HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-13; City Council; Resolution 2007-0301
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-030
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE CITY'S INVESTMENT POLICY DATED FEBRUARY 6, 2007
WHEREAS, the City adopted an investment policy on January 2, 1985 as
required by Section 53646 of the California Government Code; and
WHEREAS, Section 53646(a) of the California Government Code suggests that
the City Treasurer to render annually to the City Council a statement of investment policy;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council may from time to time revise this policy as may be
necessary to provide proper guidance to City staff and the City Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, The City Treasurer has reviewed the existing investment policy and
has recommended modifications this year; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1. The attached investment policy, dated February 6, 2007, (Exhibit 2) is hereby
adopted and supersedes the policy dated October 18, 2005.
2. That the Council finds that the investment policy dated February 6, 2007, (Exhibit 2)
continues to be in conformance with Sections 53601 and 53635 of the California
Government Code.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council on
the 13th day of February , 2007, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, ^Packard
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council flelftfaf SJ&fefoe
LORRAINE
EXHIBIT 2
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY
CITY OF CARLSBAD
H. V. (Mac) McSherry, City Treasurer
Submitted February 6, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
2. Policy 1
3. Scope 1
4. Objectives 2
5. Duties & Responsabilites 2
6. Prudence 2
7. Ethics and Conflicts of Interest 3
8. Authorized Investments 3
9. Collaterization 5
10. Unauthorized Investment / Investment Activity 5
11. Investment Strategy 5
12. Diversification 6
13. Maximum Maturities 6
14. Selection of Financial Institutions and Brokers 7
15. Purchase, Sale, Payment and Delivery 7
16. Safekeeping and Custody 8
17. Performance Standard for Pooled Investments 8
18. Reporting 8
19. Short Term Borrowing 9
20. Exceptions 9
21. Internal Control 10
22. Review 10
23. Investment Policy Adoption 10
Glossary 11
CITY OF CARLSBAD
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY
Submitted to City Council February 6, 2007
1.0 Introduction. The purpose of this document is to identify various policies and
procedures that enhance opportunities for a prudent and systematic investment policy
and to organize and formalize investment-related activities. Related activities which
comprise good cash management include accurate cash projections, the expeditious
collection of revenue, the control of disbursements, cost-effective banking relations, and
arranging for a short-term borrowing program which coordinates working capital
requirements and investment opportunities.
2.0 Policy. It is the policy of the City of Carlsbad to invest public funds not required
for immediate day-to-day operations in safe, liquid and medium term investments.
These investments shall yield an acceptable return while conforming to all California
statutes and the City's Investment Policy.
3.0 Scope. It is intended that this policy cover the investment activities of all
contingency reserves and inactive cash under the direct authority of the City.
3.1 Pooled Investments. Investments for the City and its component units will
be made on a pooled basis including, but not limited to, the City of Carlsbad, the
Housing Authority of the City of Carlsbad, the Parking Authority of the City of
Carlsbad, the City of Carlsbad Public Improvement Corporation, the Carlsbad
Redevelopment Agency, and the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. The City's
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report identifies the fund types involved as
follows:
• General Fund
• Special Revenue Funds
• Debt Service Funds
• Capital Project Funds
• Enterprise Funds
• Internal Service Funds
• Redevelopment Funds
• Trust Funds
• Miscellaneous Special Funds
• Any new funds created by the City Council, unless specifically exempted.
3.2 Investments held separately. Investments of bond proceeds will be held
separately when required by the bond indentures or when necessary to meet
arbitrage regulations. If allowed by the bond indentures, or if the arbitrage
regulations do not apply, investments of bond proceeds will be held as part of the
7
pooled investments.
4.0 Objectives. Section 53600.5 of the California Government Code outlines the
primary objectives of a trustee investing public money. The primary objectives, in order
of priority, of the City's investment activities shall be:
4.1 Safety. Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment
program. Investments of the City shall be undertaken in a manner that seeks to
ensure preservation of capital in the overall portfolio.
4.2 Liquidity. The City's investment portfolio will remain sufficiently liquid to
enable the City to meet all operating requirements which might be reasonably
anticipated.
