New Money

Reserve Primary Fund: A Money Market Nightmare

By Katy Marquardt

Posted: November 3, 2008

The Reserve Primary Fund, which violated the sacred code of money market funds in September when it "broke the buck" (more on that here), is now distributing checks to shareholders. Each investor is getting back only 50 percent of their current account balance. The president of Reserve Management—the fund's adviser—said this is an initial step in the process of liquidating the fund and that they're "committed to making future distributions when more cash becomes available."

After it hands out $26 billion to shareholders, the Reserve Primary will have roughly $25 billion in assets. It had been worth $64.3 billion at the end of May, according to this story. In the next couple of days, the fund plans to post its plan for the total liquidation of assets.

Needless to say, customers are angry.

Reserve Primary Money Market Fund

How did this happen? Investors were told funds invested in government paper, treasuries, etc.

Will there be any help for those who recently put money in the fund?

Lady Jane of MA @ Nov 10, 2008 19:28:40 PM

RELAX FOLKS

Hey, "primary reserve---for who?

you really need to relax and stop with the violence. banks made bad investments and that is life. you take a chance when you put money in a poorly managed company like Reserve. let the law work itself out.

pat colleti of AK @ Nov 04, 2008 14:40:02 PM

Primary Reserve--- for who?

This is a travesty. All should be shot, the sec, management, brokers, salespeople, but especially our government.

Senators congressmen, Bush Clinton and their crews. Once shot bring on the new team, if they screw up, they're next to be shot.

One execution should fix everything. Only 1 term for politicians, and only 10 years max government employment. God Bless Americans and boot the politicians Pac's and regulators.

It starts now, campaign finance reform with equal dollars to candidates. 1 term, no continuing benefits, reform executive compensation, to 100 times the max of the lowest paid worker. It is an easy fix. But watch our leaders continue to lead us into the abyss. Love you all

Mr. Ed of @ Nov 03, 2008 21:18:17 PM

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New Money

Katy Marquardt, a senior editor at U.S.News & World Report, takes a contemporary look at happenings in the financial world and aims to help young investors get going with their portfolios--or just sound cool at cocktail parties. Have a question? E-mail Katy at newmoney@usnews.com

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