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closeBREAKING NEWS

FISN will close New Year's Eve, Thursday Dec. 31, at 2:00 PM. We will be closed Friday Jan. 1 and reopen Monday Jan. 4, 2010 at 8:30 AM. Happy New Year.


closeFEATURES

Overview | Process | FDIC Coverage | Callable CD Features | ID Requirements | Fees

OVERVIEW    
Fixed Rate Callable CDs are FDIC insured and are purchased at FISN,  a brokerage firm. FISN searches nationwide for the best Callable CDs and offers these certificates of deposit for investment. Callable CDs offer higher rates but the bank has the right to return the funds early. FDIC insured banks and brokerage firms team-up to distribute insured CDs across the nation. FISN has access to the widest inventory from all major Wall Street firms. Investors select CDs that meet their needs for safety, yield and return of principal. The CD is held in a brokerage account.

PROCESS       
Investors start by selecting suitable CD investments and then open a standard brokerage account at FISN in their name. A brokerage account can hold many CDs of any type, such as a laddered CD portfolio, without limit. The investor wires funds or sends a check to fund this new account. FISN sends new account paperwork and purchase confirmations to the investor. The brokerage forms are completed and the transaction confirmation is verified. Only one account needs to be opened for each ownership category. Paperwork is returned to FISN along with the required identification.

FDIC COVERAGE        
Fixed Rate Callable CDs are purchased in amounts starting at $25,000. No more than the $250,000 insurance limit per ownership category should be invested in any one bank at the same time. The FDIC insurance limit has been temporarily raised to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 20013. There is no limit on the number of banks per account and multiple accounts can be opened for other ownership categories such as IRA, joint or trust accounts. FISN understands the FDIC insurance rules and helps depositors gain the best return by maximizing coverage.  FDIC coverage for retirement accounts is $250,000 per bank.

CALLABLE CD FEATURES
Callable CDs have an initial non-callable term and a callable term. Callable CDs pay interest at a fixed rate over the life of the CD. The interest is paid on a semi-annual or monthly basis into the brokerage account where it can continue to earn interest in a money market fund account.  At the end of the non-callable period, the CDs may be called for the full amount of the deposit. When called, the bank returns the deposit amount to the brokerage account with full interest to date. If not called, the CD remains callable usually every 6 months. Only the issuing bank of each CD can make the call decision, not the depositor or the broker. The CD will continue to pay interest for the full, possible CD term if it is never called. Key information is the name of the bank, the first call date, subsequent call dates and the final stated maturity at the end of the possible term.

Interest can be disbursed immediately or periodically via checks or electronic funds transmission straight to your local bank. Available cash also can be withdrawn from the account via checks, automatic teller machines or debit card. There may be fees for accounts with ATM or debit cards.

See A Guide to Understanding Certificates of Deposit

See Which CD Is Right for You?

ID REQUIREMENTS
Brokerage accounts are opened at FISN’s brokerage division, First Internet Securities Network. Securities in FISN accounts are carried by National Financial Services LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, a Fidelity Investments company. FISN is required under U.S. government rules to verify ownership of all accounts. Individuals are required to provide a copy of a government issued, photo identification. Business accounts, trusts and other non-individual accounts have special requirements. Some banks exclude residents of certain states from the purchase of their CDs, otherwise, there are no limits and plenty of unrestricted product is available.

FEES
There are no placement fees paid by the investor. Banks pay brokers to distribute their CDs. New issue CDs are sold at par or a price of 100.0 to the investor. Par is the face amount of the CD on which interest is earned. Some CDs may require minimum purchase amounts.

 

 

closeDISCLOSURE
closeRISKS

Unique Risks for Callable CDs | Market Risk | Interest Rate Risk | Secondary Market Availability Risk | Call Risk | Re-Investment Risk | Principal Risk

UNIQUE RISKS FOR CALLABLE CDS
Callable CDs present risks unique to that style of CD. Callable CDs pay a fixed interest rate until called. The bank can choose to make the call decision at any call date after the initial non-call period for any reason. Investors should be aware of the timing of each call date and the other terms of the CD. The risk is that the CD rate may be above prevailing market rates. If the rate is above the market and the CD is callable, the underlying CD becomes subject to Call Risk since the bank is motivated to replace the deposit with less costly funds. Reinvestment Risk arises when CDs are called, causing investors to relinquish a high rate and replace it with a lower, current market rate.

MARKET RISK
All investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) held in a securities account are subject to market risk. Market risk is always present but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. This risk arises from the valuation that potential buyers in the market put on an investment that could be offered for sale. The potential risk is that the value may fall and transaction cost may be incurred if the item is put up for sale. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. It is possible that the value could rise as well and then it would be a market value gain. Market risk is an overall risk caused many factors such as interest rate movements, transaction cost and availability of purchasers.

INTEREST RATE RISK
All investments that pay interest or dividends are subject to interest rate risk. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are included since their primary purpose is to produce income in the form of interest. Interest rate risk is present if interest rates are moving up from their original level but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. The rule is simple: if rates rise, the “market” value will fall. All purchasers in the secondary market demand the yield on previously issued CDs be increased to current levels before they buy them. Yields are increased by reducing the price. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Of course, the value may rise if interest rates fall and then it would be a market value gain if sold.

SECONDARY MARKET AVAILABILITY RISK
All investments are subject to the availability of a secondary market. Income producing investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) are included particularly since they don’t trade such as stocks do on an established “stock market”. The risk is the availability of such an organized and active place to sell your investment. This risk is present if you plan to sell your investment but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. FISN, though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in CDs after any initial distribution. Simply stated - buyers are needed to sell something. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Relative values may rise if more buyers are present that can be reached in a timely and effective fashion.

CALL RISK
Callable investments including callable CDs are subject to call risk. Depositors should clearly understand all call provisions. This risk is present even if you plan to hold CD investments until maturity. The bank can “call” or redeem a CD on certain call dates prior to maturity. The bank calls the entire issue regardless of the holder. When called, the bank returns the full deposited amount with interest up to the call date. Only the bank can exercise a call, not the account holder or the broker. Banks usually call a CD when rates have fallen and they can replace the deposit at a lower rate. The risk is that, even though you get back your full deposit, when you go to reinvest your funds, it will earn a lower rate. Calls cannot be predicted even though banks consider only their own needs and costs. Call risk is difficult to evaluate for monthly statements. It is better estimated by requesting your FISN Investment Manager to seek out potential buyers for the actual investment position.