4.3 Return on investment. Investment return becomes a consideration only
after the basic requirements of safety and liquidity have been met. The City
Treasurer shall attempt to realize a yield on investments consistent with California
statutes and the City's Investment Policy.
The City Treasurer should strive to maintain the level of investment of all contingency
reserves and inactive funds as close to 100% as possible. While the objectives of
safety and liquidity must first be met, it is recognized that portfolio assets represent a
potential source of significant revenues. It is to the benefit of the City that these assets
be managed to realize a yield on investments consistent with California statutes and the
City's Investment Policy.
5.0 Duties and Responsibilities. By the annual adoption of this policy, the
management of inactive cash and the investment of funds identified in paragraph 3.1 is
the responsibility of the City Treasurer as directed by the City Council. Under the
authority granted by the City Council, no person may engage in an investment
transaction covered by the terms of this policy unless directed by the City Treasurer.
In the execution of this delegated authority, the City Treasurer may establish accounts
with qualified financial institutions and brokers/dealers for the purpose of effecting
investment transactions in accordance with this policy. The criteria used to select
qualified financial institutions and brokers/dealers are identified in paragraph 14 of this
policy.
The City Treasurer may designate in writing a Deputy City Treasurer, who in the
absence of the City Treasurer, will assume the City Treasurer's duties and
responsibilities. The City Treasurer shall retain full responsibility for all transactions
undertaken under the terms of this policy.
In the endeavor to have all inactive cash invested all the time, the City Finance Director
will assist the City Treasurer in the gathering of information to create cash flow
estimates.
6.0 Prudence. Section 53600.3 of the California Government Code identifies as
trustees those persons authorized to make investment decisions on behalf of a local
agency. As a trustee, the standard of prudence to be used shall be the "prudent
investor" standard and shall be applied in the context of managing the overall portfolio.
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.
Investment officers acting in accordance with written procedures and the investment
policy and exercising due diligence shall be relieved of personal responsibility for an
individual security's credit risk changes or market price changes, provided deviations
from expectations are reported in a timely manner and appropriate action is taken to
control adverse developments.
7.0 Ethics and conflicts of interest. All participants in the City's investment process
shall seek to act responsibly as custodians of the public trust. 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 recommendations and decisions. Investment
officials and employees shall make all disclosures appropriate under the Fair Political
Practices Act and may seek the advice of the City Attorney and the Fair Political
Practices Commission whenever there is a question of personal financial or investment
positions that could represent potential conflicts of interest.
8.0 Authorized investments. Except for Time Certificates of Deposit, investments
will be made only in readily marketable securities actively traded in the secondary
market.
8.1 Pooled investments. The City Treasurer may invest City funds in the
following instruments as specified in the California Government Code, Section
53601, and as further limited in this policy.
8.1.1 Obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and
instrumentalities.
8.1.2 Bankers Acceptances which are eligible for purchase by the Federal
Reserve System. Bankers' Acceptances may neither exceed 180
days maturity nor twenty-five percent (25%) of the portfolio.
Furthermore, no more than thirty percent (30%) of the portfolio may
be invested in any one commercial bank.
8.1.3 Time Certificates of Deposit shall not exceed five (5) years to
maturity. Investments in Time Certificates of Deposit and Checking
Accounts shall be fully insured up to $100,000 per account by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings & Loan
Insurance Corporation, as appropriate.
8.1.4 Negotiable Certificates of Deposit issued by nationally or state-
chartered banks may neither exceed five (5) years to maturity nor
exceed thirty percent (30%) of the portfolio.
8.1.5 Prime Commercial Paper of the highest numerical rating of Moody's
Investment Services, Inc. or Standard & Poors Corporation. Eligible
paper is limited to issuing General Corporations that are organized
and operating within the United States and having total assets in
excess of $500 million. If the issuer has other existing debt, it must
have an "AA" or higher credit rating from either Moody's Investment
Services, Inc. or Standard and Poors Corporation. Prime Commercial
Paper may neither exceed 270 days maturity nor 25% of the portfolio,
nor may it represent more than 10% of the outstanding paper of an
issuing corporation.
