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
“The preparation and maintenance of the Investment Policy Statement is the most critical function a fiduciary performs … this compact strategy guide provides advisors and their fiduciary clients with a useful tool that will help them comply with their ERISA-directed requirement.” -- Donald B. Trone, Strategic Ethos, CEO (Chief Ethos officer)
ERISA and other guidelines have long required fiduciaries to implement a uniform process for drafting an Investment Policy Statement (IPS). But historically, enforcement was lax, leaving companies little motivation to develop a formal practice.
Now, times have changed. Corporate scandals coupled with volatility in the markets have generated an increase in complains, lawsuits and even the possibility of government legislation requiring an official IPS. This compact guide will help financial advisors, plan sponsors, money managers and all professional fiduciaries protect themselves, stay in compliance—and stay one step ahead of the government mandate—by putting a simple IPS process in place.
Industry pro Jack Gardner provides an easy-to-follow framework for producing a well-written IPS based on practices recognized by the Foundation for Fiduciary Studies. In clear terms, he outlines how to …
- Define duties & responsibilities of all parties involved
- Clarify diversification guidelines & keep costs in check
- Identify due diligence criteria for selecting investment options
PLUS: 2 Sample Policy Statements are included which can be download directly from the website at: www.thornburg.com /IPS. Both templates make implementing a proper IPS easier and more accurate.
Prepare documents that meet all industry standards of compliance and federal regulations with relative ease—every time—while protecting yourself and your firm from liability using this thorough guidebook.
