HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RESO 2023-116 City Council Policy 203RESOLUTION NO. 2023 - 116
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL POLICY #203, 'INVESTMENTS," ENTS," AS
AMENDED
WHEREAS, City Council it Policy #203, "Investments" states, "the Investment Policy
will be reviewed at least annually and, as necessary, adopted, to ensure its consistency
with the overall objectives of preservation of principal, liquidity, and return, and its
relevance to current law and financial and economic trends."; and
WHEREAS, after a review of the current policy, a few small adjustments are
proposed to align the NationalCity policy with recent changes in state law; and.
WHEREAS, the amended policy makes no significant changes to the City of
National City investment goals, authorized investment instruments, or risk management.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THECITY OF NATIONAL CITY,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City Council hereby authorizes the adoption of City Council
Policy #203, titled "Investments" as shown in Exhibit B.
Section 2: That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 15th day of A st, 2023.
on Morrison, Mayor
ATTEST:
irt Shelley . pel,, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Barry J. Syz, City Attorney
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of National City, California, on
August 15, 2023 by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Bush, Rodriguez, Yamane, Molina, Morrison
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
AUTHENTICATED BY: RON O RI ON
Mayor of the City of National City, California
Shelley Chqpel
City Clerk of the City of National City, California
BY: C7a
firi,„ Shelley Ch p ( MC, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of National City's investment program will conform to federal, state, and other legal
requirements, including California Government Code Sections 16429.1-16429.4, 53600-
53609, and 53630-53686. The following investment policy addresses the methods,
procedures, and practices which must be exercised to ensure effective and judicious fiscal
and investment management of the City's funds. It is the policy of the City to invest public
funds in a manner that will provide a market rate of return, given its requirements for
preserving principal and meeting the daily cash flow demands of the City. All investments
will comply with this Investment Policy and governing laws.
II. SCOPE
This Investment Policy applies to all the City's financial assets and investment activities with
the following exception(s):
Proceeds of debt issuance shall be invested in accordance with the City's general
investment philosophy as set forth in this policy; however, such proceeds are invested in
accordance with permitted investment provisions of their specific bond indentures.
Pooling of Funds: Except for cash in certain restricted and special funds, the City will
consolidate cash and reserve balances from all funds to maximize investment earnings and
to increase efficiencies with regard to investment pricing, safekeeping and administration.
Investment income will be allocated to the various funds based on their respective
participation and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
III. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The overriding objectives of the investment program are to preserve principal, provide
sufficient liquidity, and manage investment risks.
1. Safety: Safety of principal is the foremost objective of the investment program.
Investments will be undertaken in a manner that seeks to ensure the preservation of
capital in the overall portfolio. The objective will be to mitigate credit risk and interest
rate risk.
2. Liquidity: The investment portfolio will remain sufficiently liquid to meet all operating
requirements
3. Return: The investment portfolio will be designed with the objective of attaining a market
rate of return throughout budgetary and economic cycles, taking into account the
investment risk constraints for safety and liquidity needs.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
IV. PRUDENCE, INDEMNIFICATION, AND ETHICS
A. Prudent Investor Standard: Management of the City's investments is governed by the
Prudent Investor Standard as set forth in California Government Code Section 53600.3:
"...all governing bodies of local agencies or persons authorized to make
investment decisions on behalf of those local agencies investing public funds
pursuant to this chapter 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
City, 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 City. Within the
limitations of this section and considering individual investments as part of an
overall strategy, investments may be acquired as authorized by law."
B. Indemnification: The Administrative Services Director or City Manager designee
hereinafter designated as Financial Services Officer, and other authorized persons
responsible for managing City funds, acting in accordance with written procedures and the
Investment Policy and exercising due diligence, will be relieved of personal responsibility for
an individual security's credit risk or market price changes, provided deviations from
expectations are reported within 30 days and appropriate action is taken to control adverse
developments.
C. Ethics: Officers and employees involved in the investment process will refrain from
personal business activity that could conflict with proper execution of the investment
program, or which could impair their ability to make impartial investment decisions.
V. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
A. Authority to manage the City's investment program is derived from California
Government Code Section 53600 et seq. The City Council is responsible for the City's cash
management, including the administration of this Investment Policy. Management
responsibility for the cash management of City funds is hereby delegated to the
Administrative Services Director and/or Financial Services Officer.
