Glossary: I

ID card/identification card – card given to insured individuals which advises medical providers that a patient is covered by a particular health insurance plan.

Income funds – Mutual funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities such as bonds, mortgages and preferred shares. Their primary objective is to produce income for investors, while preserving capital.

Index fund – A mutual fund that matches its portfolio to that of a specific financial market index, with the objective of duplicating the general performance of the market in which it invests.

Inflation – A condition of increasing prices. In Canada, inflation is generally measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Insurability – Acceptability to the company of an applicant for insurance.

Insured or Insured Life – The person on whose life the policy is issued.

Interest – Payments made by a borrower to a lender for the use of the lender’s money. A corporation pays interest on bonds to its bondholders.

International fund – mutual fund that invests in securities of a number of countries.

Investment adviser – Investment counsel to a mutual fund. Also may be the manager of a mutual fund.

Investment company – A corporation or trust whose primary purpose is to invest the funds of its shareholders.

Investment dealer – A securities firm.

Investment fund – A term generally interchangeable with “mutual fund.”

Issued shares – The number of securities of a company outstanding. This may be equal to or less than the number of shares a company is authorized to issue.