8.1.6 Repurchase Agreements with a maximum maturity of one year.
Repurchase Agreements will only be placed with primary dealers of
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who have long-term debt
rated in the "AAA" or "AA" categories of Moody's Investment Services,
Inc. or Standard and Poors Corporation. Repurchase Agreements
may not exceed 5% of the portfolio. The market value of securities
that underlay a Repurchase Agreement shall be valued at 102% or
greater of the funds borrowed against those securities.
8.1.7 Corporate Notes with maximum remaining maturities of five (5) years
or less, and issued by corporations organized and operating within the
United States may not exceed 30% of the investment portfolio. The
Corporate Notes must be rated in the "AAA" or "AA" categories by
Moody's Investment Services, Inc. and Standard and Poors
Corporation.
8.1.8 Money market funds whose portfolio consists of one or more of the
foregoing lawful investments.
8.1.9 Sweep account for the investment of overnight funds when the funds
are swept into investments allowed by this policy.
8.1.10 Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) of the State of California.
Investments will be made in accordance with the laws and regulations
governing those Funds.
8.2 Investments held separately. Investments of bond funds will be made in
conformance with the trust indenture for each issue. Such investments will
be held separately when required.
8.3 Housing Loans. Housing loans approved by the City Council to private
developers and homeowners, as part of the City housing program shall
comply with California statutes, but need not meet the investment objectives
and the risk management requirements of this Investment Policy. The City
Council will manage these loans directly.
As assets of the City, individual loans will be reported by the City Treasurer
and any changes would be explained. Collections and conformance with the
requirements of each individual housing loan will be reported as an
addendum to the City Treasurer's Investment Report each quarter.
8.4 New Securities. New types of securities authorized by California law, but
which are not currently allowed by this investment policy, must first be
approved by the City Council.
9.0 Collateralization, Perfection, Security and Contracts. When required by
California statute or this Investment Policy, any investment capable of being
collateralized, shall be collateralized by the required amounts imposed by law. To give
greater security to the City's investments, when an investment is collateralized, an
attempt to perfect the collateralization should be made.
Section 53652 of the California Government Code requires that the depository secure
active or inactive deposits with eligible securities having a fair market value of at least
10% in excess of the total amount of all deposits, and 50% in excess of the deposit
when secured with mortgage pools. Section 53649 of the California Government
Code specifies that the City Treasurer is responsible for entering into deposit contracts
with each depository.
10.0 Unauthorized investments/investment activities. Section 53601.6 of the
California Government Code disallows the following investments acquired after January
1, 1996: inverse floaters, range notes, or interest-only strips that are derived from a pool
of mortgages. In addition, and more generally, investments are further restricted as
follows:
10.1 No investment will be made that has either (1) an embedded option or
characteristic which could result in a loss of principal if the investment is held to
maturity, or (2) an embedded option or characteristic which could seriously limit
accrual rates or which could result in zero accrual periods.
10.2 No investment will be made that could cause the portfolio to be leveraged.
10.3 Purchases of investments on margin will not be made.
11.0 Investment strategy.
11.1 Pooled Investments. A buy and hold strategy will generally be followed;
that is, investments once made will usually be held until maturity. A buy and hold
strategy will result in unrealized gains or losses as market interest rates fall or rise
from the coupon rate of the investment. Unrealized gains or losses, however, will
diminish as the maturity dates of the investments are approached or as market
interest rates move closer to the coupon rate of the investment. A buy and hold
strategy requires that the portfolio be kept sufficiently liquid to preclude the
undesired sale of investments prior to maturity. Occasionally, the City Treasurer
may find it advantageous to sell an investment prior to maturity, but this should
only be on an exception basis and only when it is clearly in the best interest of the
City to do so.
11.2 Investments held separately. Investments held separately for bond
proceeds will follow the trust indenture for each issue.
12.0 Diversification. The portfolio will be diversified to avoid incurring unreasonable
and avoidable risks regarding specific security types or individual financial institutions.
