Wrap Contract

A stable value investment contract that “wraps” a designated portfolio of associated assets within a stable value investment option to provide an assurance (1) of principal and accumulated interest for that portfolio, (2) of payment of an interest rate, which will not be less than 0%, for a specified period of time (the crediting rate) on that portfolio, and (3) that participant-initiated withdrawals and transfers out of the assets of the portfolio will occur at book value subject to the terms of the contract. Wrap contracts can be issued by banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions. When combined with any associated assets, a wrap contract may also be known as a synthetic GIC or synthetic investment contract. The selection of the wrap issuer is usually made separately from the selection of an investment manager’s services investing the associated assets.