RES 2004-10TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS APPROVING AN UPDATED INVESTMENT
POLICY, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS EXHIBIT
"A"; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Finance Director has provided an updated Investment Policy for the
Town of Trophy Club based upon his knowledge, training, law, and theory on public funds
investment; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has reviewed the proposed Investment Policy and
investment strategies, a copy of which is attached and incorporated into this Resolution as
Exhibit "A", and
WHEREAS, the Town Council having determined that Exhibit "A" records all changes
made to the existing investment policies and strategies, and having determined it to be a sound
plan for the Town, now desires to adopt such Investment Policy, Exhibit "A";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the foregoing recitals stated in the preamble are found to be true and
correct and are deemed incorporated into the body of this Resolution as if copied herein in their
entirety.
Section 2. That the Investment Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is determined to be
sound and beneficial to the Town of Trophy Club and is hereby approved and adopted and any
other Resolutions or policies inconsistent with Exhibit "A" are hereby rescinded in their entirety.
Section 3. That this Resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage
in accordance with law.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas
on this the 19"' day of April, 2004.
[SEAL]
ATTEST:
Town Secretary
Town of Trophy Club, Texas
APPROVED TO AS FORM:
Town Attorney✓
Town of Trophy Club, Texas
EXHIBIT "A"
INVESTMENT POLICY
L POLICY
It is the policy of the Town of Trophy Club that after allowing for the anticipated cash
flow requirements of the Entity and giving due consideration to the safety and risk of
investment, all available funds shall be invested in conformance with these legal and
administrative guidelines, seeking to optimize interest earnings while maintaining
appropriate oversight of all investments.
Effective cash management is recognized as essential to good fiscal management.
Investment interest is a source of revenue to Entity funds. The Entity's investment
portfolio shall be designed and managed in a manner designed to maximize this revenue
source, to be responsive to public trust, and to be in compliance with legal requirements
and limitations.
Investments shall be made with the primary objectives of:
• Safety and preservation of principal
x Maintenance of sufficient liquidity to meet operating needs
• Public trust from prudent investment activities
• Optimization of interest earnings on the portfolio
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this investment policy is to comply with the Town of Trophy Club
requirements and Chapter 2256 of the Government Code ("Public Funds Investment
Act"), which require each Entity to adopt a written investment policy regarding the
investment of its funds and funds under its control. The Investment Policy addresses the
methods, procedures and practices that must be exercised to ensure effective and
judicious fiscal management of the Entity's funds.
III. SCOPE
This Investment Policy shall govern the investment of all financial assets of the Entity.
These funds are accounted for in the Entity's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
(CAFR) and include:
• General Fund
• Special Revenue Funds
• Capital Projects Funds
• Enterprise Funds
• GASB -34 Funds
• Debt Service Funds, including reserves and sinking funds, to the extent not
required by law or existing contract to be kept segregated and managed
separately
• Economic Development 4-A and 4-B funds
• Marshall Creek Park funds
• Any new fund created by the Entity, unless specifically exempted from this
Policy by the Board of Trustees (Board) or by law.
This Investment Policy shall apply to all transactions involving the financial assets and
related activity for all the foregoing funds. However, this policy does not apply to the
assets administered for the benefit of the Entity by outside agencies under deferred
compensation -programs.
IV. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The Entity shall manage and invest its cash with four primary objectives, listed in order of
priority: safety, liquidity, public trust, and yield, expressed as optimization of
interest earnings. The safety of the principal invested always remains the primary
objective. All investments shall be designed and managed in a manner responsive to the
public trust and consistent with state and local law.
The Entity shall maintain a comprehensive cash management program, which includes
collection of account receivables, vendor payments in accordance with invoice terms, and
prudent investment of available cash. Cash management is defined as the process of
managing monies in order to insure maximum cash availability and maximum earnings
on short-term investment of idle cash.
