17. Mutual Funds: Structure And Regulation

SECTION 7

Analysis of Managed and Structured Products

1. Mutual Funds: Structure and Regulation
2. Mutual Funds: Types and Features
3. Exchange-Traded Funds
4. Alternative Investments: Benefits, Risks and Structure
5. Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance
6. Other Managed Products
7. Structured Products

Mutual Funds: Chapter 17

Structure and Regulation

Chapter Overview

In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive introduction to managed products. We specifically delve into mutual funds, which are one of the most prevalent managed products in the financial market. We will cover the following key areas:

• Mutual Fund Structures
• Regulations Governing Mutual Funds
• Know Your Client (KYC) and Suitability Requirements
• Documentation and Disclosure Requirements

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to:

1. List the advantages and disadvantages of managed products.
2. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds and the types of fund structures.
3. Calculate a fund’s net asset value per share and understand how mutual fund units or shares are priced.
4. Analyze the impacts of charges associated with mutual funds.
5. Describe the regulatory requirements for mutual funds.
6. Identify mutual fund restrictions and prohibited selling practices.
7. Discuss the Know Your Client (KYC) rule, Know Your Product (KYP) requirements, and suitability factors.
8. Enumerate the elements that must be included in client disclosure documents and the circumstances requiring the updating of KYC information.

Key Terms

Key terms are defined in the Glossary and appear in bold text within the chapter.

• Active Management: An investment strategy used by fund managers to outperform an index or target.

• Net Asset Value Per Share (NAVPS): A measurement of a mutual fund’s per-share market value.

• Annual Information Form (AIF): A document containing essential information on a mutual fund.

• No-Load Fund: A fund that does not charge a sales commission.

• Back-End Load: A fee paid when withdrawing funds from a mutual fund.

• Offering Price: The price at which new shares in a mutual fund are sold to investors.

• Custodian: A financial institution that holds securities on behalf of the mutual fund.

• Open-End Trust: A type of mutual fund that can continually issue new shares or units.

• Early Redemption Fee: A fee payable by investors who redeem their shares in a mutual fund before a specified period.

• Passive Management: An investment strategy used to replicate the performance of a specific index.

• F-Class Fund: A mutual fund class offering lower management fees for fee-based accounts.

• Pre-Authorized Contribution Plan (PAC): A plan allowing investors to make regular investments into mutual funds.

• Front-End Load: A fee paid upon purchase of mutual fund shares.

• Redemption Price: The price at which investors can sell their mutual fund shares back to the fund.

Glossary

Active Management: An investment strategy that strives to outperform a specified benchmark by relying on a portfolio manager’s skill and judgment.

Net Asset Value Per Share (NAVPS): Represents a fund’s total net assets divided by the number of shares outstanding.

Annual Information Form (AIF): Provides bondholders and potential investors with key information about a mutual fund.

No-Load Fund: An onboard fund that can be bought and sold without commission or sales charge.

Back-End Load: A fee paid when an investor sells mutual fund shares.

Key Takeaways

• Mutual funds come in various structures, each with its benefits and drawbacks.
• Regulations like those under National Instrument 81-101 and 81-102 provide a framework to protect investors.
• Knowing the client and ensuring suitability are central to ethical financial advising.
• Mutual funds have specific documentation and disclosure requirements to promote transparency.

Chart: Fee Structure of Mutual Funds

    graph TD;
	A[Fee Types] --> B[Front-End Load];
	A --> C[Back-End Load];
	A --> D[Management Expense Ratio];
	A --> E[Early Redemption Fee];
	A --> F[Switching Fees];
	A --> G[Trailer Fee];

Common Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the regulatory requirements for mutual funds?

   Mutual funds must comply with regulations such as National Instrument 81-101 and 81-102 that standardize practices across the industry and ensure investors’ protection.

2. Why is the Know Your Client rule essential?

   The KYC rule ensures that advisors deeply understand their clients’ financial situations, thereby recommending the most appropriate investments.

3. How are mutual funds priced?

   Mutual funds are generally priced based on their Net Asset Value Per Share (NAVPS), calculated by dividing the total value of assets minus liabilities by the number of outstanding shares.

Note: More frequently asked questions will be covered in the upcoming sections.

Thank you for using this study guide, and best of luck with your exam preparation!

