HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-05 - Resolution No. 18-12 RESOLUTION NO. 18-12
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT
SETTING FORTH A PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT POLICY
AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 17-16
WHEREAS, California Government Code (CGC) Section 53600-53686 sets forth
guidelines for the investment of public funds; and
WHEREAS, the current Yorba Linda Water District Investment Policy was adopted by
Resolution No. 17-16 on June 27, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the District is in possession of public funds that are not required for
immediate expenditure, and are available for investment; and
WHEREAS, a policy setting forth guidelines for the investment of said funds is
necessary for compliance with the principles of sound financial
management; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Yorba Linda Water District desire to adopt
the Investment Policy set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Board of Directors of the Yorba Linda
Water District as follows:
Section 1. That Exhibit A (Policy No. 3010-004 - Public Funds Investment) as
attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein is hereby
adopted and deemed effective July 1, 2018.
Section 2. That Resolution No. 17-16 is hereby rescinded effective July 1, 2018.
Resolution No. 18-12 Setting Forth a Public Funds Investment Policy and Rescinding Resolution No. 17-16 1
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June 2018, by the following called vote:
AYES: Directors Hall, Hawkins, Jones, Miller, and Nederhood
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
AIeder`ibod, President
Yorba Linda Water District
ATTEST:
Annie Alexander, Board Secretary
Yorba Linda Water District
Reviewed as to form by General Counsel:
' __-�/
Andrew'B. Gagen' sq.
Kidman Gagen Law LLP
Resolution No. 18-12 Setting Forth a Public Funds Investment Policy and Rescinding Resolution No. 17-16 2
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 1 of 14
Policies and Procedures
Policy No.: 3010-004
Adoption Method: Resolution No. 18-12
Effective Date: July 1, 2018
Last Revised: July 1, 2017
Prepared By: Delia Lugo, Finance Manager
Applicability: District Wide
POLICY: PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1.0 Policy
Section 2.0 Scope
Section 3.0 Delegation of Authority
Section 4.0 Investment Objectives
Section 5.0 Prudence
Section 6.0 Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Section 7.0 Authorized Broker/Dealers
Section 8.0 Authorized Investments
Section 9.0 Review of Investment Portfolio
Section 10.0 Investment Pools
Section 11.0 Collateralization
Section 12.0 Safekeeping and Custody
Section 13.0 Diversification and Maximum Maturities
Section 14.0 Internal Controls
Section 15.0 Performance Standards
Section 16.0 Reporting
Section 17.0 Investment Policy Adoption
Appendix A Description of Authorized Investments and Restrictions
Appendix B Glossary
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 2 of 14
1.0 POLICY
1.1 It is the policy of the Yorba Linda Water District (“District”) to invest public
funds in a manner which ensures the safety and preservation of capital while
meeting reasonably anticipated operating expenditure needs, achieving a
reasonable rate of return and conforming to all state and local statutes
governing the investment of public funds.
1.2 The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the prudent investment
of funds of the District and to outline the policies for maximizing the efficiency
of the District’s cash management. The District’s goal is to enhance the
economic status of the District consistent with the prudent protection of the
District’s investments. This investment policy has been prepared in
conformance with all pertinent existing laws of the State of California.
2.0 SCOPE
2.1 This Investment Policy applies to all funds and investment activities of the
District, except for the proceeds from capital project financing instruments,
which are invested in accordance with provisions of their specific documents.
These funds are accounted for as Enterprise Funds and are identified in the
District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
3.0 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
3.1 The authority of the Board of Directors to invest funds is derived from Section
53601 of the California Government Code (“CGC”). Section 53607 of the
CGC grants the Board of Directors the authority to delegate that authority,
for a one-year period, to the District’s Treasurer. Therefore, management
responsibility for the investment program is hereby delegated to the District’s
Treasurer, who shall be responsible for all transactions undertaken and shall
establish a system of controls to regulate the activities of subordinate officials
and their procedures in the absence of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall
establish procedures for the management of investment activities, including
the activities of staff consistent with this Policy.
