HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 115-17 Adopting the 2017 Annual Review of the Investment Policy and Delegation of Authority to Complete Investment Transactions RESOLUTION NO. 115 - 17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
ADOPTING THE 2017 ANNUAL REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY AND
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO COMPLETE INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
WHEREAS, on August 21, 2007 the City Council adopted Resolution 152-07 approving a City
Investment Policy (Policy); and
WHEREAS, Section XVIII of the Policy requires an annual review by the City Council no later
than the second meeting in September; and
WHEREAS, the last modification to the Policy was approved by the Council at the City Council
meeting of September 16, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the focus of the annual review is to allow for any adjustments as a result of
changes in State laws or other recommended modifications; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the provisions of Government Code Section 53607, the Policy
provides for the City Council to delegate for a one-year period the authority to invest City funds to the
City Treasurer and any duly appointed Deputy City Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Staff recommends two changes be made to Policy that clarify the different
parameters of investing in mutual funds and money market mutual funds, and adding Supranational
Securities to the City's eligible investments as permitted by the Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the revised Investment Policy at the September 5, 2017
meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does
hereby, in accordance with California Government Code 53646(a)(2), conclude the 2017 Annual
Review of the Investment Policy with revisions, as attached hereto as Exhibit A.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council action explicitly renews the delegation of
authority to complete investment transactions by City Staff (Administrative Services Director
designated as the City Treasurer and the City Manager and/or Assistant Administrative Services
Director shall be designated as the Deputy City Treasurer), as described in Section IV of the Policy.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of September, 2017, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Goel, Gupta, and Hernandez
NOES:
ABSENT: Mayor Haubert
ABSTAIN: /4190) fittta
Mayor Pro Tempore
ATTEST:
Reso No. 115-17, Adopted 9/5/2017, Item No. 4.4 Page 1 of 2
(1,1/frD6
6W-
City Clerk
Reso No. 115-17, Adopted 9/5/2017, Item No. 4.4 Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT A
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR THE CITY OF DUBLIN
INTRODUCTION
This Statement of Investment Policy is intended to identify various policies and procedures
that will foster a prudent and systematic investment program designed to seek the City's
objectives of safety, liquidity and yield through a diversified investment portfolio. This
policy also serves to organize and formalize the City's investment-related activities, while
complying with all applicable status governing the investment of public funds.
II. SCOPE
This policy covers all funds and investment activities under the direct authority of the City
of Dublin, as set forth in the State Government Code, sections 53600 et seq., excluding any
bond- related proceeds or reserves, which are governed by their bond indentures. Cash held
by the City shall be pooled in order to more effectively manage City cash resources. All
pooled funds are accounted for in the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and
include:
Funds
General Fund
Special Revenue Funds
Capital Project Funds
Internal Service Funds
Enterprise Funds
Agency Funds
This investment policy is endorsed and adopted by the City of Dublin (the "City"), effective
as of September 5, 2017, and replaces any previous versions.
III. OBJECTIVES
The overall program shall be designed and managed with a degree of professionalism
worthy of the public trust. The primary objectives, in order of priority, of the City's
investment activities shall be:
A. Safety. Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment program. The
City's investments shall be undertaken in a manner that seeks to safeguard the
principal of the funds under its control by maintaining an appropriate risk level.
B. Liquidity. The City's investment portfolio will remain sufficiently liquid to enable the
City to meet its reasonably anticipated cash flow requirements.
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C. Yield. Yield should become a consideration only after the basic requirements of safety
and liquidity have been met. The City seeks to attain market average rate of return on
its investments throughout economic cycles, consistent with constraints imposed by its
safety objectives and cash flow considerations.
D. Diversification. The investment portfolio will be diversified to avoid incurring
unreasonable and avoidable risks regarding specific security types or individual
financial institutions. This shall also conform with applicable sections of the
Government Code.
IV. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
As authorized in Government Code Section 53607, the City Council delegates the authority
to invest funds of the City to the City Treasurer and/or any duly appointed Deputy City
Treasurer. The City Treasurer and any duly appointed Deputy City Treasurer shall make all
investment decisions and transactions in strict accordance with State law and this investment
policy. The Administrative Services Director shall be designated as the City Treasurer and the
City Manager and/or Assistant Administrative Services Director shall be designated as the
Deputy City Treasurer. This delegation shall be for a one-year period until the delegation of
authority is revoked or expires. The City Council may renew the authority each year as part
of an annual review of this policy.