In this section

• 17.1 Introduction
  An introduction to managed products and mutual funds in the Canadian Securities Course certification exam preparation guide, covering their history, evolution, and complexity.
• 17.2 Overview Of Managed Products
  Learn about the various types of managed products, including their advantages and disadvantages, and explore the nuances of both active and passive management styles.
  • 17.2.1 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Managed Products
    Understanding the benefits and downsides of managed products can help investors make informed decisions. This guide explores the pros and cons in-depth, offering insights into professional management, economies of scale, diversification, tax benefits, liquidity, and potential drawbacks like lack of transparency, high fees, and volatility.
• 17.3 Overview Of Mutual Funds
  Learn about mutual funds, their advantages and disadvantages, different fund structures, and much more in this comprehensive guide covering various aspects crucial for a successful Canadian Securities Course certification exam.
  • 17.3.1 Advantages Of Mutual Funds
    Explore the numerous benefits of investing in mutual funds including low-cost professional management, diversification, liquidity, and more.
  • 17.3.2 Disadvantages Of Mutual Funds
    Explore the key disadvantages of mutual funds including associated costs, short-term unsuitability, systematic risk, and tax complications. Gain detailed insights to better inform clients.
  • 17.3.3 Mutual Fund Structured As Trust
    Learn about the structure and advantages of mutual funds structured as trusts, focusing on their tax benefits, roles and responsibilities, and investor rights.
  • 17.3.4 Mutual Fund Structured As Corporation
    Explore the setup, conditions, advantages, and taxation aspects of mutual funds structured as a corporation, including investor benefits, financial conditions, and dividend strategies.
  • 17.3.5 Organization Of Mutual Fund
    Understand the structure and key roles within a mutual fund, including directors, fund managers, distributors, and custodians. Learn about their responsibilities and how they interact to ensure the proper management and performance of the fund.
• 17.4 Pricing Mutual Fund Units
  Learn how to calculate a mutual fund’s net asset value per share (NAVPS) and understand the pricing mechanisms of mutual fund units in this guide. Explore the influences of associated charges and best practices in processing orders.
  • 17.4.1 Charges Associated With Mutual Funds
    Learn about various charges associated with mutual funds including front-end loads, back-end loads, trailer fees, management fees, and more. Understand how these fees impact your investments and use tools provided by regulatory authorities to calculate their effects.
• 17.5 Mutual Fund Regulation
  Understanding the regulatory framework surrounding mutual funds in Canada, focusing on the roles of provincial regulators, principles of regulation, and the ethical conduct required from industry professionals.
  • 17.5.1 Mutual Fund Regulatory Organizations
    An in-depth guide on Mutual Fund Regulatory Organizations for Canadian Securities Course (CSC) certification, focusing on the key self-regulatory organizations and their roles.
  • 17.5.2 National Instruments 81-101 And 81-102
    Learn about National Instruments 81-101 and 81-102, essential regulatory measures governing mutual funds in Canada.
  • 17.5.3 General Mutual Fund Requirements
    This comprehensive guide lists and explains the general requirements for mutual funds with respect to filing, documentation, and regulatory adherence in Canada.
  • 17.5.4 Fund Facts Document
    A comprehensive guide on the Fund Facts document, its structure, and disclosure components designed for investors considering mutual funds.
  • 17.5.5 Simplified Prospectus
    Detailed guide on the simplified prospectus required for mutual funds, including its components, annual filings, and associated documents such as the annual information form.
• 17.6 Other Forms And Requirements
  Detailed overview of mutual fund restrictions and prohibited selling practices as mandated by Canadian securities legislation. Key requirements and frequently violated selling practices for mutual fund dealers.
  • 17.6.1 Registration Requirements For Mutual Fund Industry
    Comprehensive guide detailing the registration requirements, qualifications, and processes for mutual fund managers, distributors, and sales representatives in Canada.
  • 17.6.2 Mutual Fund Restrictions
    Comprehensive guide to mutual fund restrictions including management limitations, regulatory controls on derivatives, prohibited selling practices, and detailed reporting requirements for mutual funds in Canada.
• 17.7 Know Your Client Rule
  Understand the Know Your Client (KYC) rule, its importance, and how to apply it in the context of mutual fund sales in Canada.
  • 17.7.1 Suitability And Know Your Product
    A comprehensive guide to the suitability and know your product (KYP) regulations for mutual fund representatives, focusing on the importance of due diligence in assessing investment suitability in accordance with the KYC rule.
  • 17.7.2 Role Of Kyc Information In Opening Account
    Explore the significance of KYC information in opening accounts, touching on financial interest, changes in clients' circumstances, and compliance with AML and ATF regulations.
• 17.8 Requirements For Opening And Updating Account
  Understand the essential elements of client disclosure documents and the importance of updated Know Your Client information for maintaining compliance and assessing investment suitability.
  • 17.8.1 Relationship Disclosure
    Detailed overview of relationship disclosure requirements for mutual fund dealers in Canadian securities regulation.
  • 17.8.2 New Accounts
    Learn about the process of establishing new accounts in accordance with KYC rules, including the necessary forms and information required.
  • 17.8.3 Updating Client Information
    Comprehensive guide on how to systematically and effectively update client information as per the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) guidelines, ensuring compliance with MFDA rules.
  • 17.8.4 Distribution Of Mutual Funds By Financial Institutions
    Comprehensive guide on rules and regulations pertaining to the distribution of mutual funds by financial institutions in Canada, detailed discussion on registration, conflicts of interest, proficiency requirements, and necessary disclosures.
• 17.9 Summary
  In this chapter, we discussed the structures and regulations of mutual funds, including tax implications, the purchase and redemption process, regulatory bodies, and the Know-Your-Client rule.