How to Write an Investment Policy Statement
“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 involvedClarify diversification guidelines & keep costs in checkIdentify due diligence criteria for selecting investment optionsPLUS: 2 Sample Policy Statements are includedwhich 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.