3.2 The Treasurer may retain the services of an outside investment advisor or
manager as approved by the Board to assist with the District’s investment
program. Any investment advisor selected shall make all investment
decisions and transactions in strict accordance with State law, and this
Policy.
4.0 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
4.1 The primary objectives, in priority order, of the District’s investment activities
shall be:
4.1.1 Safety: Safety and preservation of principal is the foremost
objective of the investment program. Investments shall be selected
in a manner that seeks to ensure the preservation of capital in the
District’s overall portfolio. This will be accomplished through a
program of diversification and maturity limitations, more fully
described in Section 13, in order that potential losses on individual
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 3 of 14
securities do not exceed the income generated from the remainder
of the portfolio.
4.1.2 Liquidity: The District’s investment portfolio will remain sufficiently
liquid to enable the District to meet all operating requirements which
might be reasonably anticipated. Securities should mature
concurrent with cash needs to meet anticipated demands.
4.1.3 Return on Investments: The District’s investment portfolio shall
be designed with the objective of attaining the best yield or returns
on investments, taking into account the investment risk constraints
and liquidity needs. Return on investment is of secondary
importance compared to the safety and liquidity objectives.
5.0 PRUDENCE
5.1 The standard of prudence to be used by the designated representative shall
be the “prudent investor” standard and shall be applied in the context of
managing the overall portfolio. The meaning of the standard of prudent
investor is explained in CGC Section 53600.3, which states that “when
investing, reinvesting, purchasing, acquiring, exchanging, selling or
managing public funds, a trustee shall act with care, skill, prudence, and
diligence under the circumstances then prevailing, including, but not limited
to, the general economic conditions and the anticipated needs of the agency,
that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiarity with those
matters would use in the conduct of funds of a like character and with like
aims, to safeguard the principal and maintain the liquidity needs of the
agency.”
5.2 The Treasurer and delegated investment officers, acting in accordance with
District procedures and the Policy and exercising due diligence, shall be
relieved of personal responsibility for an individual security’s credit risk or
market price changes, provided deviations from expectations are reported in
a timely fashion and appropriate action is taken to control adverse
developments.
5.3 Investments shall be made with judgment and care - under circumstances
then prevailing - which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence
exercise in the management of their own affairs, not for speculation, but for
investment, considering the probable safety of their capital as well as the
probable income to be derived.
6.0 ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
6.1 Officers and employees involved in the investment process shall refrain from
personal business activity that could conflict with proper execution of the
investment program, or which could impair their ability to make impartial
investment decisions. Employees and investment officials shall disclose to
the District’s General Manager any material financial interests in financial
institutions that conduct business with the District’s boundaries, and they
shall further disclose any large personal financial/investment positions that
could be related to the performance of the District.
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 4 of 14
7.0 AUTHORIZED BROKER/DEALERS
7.1 The Treasurer will maintain a list of authorized broker/dealers and financial
institutions that are approved for investment purposes. Broker/dealers will
be selected for credit worthiness and must be authorized to provide
investment services in the State of California. These may include “primary”
dealers or regional dealers that qualify under Securities & Exchange
Commission Rule 15(C)3-1 (uniform net capital rule). No public deposit will
be made by the broker/dealer except in a qualified public depository as
established by the established state laws. Before a financial institution or
broker/dealer is used, they are subject to investigation and approval by the
Treasurer or his/her designated representative, and must submit the
following:
7.1.1 Certification of having read and understood this investment policy
resolution and agreeing to comply with the District’s investment
policy;
7.1.2 Proof of Federal Investment Regulatory Authority certification;
7.1.3 Proof of State of California registration;
7.1.4 Audited financial statements for the institution’s three (3) most
recent fiscal years;
7.1.5 References of other public-sector clients that similar services are
provided to.
7.2 If a third party investment advisor is authorized to conduct investment
transactions on the District’s behalf, the investment advisor may use their
own list of approved independent broker/dealers and financial institutions.