Safety [PFIA 2256.005(b)(2)1
Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment program. Investments
shall be undertaken in a manner that seeks to ensure the preservation of capital in the
overall portfolio. The objective will be to mitigate credit and interest rate risk.
❑ Credit Risk — The Entity will minimize credit risk, the risk of loss due to the
failure of the issuer or backer of the investment, by:
• Limiting investments to the safest types of investments
• Pre -qualifying the financial institutions and broker/dealers with which
the Entity will do business
• Diversifying the investment portfolio so that potential losses on
individual issuers will be minimized.
❑ Interest Rate Risk — the Entity will minimize the risk that the interest earnings
and the market value of investments in the portfolio will fall due to changes in
general interest rates, by:
• Structuring the investment portfolio so that investments mature to
meet cash requirements for ongoing operations, thereby avoiding the
need to liquidate investments prior to maturity.
• Investing operating funds primarily in certificates of deposit, shorter -
term securities, money market mutual funds, or local government
investment pools functioning as money market mutual funds.
• Diversifying maturities and staggering purchase dates to minimize the
impact of market movements over time.
Liquidity [PFIA 2256.005(b)(2)]
The investment portfolio shall remain sufficiently liquid to meet all operating
requirements that may be reasonably anticipated. This is accomplished by structuring the
portfolio so that investments mature concurrent with cash needs to meet anticipated
demands. Because all possible cash demands cannot be anticipated, a portion of the
portfolio will be invested in shares of money market mutual funds or local government
investment pools that offer same-day liquidity. In addition, a portion of the portfolio will
consist of securities with active secondary or resale markets.
Public Trust
All participants in the Entity's investment process shall seek to act responsibly as
custodians of the public trust. Investment officers shall avoid any transaction that might
impair public confidence in the Entity's ability to govern effectively.
Yield (Optimization of Interest Earnings) [PFIA 2256.005(b)(3)1
The investment portfolio shall be designed with the objective of attaining a market rate of
return throughout budgetary and economic cycles, taking into account the investment risk
constraints and liquidity needs. Return on investment is of secondary importance
compared to the safety and liquidity objectives described above.
V. RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTROL
Delegation of Authority [PFIA 2256.0050]
In accordance with the Town of Trophy Club requirements and the Public Funds
Investment Act, the Town Council designates the Director of Finance as the Entity's
Investment Officer. An Investment Officer is authorized to execute investment
transactions on behalf of the Entity. No person may engage in an investment transaction
or the management of Entity funds except as provided under the terms of this Investment
Policy as approved by the Town Council. The investment authority granted to the
investing officer is effective until rescinded by the Town Council.
Quality and Capability of Investment Management [PFIA 2256.005(b)(3)1
The Entity shall provide periodic training in investments for the designated investment
officers and other investment personnel through courses and seminars offered by
professional organizations, associations, and other independent sources in order to insure
the quality and capability of investment management in compliance with the Public
Funds Investment Act.
Training Requirement (PFIA 2256.008)
In accordance with the Town of Trophy Club requirements and the Public Funds
Investment Act, designated Investment Officers shall attend an investment training
session no less often than once every two years commencing September 1, 1997 and shall
receive not less than 10 hours of instruction relating to investment responsibilities. A
newly appointed Investment Officer must attend a training session of at least 10 hours of
instruction within twelve months of the date the officer took office or assumed the
officer's duties. The investment training session shall be provided by an independent
source. For purposes of this policy, an "independent source" from which investment
training shall be obtained shall include a professional organization, an institution of
higher education or any other sponsor other than a business organization with whom the
Entity may engage in an investment transaction.
Internal Controls (Best Practice)
The Director of Finance is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal
control structure designed to ensure that the assets of the entity are protected from loss,
theft, or misuse. The internal control structure shall be designed to provide reasonable
assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes
that (1) the cost of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be derived; and (2)
the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgments by management.
Accordingly, the Director of Finance shall establish a process for annual independent
review by an external auditor to assure compliance with policies and procedures. The
internal controls shall address the following points.