The City Treasurer shall establish procedures for the operation of the investment program.
The City Treasurer shall be also responsible for all transactions undertaken and establishing a
system of controls to regulate the activities of subordinates.
The City recognizes that in a diversified portfolio, occasional measured losses may be
inevitable and must be considered within the context of the overall portfolio's return and the
cash flow requirements of the City. Authorized individuals 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 or market price changes,
provided deviations from expectations are reported in a timely fashion and appropriate
action is taken to control adverse developments.
The City may engage the services of one or more external investment managers to assist in
the management of the City's investment portfolio in a manner consistent with the City's
objectives. Such external managers may be granted discretion to purchase and sell
investment securities in accordance with this investment policy. Such managers must be
registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.
V. PRUDENCE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 53600.3, all persons authorized to make
investment decisions on behalf of the City are trustees and therefore fiduciaries subject to
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the prudent investor standard: "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."
VI. ETHICS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
All participants in the investment process shall acts as custodians of the public trust.
Investment officials shall recognize that the investment portfolio is subject to public review
and evaluation. The overall program shall be designed and managed with a degree of
professionalism that is worthy of the public trust. Thus employees and officials involved in
the investment process shall refrain from personal business activity that conflicts with proper
execution of the investment program, or impairs their ability to make impartial investment
decisions. Additionally, the City Treasurer and the Deputy Treasurer shall file applicable
financial disclosures as required by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
VII. INTERNAL CONTROLS
The Treasurer 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. Periodically as deemed
appropriate by City Management and/or the City Council an independent analysis by an
external auditor shall be conducted to review internal controls, account activity and
compliance with policies and procedures.
VIII. AUTHORIZED FINANCIAL DEALERS AND INSTITUTIONS
To the extent practical the Treasurer shall endeavor to complete investment transactions
using a competitive bid process whenever possible. It shall be the City's policy to purchase
securities only from authorized institutions and firms. No deposit of public funds shall be
made except in a qualified public depository as established by state laws.
Institutions eligible to transact investment business with the City include:
A. Primary government dealers as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank and non-
primary government dealers.
B. Nationally or state chartered banks
C. The Federal Reserve Bank
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D. Direct issuers of securities eligible for purchase
The Treasurer shall maintain procedures for the establishing a list of authorized broker/dealers
and financial institutions which are approved for investment purposes. These may include
primary or regional dealers that qualify under Securities & Exchange Commission Rule
15C3-1 (uniform net capital rule). The City requires each firm that will be used for the
purchase or sale of securities to be evaluated by the Treasurer prior to any investments. The
firms shall submit current financial statements, and annual audited financial statements each
year thereafter, which are to be evaluated by the Treasurer. At a minimum, the firm must be
financially sound and have been in business a minimum of three years. In addition, the firms
must provide: proof of National Association of Security Dealers membership, proof of state
registration or exemption, and certificate of having read the City's investment policy.
If an investment adviser is retained by the City, then that adviser will be permitted to use
their own list of approved broker/dealers and financial institutions for investment purposes.
IX. AUTHORIZED AND SUITABLE INVESTMENTS
The City's investments are governed by Government Code, Sections 53600 et seq. Within
the investments permitted by the Government Code, the City seeks to further restrict eligible
investments to the guidelines listed below. In the event an apparent discrepancy is found
between this Policy and the Government Code, the more restrictive parameters will take
precedence. Percentage holding limits listed in this section apply at the time the security is
purchased. Any investment currently held at the time the Policy is adopted which does not
meet the new Policy guidelines can be held until maturity, and shall be exempt from the
current Policy. At the time of the investment's maturity or liquidation such funds shall be
reinvested only as provided in the most current Policy.
An appropriate risk level shall be maintained by primarily purchasing securities that are of
high quality, liquid, and marketable. The portfolio shall be diversified by security type and
institution to avoid incurring unreasonable and avoidable risks regarding specific security
types or individual financial institutions.