RE-INVESTMENT RISK
All fixed income investments are subject to re-investment risk. This risk is related to what you do when an investment ends, regardless of the reason. If you plan to continue investing, you have to re-enter the marketplace to find a new, replacement investment. One side of this “risk” is that rates may be lower and/or fewer products are available. The other side of this “risk” is that rates may be higher and/or more products are available. Strategies to lessen this risk is to time investment maturities close to when you might need the money or to go long when rates appear high and to go short term when rates appear low. Some investors do both by laddering the maturities between long and short terms. Longer term CDs capture higher returns from longer investments. Shorter maturities keep the remainder of your funds regularly available so rate swings are not missed.

PRINCIPAL RISK
All investments are subject to principal risk. This risk is connected to the issuer. If the financial outlook of issuer declines, the issuer’s credit rating could be downgraded or the issuer could actually default on its debt. With most debt, if the issuer is less credit worthy, the debt will fall in value. And, if the issuer cannot repay the debt at all, the investment may be near worthless. The principal value will diminish in either case. With FDIC insured CD investments these two risks are nearly non-existent. Most banks, particularly regional banks, are not rated but even if they were, it typically does not matter much because the FDIC stands behind the bank. In a default, the FDIC is still there, protecting depositors. The FDIC usually transfers deposits to a viable bank or simply returns the deposit when a bank fails. Both actions occur promptly as is required in the FDIC rules. This risk is avoided by following the FDIC rules and staying insured.

 

 

closeLIQUIDITY

Overview | Early WithdrawalCD Sale | Transferability | Payable on Death

OVERVIEW
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are less liquid than trading investments such as stocks. CDs are designed to be held to maturity, rather than be bought and sold, over and over again. A CD investor can reclaim their funds by exiting a certificate of deposit through a variety of methods. Some CDs have early withdrawal rights, nearly every CD can be sold and most CDs have a payment at death feature.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts do not have early withdrawal rights for reasons other than death of the owner or joint owner.

CD SALE
Certificates of deposit can be sold in the secondary market for fixed income investments. This market is an “over the counter” market which is actually conducted over the telephone. There is no mechanism such as the New York Stock Exchange where orders can be entered and a sale is guaranteed. The availability of this secondary market for CDs cannot be guaranteed. And, there may not be buyers willing to pay an acceptable price if a CD is put up for sale. Also impacting the price is that CDs compete with other fixed income investments being offered at the same time. To start the CD sale process, the investor has to offer their CD for sale to their broker. The broker will consider whether the brokerage firm wants to hold the CD in its own inventory for resale at a later time or to sell it to another brokerage firm on the “street”. The broker will offer a net price to the investor for the CD. The broker and other “middle men” will build into their prices a trading incentive to cover their cost and profit objectives. The investor can accept the price or continue to hold the CD. There is no assurance how high the “bid” price will be or that this price will be close to estimated prices shown online or printed on recent statements. Prices are simply reflections of the market and business objectives of participating firms.

TRANSFERABILITY
Most CDs held in a brokerage account can be transferred between brokerage firms. The receiving firm generally requests the delivering firm to transfer cash, securities and CDs between accounts registered in the same ownership capacity. All debits and fees need to be paid prior to a transfer. Every firm has a process including minimums, fees and forms. It is not typical for certificates to be issued and sent to owners of record. Holding certificates outside the brokerage community reduces liquidity, prolongs an ownership transfer and lengthens the time for any sale.

PAYABLE ON DEATH
Certificates of deposit generally have a feature that permits CDs to be paid off following the death of an owner. The standard privileges for refunding the CD apply if the CD is owned by a single person or by a joint account of individuals. Other ownership forms used by individuals may require investigation to determine whether they fit the circumstances necessary for payment on death. Each bank has its own program since there are no government rules or standards. If applicable, the bank usually requires a death certificate and a standard form indicating the authority of a living individual to request the payment following death for the deceased person. FISN can assist survivors or estate officials in this process. The return of funds is not immediate and can take several weeks once all the paper work is submitted. If the CD is held in a brokerage account the funds are simply returned to the brokerage account. The full amount is returned with interest up to the date of withdrawal.

Non
Callable
CD Term

Possible
CD Term

Current
CD Rate

Theoretical
APY

Minimum
Deposit

Interest
Payment

Buy

6.0 Mos4.0 Yrs2.95%2.99%$50,000MonthlyBuy
0.5 Yrs10.0 Yrs4.00%4.04%$50,000Semi-AnnualBuy
5.0 Yrs12.0 Yrs4.00%4.04%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
1.0 Yrs30.0 Yrs5.00%5.06%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy

closeFEATURES

Overview | Process | FDIC Coverage | Step-Up CD Features | Callable CD Features | ID Requirements | Fees

OVERVIEW    
Step-Up Bonus Rate Callable CDs are FDIC insured and are purchased  at FISN, a brokerage firm. FISN searches nationwide for the best Step-Up CDs and offers these certificates of deposit for investment. The bank pays interest at a fixed rate for each period and then the rate steps-up to a new, higher rate of interest for the next period. Callable CDs offer higher rates but the bank has the right to return the funds early. FDIC insured banks and brokerage firms team-up to distribute insured CDs across the nation. FISN has access to the widest inventory from all major Wall Street firms. Investors select CDs that meet their needs for safety, yield and return of principal. The CD is held in a brokerage account.

PROCESS       
Investors start by selecting suitable CD investments and then open a standard brokerage account at FISN in their name. A brokerage account can hold many CDs of any type without limit. The investor wires funds or sends a check to fund this new account. FISN sends new account paperwork and purchase confirmations to the investor. The brokerage forms are completed and the transaction confirmation is verified. Only one account needs to be opened for each ownership category. Paperwork is returned to FISN along with the required identification.

FDIC COVERAGE        
Step-Up Bonus Rate Callable CDs are purchased in amounts starting at $25,000. No more than the $250,000 insurance limit per ownership category should be invested in any one bank at the same time. The FDIC insurance limit has been temporarily raised to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 20013. There is no limit on the number of banks per account and multiple accounts can be opened for other ownership categories such as IRA, joint or trust accounts. FISN understands the FDIC insurance rules and helps depositors gain the best return by maximizing coverage. FDIC coverage for retirement accounts is $250,000 per bank.

STEP-UP CD FEATURES
Step-Up CDs pay interest at a fixed rate for each period and then step-up to a new, higher rate of interest for the next period if not called. Interest is paid on a semi-annual or monthly basis into the brokerage account where it can continue to earn interest in a money market fund account. At each step-up point these CDs are usually callable. Key information is the interest rate and dates for each step period.

