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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.

Trusteed by Great Gray Trust Company

Product Name Factsheets
BrandywineGLOBAL - Diversified US Large Cap Value Fund - CIT PDF
BrandywineGLOBAL - Dynamic US Large Cap Value Fund - CIT PDF
BrandywineGLOBAL – US Fixed Income - CIT PDF
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy - CIT PDF
ClearBridge International Growth All Country ex US - CIT PDF
ClearBridge International Growth - CIT PDF
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth - CIT PDF
ClearBridge Mid Cap - CIT PDF
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth - CIT PDF
Franklin DynaTech Great Gray - CIT PDF
Franklin Growth Great Gray - CIT PDF
Franklin International Growth - CIT PDF
Franklin Small Cap Growth - CIT PDF
Franklin Small Cap Value  Great Gray - CIT PDF
Franklin Small Mid Growth Great Gray - CIT PDF
Putnam Large Cap Value II - CIT PDF
Putnam Large Cap Growth - CIT PDF
Putnam Small Cap Growth - CIT PDF
Royce Opportunity - CIT PDF
Royce Total Return - CIT PDF
Templeton Foreign Great Gray - CIT PDF
Templeton International Emerging Markets - CIT  PDF
Western Asset Core Bond - CIT PDF
Western Asset Core Plus Bond - CIT PDF

Available resources

Understanding Collective Investment Trusts

A guide to CITs—Tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles favored by defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors.

Product Availability Guide

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.

Contact us

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.