A. United States Treasury Issues. 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. There is no limitation as to the
percentage of the portfolio that may be invested in this category. The maximum maturity
of these securities is five years.
B. Federal Agency Obligations. Federal agency or United States government-sponsored
enterprise obligations, participations, or other instruments, including those issued by or
fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by federal agencies or United States
government- sponsored enterprises. There is no limitation as to the percentage of the
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portfolio that may be invested in this category. However, the portfolio's exposure to
any one federal agency issuer is limited to 35 percent of the overall portfolio. The limit
of the overall portfolio's exposure to callable federal agency securities is 25 percent. The
maximum maturity for agency securities is five years.
C. Bankers' Acceptances. Bankers' acceptances, otherwise known as bills of exchange or
time drafts, that are drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Bankers'
acceptances must be secured by the irrevocable primary obligation of the accepting
domestic bank. Purchasers are limited to issuers whose short-term debt is rated "A-1" or
higher, or the equivalent, by a Nationally Recognized Statistical-Rating Organization
(NRSRO). Bankers' acceptances cannot exceed a maturity of 180 days. A maximum of
40 percent of the portfolio may be invested in this category. The amount invested in
bankers' acceptances with any one financial institution in combination with any other
debt from that financial institution shall not exceed 20 percent of the portfolio.
D. Commercial Paper. Commercial paper of "prime" quality rated "A-1" or higher, or the
equivalent, by a NRSRO. The entity that issues the commercial paper shall meet all
of the following conditions in either paragraph (1) or paragraph (2):
1.) The entity meets the following criteria:
a. Is organized and operating in the United States as a general corporation.
b. Has total assets in excess of five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000).
c. Has debt other than commercial paper, if any, that is rated "A" or higher by
a nationally recognized statistical-rating organization.
2.) The entity meets the following criteria:
a. Is organized within the United States as a special purpose corporation,
trust, or limited liability company.
b. Has program wide credit enhancements including, but not limited to, over
collateralization, letters of credit, or surety bond.
c. Has commercial paper that is rated "A-1" or higher, or the equivalent, by a
nationally recognized statistical-rating organization.
Eligible commercial paper shall have a maximum maturity of 270 days or less and not
represent more than 10 percent of the outstanding paper of an issuing corporation. A
maximum of 25 percent of the portfolio may be invested in this category. The amount
invested in commercial paper of any one issuer in combination with any other debt
from that issuer shall not exceed 20 percent of the portfolio.
E. Negotiable Certificates of Deposit. Negotiable certificates of deposit (NCDs) issued by a
nationally or state-chartered bank, a savings association or a federal association, a state
or federal credit union, or by a state-licensed branch of a foreign bank. Purchases are
limited to institutions which have long-term debt rated "A" or better and/or have short-
term debt rated at least "A-1" or higher, or the equivalent by a NRSRO. A maximum
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of 30 percent of the portfolio may be invested in this category. The amount invested in
NCDs with any one financial institution in combination with any other debt from that
financial institution shall not exceed 20 percent of the portfolio. The maximum maturity
of these securities is five years.
F. Time Certificates of Deposit. Time Certificates of Deposit (TCDs) placed with
commercial banks and savings and loans. The purchase of TCDs from out-of-state
banks or savings and loans is prohibited. The amount on deposit shall not exceed the
shareholder's equity in the financial institution. To be eligible for purchase, the financial
institution must have received a minimum overall satisfactory rating for meeting the
credit needs of California Communities in its most recent evaluation, as provided
Government Code Section 53635.2. TCDs are required to be collateralized as specified
under Government Code Section 53630 et. seq. The Treasurer, at his discretion, may
waive the collateralization requirements for any portion that is covered by federal
(FDIC) insurance. The City shall have a signed agreement with the depository per
Government Code Section 53649. The maximum maturity of these securities may not
exceed one (1) year in maturity. A maximum of 10 percent of the portfolio may be
invested in this category.
G. Mutual Funds and Money Market Mutual Funds that are registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, provided that:
1.) Mutual Funds that invest in the securities and obligations as authorized under
California Government Code, Section 53601 (a)to (k) and (m)to (q) inclusive and that
meet either of the following criteria:
a. Attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating provided
by not less than two (2)NRSROs; or
b. Have retained an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration
with the Securities and Exchange Commission with not less than five years'
experience investing in the securities and obligations authorized by California
Government Code, Section 53601 and with assets under management in excess
of$500 million.
c. No more than 10% of the total portfolio may be invested in shares of any one
mutual fund.