CALLABLE CD FEATURES
Callable CDs have an initial non-callable term and a callable term. The interest rate is fixed up-front for each step-up period and cannot change until the next step. The interest is paid into the brokerage account where it can continue to earn interest in a money market fund account.  At the end of the non-callable period, the CDs may be called for the full amount of the deposit. When called, the bank returns the deposit amount to the brokerage account with full interest to date. If not called, the CD remains callable usually every 6 months. Only the issuing bank of each CD can make the call decision, not the depositor or the broker. The CD will continue to pay interest for the full, possible CD term if it is never called. Key information is the name of the bank, the first call date, subsequent call dates and the final stated maturity at the end of the possible term.

Interest can be disbursed immediately or periodically via checks or electronic funds transmission straight to your local bank. Available cash also can be withdrawn from the account via checks, automatic teller machines or debit card. There may be fees for accounts with ATM or debit cards.

See A Guide to Understanding Callable Step-Up Investment Products

See Which CD Is Right for You?

ID REQUIREMENTS
Brokerage accounts are opened at FISN’s brokerage division, First Internet Securities Network. Securities in FISN accounts are carried by National Financial Services LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, a Fidelity Investments company. FISN is required under U.S. government rules to verify ownership of all accounts. Individuals are required to provide a copy of a government issued, photo identification. Business accounts, trusts and other non-individual accounts have special requirements. Some banks exclude residents of certain states from the purchase of their CDs, otherwise, there are no limits and plenty of unrestricted product is available.

FEES
There are no placement fees paid by the investor. Banks pay brokers to distribute their CDs. New issue CDs are sold at par or a price of 100.0 to the investor. Par is the face amount of the CD on which interest is earned. Some CDs may require minimum purchase amounts.

 

 

closeDISCLOSURE
closeRISKS

Unique Risks for Step-Up CDs | Market Risk | Interest Rate Risk | Secondary Market Availability Risk | Call Risk | Re-Investment Risk | Principal Risk

UNIQUE RISKS FOR STEP-UP CDs
Step-Up CDs present risks unique to that style of CD. Step-up CDs will pay an initial rate of interest for a definite period and will “step-up” to a new, higher rate. Step-up CDs have multiple rate steps at predetermined intervals. Investors should be aware of the timing and interest rates of all steps. The risk is that the stepped-up rate may be above prevailing market rates. If the rate is above the market and the CD is callable, the underlying CD becomes subject to Call Risk since the bank is motivated to replace the deposit with less costly funds. Reinvestment Risk arises when CDs are called, causing investors to relinquish a high rate and replace it with a lower current market rate. The initial rate from the first step is not the yield to maturity (YTM). The YTM on a step-up CD is always higher and will depend upon when the CD is redeemed and how many steps are actually utilized.

MARKET RISK
All investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) held in a securities account are subject to market risk. Market risk is always present but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. This risk arises from the valuation that potential buyers in the market put on an investment that could be offered for sale. The potential risk is that the value may fall and transaction cost may be incurred if the item is put up for sale. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. It is possible that the value may rise as well and then it would be a market value gain. Market risk is an overall risk caused many factors such as interest rate movements, transaction cost and availability of purchasers.

INTEREST RATE RISK
All investments that pay interest or dividends are subject to interest rate risk. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are included since their primary purpose is to produce income in the form of interest. Interest rate risk is present if interest rates are moving up from their original level but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. The rule is simple: if rates rise, the “market” value will fall. All purchasers in the secondary market demand the yield on previously issued CDs be increased to current levels before they buy them. Yields are increased by reducing the price. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Of course, the value may rise if interest rates fall and then it would be a market value gain if sold.

SECONDARY MARKET AVAILABILITY RISK
All investments are subject to the availability of a secondary market. Income producing investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) are included particularly since they don’t trade such as stocks do on an established “stock market”. The risk is the availability of such an organized and active place to sell your investment. This risk is present if you plan to sell your investment but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. FISN, though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in CDs after any initial distribution. Simply stated - buyers are needed to sell something. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Relative values may rise if more buyers are present and can be reached in a timely and effective fashion.

CALL RISK
Callable investments including callable CDs are subject to call risk. Depositors should clearly understand all call provisions. This risk is present even if you plan to hold CD investments until maturity. The bank can “call” or redeem a CD on certain call dates prior to maturity. The bank calls the entire issue regardless of the holder. When called, the bank returns the full deposited amount with interest up to the call date. Only the bank can exercise a call, not the account holder or the broker. Banks usually call a CD when rates have fallen and they can replace the deposit at a lower rate. The risk is that, even though you get back your full deposit, when you go to reinvest your funds, it will earn a lower rate. Calls cannot be predicted even though banks consider only their own needs and costs. Call risk is difficult to evaluate for monthly statements. It is better estimated by requesting your FISN Investment Manager to seek out potential buyers for the actual investment position.

RE-INVESTMENT RISK
All fixed income investments are subject to re-investment risk. This risk is related to what you do when an investment ends, regardless of the reason. If you plan to continue investing, you have to re-enter the marketplace to find a new, replacement investment. One side of this “risk” is that rates may be lower and/or fewer products are available. The other side of this “risk” is that rates may be higher and more products are available. Strategies to lessen this risk are to time investment maturities close to when you might need back the money or to go long when rates appear high and to go short term when rates appear low. Some investors do both by laddering the maturities between long and short terms. Longer term CDs capture higher returns from longer investments. Shorter maturities keep the remainder of your funds regularly available so rate swings are not missed.

PRINCIPAL RISK
All investments are subject to principal risk. This risk is connected to the issuer. If the financial outlook of issuer declines, the issuer’s credit rating could be downgraded or the issuer could actually default on its debt. With most debt, if the issuer is less credit worthy, the debt will fall in value. And, if the issuer cannot repay the debt at all, the investment may be near worthless. The principal value will diminish in either case. With FDIC insured CD investments these two risks are nearly non-existent. Most banks, particularly regional banks, are not rated but even if they were, it typically does not matter much because the FDIC stands behind the bank. In a default, the FDIC is still there, protecting depositors. The FDIC usually transfers deposits to a viable bank or simply returns the deposit when a bank fails. Both actions occur promptly as is required in the FDIC rules. This risk is avoided by following the FDIC rules and staying insured.

 

 

closeLIQUIDITY

Overview | Early WithdrawalCD Sale | Transferability | Payable on Death

OVERVIEW
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are less liquid than trading investments such as stocks. CDs are designed to be held to maturity rather than be bought and sold, over and over again. A CD investor can reclaim their funds by exiting a certificate of deposit through a variety of methods. Some CDs have early withdrawal rights, nearly every CD can be sold and most CDs have a payment at death feature.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts do not have early withdrawal rights for reasons other than death of the owner or joint owner.

