), (NASDAQ:CRECX), (NASDAQ:CREDX), (NASDAQ:CREEX) Columbia Small Cap Fund (NASDAQ:LSMAX), (NASDAQ:LSMBX), (NASDAQ:LSMCX), (NASDAQ:GBSMX), (NASDAQ:SSCEX), (NASDAQ:SMCEX) Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund (NASDAQ:CMSCX) Columbia Small Cap Value Fund (NASDAQ:CSMIX), (NASDAQ:CSSBX), (NASDAQ:CSSCX), (NASDAQ:CSCZX) Columbia Small Company Equity Fund (NASDAQ:LSEAX), (NASDAQ:LSEBX), (NASDAQ:LSECX), (NASDAQ:GERBXNASDAQ:(Nasdaq:NASDAQ:GASEX), (NASDAQ:GSETX) Columbia Small Company Index Fund (NASDAQ:LBIAX), (NASDAQ:LBIBX), (NASDAQ:LBICX), (NASDAQ:ISCIX) Columbia Strategic Investor Fund (NASDAQ:CSVAX), (NASDAQ:CSVBX), (NASDAQ:CSRCX), (NASDAQ:CSVDX), (NASDAQ:CSVFX) Columbia Tax-Managed Aggressive Growth Fund (NASDAQ:LTMAX), (NASDAQ:LTAGX), (NASDAQ:LTACX), (NASDAQ:LTAZX) Columbia Tax-Managed Growth Fund (NASDAQ:STMAX), (NASDAQ:CTMBX), (NASDAQ:CTMCX), (NASDAQ:LMGZX) Columbia Tax-Managed Growth Fund II (NASDAQ:LTGAX), (NASDAQ:LTIIX), (NASDAQ:LTGCX), (NASDAQ:LTGZX) Columbia Tax-Managed Value Fund (NASDAQ:SRVAX), (NASDAQ:CTMVX), (NASDAQ:LTVCX), (NASDAQ:LTMZX) Columbia Technology Fund (NASDAQ:CTCAX), (NASDAQ:CTCBX), (NASDAQ:CTHCX), (NASDAQ:CTCDX), (NASDAQ:CMTFX) Columbia Thermostat Fund (NASDAQ:CTFAX), (NASDAQ:CTFBX), (NASDAQ:CTFDX), (NASDAQ:COTZX) Columbia Utilities Fund (NASDAQ:CUTLX), (NASDAQ:CUTBX), (NASDAQ:CUTFX), (NASDAQ:LUFZX) Columbia Young Investor Fund (NASDAQ:LYIAX), (NASDAQ:LYIBX), (NASDAQ:LYICX), (NASDAQ:SRYIX) Columbia Acorn International Fund (NASDAQ:LAIAX), (NASDAQ:LIABX), (NASDAQ:LAICX), (NASDAQ:ACINX) Columbia Acorn International Select Fund (NASDAQ:LAFAX), (NASDAQ:LFFBX), (NASDAQ:LFFCX), (NASDAQ:ACFFX) Columbia Europe Fund (NASDAQ:NEUAX), (NASDAQ:LNEBX), (NASDAQ:LNECX), (NASDAQ:LNEZX) Columbia European Thematic Equity Fund (NASDAQ:LSREX) Columbia Global Equity Fund (NASDAQ:CGUAX), (NASDAQ:CGUBX), (NASDAQ:CGUCX) Columbia Global Thematic Equity Fund (NASDAQ:LSRGX) Columbia International Equity Fund (NASDAQ:LIEAX), (NASDAQ:LIEBX), (NASDAQ:LIECX), (NASDAQ:GBIEX), (NASDAQ:GAIEX), (NASDAQ:GIETX) Columbia International Stock Fund (NASDAQ:CISAX), (NASDAQ:CISBX), (NASDAQ:CSKCX), (NASDAQ:CISDX), (NASDAQ:CMISX) Columbia Newport Asia Pacific Fund (NASDAQ:NWAPX), (NASDAQ:LNABX), (NASDAQ:LNACX), (NASDAQ:LAPSX) Columbia Newport Japan Opportunities Fund (NASDAQ:NJOAX), (NASDAQ: NJOBX), (NASDAQ:NJOCX), (NASDAQ:LNJZX) Columbia Newport Greater China Fund (NASDAQ:NGCAX), (NASDAQ:NGCBX), (NASDAQ:NGCCX), (NASDAQ:LNGZX) Columbia Newport Tiger Fund (NASDAQ:CNTAX), (NASDAQ:CNTBX), (NASDAQ:CNTDX), (NASDAQ:CNTTX), (NASDAQ:CNTZX) Columbia Contrarian Income Fund (NASDAQ:CHINX), (NASDAQ:LCIBX), (NASDAQ:LCICX), (NASDAQ:LCIZX) Columbia Corporate Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LBCAX), (NASDAQ:LBCBX), (NASDAQ: LBCCX), (NASDAQ:GCBTX) Columbia Daily Income Company Fund (NASDAQ:CDIXX) Columbia Federal Securities Fund (NASDAQ:CFSAX), (NASDAQ:CFSOX), (NASDAQ:CFSCX), (NASDAQ:LFSZX) Columbia Fixed Income Securities Fund (NASDAQ:CFIAX), (NASDAQ:CFIBX), (NASDAQ:CISCX), (NASDAQ:CFIDX), (NASDAQ:CFISX) Columbia