HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.8 Annual Review of City’s Investment PolicySTAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
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Agenda Item 4.8
DATE:August 17, 2021
TO:Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:Linda Smith, City Manager
SUBJECT:Annual Review of City’s Investment PolicyPrepared by: Chris Rhoades, Financial Analyst
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:The City Council will consider the City’s Investment Policy (Policy), including two changes proposed this year to align the Policy with the California Government Code. The City Council will also consider adopting a resolution completing the Annual Review of the Investment Policy and designating positions authorized to complete investment transactions. While not required by statute, annual review of a local agency’s investment policy is recommended by the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission and is included as a requirement in the Policy.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:Adopt the Resolution Completing the 2021 Annual Review of Investment Policy and Delegation of Authority to Complete Investment Transactions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:None.
DESCRIPTION:The current Investment Policy (Policy), adopted on August 21, 2007, states that it is subject to annual review by the City Council and that the review shall be conducted by the second meeting in September (Section XVIII). The Policy was last revised on August 18, 2020, to update the language to be consistent with and incorporate changes to the California Government Code. After consultation with the City’s investment advisor, Chandler Asset Management, the 2021 Annual Review of Investment Policy proposes two changes which align with updates to the current California Government Code. Revised Section IX - Authorized and Suitable Investments – Commercial PaperStaff recommends updating the section to allow for an increase of portfolio allocation investing in
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Commercial Paper from 25% to 40% for entities with assets exceeding $100 million, under a provision of the California Government Code sunsetting on January 1, 2026. Although the Chandler team does not envision breaching the threshold, they recommend incorporating the updated language as a best practice. Revised Section XI – Prohibited Investment Practices and InstrumentsStaff recommends updating the section on Prohibited Investment Practices to allow for investments in negative yielding United States Government securities, under a provision of the California Government Code sunsetting on January 1, 2026. The current Fed Funds rate is set at a range of 0.00% to 0.25% and although Chandler does not anticipate that negative interest rates will be introduced by the Federal Reserve as a monetary policy tool, the practice cannot be ruled out. Chandler recommends incorporating the policy from a risk management perspective. No Change to the Delegation of AuthoritySection IV of the Policy continues to specifically designate the Administrative Services Director as the City Treasurer and the City Manager and/or Assistant Administrative Services Director as the Deputy City Treasurer. The attached Resolution documents the annual review and confirms the delegation of authority to Staff to complete investment transactions. The Policy is attached as Exhibit A to the Resolution. A red-lined version of the existing policy, with the recommended revisions, is included as Attachment 3 to this report.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:Strategy 2: Explore New City Revenue Streams for Long Term Financial StabilityObjective D: Continue to maintain strong fiscal policies
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:1) Resolution Completing the 2021 Annual Review of Investment Policy and Delegation of Authority to Complete Investment Transactions 2) Exhibit A to the Resolution - Statement of Investment Policy for the City of Dublin3) Statement of Investment Policy for the City of Dublin (Redline)
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Attachment 1
Reso. No. XX-21, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/21 Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. XX – 21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
COMPLETING THE 2021 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 August 18, 2020; 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 changes to the Investment Policy aligning with current
best practices and clarifying language; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the Investment Policy at the August 17, 2021
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) complete the 2021 Annual
Review of the Investment Policy, 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 designated as the Deputy City Treasurer), as described in
Section IV of the Policy.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of August 2021, by the following
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
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Reso. No. XX-21, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/21 Page 2 of 2
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk
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Attachment 2
Exhibit A
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STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR THE CITY OF DUBLIN
I.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 return 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 original investment policy was adopted by the City of Dublin (the "City"), on
August 21, 2007. This update to the Policy is effective on September 1, 2021 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:
I)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.
2)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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3) Return: Return 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.
4) 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.
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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 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.
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Institutions eligible to transact investment business with the City include:
1. Primary government dealers as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank and
non-primary government dealers
2. Nationally or state chartered banks
3. The Federal Reserve Bank
4. 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-l (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.
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1. 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.
2. 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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 (A) or paragraph (B):
(A) The entity meets the following criteria: (i) Is organized and operating in the
United States as a general corporation. (ii) Has total assets in excess of five
hundred million dollars ($500,000,000). (iii) Has debt other than commercial
paper, if any, that is rated "A" or higher by a nationally recognized statistical-
rating organization.
(B) The entity meets the following criteria: (i) Is organized within the United States
as a special purpose corporation, trust, or limited liability company. (ii) Has
program wide credit enhancements including, but not limited to, over
collateralization, letters of credit, or surety bond. (iii) Has commercial paper
that is rated "A-1" or higher, or the equivalent, by a nationally recognized
statistical-rating organization.
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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. Under a provision of the California Government Code sunsetting
on January 1, 2026, no more than 40 percent of the portfolio may be
invested in Commercial Paper if the Agency’s investment assets under
management are greater than $100,000,000. 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.
5. 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 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.
6. 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.
7. 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,
a. 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:
1. Attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating provided
by not less than two (2) NRSROs; or
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2. 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.