CD SALE
Certificates of deposit can be sold in the secondary market for fixed income investments. This market is an “over the counter” market which is actually conducted over the telephone. There is no mechanism such as the New York Stock Exchange where orders can be entered and a sale is guaranteed. The availability of this secondary market for CDs cannot be guaranteed. And, there may not be buyers willing to pay an acceptable price if a CD is put up for sale. Also impacting the price is that CDs compete with other fixed income investments being offered at the same time. To start the CD sale process, the investor has to offer their CD for sale to their broker. The broker will consider whether the brokerage firm wants to hold the CD in its own inventory for resale at a later time or to sell it to another brokerage firm on the “street”. The broker will offer a net price to the investor for the CD. The broker and other “middle men” will build into their prices a trading incentive to cover their cost and profit objectives. The investor can accept the price or continue to hold the CD. There is no assurance how high the “bid” price will be or that this price will be close to estimated prices shown online or printed on recent statements. Prices are simply reflections of the market and business objectives of participating firms.

TRANSFERABILITY
Most CDs held in a brokerage account can be transferred between brokerage firms. The receiving firm generally requests the delivering firm to transfer cash, securities and CDs between accounts registered in the same ownership capacity. All debits and fees need to be paid prior to a transfer. Every firm has a process including minimums, fees and forms. It is not typical for certificates to be issued and sent to owners of record. Holding certificates outside the brokerage community reduces liquidity, prolongs an ownership transfer and lengthens the time for any sale.

PAYABLE ON DEATH
Certificates of deposit generally have a feature that permits CDs to be paid off following the death of an owner. The standard privileges for refunding the CD apply if the CD is owned by a single person or by a joint account of individuals. Other ownership forms used by individuals may require investigation to determine whether they fit the circumstances necessary for payment on death. Each bank has its own program since there are no government rules or standards. If applicable, the bank usually requires a death certificate and a standard form indicating the authority of a living individual to request the payment following death for the deceased person. FISN can assist survivors or estate officials in this process. The return of funds is not immediate and can take several weeks once all the paper work is submitted. If the CD is held in a brokerage account the funds are simply returned to the brokerage account. The full amount is returned with interest up to the date of withdrawal.

Non
Callable
CD Term

Possible
CD Term

Step Up
Periods

Step Up
CD Rates

Minimum
Deposit

Interest
Payment

Buy

6.0 Mos5.5 Yrs

Yr  1
Yr  2
Yr  3
Yr  4
Yr  5
Yr  5.5
Average

2.00%
2.50%
3.00%
3.25%
3.50%
4.50%
3.00%

$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
6.0 Mos10.0 Yrs

Yr   1-4
Yr   5-8
Yr    9
Yr   10
Average

3.00%
4.25%
7.00%
8.00%
4.40%

$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
1.0 Yrs12.0 Yrs

Yr   1-4
Yr   5-12
Average

3.00%
5.00%
4.33%

$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy

closeFEATURES

Overview | Process | FDIC Coverage | Fixed Rate, Fixed Term CD Features | ID Requirements | Fees

OVERVIEW    
Fixed Rate, Fixed Term CDs are FDIC insured and are purchased at FISN, a brokerage firm. FISN searches nationwide for the best CDs with a standard fixed rate and fixed maturity date and offers these certificates of deposit for investment. FDIC insured banks and brokerage firms team-up to distribute insured CDs across the nation. FISN has access to the widest inventory from all major Wall Street firms. Investors select CDs that meet their needs for safety, yield and return of principal. The CD is held in a brokerage account.

PROCESS       
Investors start by selecting suitable CD investments and then open a standard brokerage account at FISN in their name. A brokerage account can hold many CDs of any type, such as a laddered CD portfolio, without limit. The investor wires funds or sends a check to fund this new account. FISN sends new account paperwork and purchase confirmations to the investor. The brokerage forms are completed and the transaction confirmation is verified. Only one account needs to be opened for each ownership category. Paperwork is returned to FISN along with the required identification.

FDIC COVERAGE        
Fixed Rate, Fixed Term CDs are purchased in amounts starting at $25,000. No more than the $250,000 insurance limit per ownership category should be invested in any one bank at the same time. The FDIC insurance limit has been temporarily raised to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 20013. There is no limit on the number of banks per account and multiple accounts can be opened for other ownership categories such as IRA, joint or trust accounts. FISN understands the FDIC insurance rules and helps depositors gain the best return by maximizing coverage. FDIC coverage for retirement accounts is $250,000 per bank.

FIXED RATE, FIXED TERM CD FEATURES
This is a standard FDIC insured CD. It is held in a brokerage account and pays interest at a fixed rate over the life of the CD. The interest is paid on a semi-annual or monthly basis into the brokerage account where it can continue to earn interest in a money market fund account. There are no call provisions. The rate is fixed up-front and cannot change. The term is fixed up-front with a certain maturity date that cannot change. Key information is the name of the bank, the issue date and the maturity date.

Interest can be disbursed immediately or periodically via checks or electronic funds transmission straight to your local bank. Available cash also can be withdrawn from the account via checks, automatic teller machines or debit card. There may be fees for accounts with ATM or debit cards.

See A Guide to Understanding Certificates of Deposit

See Which CD Is Right for You?

ID REQUIREMENTS
Brokerage accounts are opened at FISN’s brokerage division, First Internet Securities Network. Securities in FISN accounts are carried by National Financial Services LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, a Fidelity Investments company. FISN is required under U.S. government rules to verify ownership of all accounts. Individuals are required to provide a copy of a government issued, photo identification. Business accounts, trusts and other non-individual accounts have special requirements. Some banks exclude residents of certain states from the purchase of their CDs, otherwise, there are no limits and plenty of unrestricted product is available.

FEES
There are no placement fees paid by the investor. Banks pay brokers to distribute their CDs. New issue CDs are sold at par or a price of 100.0 to the investor. Par is the face amount of the CD on which interest is earned. Some CDs may require minimum purchase amounts.

 

 

closeDISCLOSURE
closeRISKS

Unique Risks for Fixed Rate, Fixed Term CDs | Market Risk | Interest Rate Risk | Secondary Market Availability Risk | Re-Investment Risk | Principal Risk

UNIQUE RISKS FOR FIXED RATE, FIXED TERM CDs
Fixed Rate, Fixed Term CDs present few unique risks. These CDs are traditional CDs established at a fixed rate for a fixed term. There are no steps or calls.  Investors should be aware of the rate, the frequency of interest payments and the maturity date. The risk is that the CD rate may dip below the prevailing market rates. If the rate is below the market, the investor has lost the opportunity to earn a higher return. Since Early Withdraws are not available, the only way to get your investment back and capture a higher rate is to sell the CD at a market price which probably will generate a loss. Such a loss is comparable to an Early Withdraw Penalty but could be greater if rates have risen significantly.