The investment advisor’s approved list must be made available to the District
upon request.
8.0 AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS
8.1 The District is provided a broad spectrum of eligible investments under the
CGC Sections 53601 et seq. Authorized investments shall also include, in
accordance with CGC section 16429.1 et seq., investments into the Local
Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and the Orange County Treasurer’s
Commingled Investment Pool in accordance with CGC section 53684. Within
the investments permitted by the CGC, the District seeks to further restrict
eligible investment to the investments listed in Section 8.3 below.
Percentage holding limits listed in this section apply at the time the security
is purchased. Ratings, where shown, specify the minimum credit rating
category required at purchased without regard to +/- or 1,2,3 modifiers, if any.
8.2 The purchase of any investment permitted by the CGC, but not listed as an
authorized investment in this Policy is prohibited without the prior approval of
the Board of Directors.
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8.3 Within the context of these limitations, the following investments are
authorized:
TABLE 1
Permitted Investments*/
Deposits
CA Government Code
% of Portfolio Limits /
Maturity Limits
YLWD
% of Portfolio Limits /
Maturity Limits
Bank Deposits#
No % limit, 5 years No % limit, 5 years
CD Placement Service#
30% limit, 5 years 30% limit, 5 years
Local Agency Investment
Fund (LAIF)^
No % or maturity limit No % or maturity limit
County Pooled Investment
Funds^
No % or maturity limit No % or maturity limit
Joint Powers Authority Funds
(CalTRUST & CAMP)^
No % or maturity limit No % or maturity limit
U.S. Treasury Obligations
No % limit, 5 years No % limit, 5 years
U.S. Agency Obligations
No % limit, 5 years No % limit, 5 years
Negotiable Certificates of
Deposit#
30% portfolio, 5 years 30% portfolio, 5
years
Money Market Funds*
20%, 10% per issuer, no
limit
20%, 10% per issuer,
no limit
Medium-Term (or Corporate)
Notes*
30% portfolio, 5 years 30% portfolio, 5
years
Bankers Acceptances*
40%, 30% per issuer, 180
days
10% max, 5% per
issuer, 180 days
Commercial Paper*
25%, 10% per issuer, 270
days
25% max, 5% per
issuer, 270 days
* See Appendix A for more detailed descriptions and additional restrictions.
^ See Section 10.0 for additional restrictions.
# See Section 11.0 for additional restrictions.
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 6 of 14
9.0 REVIEW OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
9.1 The securities held by the District must be in compliance with Section 8
Authorized Investments at the time of purchase. The Treasurer shall at least
quarterly review the portfolio to verify that all securities are in compliance with
Section 8 Authorized Investments. In the event a security held by the District
is subject to a credit rating change that brings it below the minimum credit
ratings specified in Appendix A Authorized Investments, the Treasurer
should notify the Board of Directors of the change. The course of action to
be followed will then be decided on a case-by-case basis, considering such
factors as the reason for the change, prognosis for recovery or further rate
drops, and the market price of the security.
10.0 INVESTMENT POOLS
10.1 A thorough investigation of any investment pool or mutual fund is required
prior to investing, and on a continual basis. The investigation will, at a
minimum, obtain the following information:
10.1.1 A description of eligible investment securities, and a written
statement of investment policy and objectives;
10.1.2 A description of interest calculations and how it is distributed, and
how gains and losses are treated;
10.1.3 A description of how the securities are safeguarded (included the
settlement processes), and how often the securities are priced and
the program audited;
10.1.4 A description of who may invest in the program, how often and what
size deposit and withdrawal are allowed;
10.1.5 A schedule for receiving statements and portfolio listings;
10.1.6 Are reserves, retained earnings, etc. utilized by the pool/fund;
10.1.7 A fee schedule and when and how it is assessed;
10.1.8 Is the pool/fund eligible for bond proceeds and/or will it accept such
proceeds;
11.0 COLLATERALIZATION
11.1 Bank Deposits: Under provisions of the CGC, California banks and
savings and loan associations are required to secure the District’s deposits
by pledging eligible securities with a value of 110% of principal and accrued
interest. State law also allows financial institutions to secure District
deposits by pledging first trust deed mortgage notes having a value of
150% of the District’s total deposits.