2.) Money Market Mutual Funds registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and issued by diversified management
companies and meet either of the following criteria:
a. Have attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating
provided by not less than two (2)NRSROs; or
b. Have retained an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission with not less than five years'
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experience managing money market mutual funds with assets under
management in excess of$500 million.
c. No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in Money Market
Mutual Funds.
3.) No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in these securities.
H. State of California Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). The City may invest up to
the maximum as permitted by LAIF. For due diligence, the Treasurer shall maintain on
file a copy of LAIF's current Answer Book.
I. California Asset Management Program (CAMP). Shares of beneficial interest issued
by a joint powers authority organized pursuant to Government Code Section 6509.7 that
invests in the securities and obligations authorized in subdivisions (a) to (n), inclusive
of Government Code Section 53601. For due diligence, the Treasurer shall maintain
on file a copy of CAMP's current Information Statement.
J. Medium Term Notes. Medium-term notes, defined as all corporate and depository
institution debt securities with a maximum remaining maturity of five years or less,
issued by corporations organized and operating within the United States or by
depository institutions licensed by the United States or any state and operating within
the United States. Purchases are limited to securities rated "A" or higher, or the
equivalent, by a NRSRO. A maximum of 30 percent of the City's portfolio may be
invested in this category and a maximum of 5 percent with any one issuer. The
maximum maturity of these securities is five years.
K. Asset-Backed, Mortgage-Backed and Collateralized Mortgage Obligation Securities. The
City may purchase such securities provided that they are rated "AA" or higher, or the
equivalent, by a NRSRO and issued by an issuer having a rating of "A" or higher for
the issuer's debt as provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
Purchase of securities authorized by this subdivision may not exceed 20 percent of the
portfolio, and a maximum of 5 percent per issue. The maximum maturity of these
securities is five years.
L. Municipal Securities. Obligations of the State of California, any of the other 49 states,
or any local agency within the state of California, may be purchased by the City
provided that long-term obligations are rated "A" or higher, or the equivalent, by at
least one NRSRO. There are no limits on the dollar amount or percentage that the city
may invest in municipal securities; however, investments in these securities are limited
to a maximum of 5 percent with any single issuer. The maximum maturity of these
securities is five years.
M. Supranationals provided that issues are US dollar denominated senior unsecured
unsubordinated obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, or Inter-
American Development Bank. The securities must be rated in a rating category of"AA" or
its equivalent by a NRSRO. No more than 30% of the portfolio may be invested in these
securities, and no more than 10% of the portfolio may be invested in any single issuer. The
maximum maturity does not exceed five (5) years.
X. AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS FOR BOND PROCEEDS
Bond proceeds shall be invested in securities permitted by the applicable bond documents. If
the bond documents are silent as to the permitted investments, bond proceeds will be
invested in securities permitted by this Policy. Notwithstanding the provisions of Policy, the
percentage or dollar portfolio limitations listed in elsewhere in this Policy do not apply to
bond proceeds. In addition to the securities listed in Section IX above, bond proceeds may be
invested in structured investment products if approved by the Treasurer.
XI. PROHIBITED INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND INSTRUMENTS
The City shall not make investments for the purpose of trading or speculation as the
dominate criterion such as anticipation of appreciation of capital value through changes in
market rates. Securities are purchased with the intent to hold to maturity.
Any investment in a security not specifically listed as an Authorized and Suitable
Investment above, but otherwise permitted by the Government Code, is prohibited without the
prior approval of the City Council. Section 53601.6 of the Government Code specifically
disallows investments in invoice floaters, range notes, or interest-only strips that are derived
from a pool of mortgages.
XII. REVIEW OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
The City Treasurer shall periodically, but no less than quarterly, review the portfolio to
identify investments that do not comply with this investment policy and establish protocols
for reporting major and critical incidences of noncompliance to the City Council.
XIII. TERM OF INVESTMENTS
Funds of the City will be invested in accordance with sound treasury management principles.