MARKET RISK
All investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) held in a securities account are subject to market risk. Market risk is always present but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. This risk arises from the valuation that potential buyers in the market put on an investment that could be offered for sale. The potential risk is that the value may fall and transaction cost may be incurred if the item is put up for sale. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. It is possible that the value may rise as well and then it would be a market value gain. Market risk is an overall risk caused many factors such as interest rate movements, transaction cost and availability of purchasers.

INTEREST RATE RISK
All investments that pay interest or dividends are subject to interest rate risk. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are included since their primary purpose is to produce income in the form of interest. Interest rate risk is present if interest rates are moving up from their original level but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. The rule is simple: if rates rise, the “market” value will fall. All purchasers in the secondary market demand the yield on previously issued CDs be increased to current levels before they buy them. Yields are increased by reducing the price. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Of course, the value may rise if interest rates fall and then it would be a market value gain if sold.

SECONDARY MARKET AVAILABILITY RISK
All investments are subject to the availability of a secondary market. Income producing investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) are included particularly since they don’t trade such as stocks do on an established “stock market”. The risk is the availability of such an organized and active place to sell your investment. This risk is present if you plan to sell your investment but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. FISN, though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in CDs after any initial distribution. Simply stated - buyers are needed to sell something. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Relative values may rise if more buyers are present and can be reached in a timely and effective fashion.

RE-INVESTMENT RISK
All fixed income investments are subject to re-investment risk. This risk is related to what you do when an investment ends, regardless of the reason. If you plan to continue investing, you have to re-enter the marketplace to find a new, replacement investment. One side of this “risk” is that rates may be lower and/or fewer products are available. The other side of this “risk” is that rates may be higher and/or more products are available. Strategies to lessen this risk are to time investment maturities close to when you might need the money back or to go long when rates appear high and to go short term when rates appear low. Some investors do both by laddering the maturities between long and short terms. Longer term CDs capture higher returns from longer investments. Shorter maturities keep the remainder of your funds regularly available so rate swings are not missed.

PRINCIPAL RISK
All investments are subject to principal risk. This risk is connected to the issuer. If the financial outlook of issuer declines, the issuer’s credit rating could be downgraded or the issuer could actually default on its debt. With most debt, if the issuer is less credit worthy, the debt will fall in value. And, if the issuer cannot repay the debt at all, the investment may be near worthless. The principal value will diminish in either case. With FDIC insured CD investments these two risks are nearly non-existent. Most banks, particularly regional banks, are not rated but even if they were, it typically does not’t matter much because the FDIC stands behind the bank. In a default, the FDIC is still there, protecting depositors. The FDIC usually transfers deposits to a viable bank or simply returns the deposit when a bank fails. Both actions occur promptly as is required in the FDIC rules. This risk is avoided by following the FDIC rules and staying insured.

 

 

closeLIQUIDITY

Overview | Early Withdrawal | CD Sale | Transferability | Payable on Death

OVERVIEW
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are less liquid than trading investments such as stocks. CDs are designed to be held to maturity rather than be bought and sold, over and over again. A CD investor can reclaim their funds by exiting a certificate of deposit through a variety of methods. Some CDs have early withdrawal rights, nearly every CD can be sold and most CDs have a payment at death feature.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts do not have early withdrawal rights for reasons other than death of the owner or joint owner.

CD SALE
Certificates of deposit can be sold in the secondary market for fixed income investments. This market is an “over the counter” market which is actually conducted over the telephone. There is no mechanism such as the New York Stock Exchange where orders can be entered and a sale is guaranteed. The availability of this secondary market for CDs cannot be guaranteed. And, there may not be buyers willing to pay an acceptable price if a CD is put up for sale. Also impacting the price is that CDs compete with other fixed income investments being offered at the same time. To start the CD sale process, the investor has to offer their CD for sale to their broker. The broker will consider whether the brokerage firm wants to hold the CD in its own inventory for resale at a later time or to sell it to another brokerage firm on the “street”. The broker will offer a net price to the investor for the CD. The broker and other “middle men” will build into their prices a trading incentive to cover their cost and profit objectives. The investor can accept the price or continue to hold the CD. There is no assurance how high the “bid” price will be or that this price will be close to estimated prices shown online or printed on recent statements. Prices are simply reflections of the market and business objectives of participating firms.

TRANSFERABILITY
Most CDs held in a brokerage account can be transferred between brokerage firms. The receiving firm generally requests the delivering firm to transfer cash, securities and CDs between accounts registered in the same ownership capacity. All debits and fees need to be paid prior to a transfer. Every firm has a process including minimums, fees and forms. It is not typical for certificates to be issued and sent to owners of record. Holding certificates outside the brokerage community reduces liquidity, prolongs an ownership transfer and lengthens the time for any sale.

PAYABLE ON DEATH
Certificates of deposit generally have a feature that permits CDs to be paid off following the death of an owner. The standard privileges for refunding the CD apply if the CD is owned by a single person or by a joint account of individuals. Other ownership forms used by individuals may require investigation to determine whether they fit the circumstances necessary for payment on death. Each bank has its own program since there are no government rules or standards. If applicable, the bank usually requires a death certificate and a standard form indicating the authority of a living individual to request the payment following death for the deceased person. FISN can assist survivors or estate officials in this process. The return of funds is not immediate and can take several weeks once all the paper work is submitted. If the CD is held in a brokerage account the funds are simply returned to the brokerage account. The full amount is returned with interest up to the date of withdrawal.

CD Term

Current
CD Rate

Theoretical
APY

Minimum
Deposit

Interest
Payment

Buy

6 Mos0.50%0.50%$95,000MaturityBuy
9 Mos0.95%0.95%$95,000MaturityBuy
12 Mos1.10%1.11%$95,000MonthlyBuy
15 Mos1.25%1.26%$95,000MonthlyBuy
18 Mos1.70%1.71%$50,000MonthlyBuy
2.0 Yrs1.90%1.92%$50,000MonthlyBuy
2.5 Yrs2.25%2.27%$50,000MonthlyBuy
3.0 Yrs2.40%2.43%$50,000MonthlyBuy
4.0 Yrs2.65%2.67%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
5.0 Yrs3.00%3.02%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
7.0 Yrs3.45%3.48%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy
10.0 Yrs3.75%3.79%$25,000Semi-AnnualBuy

closeFEATURES

Overview | Process | FDIC Coverage | Jumbo CD Features | ID Requirements | Fees

OVERVIEW    
Jumbo CDs are FDIC insured and placed directly at banks nationwide. FISN searches nationwide for the best CD rates and offers these certificates of deposit for investment. Depositors select the Jumbo CDs that meet their needs for safety, yield and return of principal. The CD is held by the depositor.