The Administrative Services Director or Financial Services Officer will be responsible for all
transactions undertaken and will establish a system of procedures and controls to regulate
the activities of subordinate employees.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
B. 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 Advisers Act of 1940.
VI. AUTHORIZED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, DEPOSITORIES, AND BROKER/DEALERS
A list will be maintained of financial institutions and depositories authorized to provide
investment services. In addition, a list will be maintained of approved security broker/dealers
selected by conducting a process of due diligence described in the investment procedures
manual. These may include "primary" dealers or regional dealers that qualify under
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 15C3-1 (uniform net capital rule).
A. The City's Administrative Services Director or Financial Services Officer will determine
which financial institutions are authorized to provide investment services to the City.
Institutions eligible to transact investment business with the City include:
1. Primary government dealers as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank;
2. Nationally or state -chartered banks;
3. The Federal Reserve Bank; and
4. Direct issuers of securities eligible for purchase.
B. Selection of financial institutions and broker/dealers authorized to engage in
transactions with the City will be at the sole discretion of the City.
C .AII financial institutions which desire to become qualified bidders for investment
transactions (and which are not dealing only with the investment adviser) must supply the
Administrative Services Director or designee with a statement certifying that the institution
has reviewed California Government Code Section 53600 et seq. and the City's Investment
Policy.
D. Selection of broker/dealers used by an external investment adviser retained by the City
will be at the sole discretion of the investment adviser.
E. Public deposits will be made only in qualified public depositories as established by State
law. Deposits will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or, to the extent
the amount exceeds the insured maximum, will be collateralized in accordance with State
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
law.
VII. DELIVERY, SAFEKEEPING AND CUSTODY, AND COMPETITIVE TRANSACTIONS
A. Delivery -versus -payment: Settlement of all investment transactions will be completed
using standard delivery -vs. -payment procedures.
B. Third -party safekeeping: To protect against potential losses by collapse of individual
securities dealers, and to enhance access to securities, interest payments and maturity
proceeds, all securities owned by the City will be held in safekeeping by a third party bank
custodian, acting as agent for the City under the terms of a custody agreement executed by
the bank and the City.
C. Competitive transactions: All investment transactions will be conducted on a competitive
basis which can be executed through a bidding process involving at least three separate
brokers/financial institutions or through the use of a nationally recognized trading platform.
VIII. AUTHORIZED AND SUITABLE INVESTMENTS
All investments will be made in accordance with California Government Code Section 53600
et seq. and as described within this Investment Policy. Permitted investments under this
policy will include:
1. Municipal Bonds. These include bonds of the City, the State of California, any other
state, and any local agency, within the state of California. The bonds will be registered in the
name of the City or held under a custodial agreement at a bank.
a. Bonds must be rated in the category of "A" or better by at least two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations; and
b. No more than 5% of the portfolio may be invested in any single issuer.
c. No more than 30% of the total portfolio may be invested in municipal bonds.
2. US Treasury and other government obligations for which the full faith and credit of the
United States are pledged for the payment of principal and interest. There are no limits on
the dollar amount or percentage that the City may invest in US Treasuries.
3. 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 are no limits on the dollar amount or percentage that the City may invest
in government -sponsored enterprises.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
4. Banker's acceptances, provided that:
a. They are issued by institutions with short term debt obligations rated "Al" or higher,
or the equivalent, by at least two nationally recognized statistical -rating
organizations (NRSRO); and have long-term debt obligations which are rated "A"
or higher by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations;
b. The maturity does not exceed 180 days; and
c. No more than 40% of the total portfolio may be invested in banker's acceptances
and no more than 5°/o per issuer.
5. Federally insured time deposits (Non-negotiable certificates of deposit) in state or
federally chartered banks, savings and loans, or credit unions, provided that:
a. The amount per institution is limited to the maximum covered under federal
insurance; and
b. The maturity of such deposits does not exceed 5 years.
6. Certificate of Deposit Placement Service (CDARS)
a. No more than 30% of the total portfolio may be invested in a combination of
certificates of deposit including CDARS
b. The maturity of CDARS deposits does not exceed 5 years.
7. Negotiable certificates of deposit (NCDs), provided that:
a. They are issued by institutions which have long-term obligations which are rated
"A" or higher by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations;
and/or have short term debt obligations rated "Al" or higher, or the equivalent, by
at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations;
b. The maturity does not exceed 5 years; and
c. No more than 30% of the total portfolio may be invested in NCDs and no more than
5% per issuer.