It is the objective of this Policy to provide a system which will accurately monitor and forecast
revenues and expenditures so that the City can invest funds to the fullest extent possible.
The maximum maturity of individual investments shall not exceed the limits set forth in
under Authorized and Suitable Investments. No investment shall exceed a maturity of five
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years from the date of purchase unless the City Council has granted express authority to
make that investment either specifically or as a part of an investment program approved by the
City Council no less than three months prior to the investment.
XIV. INVESTMENT RISK
A. MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk that the portfolio will decline in value (or will not optimize its
value) due to changes in the general level of interest rates. The City recognizes that,
over time, longer-term portfolios achieve higher returns. On the other hand, longer-term
portfolios have higher volatility of return. The City shall mitigate market risk by
providing adequate liquidity for short-term cash needs, and by making some longer-term
investments only with funds that are not needed for current cash flow purposes.
The City further recognizes that certain types of securities, including variable rate
securities, securities with principal pay-downs prior to maturity, and securities with
embedded options, will affect the market risk profile of the portfolio differently in
different interest rate environments. The City, therefore, adopts the following strategies
to control and mitigate its exposure to market risk:
1.) The maximum stated final maturity of individual securities in the portfolio shall be
five years, unless otherwise stated in this policy;
2.) The City shall maintain a minimum of three months of budgeted operating
expenditures in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments; and
3.) The duration of the portfolio will typically be approximately equal to the duration
of a market index, selected by the City as its performance benchmark, which meets
the City's needs for cash flow and level of risk tolerance plus or minus 20%.
B. CREDIT RISK
In general, the City's portfolio will be diversified to avoid incurring unreasonable and
avoidable risks regarding specific security types or individual financial institutions,
such as credit risk. Credit risk is the risk that a security or a portfolio will lose some
or all of its value due to a real or perceived change in the ability of the issuer to repay
its debt. The City shall mitigate credit risk by adopting the following strategies:
1.) The diversification requirements included in Section IX are designed to mitigate
credit risk in the portfolio;
2.) No more than 5% of the total portfolio may be invested in securities of any single
issuer, other than the US Government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including
agency-backed mortgage pools) or money market mutual funds.
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3.) The City may elect to sell a security prior to its maturity and record a capital gain
or loss in order to improve the quality, liquidity or yield of the portfolio in
response to market conditions or the City's risk preferences; and
a. If securities owned by the City are downgraded to a level below the quality
required to be compliant with this Investment Policy, it shall be the City's
policy to review the credit situation and make a determination as to whether
to sell or retain such securities in the portfolio.
b. If a security is downgraded, the City Treasurer will use discretion in
determining whether to sell or hold the security based on its current
maturity, the economic outlook for the issuer, and other relevant factors.
c. If a decision is made to retain a downgraded security in the portfolio, its
presence in the portfolio will be monitored and reported monthly to the City.
XV. SAFEKEEPING AND CUSTODY
Investment securities are to be purchased when possible in book-entry form in the City's
name. All security transactions entered into by the City shall be conducted on a delivery-
versus-payment (DVP) basis. All cash and securities in the City's portfolio shall be held in
safekeeping in the City's name by a third party bank trust department, acting as agent for the
City under the terms of a custody agreement executed by the bank and the City. All investment
transactions will require a safekeeping receipt or acknowledgment generated from the trade. A
monthly report will be received by the City from the safekeeping institution listing all
securities held in safekeeping with current market data and other information. The only
exception to the foregoing shall be depository accounts and securities purchases made with:
(i) local government investment pools; (ii) time certificates of deposit, and, (iii) money
mutual funds, since the purchased securities are not deliverable. Term and non-negotiable
instruments, such as certificates of deposit, can be held by the Treasurer, or in safekeeping as
the Treasurer deems appropriate.
XVI. PERFORMANCE BENCHMARK
The investment portfolio shall be designed to attain a market-average rate of return
throughout budgetary and economic cycles, taking into account the City's risk constraints, the
cash flow characteristics of the portfolio, and state and local laws, ordinances or resolutions
that restrict investments. The Treasurer shall monitor and evaluate the portfolio's performance
relative to market benchmark, which will be included in the Treasurer's quarterly report. The
Treasurer shall select an appropriate, readily available index to use as a benchmark.
