Why CITs

Collective Investment Trust Funds vs. Mutual Funds

Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) can often be less costly to launch and operate than Mutual Funds. And from an investor’s point of view, they also offer great fee transparency and are subject to regulatory oversight.
Qualified plans only Declaration of trust OCC regulated Held to ERISA fiduciary standard Data provided by manager Institutional pricing
Pooled vehicle Daily valued NSCC traded Fact sheets available Professionally managed Daily liquidity
All investors Prospectus SEC regulated No ERISA fiduciary standards Data publicly available Institutional & retail pricing
CIT
Qualified plans only Declaration of trust OCC regulated Held to ERISA fiduciary standard Data provided by manager Institutional pricing
Pooled vehicle Daily valued NSCC traded Fact sheets available Professionally managed Daily liquidity
mutual
All investors Prospectus SEC regulated No ERISA fiduciary standards Data publicly available Institutional & retail pricing

A side-by- side comparison: CIT vs. Mutual Fund

Collective investment trusts (CITs) and Mutual funds share many important characteristics in common. We think the differences drive real value and demonstrate why CITs continue to grow in popularity.

Characteristics in Common:

Available to IRC 401(a) qualified retirement plans Yes
Trust, audit, and custody included Yes
Participant materials available Yes
Daily valued with daily liquidity Yes
NSCC tradable Yes
Transparent, institutional fee structure Yes

Differenciators:

Initial deposit minimums:
CITs No
Mutual Fund May apply
Distribution of dividends:
CITs Typically no
Mutual Fund Exposure to retail flows
Recordkeeper pass-through arrangements:
CITs More flexible
Mutual Fund Less flexibility in pass-through costs / fee structure

What kind of entities or plans may use a CIT?

CITs can be the right fit, but IRS regulations limit the kind of plans and entities that may take advantage of them. Here’s an at-a-glance look:

Eligible

401(k) plan Qualified profit‐sharing and stock bonus plans Defined Benefit plans 457(b) government plans Some separate accounts and insurance company contracts 403(b)(9) church plans

Not Eligible

Deferred compensation plans Executive compensation plans Endowments 457(f) government plans Foundations Other 403(b) plans IRAs

Featured CITs

SMART Funds®
A Unique Target Date Fund (TDF) Index Aimed at Fiduciaries

SMART Funds® is the first and only index focused on TDF prudence and performance expectations. It’s the ideal solution for fiduciaries who want to make prudent decisions. SMART Funds® delivers:

  • Low fees
  • Broad diversification at long dates away from the target date
  • Rigorous risk controls near the target date
  • A 2020 Top Performer with a continuous record of proven success going back to 1998

The SMART Design

SMART Funds® follows the patented Safe Landing Glide Path® (patent 8352349) that seeks to preserve the purchasing power of accumulated assets at the target date and asset growth during accumulation.

The SMART Funds® Index is investable as a collective investment fund for eligible qualified retirement plans through the NSCC Fund/SERV. It’s a proven performer with a live track record beginning in 2014 with back-testing to 1998. Learn more (link to fact sheets).

Read More

Consider How CITs Can Fit Into Your Practice

Consider How CITs Can Fit Into Your Practice

Collective investment trusts (CITs) can help clients address fee pressures, support an increased focus on fiduciary obligations, provide a means to build white-labeled investments and more. Read more: here.
Jensen Quality Growth Collective Investment Fund

Jensen Quality Growth Collective Investment Fund

The Jensen Quality Growth Strategy is built on a commitment to investing in quality businesses that can weather all economic climates. It aims to provide attractive returns while mitigating downside risk. The In partnership with HB&T, Jensen offers qualified institutional investors the Jensen flagship Quality Growth Strategy with the lower shareholder servicing costs associated with a CIF.

Of the fewer than 250 companies that have met the initial threshold for inclusion in the Jensen Quality Universe, approximately 25 to 30 companies make the final cut for participation in the Jensen Quality Growth Fund. Jensen believes these quality businesses to be successful, well-managed companies that are attractively valued and positioned for long-term leadership in their industries.

 Jensen Philosophy

A consistent, sustainable investment process is vital to weathering all economic climates. The strength of the Jensen investment philosophy is based on an unwavering commitment to investing in quality businesses. Jensen believes these quality companies possess sustainable competitive advantages, creating value as profitable businesses that can, over time, provide attractive returns with less risk than the overall market.

 The Jensen Quality Growth CIF launched on February 1, 2019, and is accessible to eligible retirement plans through most recordkeeping platforms. Learn more here

SMART Funds® Today R2

SMART Funds® Today R2

SMART Funds®
A Unique Target Date Fund (TDF) Index Aimed at Fiduciaries

SMART Funds® is the first and only index focused on TDF prudence and performance expectations. It’s the ideal solution for fiduciaries who want to make prudent decisions. SMART Funds® delivers:

  • Low fees
  • Broad diversification at long dates away from the target date
  • Rigorous risk controls near the target date
  • A 2020 Top Performer with a continuous record of proven success going back to 1998

The SMART Design

SMART Funds® follows the patented Safe Landing Glide Path® (patent 8352349) that seeks to preserve the purchasing power of accumulated assets at the target date and asset growth during accumulation.

The SMART Funds® Index is investable as a collective investment fund for eligible qualified retirement plans through the NSCC Fund/SERV. It’s a proven performer with a live track record beginning in 2014 with back-testing to 1998. Learn more (link to fact sheets).

Read More

Check out available CITs

Talk to our experts about the details of these arrangements to determine proper eligibility.

 

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