3. No more than 10% of the total portfolio may be invested in shares of any one
mutual fund.
b. 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:
1. Have attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating
provided by not less than two (2) NRSROs; or
2. Have retained an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission with not less than five years’
experience managing money market mutual funds with assets under
management in excess of $500 million.
3. No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in Money Market Mutual
Funds.
c. No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in these securities.
.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Asset-Backed, Mortgage-Backed and Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
Securities. The City may purchase such securities provided that they are rated
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"AA" or higher, or the equivalent, by a NRSRO. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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. Under a provision of the California
Government Code sunsetting on January 1, 2026, securities backed by the United States
Government that could result in a zero or negative interest accrual if held to maturity are
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permitted.
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 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;
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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:
I) 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 deposited with or invested in
securities issued by any single issuer unless otherwise specified in this policy.
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 return of the portfolio
in response to market conditions or the City's risk preferences; and
4) If a security owned by the City is downgraded to a level below the requirements
of this policy, making the security ineligible for additional purchases, the
following steps will be taken:
a) Any actions taken related to the downgrade by the investment manager will
be communicated to the City in a timely manner.
b) If a decision is made to retain the security, the credit situation will be
monitored and reported back 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,
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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.
XVII. 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 30th. The
semi-annual report shall be presented at a subsequent regularly scheduled City Council
Meeting. The report 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.
XVIII. REVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICY
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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 (.0 I ).
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.
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CALL PRICE: The price at which an issuer may redeem a bond prior to maturity. The price is
usually 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.
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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 (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 CATI0N: 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).
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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.
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
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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. 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
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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 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
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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.
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
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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 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 I to 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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Attachment 3
1
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENT POLICY FOR THE CITY OF DUBLIN
I. 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 return 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 original investment policy was adopted by the City of Dublin (the "City"), on
August 21, 2007. This update to the Policy is effective on September 1, 20210 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:
I) 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.
2) Liquidity: The City's investment portfolio will remain sufficiently liquid to enable
the City to meet its reasonably anticipated cash flow requirements.
3) Return: Return should become a consideration only after the basic requirements
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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.
4) 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.
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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 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.
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Institutions eligible to transact investment business with the City include:
1. Primary government dealers as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank and
non-primary government dealers
2. Nationally or state chartered banks
3. The Federal Reserve Bank
4. 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-l (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.
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1. 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.
2. 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 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 (A) or paragraph (B):
(A) The entity meets the following criteria: (i) Is organized and operating in the
United States as a general corporation. (ii) Has total assets in excess of five
hundred million dollars ($500,000,000). (iii) Has debt other than commercial
paper, if any, that is rated "A" or higher by a nationally recognized statistical-
rating organization.
(B) The entity meets the following criteria: (i) Is organized within the United States
as a special purpose corporation, trust, or limited liability company. (ii) Has
program wide credit enhancements including, but not limited to, over
collateralization, letters of credit, or surety bond. (iii) Has commercial paper
that is rated "A-1" or higher, or the equivalent, by a nationally recognized
statistical-rating organization.
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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. Under a provision of the California Government Code sunsetting
on January 1, 2026, no more than 40 percent of the portfolio may be
invested in Commercial Paper if the Agency’s investment assets under
management are greater than $100,000,000. 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.
5. 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 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.
6. 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.
7. 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,
a. 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:
1. Attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating provided
by not less than two (2) NRSROs; or
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2. 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.
3. No more than 10% of the total portfolio may be invested in shares of any one
mutual fund.
b. 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:
1. Have attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating
provided by not less than two (2) NRSROs; or
2. Have retained an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration with
the Securities and Exchange Commission with not less than five years’
experience managing money market mutual funds with assets under
management in excess of $500 million.
3. No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in Money Market Mutual
Funds.
c. No more than 20% of the total portfolio may be invested in these securities.
.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Asset-Backed, Mortgage-Backed and Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
Securities. The City may purchase such securities provided that they are rated
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"AA" or higher, or the equivalent, by a NRSRO. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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. Investment in any security that could result in
a zero interest accrual if held to maturity is prohibited. Under a provision of the California
Government Code sunsetting on January 1, 2026, securities backed by the United States
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Government that could result in a zero or negative interest accrual if held to maturity are
permitted.
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 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
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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:
I) 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 deposited with or invested in
securities issued by any single issuer unless otherwise specified in this policy.
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 return of the portfolio
in response to market conditions or the City's risk preferences; and
4) If a security owned by the City is downgraded to a level below the requirements
of this policy, making the security ineligible for additional purchases, the
following steps will be taken:
a) Any actions taken related to the downgrade by the investment manager will
be communicated to the City in a timely manner.
b) If a decision is made to retain the security, the credit situation will be
monitored and reported back 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
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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.
XVII. 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 30th. The
semi-annual report shall be presented at a subsequent regularly scheduled City Council
Meeting. The report 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.
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XVIII. 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 (.0 I ).
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.
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CALL PRICE: The price at which an issuer may redeem a bond prior to maturity. The price is
usually 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.
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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 (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 CATI0N: 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).
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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.
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
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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. 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
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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 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
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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.
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
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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 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 I to 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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