XV I I. REPORT INFORMATION
The Treasurer shall prepare a report to the City Council not less than semi-annually which
is available each year within 60 days following December 31st and June 30t. The semi-annual
report shall be presented at a subsequent regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. The report
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shall be inclusive of a monthly listing of investment transactions. At a minimum the report
shall include the following (Revised 9-18-2012):
A. Type of Investment
B. Issuer
C. Date of Maturity
D. Par and dollar amount invested
E. Current Market Value as of the date of the report
F. Source of the market value information
G. A list of investment transactions.
H. A statement of compliance with the investment policy
I. A statement as to the ability of the City to meet its expenditure requirements
for the next six months
In addition, the City Treasurer will submit a monthly transaction report to the City Council.
XVI I I. REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY
This policy shall be subject to review by the City Council on an annual basis, by the
second Council meeting in September. Any recommended modifications or amendments
shall be presented by Staff to the City Council for their consideration and adoption.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ACCRUED INTEREST: Interest earned but not yet received.
AGENCIES: Federal agency securities and/or Government-sponsored enterprises. Examples of well-known
agencies that issue bonds are Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or "Freddie Mac"),
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or "Fannie Mae"), and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
AMORTIZATION: An accounting practice of gradually decreasing (increasing) an asset's book value by
spreading its depreciation (accretion) over a period of time.
ASKED: The price at which securities are offered.
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES: Securities supported by pools of installment loans or leases or by pools
of revolving lines of credit.
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.
BASIS POINT: One basis point is one hundredth of one percent (.0I).
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 PRICE: The price offered by a buyer of securities. (When you are selling securities, you ask for a bid.)
See Offer.
BOND: A financial obligation for which the issuer promises to pay the bondholder a specified stream of
future cash flows, including periodic interest payments and a principal repayment.
BOOK ENTRY: The system maintained by the Federal Reserve, by which most money market securities
are delivered to an investor's custodial bank. The Federal Reserve maintains a computerized record of the
ownership of these securities and records any changes in ownership corresponding to payments made over
the Federal Reserve wire (delivery versus payment.)
BOOK VALUE: The value at which a debt security is shown on the holder's balance sheet. Book value
is acquisition cost less amortization of premium or accretion of discount.
BROKER: A broker brings buyers and sellers together for a commission.
CALLABLE BOND: A bond issue in which all or part of its outstanding principal amount may be
redeemed before maturity by the issuer under specified conditions.
CALL PRICE: The price at which an issuer may redeem a bond prior to maturity. The price is usually
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at a slight premium to the bond's original issue price to compensate the holder for loss of income and
ownership.
CALL RISK: The risk to a bondholder that a bond may be redeemed prior to maturity.
CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT (CD): A deposit insured up to $100,000 by the FDIC at a set rate for a
specified period of time.
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.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATION (CMO): Classes of bonds that redistribute the cash
flows of mortgage securities (and whole loans) to create securities that have different levels of prepayment
risk, as compared to the underlying mortgage securities.
COMMERCIAL PAPER: An unsecured promissory note of industrial corporations, utilities and bank
holding companies having assets in excess of $500 million and an "A" or higher rating for the issuer's
debentures. Interest is discounted from par and calculated using the actual number of days on a 360-day
year. The notes are in bearer form, mature from one to 270 days and generally start at $100,000. There is
a secondary market for commercial paper and an investor may sell them prior to maturity. Unused lines of
credit back commercial paper from major banks.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR): The official annual financial report for
the City. It includes combined statements and basic financial statements for each individual fund and
account group prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Supplemental information is also included including a detailed multi-year comparative statistics.
COST YIELD: The annual income from an investment divided by the purchase cost. Because it does not
give effect to premiums and discounts which may have been included in the purchase cost, it is an incomplete
measure of return.
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.
CREDIT RISK: The risk that principal and/or interest on an investment will not be paid in a timely manner
due to changes in the condition of the issuer.
CURRENT YIELD: The interest paid on an investment expressed as a percentage of the current price of
the security.
CUSTODY: A banking service that provides safekeeping for the individual securities in a customer's
investment portfolio under a written agreement which also calls for the bank to collect and pay out income,
and to buy, sell, receive and deliver securities when ordered to do so by the account holder.