8. Commercial paper, provided that:
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
a. The maturity does not exceed 270 days from the date of purchase;
b. The issuer is a corporation organized and operating in the United States with assets
in excess of $500 million;
c. They are issued by institutions whose short term obligations are rated "A-1" or
higher, or the equivalent, by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations; and whose long-term obligations are rated "A" or higher by at least
two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and
d. No more than 25% of the portfolio is invested in commercial paper and no more
than 5% per issuer. Under a provision sunsetting on January 1, 2026, no more
than 40% of the portfolio may be invested in Commercial Paper if the Agency's
investment assets under management are greater than $100,000,000.
9. State of California Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF), provided that:
a. The City may invest up to the maximum permitted amount in LAIF; and
b. LAIF's investments in instruments prohibited by or not specified in the City's policy
do not exclude it from the City's list of allowable investments, provided that the
fund's reports allow the Administrative Services Director or Financial Services
Officer to adequately judge the risk inherent in LAIF's portfolio.
10. Local government investment pools.
a. San Diego County Investment Pool
11. Corporate medium term notes (MTNs), provided that:
a. Such notes have a maximum maturity of 5 years;
b. Are 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;
c. Are rated "A" or better by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating
organization; and
d. Holdings of medium -term notes not exceed 30% of the portfolio with no more than
5% per issuer.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
12. Mortgage pass -through securities, asset -backed securities, and collateralized
mortgage obligations,lasii provided that such securities:
a. Have a maximum stated final maturity of 5 years.
b. Are in a rating category of "AA" or its equivalent or better by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization.
c. Do not exceed 20% of the portfolio.
13. Money market mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940:
a. Provided that such funds meet either of the following criteria:
1. Attained the highest ranking or the highest letter and numerical rating provided
by not less than two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; 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 investing in the securities and obligations authorized by California
Government Code Section 53601 (a through j) and with assets under
management in excess of $500 million.
b. Purchase of securities authorized by this subdivision may not exceed 20% of the
portfolio.
14. Supranationals, provided that:
a. 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.
b. The securities are rated in a category of "AA" or higher by a NRSRO.
c. No more than 30% of the total portfolio may be invested in these securities.
d. No more than 10% of the portfolio may be invested in any single issuer.
e. The maximum maturity does not exceed five (5) years.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
IX. PORTFOLIO RISK MANAGEMENT
A. The following are prohibited investment vehicles and practices:
1. State law notwithstanding, any investments not specifically described herein are
prohibited, including, but not limited to futures and options.
2. In accordance with California Government Code Section 53601.6, investment in
inverse floaters, range notes, or mortgage derived interest -only strips is prohibited.
3. Investment in any security that could result in a zero interest accrual if held to maturity
is prohibited. Under a provision sunsetting on January 1, 2026, securities backed by
the U.S. Government that could result in a zero- or negative -interest accrual if held
to maturity are permitted.
4. Trading securities for the sole purpose of speculating on the future direction of
interest rates is prohibited.
5. Purchasing or selling securities on margin is prohibited.
6. The use of reverse repurchase agreements, securities lending or any other form
of borrowing or leverage is prohibited.
7. The purchase of foreign currency denominated securities is prohibited.
8. The purchase of a security with a forward settlement date exceeding 45 days from
the time of the investment is prohibited.
B. Mitigating credit risk in the portfolio
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 will
mitigate credit risk by adopting the following strategies:
1. The diversification requirements included in this Section IX are designed to mitigate
credit risk in the portfolio;
2. No more than 5% of the total portfolio may be invested in securities of any single
issuer, except as noted in Section VIII of this Investment 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 yield of the portfolio in response
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
to market conditions or the City's risk preferences; and
4. If securities owned by the City are downgraded by one or more nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations to a level below the quality required
by this Investment Policy, it will be the City's policy to review the credit situation
and make a determination as to whether to sell or retain such securities in the
portfolio.
a. If a security is downgraded, the Administrative Services Director or Financial
Services Officer will use discretion in determining whether to sell or hold the
security based on its current maturity, the economic outlook for the issuer, and
other relevant factors.
b. If a decision is made to retain a downgraded security in the portfolio, its presence
in the portfolio will be monitored and reported monthly to the City Council.