PROCESS       
The depositor selects suitable Jumbo CDs and FISN opens the new CD accounts in the depositor’s name directly at each bank and establishes the deposit terms. The depositor then wires the funds to each bank to credit each new account set up in their ownership name. Interest and ownership paperwork are mailed directly to the depositor. The depositor completes these bank deposit forms and verifies the ownership information, amount, rate and maturity date. Paperwork is returned to each bank along with the required identification.

FDIC COVERAGE        
Jumbo CDs are opened in amounts no greater than the $250,000 insurance limit. No more than the $250,000 insurance limit per ownership category should be invested in any one bank at the same time. The FDIC insurance limit has been temporarily raised to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 20013. The insurance limit applies to each ownership category. Multiple ownership categories such as joint and trust accounts may afford additional FDIC insurance per bank. FISN understands the FDIC insurance system and helps depositors gain the best return by maximizing coverage. Many banks are available to stretch FDIC insurance. Usually Jumbo CDs are opened for slightly less than the FDIC insurance limit, so that both principal and interest is FDIC covered.

JUMBO CD FEATURES
Jumbo CDs pay interest at a fixed rate over the life of the CD.  Interest is paid monthly at the end of each month or on the anniversary date. Each bank has it own style of paying interest and for reporting to account holders. Key information is the name of the bank and the location of the home office, the issue date and the maturity date.

See A Guide to Understanding Certificates of Deposit

See Which CD Is Right for You?

ID REQUIREMENTS
Some banks have extra identification requirements or impose special conditions such as deposits limited to personal, business or institutional accounts. Many banks restrict their best Jumbo CD rates to institutional accounts only. Rates for other amounts, banks without restrictions and/or other ownership categories are available upon request. Every account will require copies of government issued, picture identifications at a minimum. Business and trust accounts will require business organizational documents.

FEES
FISN earns a placement charge on every deposit, paid either by the bank or the depositor, for the service. The depositor receives the full stated interest rate in either case. If the bank pays FISN, the CD earns the stated interest rate without reduction. Or, if the depositor pays FISN, the charge effectively reduces the stated rate and is invoiced to the customer after placement, for the full term. It reduces the effective rate for the CD by 0.25%. For example, if the CD pays 5.00%, you would earn 5.00% less 0.25% for a net of 4.75%.

 

 

closeRISKS

Unique Risks for Jumbo CDs | Interest Rate Risk | Re-Investment Risk | Principal Risk

UNIQUE RISKS FOR JUMBO CDs
Jumbo CDs present few unique risks. Jumbo CDs are traditional CDs established at a fixed rate for a fixed term. Depositors should be aware of the rate, the frequency of interest payments and the maturity date. Banks usually require Jumbo CDs to be in amounts of $95,000 to $100,000. The FDIC insurance limit per bank is $100,000. The typical risk is that the total exposure per bank may exceed the $100,000 limit when accrued and unpaid interest is included. This risk can be avoided by placing CDs in amounts less than the FDIC insurance limit including the possibility of several months of outstanding interest. This risk avoidance policy usually precludes doing Jumbo CDs that compound and pay interest at maturity. Interest must be disbursed monthly to avoid exceeding the FDIC limit. And, follow the FDIC rules and never exceed the per bank limit even in separate CDs. Strategies are available for families to extend FDIC insurance per bank.

INTEREST RATE RISK      
All investments that pay interest or dividends are subject to interest rate risk. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are included since their primary purpose is to produce income in the form of interest. Interest rate risk is present if interest rates are moving up from the original level but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most Jumbo CD investors intend to hold their CDs to maturity. The risk is that the CD rate may dip below the prevailing market rates. If the CD rate is below the market, the investor has lost the opportunity to earn a higher return. Since Early Withdrawals are usually available, the investors can calculate the penalty and compare it to the higher rate opportunity. If the penalty is less than the increased interest, especially after taxes, than the risk can be overcome by taking a penalty and earning a higher rate on a new CD.

RE-INVESTMENT RISK       
All fixed income investments are subject to re-investment risk. This risk is related to what you do when an investment ends, regardless of the reason. If you plan to continue investing, you have to re-enter the marketplace to find a new, replacement investment. One side of this “risk” is that rates may be lower and/or fewer products may be available. The other side of this “risk” is that rates may be higher and/or more products are available. Strategies to lessen this risk is to time investment maturities close to when you might need the money or to go long when rates appear high and to go short term when rates appear low. Some investors do both by laddering the maturities between long and short terms. Longer term CDs capture higher returns from longer investments. Shorter maturities keep the remainder of your funds regularly available so rate swings are not missed.

PRINCIPAL RISK
All investments are subject to principal risk. This risk is connected to the issuer. If the financial outlook of issuer declines, the issuer’s credit rating could be downgraded or the issuer could actually default on its debt. With most debt, if the issuer is less credit worthy, the debt value will fall in value. And, if the issuer cannot repay the debt at all, the investment may be near worthless. The principal value will diminish in either case. With FDIC insured CD investments these two risks are nearly non-existent. Most banks, particularly regional banks, are not rated but even if they were, it typically does not matter much because the FDIC stands behind the bank. In a default, the FDIC is still there, protecting depositors. The FDIC usually transfers deposits to a viable bank or simply returns the deposit when a bank fails. Both actions occur promptly as is required in the FDIC rules. This risk is avoided by following the FDIC rules and staying insured.

 

 

closeLIQUIDITY

Overview | Early WithdrawalCD Sale | Transferability | Payable on Death

OVERVIEW
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are less liquid than trading investments such as stocks. CDs are designed to be held to maturity, rather than be bought and sold, over and over again. A CD investor can reclaim their funds by exiting a certificate of deposit through a variety of methods. Some CDs have early withdrawal rights, nearly every CD can be sold and most CDs have a payment at death feature.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Fixed Rate Jumbo CDs almost always have early withdrawal rights although some banks limit it. There is a penalty for exercising the early withdrawal which could be substantial. Each bank has its own program for calculating the penalty since there are no government rules or standards. The penalty formula is stated in the bank’s standard disclosure available prior to deposit. Upon request the bank will compute the penalty and disclose the amount. The depositor has a choice to accept the penalty to trigger the withdrawal or reject the opportunity to withdraw the funds. The transaction can usually be done quickly, making the net proceeds available the same day.

CD SALE
Fixed Rate Jumbo CDs are not sell able nor transferable on the books of the bank where it is issued and held. A private sale is not recommended since the ownership and taxability of the interest cannot be reassigned. Jumbo CDs are unlike CDs held in a brokerage account which can be readily sold and re-registered in the name of a new owner.

TRANSFERABILITY
Fixed Rate Jumbo CDs are not transferable to another ownership capacity on the books of the bank where it is issued and held. These CDs issued directly by a bank cannot be  transferred to another bank. CDs and securities held in a brokerage account can be sold and transferred.