• Control of collusion.
• Separation of transactions authority from accounting and record keeping.
• Custodial safekeeping.
• Avoidance of physical delivery securities.
• Clear delegation of authority to subordinate staff members.
• Written confirmation for telephone (voice) transactions for investments and wire
transfers.
• Development of a wire transfer agreement with the depository bank or third party
custodian.
Prudence (PFIA 2256.006)
The standard of prudence to be applied by the Investment Officer shall be the "prudent
investor " rule. This rule states that "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." In determining whether an Investment Officer has exercised prudence
with
respect to an investment decision, the determination shall be made taking into
consideration:
• The investment of all funds, or funds under the Entity's control, over which
the officer had responsibility rather than a consideration as to the prudence of
a single investment.
• Whether the investment decision was consistent with the written approved
investment policy of the Entity.
Indemnification (Best Practice)
The Investment Officer, acting in accordance with written procedures and exercising due
diligence, shall not be held personally responsible for a specific investment's credit risk
or market price changes, provided that these deviations are reported immediately and the
appropriate action is taken to control adverse developments.
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest [PFIA 2256.005(i)]
Officers and employees involved in the investment process shall refrain from personal
business activity that would conflict with the proper execution and management of the
investment program, or that would impair their ability to make impartial decisions.
Employees and Investment Officers shall disclose any material interests in financial
institutions with which they conduct business. They shall further disclose any personal
financial/investment positions that could be related to the performance of the investment
portfolio. Employees and officers shall refrain from undertaking personal investment
transactions with the same individual with which business is conducted on behalf of the
Entity.
An Investment Officer of the Entity who has a personal business relationship with an
organization seeking to sell an investment to the Entity shall file a statement disclosing
that personal business interest. An Investment Officer who is related within the second
degree by affinity or consanguinity to an individual seeking to sell an investment to the
Entity shall file a statement disclosing that relationship. A statement required under this
subsection must be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission and the Town of Trophy
Club.
VI. SUITABLE AND AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS
Portfolio Management
The Entity currently has a "buy and hold" portfolio strategy. Maturity dates are matched
with cash flow requirements and investments are purchased with the intent to be held
until maturity. However, investments may be liquidated prior to maturity for the
following reasons:
• An investment with declining credit may be liquidated early to minimize loss
of principal.
• Cash flow needs of the Entity require that the investment be liquidated.
Investments [PFIA 2256.005(b)(4)(A)l
Entity funds governed by this policy may be invested in the instruments described below,
all of which are authorized by Chapter 2256 of the Government Code (Public Funds
Investment Act). Investment of Entity funds in any instrument or security not authorized
for investment under the Act is prohibited. The Entity will not be required to liquidate an
investment that becomes unauthorized subsequent to its purchase.
I. Authorized
1. Obligations of the United States of America, its agencies and
instrumentalities.
2. Certificates of Deposit issued by a bank organized under Texas law, the laws
of another state, or federal law, that has its main office or a branch office in
Texas, or by a savings and loan association or a savings bank organized under
Texas law, the laws of another state, or federal law, that has its main office or
a branch office in Texas and that is guaranteed or insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance or its successor or secured by obligations in a manner and
amount provided by law for deposits of the Entity.
3. Money Market Mutual funds that are 1) registered and regulated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, 2) have a dollar weighted average
stated maturity of 90 days or less, 4) rated AAA by at least one nationally
recognized rating service, and 4) seek to maintain a net asset value of $1.00
per share.
4. Local government investment pools, which 1) meet the requirements of
Chapter 2256.016 of the Public Funds Investment Act, 2) are rated no lower
than AAA or an equivalent rating by at least one nationally recognized rating
service, and 3) are authorized by resolution or ordinance by the Board.