11.2 Waiver of Security: The Treasurer, at his/her discretion and in
accordance with CGC section 53653, may waive security for the portion of
any deposits as is insured pursuant to federal law.
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 7 of 14
12.0 SAFEKEEPING AND CUSTODY
12.1 All security transactions entered into by the District shall be conducted on
a delivery-versus-payment basis. Securities will be held by a third party
custodian designated by the Treasurer and evidenced by safekeeping
receipts. The only exception to the foregoing shall be depository accounts
and securities purchases made with (i) local government investment pools,
and (ii) money market mutual funds, since those purchased securities are
not deliverable.
13.0 DIVERSIFICATION AND MAXIMUM MATURITIES
13.1 The District will diversify its investments by security type and institution.
With the exception of U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Agency Securities, FDIC
Insured Certificates of Deposit and authorized pools, no more than 30% of
the District’s total investment portfolio will be invested in a single security
type or with a single financial institution.
13.2 To the extent possible, the District will attempt to match its investments with
anticipated cash flow requirements. Unless matched to a specific cash flow
and approved in advance by the Board of Directors, the District will not
directly invest in securities maturing more than 5 years from the date of
purchase.
14.0 INTERNAL CONTROLS
14.1 The external auditors will annually review the investments and general
activities associated with the investment program. This review will provide
internal control by assuring compliance with the Investment Policy and
District policies and procedures.
15.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
15.1 The investment portfolio will be designed with the objective of obtaining a
rate of return throughout budgetary and economic cycles, commensurate
with the investment risk constraints and the cash flow needs.
15.2 The performance of the District’s investment portfolio will be evaluated and
compared to an appropriate benchmark in order to assess the success of
the investment portfolio relative to the District’s Safety, Liquidity and Return
on Investments objectives. This review will be conducted annually by the
District Treasurer.
16.0 REPORTING
16.1 Subject to CGC sections 53607 and 53646(b), the Treasurer will provide
monthly and quarterly investment reports to the Board of Directors which
provide a clear picture of the status of the current investment portfolio. The
reports shall comply with the reporting requirements of CGC sections
53607 and 53646(b), respectively.
17.0 INVESTMENT POLICY ADOPTION
17.1 The District’s Investment Policy will be adopted by resolution of the Board
of Directors. The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis and
modification, if any, must be approved by the Board of Directors.
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 8 of 14
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS
The following descriptions of authorized investments, maximum maturities and limits are
included here to assist in the administration of this policy.
1) BANK DEPOSITS
The District may make bank deposits in accordance with California Government
Code section 53630 et seq., which requires collateral. Per California
Government Code Section, there are three classes of deposits: (a) inactive
deposits, (b) active deposits and (c) interest-bearing active deposits. The
collateral requirements apply to both active deposits (checking and savings
accounts) and inactive deposits (non-negotiable time certificates of deposit).
The maximum maturity shall be five years. No limit will be placed on the
percentage total invested in this category.
2) CD PLACEMENT SERVICE – Government Code Sections 53601.8 and 53653.8
The District may invest in collateralized certificates of deposits in accordance
with the requirements in California Government Code Sections 53601.8 and
53635.8. Purchases of certificates of deposit pursuant to Government Code
Sections 53601.8, 53653.8, and 53601 shall not, in total, exceed 30 percent of
District’s investment portfolio. The maximum maturity is limited to five years.
