A mutual fund is a company that combines, or pools, investors' money and, generally, purchases stocks or bonds.  Ideally, a fund's size and resultant efficiency, combined with experienced management, provide advantages for investors that include diversification, expert stock and bond selection, low costs, and convenience.

In terms of legal structure, a mutual fund is a corporation that receives preferential tax treatment under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  The assets of a mutual fund consist almost entirely of the securities it holds in its portfolio. The most common type of mutual fund, called an open-end fund, allows investors to buy and sell stock in it on an ongoing basis.

Below is a sampling of our most widely used mutual funds

• AIM Funds
• Oppenheimer Funds
• State Street Research
• American Funds
• Enterprise Group of Funds
• Fidelity Distributors
• John Hancock Funds
• Kemper Funds
• Putnam Investments
• Van Kampen Funds

Not FDIC Insured • Value Will Fluctuate • May Lose Principle