All prudent measures will be taken to liquidate an investment that is downgraded to less
than the required minimum rating. (PFIA 2256.021)
11. Not Authorized [PFIA 2256.009(b)(1-4)1
Investments including interest -only or principal -only strips of obligations with underlying
mortgage-backed security collateral, collateralized mortgage obligations with an inverse
floating interest rate or a maturity date of over 10 years are strictly prohibited.
VII. INVESTMENT PARAMETERS
Maximum Maturities (PFIA 2256.005(b)(4)(B)1
The longer the maturity of investments, the greater their price volatility. Therefore, it is
the Entity's policy to concentrate its investment portfolio in shorter -term securities in
order to limit principal risk caused by changes in interest rates.
The Entity attempts to match its investments with anticipated cash flow requirements.
The Entity will not directly invest in securities maturing more than two (2) years from the
date of purchase; however, the above described obligations, certificates, or agreements
may be collateralized using longer dated investments.
The composite portfolio will have a weighted average maturity of 365 days or less. This
dollar -weighted average maturity will be calculated using the stated final maturity dates
of each security. [PFIA 2256.005(b)(4)(C)j
Diversification (PFIA 2256.005(b)(3)1
The Entity recognizes that investment risks can result from issuer defaults, market price
changes or various technical complications leading to temporary illiquidity. Risk is
controlled through portfolio diversification that shall be achieved by the following
general guidelines:
• Limiting investments to avoid overconcentration in investments from a
specific issuer or business sector (excluding U.S. Treasury securities and
certificates of deposit that are fully insured and collateralized in accordance
with state and federal law),
• Limiting investment in investments that have higher credit risks (example:
commercial paper),
• Investing in investments with varying maturities, and
• Continuously investing a portion of the portfolio in readily available funds
such as local government investment pools (LGIPs), or money market funds to
ensure that appropriate liquidity is maintained in order to meet ongoing
obligations.
The following maximum limits, by instrument, are established for the Entity's total
portfolio:
1.
U.S. Treasury Securities .........................................
85%
2.
Agencies and Instrumentalities .................................
85%
3.
Certificates of Deposit ..............................................
85%
4.
Money Market Mutual Funds ...................................
50%
5.
Authorized Pools ......................................................
100%
VIII. SELECTION OF BANKS AND DEALERS
Depository
At least every 3 years a Depository shall be selected through the Entity's banking services
procurement process, which shall include a formal request for proposal (RFP). The
selection of a depository will be determined by competitive bid and evaluation of bids
will be based on the following selection criteria:
• The ability to qualify as a depository for public funds in accordance with state
law.
• The ability to provide requested information or financial statements for the
periods specified.
• The ability to meet all requirements in the banking RFP.
• Complete response to all required items on the bid form
• Lowest net banking service cost, consistent with the ability to provide an
appropriate level of service.
• The credit worthiness and financial stability of the bank.
Authorized Brokers/Dealers (PFIA 2256.025)
The Entity shall, at least annually, review, revise, and adopt a list of qualified
broker/dealers and financial institutions authorized to engage in securities transactions
with the Entity. Those firms that request to become qualified bidders for securities
transactions will be required to provide a completed broker/dealer questionnaire that
provides information regarding creditworthiness, experience and reputation. and 2) a
certification stating the firm has received, read and understood the Entity's investment
policy and agree to comply with the policy. Authorized firms may include primary
dealers or regional dealers that qualify under Securities & Exchange Commission Rule
15C3-1 (Uniform Net Capital Rule), and qualified depositories. All investment
providers, including financial institutions, banks, money market mutual funds, and local
government investment pools, must sign a certification acknowledging that the
organization has received and reviewed the Entity's investment policy and that reasonable
procedures and controls have been implemented to preclude investment transactions that
are not authorized by the Entity's policy. [PFIA 2256.005(k-1)]
Competitive Bids (Best Practice)
It is the policy of the Entity to require competitive bidding for all individual security
purchases and sales except for: a) transactions with money market mutual funds and local
government investment pools and b) treasury and agency securities purchased at issue
through an approved broker/dealer or financial institution.