In addition to the limitations on specific security types indicated in paragraph 8.0 of this
Investment Policy, and with the exception of U.S. Treasury/Federal agency securities
and authorized pools, no more than 5% of the City's portfolio will be placed with any
single issuer.
13.0 Maximum maturities and maximum modified duration.
13.1 Pooled Investments. A policy of laddered maturities will be followed for
pooled investments. The following maturity requirements will apply as of the
month end of each reporting period..
13.1.1 Investments maturing within one year must be no less than two-thirds
(2/3) of the approved operating budget of the current year. This
requirement should be met within 3 months following adoption of the
current operating budget. Remaining investments of the portfolio will not
have a maturity greater than five (5) years from the date of investment
except as provided in paragraph 13.1.3 of this Investment Policy.
13.1.2 The average portfolio investment maturity shall be 3 years or less. A
dollar-weighted average will be used in computing the average
maturity of the portfolio.
13.1.3 An investment which exceeds five (5) years in length may be made
upon the following conditions. Before an investment, which is allowed
by California statute, is made in securities that mature more than five
(5) years from the date of purchase, the City Treasurer and the
Administrative Services Director will review the City's long term cash
needs. Both must concur before such an investment is made.
Investments beyond five (5) years will not be greater than 10% of the
portfolio, and will be counted in the percentage of the portfolio that may
mature beyond 1 year. No investments will be made that mature
beyond 10 years from the date of investment.
13.1.4 Callable investments will be recorded at their maturity dates.
13.2 Maximum modified duration. The investment restrictions identified in
paragraphs 8.0 and 10.0, and the maturity requirements identified in paragraph
13.1, imply that the value of City investments should not change more than 2.2%
for every 1% change in market interest rates. To ensure that this is the case, a
maximum modified duration is established at 2.2. This states that the unrealized
gains and losses of the portfolio are not expected to exceed 2.2% for every 1%
change in market interest rates. A modified duration in excess of 2.2 would
indicate that the portfolio is exposed to more market risk than is desired by this
policy. If the modified duration of 2.2 is exceeded, an explanation will be made in
the first monthly report following the occurrence.
13.3 Investments Held Separately. Maturities for investments held separately
will conform to the trust indenture for each issue.
14.0 Selection of financial institutions and brokers/dealers. Investments shall be
purchased only through well-established, financially sound institutions. The City
Treasurer may maintain a list of financial institutions and broker/dealers who are
approved to provide the City with investment services. This list should be updated
annually by the City Treasurer to ensure compliance with this investment policy. All
financial institutions and broker/dealers who desire to become qualified bidders for
investment transactions will be given a copy of the City's Investment Policy, and a
return cover letter which they must sign indicating that the investment policy has been
read, understood and that their investment offers will comply with this policy. Qualified
financial institutions and broker/dealers must supply the City Treasurer with the
following:
14.1 Financial Institutions.
• Current audited financial statements.
• Depository contracts, as appropriate.
• A copy of the latest FDIC call report or the latest FHLBB report, as
appropriate.
• Proof that commercial banks, savings banks, or savings and loan
associations are state or federally chartered.
14.2 Broker/Dealers.
• Current audited financial statements.
• Proof that brokerage firms are members in good standing of a
national securities exchange.
Commercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations must maintain a
minimum net worth to asset ratio of 3% (total regulatory net worth divided by total
assets), and must have had positive net earnings for the last reporting period.
15.0 Purchase, Sale, Payment, and Delivery. A competitive bid process, when
deemed practical by the City Treasurer, will be used to place all investment
transactions. It is recommended that the City Treasurer obtain two (2) or more bids
from broker/dealers before purchasing an investment, and three (3) or more quotes
when selling an investment. When two or more investment opportunities offer
essentially the same maturity, liquidity, yield, and quality, the City Treasurer may give
considerations to financial institutions based in the City of Carlsbad, the State of
California and within the United States.
f3
Payment for securities will be done on a Delivery Versus Payment (DVP) basis via the
City's custodian. Delivery of securities will be made to the City in accordance with the
third party custodial agreement.
