Collective Investment Trust (CIT) Strategies
We offer a wide range of CITs across all asset classes, tailored for defined contribution (DC) plans.
Lower costs* and flexible pricing make CITs potentially ideal for DC plans
CITs are rapidly gaining popularity as the retirement industry places an increasing emphasis on pricing efficiency and the flexible design options these investment vehicles offer.
At Franklin Templeton, we provide CITs that aim to deliver cost-effective and adaptable solutions, carefully managed to enhance and diversify your retirement plan offerings.
*Compared to mutual funds.
Boost cost efficiency
Leverage the lower fees of CITs to reduce overall plan costs and enhance savings for participants.
Tailor investment strategies
Customize CITs to align precisely with your plan’s unique objectives, ensuring potentially greater flexibility and targeted outcomes.
Strengthen fiduciary oversight
Seek to enhance participant protection with CITs, managed under strict fiduciary standards for responsible investments.
Our product offerings
We offer a full suite of CITs across a variety of investment strategies and asset classes.
Available resources
A guide to CITs—Tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles favored by defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors.
Our comprehensive list of available collective investment trusts (CITs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are CITs?
CITs, or Collective Investment Trusts, are tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles managed by banks or trust companies. They are specifically designed for qualified retirement plans, offering a cost-effective and flexible solution to enhance investment options for plan sponsor clients.
Why do CITs have a cost advantage over mutual funds?
CITs typically have a cost advantage because they are subject to different registration requirements compared to mutual funds, often making them the most affordable way for qualified plans to access certain investment strategies.
Is CIT pricing standardized for all clients?
No, CIT pricing is not standardized. CITs offer flexible pricing options, which may or may not include revenue sharing. Additionally, some CITs provide "relationship pricing" at a firm’s home-office level.
What kind of transparency do CITs offer?
CITs are priced by recordkeepers at the same time of day as mutual funds. Moreover, many trust companies have partnered with the Nasdaq Fund Network (NFN) to register their CITs with searchable ticker symbols. NFN provides performance data on over 650 CITs, reaching millions of investors daily through various information platforms, online services, and personal finance apps.
How has performance and tracking of CITs evolved?
CITs are now widely available through reporting systems such as Morningstar, Fi360, and BrightScope, ensuring enhanced performance tracking and accessibility.
Discover how Franklin Templeton's CITs can benefit your investment strategy. Whether you're a plan sponsor, advisor, or consultant, explore the diverse investment solutions we provide through our CIT offerings.
Important Information
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of any pooled investment company carefully before investing.
Great Gray Trust Company, LLC Collective Investment Funds (“Great Gray Funds”) are bank collective investment funds; they are not mutual funds. Great Gray Trust Company, LLC serves as the Trustee of the Great Gray Funds and maintains ultimate fiduciary authority over the management of, and investments made in, the Great Gray Funds. Great Gray Funds and their units are exempt from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933, respectively.
Investments in the Great Gray Funds are not bank deposits or obligations of and are not insured or guaranteed by Great Gray Trust Company, LLC, any other bank, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, or any other governmental agency. The Great Gray Funds are commingled investment vehicles, and as such, the values of the underlying investments will rise and fall according to market activity; it is possible to lose money by investing in the Great Gray Funds.
Participation in Collective Investment Trust Funds is limited primarily to qualified retirement plans and certain state or local government plans and is not available to IRAs, health and welfare plans and, in certain cases, Keogh (H.R. 10) plans. Collective Investment Trust Funds may be suitable investments for participants seeking to construct a well-diversified retirement savings program. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of any pooled investment company carefully before investing. The Additional Fund Information and Principal Risk Definitions (PRD) contains this and other information about a Collective Investment Trust Fund and is available at www.wilmingtontrust.com/PrincipalRiskDefinitions or ask for a copy by contacting Great Gray Trust Company, LLC at (866) 427-6885.
Great Gray and Great Gray Trust Company are service marks used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by Great Gray Trust Company, LLC.
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