PAYABLE ON DEATH
Certificates of deposit generally have a feature that permits CDs to be paid off following the death of an owner. The standard privileges for refunding the CD apply if the CD is owned by a single person or by a joint account of individuals. Other ownership forms used by individuals may require investigation to determine whether they fit the circumstances necessary for payment on death. Each bank has its own program since there are no government rules or standards. If applicable, the bank usually requires a death certificate and a standard form indicating the authority of a living individual to request the payment following death for the deceased person. FISN can assist survivors or estate officials in this process. The return of funds is not immediate and can take several weeks once all the paper work is submitted. If the CD is held directly at the bank which issued it the funds are simply returned to the owner(s) by mail. The full amount is returned with interest up to the date of withdrawal.

CD Term

Current
CD Rate

Theoretical
APY

Minimum
Deposit

Interest
Payment

Buy

1.0 Yrs1.82%1.84%$99,000MonthlyBuy
1.5 Yrs2.03%2.05%$99,000MonthlyBuy
2.0 Yrs2.26%2.28%$99,000MonthlyBuy
3.0 Yrs2.55%2.58%$99,000MonthlyBuy
4.0 Yrs2.81%2.85%$99,000MonthlyBuy
5.0 Yrs3.20%3.25%$99,000MonthlyBuy

closeFEATURES

Overview | Process | FDIC Coverage | Stock Market CD Features | Callable CD Features | ID Requirements | Fees

OVERVIEW    
Stock Market, Index & Basket Linked CDs are FDIC insured and are purchased at FISN, a brokerage firm. FISN searches nationwide for the best CDs linked to the performance of stock market indexes and offers these certificates of deposit for investment. CD performance can also be linked to commodity and currency indexes as well. FDIC insured banks and brokerage firms team-up to distribute insured CDs across the nation. FISN has access to the widest inventory from all major Wall Street firms. Investors select CDs that they believe will capture the upside possibilities of the market while avoiding many down-side risks. The CD is held in a brokerage account.

PROCESS       
Investors start by selecting suitable stock market, currency or commodity linked CD investments and then open a standard brokerage account at FISN in their name. A brokerage account can hold many CDs of any type, or linked to any index, without limit. The investor wires funds or sends a check to fund this new account. FISN sends new account paperwork and purchase confirmations to the investor. The brokerage forms are completed and the transaction confirmation is verified. Only one account needs to be opened for each ownership category. Paperwork is returned to FISN along with the required identification.

FDIC COVERAGE        
Market linked CDs are purchased in amounts starting at $25,000. No more than the $250,000 insurance limit per ownership category should be invested in any one bank at the same time. The FDIC insurance limit has been temporarily raised to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 20013. Since these CDs pay interest at maturity, room must be left within the insurance limits to accommodate stock market interest earnings paid at maturity. There is no limit on the number of banks per account and multiple accounts can be opened for other ownership categories such as IRA, joint or trust accounts. FISN understands the FDIC insurance rules and helps depositors gain the best return by maximizing coverage. FDIC coverage for retirement accounts is $250,000 per bank.

STOCK MARKET CD FEATURES
Market linked CDs pay interest based upon the gain in a related stock market, commodity or currency index. Some CDs pay a minimum interest return regardless of the index gain. At maturity, the index return is calculated. If the gain exceeds the minimum interest, then the full gain is paid out. If the gain is less than the minimum, zero or even negative, just the minimum interest amount is paid. If there is no minimum interest stipulated on the CD, you receive just the positive index gain as interest, or you receive no interest if the index actually declined in value. The interest is paid at maturity into the brokerage account where it can continue to earn interest in a money market fund account. It is possible no interest could be earned over the full term if the index declines.

Stock Market CDs are linked to a variety of domestic and foreign equity indexes as well as commodity & currency indexes. Most commonly used are the U.S. stock indexes - S&P 500, NASDAQ 100 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Foreign indexes for stocks in Europe or Asia are often mixed with U.S. indexes to comprise a world basket investment. A wide variety of commodities and currencies can also be mixed in an investment basket. The index return is calculated in a variety of ways usually with some type of averaging. The index level on selected dates are averaged and compared to the initial index to figure the gain. Other structures look at the just the difference between the start date and the final date. Gains are often limited by caps or a maximum return. Each deal is unique. Key information is the name of the bank, the actual index used, the method of calculating the gain with any caps or floors and whether there is a minimum level of interest.

See A Guide to Understanding Market Index Linked CDs

See Which CD Is Right for You?

CALLABLE CD FEATURES
Most Stock Market CDs are not callable. Callable market linked CDs have the usual non-callable term and a callable term. The interest amount is fixed up-front for each call and cannot change. The longer the CD goes without being called the higher the interest amount. Interest is only paid when called, or at maturity, if not called. The interest amount at maturity usually looks at the just the index difference between the initial date and the final date near maturity. At the end of the non-callable period, the CDs may be called for the full amount of the deposit. If called, the bank returns the deposit amount to the brokerage account with interest to date. If not called, the CD remains callable based upon the scheduled call dates. Only the issuing bank of each CD can make the call decision, not the depositor or the broker. Key information is the first call date with its interest amount and subsequent call dates with their applicable interest amounts.

Interest can be disbursed via checks or electronic funds transmission straight to your local bank. Available cash also can be withdrawn from the account via checks, automatic teller machines or debit card. There may be fees for accounts with ATM or debit cards.

ID REQUIREMENTS
Brokerage accounts are opened at FISN’s brokerage division, First Internet Securities Network. Securities in FISN accounts are carried by National Financial Services LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, a Fidelity Investments company. FISN is required under U.S. government rules to verify ownership of all accounts. Individuals are required to provide a copy of a government issued, photo identification. Business accounts, trusts and other non-individual accounts have special requirements. Some banks exclude residents of certain states from the purchase of their CDs, otherwise, there are no limits and plenty of unrestricted product is available.

FEES
There are no placement fees paid by the investor. Banks pay brokers to distribute their CDs. New issue CDs are sold at par or a price of 100.0 to the investor. Par is the face amount of the CD on which interest is earned. Some CDs may require minimum purchase amounts.

 

 

closeDISCLOSURE
closeRISKS

Unique Risks for Stock Market CDs | Market Risk | Interest Rate Risk | Secondary Market Availability Risk | Re-Investment Risk | Principal Risk

UNIQUE RISKS FOR STOCK MARKET CDs
Stock Market CDs present risks unique to that style of CD. These CDs by definition are not traditional. There is often no guaranteed interest unless a minimum interest amount is paid. The return is linked to the return of a stock market or other type index. Investors should be aware of the unique terms of each CD including which index is used and how the return is calculated and whether there are any limiting factors such as averaging, floors or ceilings. The risk is that the index may not behave as well as the market or that no interest is earned. Read the disclosure statement carefully to understand all applicable risks. Some limiting factors could enhance the return compared to the market. Unlike a stock or mutual fund, the return of original investment is FDIC insured if held to maturity.