C. Mitigating market risk in the portfolio
Market risk is the risk that the portfolio value will fluctuate due to changes in the general
level of interest rates. The City recognizes that, over time, longer -term portfolios have the
potential to achieve higher returns. On the other hand, longer -term portfolios have higher
volatility of return. The City will mitigate market risk by providing adequate liquidity for short-
term cash needs, and by making 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 City will maintain a minimum of three months of budgeted operating
expenditures in short term investments to provide sufficient liquidity for expected
disbursements;
2. The maximum percent of callable securities (does not include "make whole call"
securities as defined in the Glossary) in the portfolio will be 20%;
3. The maximum stated final maturity of individual securities in the portfolio will be
five years, except as otherwise stated in this policy; and
4. The duration of the portfolio will at all times be approximately equal to the
duration (typically plus or minus 20%) of a Market Benchmark Index selected by the City
based on the City's investment objectives, constraints and risk tolerances. The City's
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
current Benchmark will be documented in the investment procedures manual.
X. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES (PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND EVALUATION)
A. Overall objective: The investment portfolio will be designed with the overall
objective of obtaining a total rate of return throughout economic cycles, commensurate
with investment risk constraints and cash flow needs.
B. Specific objective: The investment performance objective for the portfolio will be to
earn a total rate of return over a market cycle which is approximately equal to the return on
the Market Benchmark Index as described in theCity's investment procedures manual.
XI. PROCEDURES AND INTERNAL CONTROLS
A. Procedures: The Administrative Services Director or Financial Services Officer will
establish written investment policy procedures in a separate investment procedures
manual to assist investment staff with day-to-day operations of the investment program
consistent with this policy. Such procedures will include explicit delegation of authority
to persons responsible for investment transactions. No person may engage in an
investment transaction except as provided under the terms of this policy and the
procedures established by the Administrative Services Director or Financial Services
Officer.
B. Internal Controls: The Administrative Services Director or Financial Services Officer is
responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal control structure designed to
ensure that the assets of the City are protected from loss, theft, or misuse. The internal
control structure will be designed to provide reasonable assurance that these objectives
are met. Internal controls will be documented in the City's investment procedures
manual.
XII. REPORTING AND REVIEW
A. Monthly reports: The Administrative Services Director or Financial Services Officer
must submit a monthly report to the legislative body accounting for transactions made
during the reporting period.
B. Quarterly reports: Quarterly investment reports will be submitted by the Administrative
Services Director or Financial Services Officer to the City Council, at an agendized within
45 days of the end of the quarter. Consistent with the requirements contained in California
Government Code Section 53646, information in the quarterly investment reports shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Type of investment
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
2. Name of issuer and/or financial institution
3. Date of purchase
4. Date of maturity
5. Current market value for all securities
6. Rate of interest
7. Purchase price of investment
8. Other data as deemed relevant by the Administrative Services Director or
Financial Services Officer
C. Annual Policy review: The Investment Policy will be reviewed at least annually within
120 days of the end of the fiscal year and, as necessary, amended and re -adopted, to
ensure its consistency with the overall objectives of preservation of principal, liquidity, and
return, and its relevance to current law and financial and economic trends.
Related Policy References
California Government Code Sections: 16429.1 — 16429.4, and 53600 — 53609 and 53630-53686
Investment Company Act of 1940
Investment Advisers Act of 1940
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule #15C3-1
Appendix I attached: "Authorized Personnel"
Appendix II attached: "Glossary of Investment Terms"
Prior Policy Amendments
October 23, 1990 — Established Policy
May 9, 1995 (Resolution No. 95-62) Updated Policy and Inclusion in the Policy Manual and
Amend policy adopted October 23, 1990
August 6, 1996 (Resolution No. 96-130)
August 26, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-110)
October 6, 1998 (Resolution No. 98-136)
September 7, 1999 (Resolution No. 99-130)
October 2, 2001 (Resolution No. 2001-151)
October 1, 2002 (Resolution No. 2002-149)
October 7, 2003 (Resolution No. 2003-139)
June 7, 2005 (Resolution No. 2005-118)
October 4, 2005 (Resolution No. 2005-215)
August 21, 2007 (Resolution No. 2007-202)
February 19, 2008 (Resolution No. 2008-37)
February 19, 2008 (Resolution No. 2008-38) CDC
January 10, 2012 (Resolution No. 2012-09)
December 10, 2013 (Resolution No. 2013-189)
December 16, 2014 (Resolution No. 2014-172)
December 15, 2015 (Resolution No. 2015-186)
December 6, 2016 (Resolution No. 2016-189)
October 17, 2017 (Resolution No. 2017-203)
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
November 20, 2018 (Resolution No. 2018-189)
August 18, 2020 (Resolution No. 2020-151)
June 21, 2022 (Resolution No. 2022-107)
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
Appendix I
Authorized Personnel
The following positions are authorized to transact investment business and wire funds for
investment purposes on behalf of the City of National City:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Financial Services Officer
Director of Administrative Services or designee
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
Appendix II
GLOSSARY OF INVESTMENT TERMS
Agencies. Shorthand market terminology for any obligation issued by a government -
sponsored entity (GSE), or a federally related institution. Most obligations of GSEs are not
guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Examples are:
FDIC. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation provides insurance backed by the
full faith and credit of the US government to certain bank deposits and debt obligations.