Delivery vs. Payment [PFIA 2256.005(b)(4)(E)l
Securities shall be purchased using the delivery vs. payment method with the exception
of investment pools and mutual funds. Funds will be released after notification that the
purchased security has been received.
IX. SAFEKEEPING OF SECURITIES AND COLLATERAL
Safekeepinji and Custodian Agreements (Best Practice)
The Entity shall contract with a bank or banks for the safekeeping of securities either
owned by the Entity as part of its investment portfolio or held as collateral to secure
demand or time deposits. Securities owned by the Entity shall be held in the Entity's
name as evidenced by safekeeping receipts of the institution holding the securities.
Collateral for deposits will be held by a third party custodian designated by the Entity
and pledged to the Entity as evidenced by safekeeping receipts of the institution with
which the collateral is deposited. Original safekeeping receipts shall be obtained.
Collateral may be held by the depository banks trust department, a Federal Reserve Bank
or branch of a Federal Reserve bank a Federal Home Loan Bank or a third party bank
approved by the Entity.
Collateral Policy (PFCA 2257.023)
Consistent with the requirements of the Public Funds Collateral Act, it is the policy of the
Entity to require full collateralization of all Entity funds on deposit with a depository
bank, other than investments. In order to anticipate market changes and provide a level of
security for all funds, the collateralization level will be 102% of market value of principal
and accrued interest on the deposits or investments less an amount insured by the FDIC.
At its discretion, the Entity may require a higher level of collateralization for certain
investment securities. Securities pledged as collateral should be held by an independent
third party with which the Entity has a current custodial agreement. The Director of
Finance is responsible for entering into collateralization agreements with third party
custodians in compliance with this Policy. The agreements are to specify the acceptable
investment securities for collateral, including provisions relating to possession of the
collateral, the substitution or release of investment securities, ownership of securities, and
the method of valuation of securities. A clearly marked evidence of ownership
(safekeeping receipt) must be supplied to the Entity and retained. Collateral shall be
reviewed at least quarterly to assure that the market value of the pledged securities is
adequate.
Collateral Defined
The Entity shall accept only the following types of collateral:
• Obligations of the United States or its agencies and instrumentalities
• Direct obligations of the state of Texas or its agencies and instrumentalities
• Collateralized mortgage obligations directly issued by a federal agency or
instrumentality of the United States, the underlying security for which is guaranteed
by an agency or instrumentality of the United States
• Obligations of states, agencies, counties, cities, and other political subdivisions of any
state rated as to investment quality by a nationally recognized rating firm not less than
A or its equivalent with a remaining maturity of ten (10) years or less
• A surety bond issued by an insurance company rated as to investment quality by a
nationally recognized rating firm not less than A
• A letter of credit issued to the Entity by the Federal Home Loan Bank
Subiect to Audit
All collateral shall be subject to inspection and audit by the Director of Finance or the
Entity's independent auditors.
X. PERFORMANCE
Performance Standards
The Entity's investment portfolio will be managed in accordance with the parameters
specified within this policy. The portfolio shall be designed with the objective of
obtaining a rate of return through budgetary and economic cycles, commensurate with the
investment risk constraints and the cash flow requirements of the Entity.
Performance Benchmark (Best Practice)
It is the policy of the Entity to purchase investments with maturity dates coinciding with
cash flow needs. Through this strategy, the Entity shall seek to optimize interest earnings
utilizing allowable investments available on the market at that time. Market value will be
calculated on a quarterly basis on all securities owned and compared to current book
value.
XI. REPORTING (PFIA 2256.023)
Methods
The Investment Officer shall prepare an investment report on a quarterly basis that
summarizes investment strategies employed in the most recent quarter and describes the
portfolio in terms of investment securities, maturities, and shall explain the total
investment return for the quarter.