16.0 Safekeeping and custody. All security transactions, including collateral for
repurchase agreements, entered into by the City shall be conducted on a delivery-vs.-
payment basis. All securities owned by the City will be held by a third-party custodian
designated by the City Treasurer and evidenced by a monthly statement from the
custodian. All securities will be held in the nominee name of the custodian. Collateral
for time deposits in savings and loans will be held by the Federal Home Loan Bank or
an approved Agent of Depository. Collateral for time deposits in banks will be held in
the City's name in the bank's Trust Department or in the Federal Reserve Bank.
17.0 Performance standard for pooled investments. Laddered maturities and a buy
and hold strategy for pooled investments will cause the investment portfolio to attain a
market-average rate of return throughout budgetary and economic cycles,
commensurate with the investment risk constraints and the City's cash flow needs.
Since the amount maturing within one year must be at least equal to two thirds (2/3) of
the currently approved operating budget, the rate of return will be more closely related
to, but lag behind, changes in short-term market rates. The rate of return of the
investment portfolio will be based on the maturity value of the investments. A dollar-
weighted average of yields to maturity will be used in calculating the rate of return of the
entire portfolio.
The performance benchmarks used to compare the City's portfolio performance may
change from year to year. The make-up of benchmark assets chosen by the City
should be similar in composition to the assets held in the City's portfolio.
18.0 Reporting. Sections 53607 and 53646 of the California Government Code allows
the City Council, at its discretion, to require reports meeting the standards set forth in
these sections, as well as any additional information desired. Therefore, it is the policy
of the City that the investments and transactions described in these sections, and as
outlined in 18.1 below be given to the City Council, City Manager, and internal auditor
(or the Finance Director in the absence of an internal auditor).
18.1 Pooled investments. The investment report will be submitted monthly by
the City Treasurer within 30 days following the end of the month covered by the
report. The monthly report shall include the following elements:
• Itemized listing of portfolio investments by type, date of maturity, yield to
maturity, and issuer.
• Par value, dollar amount invested, amortized cost, and current market value
as of the date of the report will be given for the total of all securities,
investments, and moneys held by the City and its component units. The
source of the market values will be cited.
• Credit ratings of corporate notes
• Accrued income
• Weighted average yield of the portfolio
• Weighted average days to maturity of the portfolio from the date of the
report
• Weighted average modified duration of the portfolio
• Dollar amount and percentage of portfolio maturing within one year
• Dollar amount and percentage of portfolio maturing between one (1) and five
(5) years
• Percent that each type of investment represents in the portfolio
• Investment transactions for the reporting period
• Fund source of investments when available
• Statement that the investment portfolio has the ability to meet the City's
cash flow demands for the next six (6) months
• Statement of compliance of the portfolio with the City's Investment Policy.
When applicable, any material exceptions will be noted.
An annual report for pooled investments will also be made to the City Council following
the close of the fiscal year. Among other items, the annual report will include an
analysis of the composition of the portfolio with regard to fund source; a review of
trends regarding the size of the fund, portfolio yields, and cash income; and a statement
regarding anticipated fund activity in the next fiscal year.
18.2 Investments held separately. A report of investments held separately,
including deferred compensation balances, will be made quarterly. Within 30 days
following the end of the quarter the report will be submitted as an exhibit in the
City Treasurer's monthly report. The quarterly report shall contain the information
required by Section 53646 when available. A copy of the second (2nd) and fourth
(4th) quarterly investment report will be sent to the California Debt and Investment
Advisory Commission within sixty (60) days following the end of such quarter.
19.0 Short-term borrowing. The City is permitted by law to borrow money to meet
current short-term cash flow needs. These needs may arise either because projected
cash disbursements exceed projected cash receipts, or because the City's cash
accounts may be temporarily overdrawn due to the efforts to invest 100% of inactive
funds at all times. To provide for these contingencies the City Treasurer is authorized
to take the following actions:
19.1 Short-term loan. When there is a shortfall between projected cash
revenues and projected cash disbursements, the City Treasurer will secure a loan
in the amount that would equal the cash deficit plus projected cash disbursements
for one month. Any such loan will be repaid within one year.
