[PDF] Investment Governance For Fiduciaries eBook

Author : Michael E. Drew
Publisher : CFA Institute Research Foundation
Page : 190 pages
File Size : 44,24 MB
Release : 2019-04-22
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1944960708

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Governance is a word that is increasingly heard and read in modern times, be it corporate governance, global governance, or investment governance. Investment governance, the central concern of this modest volume, refers to the effective employment of resources—people, policies, processes, and systems—by an individual or governing body (the fiduciary or agent) seeking to fulfil their fiduciary duty to a principal (or beneficiary) in addressing an underlying investment challenge. Effective investment governance is an enabler of good stewardship, and for this reason it should, in our view, be of interest to all fiduciaries, no matter the size of the pool of assets or the nature of the beneficiaries. To emphasize the importance of effective investment governance and to demonstrate its flexibility across organization type, we consider our investment governance process within three contexts: defined contribution (DC) plans, defined benefit (DB) plans, and endowments and foundations (E&Fs). Since the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the financial sector’s place in the economy and its methods and ethics have (rightly, in many cases) been under scrutiny. Coupled with this theme, the task of investment governance is of increasing importance due to the sheer weight of money, the retirement savings gap, demographic trends, regulation and activism, and rising standards of behavior based on higher expectations from those fiduciaries serve. These trends are at the same time related and self-reinforcing. Having explored the why of investment governance, we dedicate the remainder of the book to the question of how to bring it to bear as an essential component of good fiduciary practice. At this point, the reader might expect investment professionals to launch into a discussion about an investment process focused on the best way to capture returns. We resist this temptation. Instead, we contend that achieving outcomes on behalf of beneficiaries is as much about managing risks as it is about capturing returns—and we mean “risks” broadly construed, not just fluctuations in asset values.

Author : Christopher K. Merker
Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 40,50 MB
Release : 2019-07-06
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9783030210878

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More than 80% of the financial assets in the United States fall under the purview of a trustee. That's a big responsibility for an estimated 1% (around 1.5 million people) of the U.S. working population charged with overseeing investments for millions and millions of beneficiaries, public sector, and non-profit organizations. In a world proliferated by investment products, increasingly dominated by indexes, faced—particularly in the pension world—with increasing liabilities, more regulation, and a growing number of social and sustainability objectives, what's a trustee to do? The Trustee Governance Guide is here to help guide today’s board trustee through the brave new world of 21st century investing. The book focuses on the critical aspects of the Five Imperatives: Governance, Knowledge, Diversification, Discipline, and Impact. Based on more than a decade of research, practice, and discussions with many key decision makers and influencers across the industry, this book addresses the many topics related to better governance, greater mission-driven financial performance, and impact. The questions the book addresses include: · What is good governance, how do we know it when we see it, and why does it matter? · How much knowledge is necessary to be a competent board member? · How big should my endowment be? · What are the key elements of a diversified portfolio? · How much does cost matter? · What's the difference between socially responsible and ESG investing? · Can I focus on sustainability and still be a good fiduciary? This book provides a way for boards to improve and benchmark their own governance performance alongside their peers, and uniquely covers related investment topics in each chapter.

Author : Christian D. Rahaim
Publisher : iUniverse
Page : 299 pages
File Size : 11,18 MB
Release : 2005-05-14
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0595791891

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For any company or person considering or currently serving in the capacity of an ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) fiduciary, author Christian D. Rahaim's The Fiduciary: An In-depth Guide to Fiduciary Duties-From Studebaker to Enron, is an invaluable resource. The Fiduciary contains essential material-from the evolution of the fiduciary concept to its adaptation in ERISA and its continued evolution in the workplace. The clear and concise chapters build the framework for the reader to develop an understanding of the content, operations, and issues with the fiduciary obligation, such as: An overview of pension plans Responsibilities of a fiduciary Investment management for defined contribution and benefit plans Plan fees and expenses Administration and compliance Christian Rahaim relies on more than twelve years of human resource management experience to guide employers through the processes related to employee benefits and fiduciary responsibilities. Citing the classic example of the Studebaker Corporation and the high-profile debacle of Enron, he details major factors that should be considered in fiduciary roles. The Fiduciary is an employers' guide for updated information on the increasingly controversial, legislated, and litigated topic of employee benefit plans.

Author : Jeffery V. Bailey
Publisher : CFA Institute Research Foundation
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 31,4 MB
Release : 2017-10-24
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1944960309

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This "primer," written as if addressed to a new investment trustee for a university, is a comprehensive discussion of investment issues relevant not only to investment trustees but also to investment professionals who work with trustees. Taking an individual step by step through the process of responsible trusteeship, it offers a solid introduction to basic investment principles.

Author : Kees Koedijk
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 328 pages
File Size : 18,47 MB
Release : 2019-04-08
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1119437652

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Crucial methods, tactics and tools for successful pension fund management Achieving Investment Excellence offers trustees and asset managers a comprehensive handbook for improving the quality of their investments. With a stated goal of substantially and sustainably improving annual returns, this book clarifies and demystifies important concepts surrounding trustee duties and responsibilities, investment strategies, analysis, evaluation and much more. Low interest rates are making the high cost of future pension payouts fraught with tension, even as the time and knowledge required to manage these funds appropriately increases — it is no wonder that pensions are increasingly seen as a financial liability. Now more than ever, it is critical that trustees understand exactly what contributes to investment success — and what detracts from it. This book details the roles, the tools and the strategies that make pension funds pay off. Understand the role of pension funds and the fiduciary duty of trustees Learn the tools and kills you need to build profound and lasting investment excellence Analyse, diagnose and improve investment quality of funds using concrete tools and instruments Study illustrative examples that demonstrate critical implementation and execution advice Packed with expert insight, crucial tools and real-life examples, this book is an important resource for those tasked with governing these. Achieving Investment Excellence provides the expert insight, clear guidance and key wisdom you need to manage these funds successfully.