The quarterly investment report shall include a summary statement of investment activity
prepared in compliance with generally accepted accounting principals. This summary will
be prepared in a manner that will allow the Entity to ascertain whether investment
activities during the reporting period have conformed to the Investment Policy. The
report will be provided to the Town Council. The report will include the following:
• A listing of individual securities held at the end of the reporting period.
• Unrealized gains or losses resulting from appreciation or depreciation by
listing the beginning and ending book and market value of securities for the
period.
• Additions and changes to the market value during the period.
• Average weighted yield to maturity of portfolio as compared to applicable
benchmark.
• Listing of investments by maturity date.
• Fully accrued interest for the reporting period
• The percentage of the total portfolio that each type of investment represents.
• Statement of compliance of the Entity's investment portfolio with state law
and the investment strategy and policy approved by the Town Council.
An independent auditor will perform a formal annual review of the quarterly reports with
the results reported to the governing body [PFIA 2256.023(4)].
Monitoring Market Value [PFIA 2256.005(b)(4)(D)l
Market value of all securities in the portfolio will be determined on a quarterly basis.
These values will be obtained from a reputable and independent source and disclosed to
the governing body quarterly in a written report.
XII. INVESTMENT POLICY ADOPTION [PFIA 2256.005(e)]
The Entity's investment policy shall be adopted by resolution of the Town Council. It is
the Entity's intent to comply with state laws and regulations. The Entity's investment
policy shall be subject to revisions consistent with changing laws, regulations, and needs
of the Entity. The Town Council shall adopt a resolution stating that it has reviewed the
policy and investment strategies annually, approving any changes or modifications.
GLOSSARY
AGENCIES: Federal agency securities.
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.
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 specified maturity
evidenced by a certificate. Large -denomination CD's are typically negotiable.
COLLATERAL: Securities, evidence of deposit or other property that a borrower
pledges to secure repayment of a loan. Also refer to securities pledged by a bank to
secure deposits of public moneys.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR): The official annual
report for the Town of Trophy Club.
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.
DISCOUNT: The difference between the cost price of a security and its maturity when
quoted at lower than face value. A security selling below offering price shortly after sale
also is considered to be at a discount.
DISCOUNT SECURITIES: Non-interest bearing money market instruments that are
issued at a discount and redeemed at maturity for full face value, e.g. U.S. Treasury Bills.
DIVERSIFICATION: Dividing investment funds amount a variety of securities
offering independent returns.
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 $100,000 per deposit.
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): The institutions that regulate and lend to
savings and loan associations. The Federal Home Loan Banks play a role analogous to
that played by the Federal Reserve Banks with member commercial banks.
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 JIUD). 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 purchase include a variety of
adjustable rate 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 OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE (FOMC): Consists of seven members of
the Federal Reserve Bank Board and five of the twelve Federal Reserve Bank Presidents.
The Presidents of the New York Federal Reserve Bank is a permanent member, while the
other Presidents serve on a rotating basis. The Committee periodically meets to set
Federal Reserve guidelines regarding purchases and sales of Government Securities in the
open market as a means of influencing the volume of bank credit and money.
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM: The central bank of the United States created by
Congress and consisting of a seven member Board of Governors in Washington, DC
regional banks and about 5,700 commercial banks that 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 FMHM mortgages. The term
"passthroughs" is often used to describe "Ginnie Mae".
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.
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,
amount other things, the right of the buyer -lender to liquidate the underlying securities in
the event of default by the seller -borrower.
MONEY MARKET: The date upon which the principal or stated value of an
investment becomes due and payable.
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 sate -the so-called legal list. In other states the trustee may invest in security if
it is one that 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.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (RP OR 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.
Dealer use RP extensively to finance their positions. Exception: When the Fed is said to
be doing RP, it is lending money that is, increasing bank reserves.
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 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: Agency created by Congress to
protect investors in securities transactions by administering securities legislation.
SEC RULE 15C3-1: See Uniform Net Capital Rule.
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 NOTES: A non-interest bearing 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.
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 l; 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 to 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.