3) THE STATE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND (LAIF) – Government
Code Section 16429.1
The LAIF is a special fund in the California State Treasury and an investment
alternative for California’s local governments and special districts created and
governed pursuant to CGC Section 16429.1 et seq. and managed by the State
Treasurer’s Office. The District, with the consent of the Board of Directors, is
authorized to remit money not required for the District’s immediate need, to the
State Treasurer for deposit in this fund for the purpose of investment. Principal
may be withdrawn on one day’s notice. The fees charged by LAIF are limited by
statute. Investment of District funds in LAIF shall be subject to investigation and
due diligence prior to investing, and on a continual basis to a level of review
described in Section 10 Investment Pools. No limit will be placed on the
percentage total in this category.
4) ORANGE COUNTY TREASURER’S COMMINGLED INVESTMENT POOL
(OCCIP) – Government Code Section 53684
The OCCIP is a money market investment pool managed by the Orange County
Treasurer’s Office. OCCIP is more fully described in the glossary at Appendix
B. The District has no funds invested in OCCIP at this time. Investment of
District funds in OCCIP would be subject to investigation and due diligence prior
to investing, and on a continual basis to a level of review described in Section 10
Investment Pools. There is no maturity limit. No limit will be placed on the
percentage total in this category.
5) THE INVESTMENT TRUST OF CALIFORNIA (CALTRUST) – Government
Code Section 53601(p)
The Investment Trust of California (CalTRUST) is a local government investment
pool organized as a joint powers authority pursuant to California Government
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Code Section 6509.7. Wells Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Wells Fargo, is the portfolio manager for each of the CalTRUST funds.
Investment of District funds in CalTRUST shall be subject to investigation and
due diligence prior to investing, and on a continual basis to a level of review
described in Section 10 Investment Pools. No limit will be placed on the
percentage total in this category.
6) CALIFORNIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CAMP) – Government
Code Section 53601(p)
The Trust is currently governed by a Board of five Trustees, all of whom are
officials or employees of Public Agencies. The Trustees are responsible for
setting overall policies and procedures for the Trust. The Program’s Investment
Adviser and Administrator is Public Financial Management, Inc. The amounts
deposited in this category shall be limited to bond proceeds and are to be
invested for the purpose of arbitrage management only. The District has no
funds invested in CAMP at this time. Investment of District funds in OCCIP would
be subject to investigation and due diligence prior to investing, and on a continual
basis to a level of review described in Section 10 Investment Pools. Proceeds
may be invested in the Treasury Portfolio and/or the Money Market Portfolio.
There is no maturity limit. No limit will be placed on the percentage total in this
category.
7) U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS – Government Code Section 53601(b)
United States Treasury notes, bonds, bills or certificates of indebtedness, or
those for which the faith and credit of the United States are pledged for the
payment of principal and interest. The maximum maturity shall be limited to five
years. No limit will be placed on the percentage total invested in this category.
8) U.S. AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – Government Code Section 53601(f)
Federal agency or United States government-sponsored enterprise senior debt
obligations, participations, mortgaged-backed securities or other instruments,
including those issued by or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by
Federal agencies or United States government-sponsored enterprises.
Examples of these securities include Federal National Mortgage Association,
Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and
Federal Home Loan Bank. The maximum maturity shall be limited to five years
with no limit placed on the percentage total in this investment category.
9) NEGOTIABLE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT – Government Code Section
53601(i)
Investments are limited to deposits issued by a nationally or state-chartered
bank, a savings association or a federal association (as defined by Section 5102
of the Financial Code), a state or federal credit union, or by a state-licensed
branch of a foreign bank.
Individual investments shall be limited to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-
insured limits of $250,000. Purchases of certificates of deposit pursuant to
Government Code Sections 53601.8, 53653.8, and 53601 shall not, in total,
exceed 30 percent of District’s investment portfolio. The maximum maturity is
limited to five years.
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10) MONEY MARKET FUNDS – Government Code Section 53601(l)(2)
Shares of a beneficial interest issued by diversified management companies that
are money market funds registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The company shall have met either of the following criteria: (A) attained the
highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating provided by not less
than two nationally recognized rating services and (B) retained an investment
adviser registered or exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission with not less than five years of experience managing money market
mutual funds with assets under management in excess of five hundred million
dollars ($500,000,000). There is no maturity limit. A maximum of 20 percent of
the portfolio may be invested in this category, and a maximum of 10 percent of
the portfolio may be invested in any single issuer.