Author : Martin Gold
Publisher : Edward Elgar Publishing
Page : 209 pages
File Size : 36,70 MB
Release : 2011
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0857930362

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This multi-faceted analysis of institutional investment defines fiduciary finance institutions as the third pillar of the financial system, alongside banks and insurers. It documents the role played by investment funds and the money management industry during the recent financial crisis, and provides an unashamedly critical review of the business disciplines which can dominate investment practices. It clarifies the economic significance of the investment industry (circa $60 trillion in assets) and the features which differentiate fiduciary finance from traditional financial institutions such as banks and insurers. Martin Gold reviews the intellectual foundations of the investment discipline and synthesizes the literature into the principal scientific paradigms . He explores the legal frameworks (prudential investment standards) that govern mainstream portfolio management practices which, combined with the commercial imperatives of the investment industry, can create marked differences from textbook depictions of investment management. Recent events have again called into question the worth of the now ubiquitous collective investments such as pension funds and mutual funds, and the integrity of the financial markets. Given the trillions of government funds which have been committed to financial bailouts, and the volatility experienced by investors, the author asserts that a critical analysis of fiduciary finance must question whether better outcomes can be achieved. Tellingly, most fiduciary finance institutions remain outside the perimeter of macro-prudential regulations. This challenging and multidisciplinary work promises to provide a fascinating read for academics focusing on economics and finance, money and banking, as well as for investment and financial services practitioners, policymakers and market regulators.

Author : Joshua P. Itzoe
Publisher : Hillcrest Publishing Group
Page : 174 pages
File Size : 17,64 MB
Release : 2008
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1934937177

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Are you a retirement plan fiduciary but unsure of what's required of you? Does it scare you to be held personally liable for bad decisions? Do you have a sneaking suspicion that your plan is paying too much in fees but you're not sure how to find out? Are you worried that your employees won't be able to retire? If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," this book is for you. "Josh Itzoe has a remarkable capacity for seeing through the maze of regulations surrounding qualified plans to the handful of core ideals by which successful plans must operate. This is a great, understandable guide for plan sponsors." -Pete Swisher, CFP, CPC, Vice President and Senior Institutional Consultant, Unified Trust Company, N.A. and author of "401 (k) Fiduciary Governance: An Advisor's Guide" "Fixing the 401(k) is a bold and excellent work. Josh Itzoe reminds us that excellence is desperately needed within our private retirement system. By following the solid principles shared in this book, Itzoe reveals how any employer, large or small, can build and operate an excellent 401(k). The 401(k) is the mechanism that over fifty million people will rely upon to help their retirement dreams become a reality. This book is the starting point for employers who want to understand how to make their 401(k) truly excellent and help secure the common good of society." -Matthew D. Hutcheson, Congressional Expert and Independent Pension Fiduciary

Author : Jack Gardner
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 61 pages
File Size : 38,14 MB
Release : 2012-09-28
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1118538048

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An indispensable resource for every financial service professionals developing an IPS The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is one of the most critical documents fiduciaries must draft. For years, ERISA and other industry regulations have governed the guidelines all fiduciaries must comply with when drafting one. But the current climate of corporate scandal and the 2008 global banking crisis have led to increased scrutiny by regulators, prompting firms to take a closer look at the quality and integrity of their IPSs and to take steps to have a rigorous formal process in place for drafting them. Endorsed by the Foundation of Fiduciary Studies, this concise guide provides a rigorous framework and the expert insight, information and guidance you need to guarantee that your IPS is in complete compliance with all ERISA-directed requirements. Provides a step-by-step plan for creating a uniform IPS that every advisor in the office can follow Defines the duties and responsibilities of all parties involved, while clarifying diversification guidelines and providing methods for keeping costs under control Packed with ready-to-use templates, sample forms, letters and other documents, diagrams and other valuable tools, including sample Policy Statement downloadable at the companion website Designed to get you quickly up to speed on what you need to know to confidently serve your clients with the highest standards of care and protection

Author : Russell L. Olson
Publisher : McGraw-Hill Companies
Page : 409 pages
File Size : 15,13 MB
Release : 2003
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780071413367

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Investing in Pension Funds and Endowments focuses on institutional tax-free investing by pension funds, endowments, and foundations. This type of investing is highly susceptible to returns, and the fiduciaries involved with the fund face dramatic effects with even a 1 percent change in long-term rates of return. It is crucial that fiduciaries operate prudently in order to achieve higher rates of return. The book covers a gamut of investing insights and tools for managers who focus on pension funds, endowments, and foundations. From setting investment objectives to the pros and cons of such funds, Rusty Olson shares his expert experience to help readers get the most out of their funds. Based on the author's previous book The Independent Fiduciary (Wiley, 1999), this new guide includes insight into asset allocation, risk, and calculating rates of return. The book then moves on to cover higher-level topics, including venture capital funds, hedging foreign exchange, and fund governance.