FFCB. The Federal Farm Credit Bank System provides credit and liquidity in the
agricultural industry. FFCB issues discount notes and bonds.
FHLB. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides credit and liquidity in the housing
market. FHLB issues discount notes and bonds.
FHLMC. Like FHLB, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation provides credit
and liquidity in the housing market. FHLMC, also called "Freddie Mac" issues discount
notes, bonds and mortgage pass -through securities.
FNMA. Like FHLB and Freddie Mac, the Federal National Mortgage Association was
established to provide credit and liquidity in the housing market. FNMA, also known
as "Fannie Mae," issues discount notes, bonds and mortgage pass -through securities.
GNMA. The Government National Mortgage Association, known as "Ginnie Mae,"
issues mortgage pass -through securities, which are guaranteed by the full faith and
credit of the US Government.
PEFCO. The Private Export Funding Corporation assists exporters. Obligations of
PEFCO are not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the US government.
TVA. The Tennessee Valley Authority provides flood control and power and promotes
development in portions of the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. TVA
currently issues discount notes and bonds.
Asked. The price at which a seller offers to sell a security.
Asset -Backed Securities. Securities supported by pools of installment loans or leases or
by pools of revolving lines of credit.
Average life. In mortgage -related investments, including CMOs, the average time to
expected receipt of principal payments, weighted by the amount of principal expected.
Banker's acceptance. A money market instrument created to facilitate international trade
transactions. It is highly liquid and safe because the risk of the trade transaction is
transferred to the bank which "accepts" the obligation to pay the investor.
Benchmark. A comparison security or portfolio. A performance benchmark is a partial
market index, which reflects the mix of securities allowed under a specific investment policy.
Bid. The price at which a buyer offers to buy a security.
Broker. A broker brings buyers and sellers together for a transaction for which the broker
receives a commission. A broker does not sell securities from his own position.
Callable. A callable security gives the issuer the option to call it from the investor prior to its
maturity. The main cause of a call is a decline in interest rates. If interest rates decline since
an issuer issues securities, it will likely call its current securities and reissue them at a lower
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
rate of interest. Callable securities have reinvestment risk as the investor may receive its
principal back when rates are lower than when the investment was initially made.
Certificate of Deposit (CD). A time deposit with a specific maturity evidenced by a
certificate. Large denomination CDs may be marketable.
Collateral. Securities or cash pledged by a borrower to secure repayment of a loan or
repurchase agreement. Also, securities pledged by a financial institution to secure deposits
of public monies.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (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. The short-term unsecured debt of corporations.
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. The rate of return at which interest is paid on a bond.
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 annual income from an investment divided by the current market value.
Since the mathematical calculation relies on the current market value rather than the
investor's cost, current yield is unrelated to the actual return the investor will earn if the
security is held to maturity.
Dealer. A dealer acts as a principal in security transactions, selling securities from and
buying securities for his own position.
Debenture. A bond secured only by the general credit of the issuer.
Delivery vs. payment (DVP). A securities industry procedure whereby payment for a
security must be made at the time the security is delivered to the purchaser's agent.
Derivative. Any security that has principal and/or interest payments which are subject to
uncertainty (but not for reasons of default or credit risk) as to timing and/or amount, or any
security which represents a component of another security which has been separated from
other components ("Stripped" coupons and principal). A derivative is also defined as a
financial instrument the value of which is totally or partially derived from the value of another
instrument, interest rate or index.
Discount. The difference between the par value of a bond and the cost of the bond, when
the cost is below par. Some short-term securities, such as T-bills and banker's acceptances,
are known as discount securities. They sell at a discount from par, and return the par value
to the investor at maturity without additional interest. Other securities, which have fixed
coupons trade at a discount when the coupon rate is lower than the current market rate for
securities of that maturity and/or quality.