19.2 Line of credit. The City Treasurer may maintain a line of credit with the
City's bank in an amount to cover sums temporarily overdrawn because of efforts
to invest all inactive funds at all times.
20.0 Exceptions. Occasionally, exceptions to some of the requirements specified in
this Investment Policy may occur for pooled investments because of events subsequent
to the purchase of investment instruments, e.g., the rating of a corporate note held in
the portfolio is downgraded below an "AA" rating, or total assets in the portfolio decline
causing the percentage invested in corporate notes to rise above 30%, or an
unforeseen expenditure causes investments maturing within one year to fall below two-
thirds (2/3) of the approved operating budget of the current fiscal year.
Section 53601.7(d) of the California Government Code requires that exceptions be
reviewed for possible corrective action. Exceptions may be temporary or more lasting;
they may be self-correcting or require specific action. If specific action is required, the
City Treasurer will determine the course of action that will correct exceptions to move
the portfolio into compliance with State and City requirements. Decisions to correct
exceptions will not expose the assets of the portfolio to undue risk, and will not impair
the meeting of financial obligations as they fall due. Any subsequent investments will
not extend existing exceptions. Exceptions, and the decisions to correct the
exceptions, will be reviewed with the Investment Review Committee referred to in
paragraph 22.0 below.
21.0 Internal control. This policy and the strategy for and conduct of the investment
of City funds will be reviewed by an Investment Review Committee as set forth below
and by the City's auditors in the conduct of their annual audit of the City.
22.0 Review. An Investment Review Committee is hereby established to conduct
reviews of the City's investment portfolio, the strategy being utilized for the investment
of City funds, and the City's investment policy. This Committee will be composed of the
City Treasurer (acting as the Chair), the City Attorney or designee, the Assistant City
Manager, the Administrative Services Director or designee, and the Deputy City
Treasurer (when not one of the foregoing). Additionally, the City Treasurer may appoint
other city residents as advisors to the Committee. The Committee will convene
periodically as necessary or desirable but, no less frequently than once each quarter.
23.0 Investment policy adoption. Section 53646(a)(2) of the California Government
Code allows the City Treasurer to render to the City Council and the Investment Review
Committee a statement of investment policy, and recommends that one be presented
each year. Therefore, the City's investment policy and any modifications thereto shall
be considered no less than annually at a public meeting. Adoption of the investment
policy and any changes must be made by resolution of the City Council.
10
GLOSSARY
Amortized Cost: cost of investments adjusted for premiums and discounts. Amortized
cost is used to maintain comparability with market value.
Arbitrage Regulation: law to control the use of profit making by purchasing securities
on one market for immediate resale on another in order to profit from a price difference.
Bankers Acceptances: a short-term credit investment created by a business and
guaranteed by a bank as to payment. Acceptances are traded at discounts to face
value in the secondary market. These instruments have been a popular investment for
money market funds. The credit worthiness of Bankers Acceptances are enhanced
because they are secured by the issuing bank, the goods themselves, and the importer.
They are commonly used in international transactions.
Bond Indenture: written agreement specifying the terms and conditions for issuing
bonds, stating the form of the bond being offered for sale, interest to be paid, the
maturity date, call provisions and protective covenants, if any, collateral pledged, the
repayment schedule, and other terms. It describes the legal obligations of a bond
issuer and the powers of the bond trustee, who has the responsibility for ensuring that
interest payments are made to registered bondholders.
Book value: a term synonymous with amortized cost.
Buy and Hold Strategy: investments in which management has the positive intent and
ability to hold each issue until maturity.
Collateralization: a method to "secure" a debt in part or in full to help ensure payment
or performance of an obligation.
Commercial Paper: short-term IOU, or unsecured money market obligation, issued by
prime rated commercial firms and financial companies, with maturities from 2 days up
to 270 days. A promissory note of the issuer used to finance current obligations, and is
a negotiable instrument.
Delivery versus Payment: securities industry term indicating payment is due when the
buyer has securities in hand or a book entry receipt.
Embedded Option: a statement within the bond structure that would alter the interest
rate earned by the bond.