DEALER: A dealer, as opposed to a broker, acts as a principal in all transactions, buying and selling for his
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own account.
DEBENTURE: A bond secured only by the general credit of the issuer.
DELIVERY VERSUS PAYMENT (DVP): Delivery versus payment is delivery of securities with an
exchange of money 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).
DISCOUNT: The difference between the cost price of a security and its value at maturity when quoted at
lower than face value.
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.
DIVERSIFI CATION: Dividing investment funds among a variety of securities
offering independent returns.
DURATION: A measure of the timing of the cash flows, such as the interest payments and the principal
repayment, to be received from a given fixed-income security. This calculation is based on three variables:
term to maturity, coupon rate, and yield to maturity. The duration of a security is a useful indicator of its
price volatility for given changes in interest rates.
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): 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.
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (FNMA or Fannie Mae): 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). 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.
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FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE (FOMC): Consists of seven members of the Federal
Reserve Board and five of the twelve Federal Reserve Bank Presidents. The President 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, D.C., 12 regional banks and about 5,700
commercial banks that are members of the system.
FED WIRE: A wire transmission service established by the Federal Reserve Bank to facilitate the
transfer of funds through debits and credits of funds between participants within the Fed system.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION (FHLMC or Freddie Mac): A United
States government sponsored corporation.
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 FmHA mortgages.
The term "pass-throughs" is often used to describe Ginnie Maes.
HAIRCUT: The margin or difference between the actual market value of a security and the value
assessed by the lending side of a transaction (i.e. a repo).
INTEREST RATE: The annual yield earned on an investment, expressed as a percentage.
LEVERAGE: Borrowing funds in order to invest in securities that have the potential to pay earnings at a
rate higher than the cost of borrowing.
LIQUIDITY: Refers to the ability to easily and rapidly convert a security into cash.
LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND (LAIF): The local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) is a
special fund in the California State Treasury created and governed pursuant to Government Code Sections
16429.1 et seq. There are limits on the maximum dollars deposited by a city as well as the number of
transactions allowed each month.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT POOL (LGIP): The aggregate of all funds from political
subdivisions that are placed in custody of the State Treasurer for investment and reinvestment.
MAKE WHOLE CALL: A type of call provision on a bond that allows the issuer to pay off the remaining
debt early. Unlike a call option, with a make whole call provision, the issuer makes a lump sum payment
that equals the net present value (NPV) of future coupon payments that will not be paid because of the call.
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With this type of call, an investor is compensated, or "made whole."
MARGIN: The difference between the market value of a security and the loan a broker makes using that
security as collateral.
MARKET RISK: The risk that the value of securities will fluctuate with changes in overall market
conditions or interest rates.
MARKET VALUE: The price at which a security is trading and could presumably be purchased or sold
on a specific date.
MARKING TO MARKET: The process of posting current market values for securities in a portfolio.
MATURITY: The date upon which the principal or stated value of an investment becomes due and payable.
MEDIUM TERM NOTES (MTNs): Unsecured, investment-grade senior debt securities of major
corporations which are sold in relatively small amounts on either a continuous or an intermittent basis.
MTNs are highly flexible debt instruments that can be structured to respond to market opportunities or to
investor preferences.
MODIFIED DURATION: The percent change in price for a 100 basis point change in yields. Modified
duration is the best single measure of a portfolio's or security's exposure to market risk.
MONEY MARKET: The market in which short-term debt instruments (T-bills, discount notes, commercial
paper, and banker's acceptances) are issued and traded.
MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUND: Mutual funds that invest solely in money market instruments
(short- term debt instruments, such as Treasury bills, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, and federal
funds).
MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH SECURITIES: A securitized participation in the interest and principal
cash flows from a specified pool of mortgages. Principal and interest payments made on the mortgages are
passed through to the holder of the security.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES: Securities issued by state and local agencies to finance capital and
operating expenses.
