State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. is now offering its family of 10 mutual funds to consumers nationwide.

In January, State Farm rolled out its 10 funds in Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Along with the opening of the State Farm Bank in May 1999, selling mutual funds is part of State Farm's strategy to penetrate the financial services market.

"Our consumers have told us they want more financial services products from their agents," says Ed Rust Jr., State Farm's CEO. "We opened State Farm Bank more than a year ago, and we see mutual funds as the next logical step in providing the kinds of products and services customers are requesting."

State Farm Investment Management Corp. will manage the funds. Barclays Global Fund Advisors will advise State Farm on the S&P 500 Index Fund, the Small Cap Index Fund, and the International Index Fund. Capital Guardian Trust Co. will advise the insurer on the Small Cap Equity Fund and the International Equity Fund, according to Kris Dunn, a State Farm spokesperson.

The funds will be sold by more than 9,000 securities licensed State Farm agents or by requesting an application through a toll-free number at (800) 447-4930 or through State Farm's Web site.