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the municipal secretary desktop reference manual - Southwestern ...

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NOTES<br />

INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS PERMITTED<br />

BY LAW<br />

Although <strong>the</strong>re exists a cafeteria of investment opportunities, Pennsylvania <strong>municipal</strong>ities are<br />

restricted by law as to <strong>the</strong> types of instruments which <strong>the</strong>y may use in <strong>the</strong>ir programs. The Local<br />

Government Unit Debt Act governs sinking fund investments (bank deposits, certificates of deposit<br />

and investments utilized by <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth). The various <strong>municipal</strong> codes regulate <strong>the</strong> types of<br />

instruments which may be used for <strong>the</strong> investment of o<strong>the</strong>r moneys.*<br />

1. United States Treasury bills.<br />

2. Short-term obligations of <strong>the</strong> United States Government or its agencies or<br />

instrumentalities.<br />

3. Savings accounts, time deposits and certificate of deposit in banks, savings and loan<br />

associations and credit unions insured by federal deposit insurance agencies. Any<br />

deposits above <strong>the</strong> limit insured by federal agencies must be secured by collateral.<br />

4. General obligation bonds of <strong>the</strong> United States, <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or<br />

Pennsylvania political subdivisions or any of <strong>the</strong>ir agencies or instrumentalities backed<br />

by <strong>the</strong> full faith and credit of <strong>the</strong> issuing government.<br />

5. Shares of registered investment companies, such as mutual funds or money market<br />

funds, investing solely in <strong>the</strong> type of securities listed above. Investment objectives and<br />

practices of any investment company should be closely scrutinized by <strong>the</strong> <strong>municipal</strong>ity<br />

to ensure its investments are limited to <strong>the</strong> classifications permitted to it.<br />

NOTE:<br />

Because of its legal status, a home rule <strong>municipal</strong>ity may have greater authority to invest<br />

in a great number of varying types of investment instruments. Secretaries in home rule<br />

boroughs and townships should check with <strong>the</strong>ir solicitors for opinions on this issue.<br />

However, note <strong>the</strong> ordinance adopted by a home rule jurisdiction which is part of this<br />

section. It authorizes investments based upon <strong>the</strong> Aprudent person rule.@<br />

*Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Fiscal<br />

Management Handbook, 1995, p. 60.<br />

XI-7

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