Floating Rate Advantage Fund (NASDAQ:XSFRX), (NASDAQ:XSFBX), (NASDAQ:XLACX), (NASDAQ:XLAZX) Columbia Floating Rate Fund (NASDAQ:XLFAX), (NASDAQ:XLSBX), (NASDAQ:XLFCX), (NASDAQ:XLFZX) Columbia High Yield Fund (NASDAQ:CHGAX), (NASDAQ:CHGBX), (NASDAQ: CHDCX), CHGDX), (NASDAQ:CMHYX) Columbia High Yield Opportunity Fund (NASDAQ:COLHX), (NASDAQ:COHBX), (NASDAQ:CHYCX), (NASDAQ:LHYZX) Columbia Income Fund (NASDAQ:LIIAX), (NASDAQ:CIOBX), (NASDAQ:CIOCX), (NASDAQ:SRINX) Columbia Intermediate Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LIBAX), (NASDAQ:LIBBX), (NASDAQ:LIBCX), (NASDAQ:SRBFX) Columbia Intermediate Government Income Fund (NASDAQ:LIGAX), (NASDAQ:LIGBX), (NASDAQ:LIGCX), (NASDAQ:GGIBX), (NASDAQ:GALBX), (NASDAQ:GIBTX) Columbia Money Market Fund (NASDAQ:CMMXX), (NASDAQ:CMBXX), (NASDAQ:CMCXX), (NASDAQ:LMZXX) Columbia Quality Plus Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LQPAX), (NASDAQ:LQPBX), (NASDAQ:LQPCX), (NASDAQ:GBHQX), (NASDAQ:GAHQX), (NASDAQ:GHQTX) ColumbiaShort Term Bond Fund (NASDAQ:CTBAX), (NASDAQ:CTBBX), (NASDAQ:CSHCX), (NASDAQ:CTBDX), (NASDAQ:CTBGX), (NASDAQ:CTBTX), (NASDAQ:CUGGX) Columbia Strategic Income Fund (NASDAQ:COSIX), (NASDAQ:CLSBX), (NASDAQ:CLSCX), (NASDAQ:LSIZX) Columbia US Treasury Index Fund (NASDAQ:LUTAX), (NASDAQ:LUTBX), (NASDAQ:LUTCX), (NASDAQ:IUTIX) Columbia California Tax-Exempt Fund (NASDAQ:CLMPX), (NASDAQ:CCABX), (NASDAQ:CCAOX) Columbia Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond (NASDAQ:LCTAX), (NASDAQ:LCTBX), (NASDAQ:LCTCX), (NASDAQ:GCBBX), (NASDAQ:GCBAX), (NASDAQ:SCTEX) Columbia Connecticut Tax-Exempt Fund (NASDAQ:COCTX), (NASDAQ:CCTBX), (NASDAQ:CCTCX) Columbia Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LFIAX), (NASDAQ:LFIBX), (NASDAQ:LFICX), (NASDAQ:SFTEX) Columbia High Yield Municipal Fund (NASDAQ:LHIAX), (NASDAQ:CHMBX), (NASDAQ:CHMCX), (NASDAQ:SRHMX) Columbia Intermediate Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LITAX), (NASDAQ:LITBX), (NASDAQ:LITCX), (NASDAQ:GIMBX), (NASDAQ:GIMAX), (NASDAQ:SETMX) Columbia Managed Municipals Fund (NASDAQ:LMMAX), (NASDAQ:LMMBX), (NASDAQ:LMMCX), (NASDAQ:SRMMX) Columbia Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LMIAX), (NASDAQ:LMIBX), (NASDAQ:LMICX), (NASDAQ:GMBBX), (NASDAQ:GMBAX), (NASDAQ:SEMAX) Columbia Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (NASDAQ:COMAX), (NASDAQ:CMABX), (NASDAQ:COMCX) Columbia Municipal Money Market Fund (NASDAQ:CXMXX), (NASDAQ:CMNXX), (NASDAQ:CMXXX), (NASDAQ:CMZXX) Columbia National Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:CNLAX), (NASDAQ:CNLBX), (NASDAQ:CNBCX), (NASDAQ:CNLDX), (NASDAQ:CLNMX) Columbia New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LNIAX), (NASDAQ:LNIBX), (NASDAQ:LNICX), (NASDAQ:GNJBX), (NASDAQ:GNJAX), (NASDAQ:GNJTX) Columbia New York Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LNYAX), (NASDAQ:LNYBX), (NASDAQ:LNYCX), (NASDAQ:GBNYX), (NASDAQ:GANYX), (NASDAQ:GNYTX) Columbia New York Tax-Exempt Fund (NASDAQ:COLNX), (NASDAQ:CNYBX), (NASDAQ:CNYCX) Columbia