If the District has funds invested in a money market fund, a copy of the fund’s
information statement shall be maintained on file. In addition, the Treasurer
should review the fund’s summary holdings on a quarterly basis.
11) MEDIUM-TERM (OR CORPORATE) NOTES – Government Code Section
53601(k)
Medium-term notes are defined as all corporate and depository institution debt
securities with a maximum remaining maturity of five years or less. The
corporation must be domestic, the notes must be domestic and the notes must
be issued in the United States. The corporation must be rated A or its equivalent
or better by a nationally recognized rating service. The maximum maturity is
limited to five years and the maximum percentage allowable for investment is 30
percent of the investment portfolio in the aggregate.
12) BANKERS’ ACCEPTANCES – Government Code Section 53601 (g)
Bankers’ acceptances, otherwise known as bills of exchange or time drafts, are
drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Purchases are limited to bankers’
acceptances issued by domestic or foreign banks, which are eligible for purchase
by the Federal Reserve System. Eligible bankers’ acceptances are restricted to
issuing financial institutions with a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” or its
equivalent by a nationally recognized rating service. The maximum term may
not exceed 180 days and the maximum percentage allowable for investment is
10 percent of the portfolio in the aggregate, and 5% for an individual issuer.
13) COMMERCIAL PAPER – Government Code Section 53601(h)
Commercial paper rated the highest ranking or of the highest letter and number
ratings as provided for by a nationally recognized rating service. The entity that
issues the commercial paper shall meet either of the following two sets of criteria:
(1) The corporation shall be organized and operating within the United States,
shall have total assets in excess of $500,000,000, and shall have debt, other
than commercial paper, if any, that is rated A or higher by a nationally recognized
rating service. (2) The corporation shall be organized within the United States as
a special purpose corporation, trust, or limited liability company, has program
wide credit enhancements including, but not limited to, over collateralization,
letters of credit, or surety bond; has commercial paper that is rated “A-1” or
higher, or equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical-rating organization.
Eligible commercial paper may not exceed 270 days’ maturity and may not
represent more than the 25 percent of the investment portfolio in the aggregate,
and 5% for an individual issuer.
3010-004 Public Funds Investment Policy Page 11 of 14
APPENDIX B
GLOSSARY
AGENCIES: Federal agency securities and/or Government-sponsored enterprises.
ASKED: The price at which securities are offered.
BANKERS’ ACCEPTANCE (BA): A draft or bill or exchange accepted by a bank or trust
company. The accepting institution guarantees payment of the bill, as well as the issuer.
BENCHMARK: A comparative base for measuring the performance or risk tolerance of
the investment portfolio. A benchmark should represent a close correlation to the level of
risk and the average duration of the portfolio’s investments.
BID: The price offered by a buyer of securities. (When you are selling securities, you ask
for a bid.) See Offer.
BROKER: A broker brings buyers and sellers together for a commission.
CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT (CD): A time deposit with a specific maturity evidenced by
a Certificate. Large-denomination CD’s are typically negotiable.
COLLATERAL: Securities, evidence of deposit or other property, which a borrower
pledges to secure repayment of a loan. Also refers to securities pledged by a bank to
secure deposits of public monies.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR): The official annual report
of the District. It includes five combined statements for each individual fund and account
group prepared in conformity with GAAP. It also includes supporting schedules necessary
to demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal and contractual provisions,
extensive introductory material, and a detailed Statistical Section.
COUPON: (a) The annual rate of interest that a bond’s issuer promises to pay the
bondholder on the bond’s face value. (b) A certificate attached to a bond evidencing
interest due on a payment date.
DEALER: A dealer, as opposed to a broker, acts as a principal in all transactions, buying
and selling for his own account.
