Chapter 4 - Investment Companies, Savings Plans, Financial Responsibilities Flashcards
Investment company act of 1940
created investment companies, UITs, and FACCs
Closed vs Open mutual funds
closed are issued once and trade in market. prospectus only needed for initial sale
open are issued every time and redeemed with the issuer, prospectus issued every time, must be kept up to date
UIT - owns beneficial interest, not shares
fixed UIT, no management (no board of directors)
non-fixed UIT, managed.
variable annuity, for retirement, eventually cash out or annuitize.
Fund sponsor
firm that underwrites & registers the fund
Selling Group
acts as agent to sell the mutual fund shares
Investment Advisor
the one who runs the fund. is selected for two years and then re-elected every year after. earns management fee
custodian bank
safeguards funds. can act as transfer agent. earns custodial fees.
Diversified fund - 75/5/10 rule
75%+ invested in securities
max 5% in any one investment
max 10% holding of an investments total shares
NAV computation
daily mark to market of assets, divided by outstanding shares = share price
no-load funds
no sales charge, can be bought at NAV. there is no selling group.
Max Sales Charge
8.5% of POP.
POP is typically higher than NAV, it also includes appropriate sales charge.
Payment upon Redemption
customers must be paid within 7 calendar days after redeeming shares.
Redemption Fees
Funds are allowed to charge redemption fees, but total fees (up-front sales charge & redemption fees) cannot exceed 8.5%
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)
The fund can charge fees if the client redeems shares too soon. will have a “vesting” type schedule of fees
A-shares vs B-shares
A-shares have initial sales charges
B-shares follow CDSC schedule
IF a fund charges max 8.5% fee…
it must offer breakpoints, letters of intent, and rights of accumulation.
breakpoint
reduced sales charges for higher dollar amount purchases (investment clubs are not eligible, but households are)
letter of intent
if client plans on purchasing more of a fund, they can sign a letter of intent and receive reduced break point fees. can look back on 90 days purchases or look forward 13 months. if money is never deposited, fees will be added back
Market Appreciation and letter of intent
If shares appreciate during the letter of intent, the customer must still deposit the agreed upon amount.
rights of accumulation
customer is eligible for breakpoints as the accumulate amounts over time. this does include appreciation unlike letters of intent. can use higher of cost or MV (in case the fund has depreciated)
12b-1 fees
typically funds cannot charge expenses derived from obtaining new clients/money to the existing shareholders. then 12b-1 fee was created where they can charge some of the costs to shareholders. the logic is if new monies are obtained, the fund will grow and expenses will decrease.
adopting 12b-1 fees
must pass majority vote from 1. shareholders 2. board of directors 3. uninterested directors (not affiliated nor receives payments). must be reapproved annually. will reduce max sales charge
terminating 12b-1 fees
just need majority vote from either shareholders or uninterested directors.
capital gains distributions
if fund sells off appreciated assets, it will have a distribution at EOY. will be taxed as capital gains. funds can also post divs/interest.
cost basis for mutual funds
original purchase price PLUS any reinvested divs (already paid taxes on them)
selling dividends
strictly prohibited - recommending a client to buy a fund about to pay a dividend or capital gain
Various reductions in max MF fees (without 12b-1)
without RoA- 8%
without breakpoint- 7.75%
without both- 7.25%
if service fee- 7.25%
Various reductions in max MF fees (with 12b-1)
if also service fee- max 6.25%
if no service fee- max 7.25%
max 12b-1 fee- .75%
to be “no load” max 12b-1 fee- .25%
Share classes and 12b-1
A-shares, max .25 12b-1
B-shares, max .5 12b-1
C-shares, max .75 12b-1
A vs B share suitability
if large amount and long horizon, choose A-shares.
Late Trading
firms that regularly take advantage of the ability to buy MF shares after 4pm close.
Market timing (mutual fund)
short-term trading in MFs due to NAV arbitrage. Drives up costs for fund managers and reduces performance of fund. most funds have short term trading restrictions to prevent this.
Written Selling group agreement
anyone who joins selling group must sign. it specifies concessions
mutual fund orders
must be placed at the fund. firms cannot trade or make a market for mutual fund shares.
redemptions within 7 days of initial purchase
concession must be forfeited. reasonable redemption fees can be charged.
“special deals”
are strictly prohibited. firms can only be compensated through the agreed upon selling concessions. cannot offer any incentives to sell shares.
Underwriters selecting which firm to do portfolio trades
must prioritize best execution. CANNOT pick firm with best sales of their funds.
Prohibited compensation items
stock, warrant, options
merchandise/trips
any compensation not stated in prospectus
any item of material value
gifts allowed
no more than $100/employee per year
prior approved seminars with appropriate location and expenses covered
occasional meals and events
MF/investment advisors charitable solicitations
are prohibited, especially if it is that advisors obligation.
written procedures for charitable contributions
must have b/d approval, customer firm approval, can’t be tied to level of business done, all must be reviewed frequently.
soft dollar renumeration
came about due to previously high commissions. allowed small b/d’s to stay competitive. can be used for services that benefit shareholders like research, trading software - not rent, etc.
Generic advertising, Rule 135A
cannot name security, must have explanatory info on type of product and services. name of b/d and/or sponsors must be listed. if returns are shown, must include total returns.
Rule 156, misleading ads
if contains untrue statement or doesnt include necessary facts. applies to any and all communications used to offer securities.