Diversification. Dividing investment funds among a variety of investments to avoid
excessive exposure to any one source of risk.
Duration. The weighted average time to maturity of a bond where the weights are the
present values of the future cash flows. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a bond to
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
changes in interest rates. (See modified duration).
Federal funds rate. The rate of interest charged by banks for short-term loans to other
banks. The Federal Reserve Bank through open -market operations establishes it.
Federal Open Market Committee: A committee of the Federal Reserve Board that
establishes monetary policy and executes it through temporary and permanent changes to
the supply of bank reserves.
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).
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: The speed and ease with which an asset can be converted to cash.
Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). A voluntary investment fund managed by the
California State Treasurer's Office open to government entities and certain non-profit
organizations in California.
Local Government Investment Pool. Investment pools including the Local Agency
Investment Fund (LAIF), county pools, joint powers authorities (JPAs). These funds are not
subject to the same SEC rules applicable to money market mutual funds.
Make Whole Call. A type of call provision on a bond that allows the issuer to pay off the
remaining debt early. Unlike a call option, with a make whole call provision, the issuer makes
a lump sum payment that equals the net present value (NPV) of future coupon payments
that will not be paid because of the call. 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 can be traded.
Marking to market. The process of posting current market values for securities in a
portfolio.
Maturity. The final date upon which the principal of a security becomes due and payable.
Medium term notes. Unsecured, investment -grade senior debt securities of major
corporations which are sold in relatively small amounts either on 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.
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.
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
Municipal Securities. Securities issued by state and local agencies to finance capital and
operating expenses.
Mutual fund. An entity which pools the funds of investors and invests those funds in a set
of securities which is specifically defined in the fund's prospectus. Mutual funds can be
invested in various types of domestic and/or international stocks, bonds, and money market
instruments, as set forth in the individual fund's prospectus. For most large, institutional
investors, the costs associated with investing in mutual funds are higher than the investor
can obtain through an individually managed portfolio.
Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). A credit rating agency
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission uses for regulatory purposes.
Credit rating agencies provide assessments of an investment's risk. The issuers of
investments, especially debt securities, pay credit rating agencies to provide them with
ratings. The three most prominent NRSROs are Fitch, S&P, and Moody's.
Premium. The difference between the par value of a bond and the cost of the bond, when
the cost is above par.
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 financial institution (1) that is a trading counterparty with the Federal
Reserve in its execution of market operations to carry out US monetary policy, and (2) that
participates for statistical reporting purposes in compiling data on activity in the US
Government securities market.
Prudent person (man) rule. A standard of responsibility which applies to fiduciaries. In
California, the rule is stated as "Investments shall be managed with the care, skill, prudence
and diligence, under the circumstances then prevailing, that a prudent person, acting in a
like capacity and familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of an enterprise of like
character and with like aims to accomplish similar purposes."
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, Repo). Short term purchases of securities with a
simultaneous agreement to sell the securities back at a higher price. From the seller's point
of view, the same transaction is a reverse repurchase agreement.
Safekeeping. A service to bank customers whereby securities are held by the bank in the
customer's name.
Short Term. Less than one (1) years' time.
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
CITY COUNCIL POLICY
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
TITLE: Investments POLICY #203
ADOPTED: October 23, 1990 AMENDED: August 15, 2023
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.
Supranational. A Supranational is a multi -national organization whereby member states
transcend national boundaries or interests to share in the decision making to promote
economic development in the member countries.
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.
US Treasury obligations. Securities issued by the US Treasury and backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. Treasuries are considered to have no credit risk, and are
the benchmark for interest rates on all other securities in the US and overseas. The Treasury
issues both discounted securities and fixed coupon notes and bonds.
Treasury bills. All securities issued with initial maturities of one year or less are issued as
discounted instruments, and are called Treasury bills. The Treasury currently issues three -
and six-month T-bills at regular weekly auctions. It also issues "cash management" bills as
needed to smooth out cash flows.
Treasury notes. All securities issued with initial maturities of two to ten years are called
Treasury notes, and pay interest semi-annually.
Treasury bonds. All securities issued with initial maturities greater than ten years are called
Treasury bonds. Like Treasury notes, they pay interest semi-annually.
Value. Principal plus accrued interest.
Volatility. The rate at which security prices change with changes in general economic
conditions or the general level of interest rates.
Yield to Maturity. The annualized internal rate of return on an investment which equates
the expected cash flows from the investment to its cost.