Interest-Only Strips: mortgage-backed instrument where investor receives only the
interest, no principal, from a pool of mortgages. Issues are highly interest rate
sensitive. Cash flows vary between interest periods. As well, the maturity date may
occur earlier than that stated if all loans within the pool are pre-paid. High prepayments
on underlying mortgages can return less to the holder that the dollar amount invested.
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that investments will lose market value because of
increases in market interest rates. A rise in market interest rates will cause the market
value of investments made earlier at lower interest rates to lose value. The reverse will
cause a gain in market value. See also "Unrealized Gains (Losses).
Inverse Floater: a bond or note that does not earn a fixed rate of interest. Rather, the
interest rate that is earned is tied to a specific interest-rate index identified in the
bond/note structure. The interest rate earned by the bond/note will move in the
opposite direction of the index, e.g., if market interest rates as measured by the
selected index rises, the interest rate earned by the bond/note will decline. An inverse
floater increases the market rate risk and modified duration of the investment.
Laddered Portfolio: bond investment portfolio with securities in each maturity range
(e.g. monthly) over a specified period of time (e.g. five years).
Leverage: investing with borrowed money with the expectation that the interest earned
on the investment will exceed the interest paid on the borrowed money.
Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF): a voluntary investment program offering
participating agencies the opportunity to participate in a major portfolio which daily
invests hundreds of millions of dollars, using the investment expertise of the State
Treasurer's Office Investment staff at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Investment in
LAIF, considered a short-term investment, is readily available for cash withdrawal on a
daily basis.
Modified Duration: a measure of the sensitivity that the value of a fixed-income
security has to changes in market rates of interest. Modified duration is the best single
measure of a portfolio's or security's exposure to market risk. Modified duration
identifies the potential gain/loss in value before the gain/loss actually occurs. It is a
prospective measurement, e.g., a modified duration of 1.5 indicates that when and if a
1% change in market interest rates occurs, a 1.5% change in the value of a security will
result. Investments with modified durations of one to three are considered to be
relatively conservative.
Negotiable Certificates of Deposit: large denomination ($100,000 or more) interest
bearing time deposits, paying the holder a fixed amount of interest at maturity. Issues
can be sold to a new owner before maturity.
Nominee Name: registered owner of a stock or bond if different from the beneficial
owner, who acts as holder of record for securities and other assets. Typically, this
arrangement is done to facilitate the transfer of securities when it is inconvenient to
obtain the signature of the real owner, or the actual owner may not wish to be identified.
Nominee ownership simplifies the registration and transfer of securities.
Pooled Investment: grouping of resources for the common advantage of the
participants.
12
Range Note: investment whose coupon payment varies (e.g. either 7% or 3%) and is
dependent on whether the current benchmark (e.g. 30 year Treasury) falls within a pre-
determined range (e.g. between 6.75% and 7.25%).
Repurchase Agreement: contract to purchase and subsequently sell securities at a
specified date and price
Sweep Account: short-term income fund into which all uninvested cash balances from
the non-interest bearing checking account are automatically transferred on a daily
basis.
Third-Party Custodian: corporate agent, usually a commercial bank, who, acting as
trustee, holds securities under a written agreement for a corporate client and buys and
sells securities when instructed. Custody services include securities safekeeping, and
collection of dividends and interest. The bank acts only as a transfer agent and makes
no buy-sell recommendations.
Time Certificates of Deposit: deposit account paying interest for a fixed term, with the
understanding that funds cannot be withdrawn before maturity without giving advance
notice.
Unrealized Gains (Losses): increases (decreases) in the value of investments
representing the difference between the amortized cost of the investments and their
current market value. Increases (decreases) in value are caused primarily by changes
in market interest rates subsequent to purchasing the investments. Increases
(decreases) in value indicate two things: 1. The portfolio has a potential gain (loss) in
principal if the securities are sold, and 2. The portfolio is over performing (under
performing) the current market for similar investments. An increase in value indicates
the portfolio is earning relatively more interest than current market conditions, and a
decrease in value indicates that the portfolio is earning relatively less interest than
current market conditions.
Zero Accrual Periods: a period of time in which an investment accumulates no
interest.
13