A Tool for Improved Mutual Fund Transparency

Abstract

This article provides a broad treatment of transparency and the specific normative data and information that are essential to make transparency effective for meeting the normative needs of shareholders. The template offered here is a tool for providing transparency in normative mutual fund disclosure in a convenient online package.

Mutual funds, their investment advisers, Congress, the SEC, NASD, and the industry trade association should all do much more to improve regulation and transparency in normative fund disclosure. Shareholders need fund transparency that represents their role as fund owners, and which provides them with needed online disclosure for informed decision making.

Keywords: mutual funds, transparency, online disclosure template, normative disclosure, fund advisers, regulation

JEL Classification: G2, G23, G28