Carlisle Social Investments, LLCDecember 2, 2002 Mr. Harvey L. Pitt, Chairman
Dear Chairman Pitt: We write to submit the following comments in response to the Securities and Exchange Commission's recently proposed rules, File Numbers S7-36-02 and S7-38-02, concerning proxy voting policies and voting disclosure by mutual funds and investment advisors. We strongly support the recommendations set forth by the SEC, and congratulate the agency for its forward-looking positions on a topic of utmost importance to the investment community. Carlisle Social Investments, LLC is an independent, SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Our mission is to provide Catholic institutional and individual investors with investment solutions that create an inseparable union between their values or faith and financial performance. Carlisle provides an investment management program that offers indexed portfolios, which are specifically designed, through both screening and advocacy, to comply with the Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Proxy voting is an important component of this process. We also participate in corporate responsibility and governance issues through our Associate Membership in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and membership in the Social Investment Forum. Comments Regarding File No. S7-36-02: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records by Registered Management Investment Companies We support Rule S7-36-02, and feel it is a major step forward in providing transparency for investors. This rule is also consistent with recent SEC moves designed to increase transparency in financial filings and transactions. The SEC is making a clear statement that proxy voting is a fiduciary duty and should be exercised with the best interests of investors in mind. The SEC must also realize that investment advisors cannot fully protect their client's interests when mutual fund proxy voting information is not fully disclosed or readily available. It is of increasing concern to some investors (both individual and professionals) that there is no way of knowing how most mutual funds voted on key corporate governance and social issues. Rule S7-36-02 would better enable shareholders and their advisors to monitor mutual funds' involvement in corporate governance, compensation, and social policy activity at companies. The proposed amendments would encourage mutual funds to be more actively engaged in the companies they hold, instead of passive institutional investors. HOW THIS RULE BENEFITS INVESTORS:
RESPONSE TO INDUSTRY ARGUMENTS AGAINST THIS RULE:
Comments Regarding File No.S7-38-02 : Proxy Voting By Investment Advisers Under this rule, investment advisers are expected to create policy guidelines to disclose to clients how they will vote on given proxy issues. Advisers are also to keep adequate records of their voting in order to provide transparency to clients when requested. Because investment advisers have voting authority over $12 trillion in assets, in addition to the $7 trillion controlled by mutual funds, and vote these assets on behalf of their clients, methods for disclosing such votes seems a reasonable request. These assets make up the lion's share of the investment market in the U.S., and yet many individuals and institutions entrusting voting rights and obligations to advisers are left in the dark about how their assets are being used to strengthen a company's bottom line. Transparency regarding voting by portfolio managers is paramount in strengthening corporate governance at U.S. companies. We are one of these Advisers and not only recommend full proxy voting disclosure, we embrace it! We commend the SEC on its recent efforts to encourage greater disclosure and transparency by mutual funds, including a "plain English" prospectus, and detailed disclosure requirements regarding investment strategies, fees, and risks. The proposed rules concerning disclosure of proxy votes and guidelines is a solid step on the path for true transparency for investors that have indirect control of their assets. Investors feel disempowered and frustrated by the litany of corporate scandals gracing newspapers and television screens. They want to know how their hard-earned monies are being invested for the future, yet are dubious that adequate checks and balances are in place to prevent future "Enron's." Transparency of action and intent go a long way to alleviate such anxieties. This in turn will help to restore lagging faith in our currently volatile equities markets, and the mutual fund sector. We look forward to your response concerning our comments.
cc: Commissioners Harvey Goldschmid, Roel Campos, Paul Atkins, and Cynthia Glassman; Secretary Jonathan Katz. |