Oregon Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:COEAX), (NASDAQ:COEBX), (NASDAQ:CORCX),(NASDAQ:COEDX), (NASDAQ:CMBFX) Columbia Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LPIAX), (NASDAQ:LPIBX), (NASDAQ:LPICX), (NASDAQ:GTPAX) Columbia Rhode Island Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NASDAQ:LRIAX), (NASDAQ:LRIBX), (NASDAQ:LRICX), (NASDAQ:GRBBX), (NASDAQ:GRBAX), (NASDAQ:GRITX) Columbia Tax-Exempt Fund (NASDAQ:COLTX), (NASDAQ:CTEBX), (NASDAQ: COLCX) Columbia Tax-Exempt Insured Fund (NASDAQ:CEXIX), (NASDAQ:CEIBX), (NASDAQ:CEINX) The complaint charges, FleetBoston FinancialCorporation, Columbia Management Group, Inc., Columbia Management Advisors, Inc., Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P., the Columbia Funds, and the Doe Defendants with violations of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), and for common law breach of fiduciary duties. The Complaint alleges that during the Class Period the defendants engaged in illegal and impropertrading practices, in concert with certain institutional traders, which caused financial injury to the shareholders of the Columbia Funds. According to the Complaint, the Defendants surreptitiously permitted certain favored investors, including the Doe Defendants, to illegally engage in "timing" of the Columbia Funds whereby these favored investors were permitted to conduct short-term, "in and out" trading of mutual fund shares, despite explicit restrictions on such activity in the Columbia Funds' prospectuses. Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of class members and is represented by the law firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, which prosecutes class actions in both state and federal courts throughout the country. Schiffrin & Barroway is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered in excess of a billion dollars on behalf of institutional and high net worth individual investors. For more information about Schiffrin & Barroway, or to sign up to participate in this action online, please visit http://www.sbclasslaw.com. If you are a member of the class described above, you may, not later than April 13, 2004, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff of the class, if you so choose. In order to serve as lead plaintiff, however, you must meet certain legal requirements. You may retain Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP, or other counsel of your choice, to serve as your counsel in this action. CONTACT: Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP Marc A. Topaz, Esq. Stuart L. Berman, Esq. Three Bala Plaza East, Suite 400, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 1-888-299-7706 (toll free) or 1-610-667-7706 Or by e-mail at DATASOURCE: Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP CONTACT: Marc A. Topaz, Esq. or Stuart L. Berman, Esq. of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP, +1-888-299-7706, or +1-610-667-7706, Web site: http://www.sbclasslaw.com/

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