MARKET RISK
All investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) held in a securities account are subject to market risk. Market risk is always present but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. This risk arises from the valuation that potential buyers in the market put on an investment that could be offered for sale. The potential risk is that the value may fall and transaction cost may be incurred if the item is put up for sale. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. It is possible that the value may rise as well and then it would be a market value gain. Market risk is an overall risk caused many factors such as economic events, interest rate movements, transaction cost and availability of purchasers.

INTEREST RATE RISK
All investments that pay interest or dividends are subject to interest rate risk. Certificates of deposit (CDs) are included since their primary purpose is to produce income in the form of interest. Interest rate risk is present if interest rates are moving up from their original level but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. The rule is simple: if rates rise, the “market” value will fall. All purchasers in the secondary market demand the yield on previously issued CDs be increased to current levels before they buy them. Yields are increased by reducing the price. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Of course, the value may rise if interest rates fall and then it would be a market value gain if sold.

SECONDARY MARKET AVAILABILITY RISK
All investments are subject to the availability of a secondary market. Income producing investments including certificates of deposit (CDs) are included particularly since they don’t trade such as stocks do on an established “stock market”. The risk is the availability of such an organized and active place to sell your investment. This risk is present if you plan to sell your investment but has no effect if CDs are held to maturity. Most CDs are purchased with the intention of holding them to maturity. FISN, though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in CDs after any initial distribution. Simply stated - buyers are needed to sell something. This risk could become a real loss if holdings are actually sold. Market values are estimated on FISN monthly statements. Current market values can be requested from your FISN Investment Manager. Relative values may rise if more buyers are present and can be reached in a timely and effective fashion.

RE-INVESTMENT RISK
All fixed income investments are subject to re-investment risk. This risk is related to what you do when an investment ends, regardless of the reason. If you plan to continue investing, you have to re-enter the marketplace to find a new,  replacement investment. One side of this “risk” is that rates may be lower and/or fewer products are available. The other side of this “risk” is that rates may be higher and/or more products are available. Strategies to lessen this risk are to time investment maturities close to when you might need the money back or to go long when rates appear high and to go short term when rates appear low. Some investors do both by laddering the maturities between long and short terms. Longer term CDs capture higher returns from longer investments. Shorter maturities keep the remainder of your funds regularly available so rate and market swings are not missed.

PRINCIPAL RISK
All investments are subject to principal risk. This risk is connected to the issuer. If the financial outlook of issuer declines, the issuer’s credit rating could be downgraded or the issuer could actually default on its debt. With most debt, if the issuer is less credit worthy, the debt will fall in value. And, if the issuer cannot repay the debt at all, the investment may be near worthless. The principal value will diminish in either case. With FDIC insured CD investments these two risks are nearly non-existent. Most banks, particularly regional banks, are not rated but even if they were, it typically does not’t matter much because the FDIC stands behind the bank. In a default, the FDIC is still there, protecting depositors. The FDIC usually transfers deposits to a viable bank or simply returns the deposit when a bank fails. Both actions occur promptly as is required in the FDIC rules. This risk is avoided by following the FDIC rules and staying insured.

 

 

closeLIQUIDITY

Overview | Early Withdrawal | CD Sale | Transferability | Payable on Death

OVERVIEW
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are less liquid than trading investments such as stocks. CDs are designed to be held to maturity rather than be bought and sold, over and over again. A CD investor can reclaim their funds by exiting a certificate of deposit through a variety of methods. Some CDs have early withdrawal rights, nearly every CD can be sold and most CDs have a payment at death feature.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL
Certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts do not have early withdrawal rights for reasons other than death of the owner or joint owner.

CD SALE
Certificates of deposit can be sold in the secondary market for fixed income investments. This market is an “over the counter” market which is actually conducted over the telephone. There is no mechanism such as the New York Stock Exchange where orders can be entered and a sale is guaranteed. The availability of this secondary market for CDs cannot be guaranteed. And, there may not be buyers willing to pay an acceptable price if a CD is put up for sale. Also impacting the price is that CDs compete with other fixed income investments being offered at the same time. To start the CD sale process, the investor has to offer their CD for sale to their broker. The broker will consider whether the brokerage firm wants to hold the CD in its own inventory for resale at a later time or to sell it to another brokerage firm on the “street”. The broker will offer a net price to the investor for the CD. The broker and other “middle men” will build into their prices a trading incentive to cover their cost and profit objectives. The investor can accept the price or continue to hold the CD. There is no assurance how high the “bid” price will be or that this price will be close to estimated prices shown online or printed on recent statements. Prices are simply reflections of the market and business objectives of participating firms.

TRANSFERABILITY
Most CDs held in a brokerage account can be transferred between brokerage firms. The receiving firm generally requests the delivering firm to transfer cash, securities and CDs between accounts registered in the same ownership capacity. All debits and fees need to be paid prior to a transfer. Every firm has a process including minimums, fees and forms. It is not typical for certificates to be issued and sent to owners of record. Holding certificates outside the brokerage community reduces liquidity, prolongs an ownership transfer and lengthens the time for any sale.

PAYABLE ON DEATH
Certificates of deposit generally have a feature that permits CDs to be paid off following the death of an owner. The standard privileges for refunding the CD apply if the CD is owned by a single person or by a joint account of individuals. Other ownership forms used by individuals may require investigation to determine whether they fit the circumstances necessary for payment on death. Each bank has its own program since there are no government rules or standards. If applicable, the bank usually requires a death certificate and a standard form indicating the authority of a living individual to request the payment following death for the deceased person. FISN can assist survivors or estate officials in this process. The return of funds is not immediate and can take several weeks once all the paper work is submitted. If the CD is held in a brokerage account the funds are simply returned to the brokerage account. The full amount is returned with interest up to the date of withdrawal.

CD Term

Market
Index

CD Index
Return

Minimum
Interest

Minimum
Deposit

Closing
Date

Buy

5.5 YrsDow Jones Industrial Average Index Market Linked Deposit

Terms & Conditions

Semi-Annual Average Increase in the Index

Interest is paid at maturity based upon the increase in the average of 11 semi-annual closing levels over the term from the starting DJIA index level to the final average DJIA index level. There is no cap on the semi-annual increases. If the average DJIA index level does not increase, no interest will be paid. FDIC insured.

None$25,00001/26/2010Buy