DEBENTURE: A bond secured only by the general credit of the issuer.
DELIVERY VERSUS PAYMENT: There are two methods of delivery of securities: delivery
versus payment and delivery versus receipt. Delivery versus payment is delivery of
securities with an exchange of money for the securities. Delivery versus receipt is delivery
of securities with an exchange of a signed receipt for the securities.
DERIVATIVES: (1) Financial instruments whose return profile is linked to, or derived from,
the movement of one or more underlying index or security, and may include a leveraging
factor, or (2) financial contracts based upon notional amounts whose value is derived from
an underlying index or security (interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equities or
commodities).
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DISCOUNT: The difference between the cost price of a security and its maturity when
quoted at lower than face value. A security selling below original offering price shortly after
sale also is considered to be at a discount.
DISCOUNT SECURITIES: Non-interest bearing money market instruments that are
issued a discount and redeemed at maturity for full face value (e.g., U.S. Treasury Bills.)
DIVERSIFICATION: Dividing investment funds among a variety of securities offering
independent returns.
DURATION: A measure of the sensitivity of the price (the value of principal) of a fixed-
income investment to a change in interest rates. Duration is expressed as a number of
years. Rising interest rates mean falling bond prices, while declining interest rates mean
rising bond prices.
FEDERAL CREDIT AGENCIES: Agencies of the Federal government set up to supply
credit to various classes of institutions and individuals, e.g., S&L’s, small business firms,
students, farmers, farm cooperatives, and exporters.
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (FDIC): A federal agency that
insures bank deposits, currently up to $250,000 per entity.
FEDERAL FUNDS RATE: The rate of interest at which Fed funds are traded. This rate is
currently pegged by the Federal Reserve through open-market operations.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS (FHLB): Government sponsored wholesale banks
(currently 12 regional banks), which lend funds and provide correspondent banking
services to member commercial banks, thrift institutions, credit unions and insurance
companies. The mission of the FHLBs is to liquefy the housing related assets of its
members who must purchase stock in their district Bank.
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (FNMA): FNMA, like GNMA was
chartered under the Federal National Mortgage Association Act in 1938. FNMA is a federal
corporation working under the auspices of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). It is the largest single provider of residential mortgage funds in the
United States. Fannie Mae, as the corporation is called, is a private stockholder-owned
corporation. The corporation’s purchases include a variety of adjustable mortgages and
second loans, in addition to fixed-rate mortgages. FNMA’s securities are also highly liquid
and are widely accepted. FNMA assumes and guarantees that all security holders will
receive timely payment of principal and interest.
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM: The central bank of the United States created by
Congress and consisting of a seven member Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., 12
regional banks and about 5,700 commercial banks are members of the system.
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (GNMA or Ginnie Mae):
Securities influencing the volume of bank credit guaranteed by GNMA and issued by
mortgage bankers, commercial banks, savings and loan associations, and other
institutions. Security holder is protected by full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the FHA, VA or FHA mortgages. The term “pass-
throughs” is often used to describe Ginnie Maes.
LIQUIDITY: A liquid asset is one that can be converted easily and rapidly into cash without
a substantial loss of value. In the money market, a security is said to be liquid if the spread
between bid and asked prices is narrow and reasonable size can be done at those quotes.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT POOL (LGIP): The aggregate of all funds from
political subdivisions that are placed in the custody of the State Treasurer for investment
and reinvestment.
MARKET VALUE: The price at which a security is trading and could presumably be
purchased or sold.
MASTER REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: A written contract covering all future
transactions between the parties to repurchase—reverse repurchase agreements that
establishes each party’s rights in the transactions. A master agreement will often specify,
among other things, the right of the buyer-lender to liquidate the underlying securities in
the event of default by the seller borrower.
MATURITY: The date upon which the principal or stated value of an investment becomes
due and payable.
MONEY MARKET: The market in which short-term debt instruments (bills, commercial
paper, bankers’ acceptances, etc.) are issued and traded.