MUTUAL FUND: An entity which pools the funds of investors and invests those funds in a set of
securities which is specifically defined in the fund's prospectus. Mutual funds can be invested in various
types of domestic and/or international stocks, bonds, and money market instruments, as set forth in the
individual fund's prospectus. For most large, institutional investors, the costs associated with investing in
mutual funds are higher than the investor can obtain through an individually managed portfolio.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS (NASD): A self-regulatory organization
(SRO) of brokers and dealers in the over-the-counter securities business. Its regulatory mandate includes
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authority over firms that distribute mutual fund shares as well as other securities.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS (NSROs); Credit
rating agencies whose ratings are permitted to be used for regulatory purposes such as those imposed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
NEGOTIABLE CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT: A large denomination certificate of deposit which can be
sold in the open market prior to maturity.
NEW ISSUE: Term used when a security is originally "brought" to market.
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.
PREMIUM: The amount by which the price paid for a security exceeds the security's par value.
PREPAYMENT SPEED: A measure of how quickly principal is repaid to investors in mortgage securities.
PREPAYMENT WINDOW: The time period over which principal repayments will be received on
mortgage securities at a specified prepayment speed.
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.
PRINCIPAL: The face value or par value of a debt instrument, or the amount of capital invested in a
given security.
PRUDENT PERSON (PRUDENT INVESTOR) RULE: A standard of responsibility which applies to
fiduciaries. In California, the rule is stated as "Investments shall be managed with the care, skill, prudence
and diligence, under the circumstances then prevailing, that a prudent person, acting in a like capacity and
familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of an enterprise of like character and with like aims to
accomplish similar purposes."
PURCHASE DATE: The date in which a security is purchased for settlement on that or a later date.
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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 or the current income return.
REALIZED YIELD: The change in value of the portfolio due to interest received and interest earned and
realized gains and losses. It does not give effect to changes in market value on securities, which have not
been sold from the portfolio.
REGIONAL DEALER: A financial intermediary that buys and sells securities for the benefit of its
customers without maintaining substantial inventories of securities and that is not a primary dealer.
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.
RULE 2a-7 OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT: Applies to all money market mutual funds
and mandates such funds to maintain certain standards, including a 13- month maturity limit and a 90-day
average maturity on investments, to help maintain a constant net asset value of one dollar ($1.00).
SAFEKEEPING: See CUSTODY.
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 m
securities transactions by administering securities legislation.
SETTLEMENT DATE: The date on which a trade is cleared by delivery of securities against funds.
STRUCTURED NOTE: A complex, fixed income instrument, which pays interest, based on a formula
tied to other interest rates, commodities or indices. Examples include inverse floating rate notes which
have coupons that increase when other interest rates are falling, and which fall when other interest rates
are rising, and "dual index floaters," which pay interest based on the relationship between two other
interest rates - for example, the yield on the ten-year Treasury note minus the Libor rate. Issuers of such
notes lock in a reduced cost of borrowing by purchasing interest rate swap agreements.
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY (TVA): The Tennessee Valley Authority provides flood control
and power and promotes development in portions of the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi River valleys.
TVA currently issues discount notes and bonds.
TIME CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT: A non-negotiable certificate of deposit which cannot be sold prior
to maturity.
TOTAL RATE OF RETURN: A measure of a portfolio's performance over time. It is the internal rate
of return, which equates the beginning value of the portfolio with the ending value; it includes interest
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earnings,realized and unrealized gains, and losses in the portfolio.
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 and are sold on a
discount basis.
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 of Ito 10 years.
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: Instruments issued by various US Government Agencies most of
which are secured only by the credit worthiness of the particular agency.
VOLATILITY: The rate at which security prices change with changes in general economic conditions or
the general level of interest rates.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY (WAM): The average maturity of all the securities that comprise
a portfolio that is typically expressed in days or years.
YIELD: The rate of annual income return on an investment, expressed as a percentage. It is obtained by
dividing the current dollar income by the current market price of the security.
YIELD TO MATURITY: The rate of income return on an investment, minus any premium or plus any
discount, with the adjustment spread over the period from the date of purchase to the date of maturity of
the bond, expressed as a percentage.
YIELD CURVE: The yield on bonds, notes or bills of the same type and credit risk at a specific date for
maturities up to thirty years.
ZERO-COUPON SECURITY: Security that is issued at a discount and makes no periodic interest
payments. The rate of return consists of a gradual accretion of the principal of the security and is payable
at par upon maturity.
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