Mutual fund rating services and customers have also taken notice. Ten Armada funds have received a 4-or 5-star Morningstar rating, while Armada's Ohio Tax Exempt Bond Fund was named #1 in its category by Lipper. Investments from clients of National City's IMC, Private Investment Advisors, Institutional Trust, and from bank employees--who may invest in the funds (without a sales commission) through their savings investment plan (SIP)—have boosted Armada Funds assets to $16.3 billion.

Aside from strong returns, National City IMC is proud of its dedication to "style purity". For example, investors in the Armada Small Cap Value Fund can count on the fund to invest only in stocks of smaller, value-oriented companies. From the International Equity Fund, one can expect only foreign stock investment, and so on.

"We really believe in remaining true to the fund style because it's important to the investor," explains Dave Gorny, IMC director of communication and distribution. "When a fund compromises its style for higher returns, it also compromises the investors' ability to keep their portfolios style-diversified."

The importance of diversification is an investment tenet that holds true even for selecting mutual funds—which are by nature more diversified than an investment in a specific stock. Investment advisors typically suggest diversifying a mutual fund portfolio among funds with different management styles, such as growth, value, international, and small, mid- or large company stocks.

The Armada family of funds offers investors that full range of investment options, from the most conservative of investments--money market funds—to some of the most aggressive growth funds.

"Investing in a variety of funds in several categories, each of which varies by risk level and reward potential, allows individuals to minimize risk while maximizing return," says Mr. Gorny. "And to sleep at night."