OFFER: The price asked by a seller of securities. (When you are buying securities, you
ask for an offer.) See Asked and Bid.
OPEN MARKET OPERATIONS: Purchases and sales of government and certain other
securities in the open market by the New York Federal Reserve Bank as directed by the
FOMC in order to influence the volume of money and credit in the economy. Purchases
inject reserves into the bank system and stimulate growth of money and credit; sales have
the opposite effect. Open market operations are the Federal Reserve’s most important
and most flexible monetary policy tool.
PORTFOLIO: Collection of securities held by an investor.
PRIMARY DEALER: A group of government securities dealers who submit daily reports
of market activity and positions and monthly financial statements to the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and are subject to its informal oversight. Primary dealers include
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered securities broker-dealers,
banks, and a few unregulated firms.
PRUDENT PERSON RULE: An investment standard. In some states the law requires that
a fiduciary, such as a trustee, may invest money only in a list of securities selected by the
custody state—the so-called legal list. In other states the trustee may invest in a security
if it is one which would be bought by a prudent person of discretion and intelligence who
is seeking a reasonable income and preservation of capital.
QUALIFIED PUBLIC DEPOSITORIES: A financial institution which does not claim
exemption from the payment of any sales or compensating use or ad valorem taxes under
the laws of this state, which has segregated for the benefit of the commission eligible
collateral having a value of not less than its maximum liability and which has been
approved by the Public Deposit Protection Commission to hold public deposits.
RATE OF RETURN: The yield obtainable on a security based on its purchase price or its
current market price. This may be the amortized yield to maturity on a bond the current
income return.
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (REPO): A holder of securities sells these securities to an
investor with an agreement to repurchase them at a fixed price on a fixed date. The
security “buyer” in effect lends the “seller” money for the period of the agreement, and the
terms of the agreement are structured to compensate him for this.
SAFEKEEPING: A service to customers rendered by banks for a fee whereby securities
and valuables of all types and descriptions are held in the bank’s vaults for protection.
SECONDARY MARKET: A market made for the purchase and sale of outstanding issues
following the initial distribution.
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION: Agency created by Congress to protect
investors in securities transactions by administering securities legislation.
SEC RULE 15(C)3-1: See Uniform Net Capital Rule.
STRUCTURED NOTES: Notes issued by Government Sponsored Enterprises (FHLB,
FNMA, SLMA, etc.) and Corporations, which have imbedded options (e.g., call features,
step-up coupons, floating rate coupons, and derivative-based returns) into their debt
structure. Their market performance is impacted by the fluctuation of interest rates, the
volatility of the imbedded options and shifts in the shape of the yield curve.
TREASURY BILLS: A non-interest bearing discount security issued by the U.S. Treasury
to finance the national debt. Most bills are issued to mature in three months, six months,
or one year.
TREASURY BONDS: Long-term coupon-bearing U.S. Treasury securities issued as
direct obligations of the U.S. Government and having initial maturities of more than 10
years.
TREASURY NOTES: Medium-term coupon-bearing U.S. Treasury securities issued as
direct obligations of the U.S. Government and having initial maturities from two to 10 years.
UNIFORM NET CAPITAL RULE: Securities and Exchange Commission requirement that
member firms as well as nonmember broker-dealers in securities maintain a maximum
ratio of indebtedness to liquid capital of 15 to 1; also called net capital rule and net capital
ratio. Indebtedness covers all money owed to a firm, including margin loans and
commitments to purchase securities, one reason new public issues are spread among
members of underwriting syndicates. Liquid capital includes cash and assets easily
converted into cash.
YIELD: The rate of annual income return on an investment, expressed as a percentage.
(a) INCOME YIELD is obtained by dividing the current dollar income by the current market
price for the security. (b) NET YIELD or YIELD TO MATURITY is the current income yield
minus any premium above par or plus any discount from par in purchase price, with the
adjustment spread over the period from the date of purchase to the date of maturity of the
bond.