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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FORM S-1
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 21 TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 2-95577
IDS FLEXIBLE SAVINGS CERTIFICATE
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
IDS CERTIFICATE COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
DELAWARE
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
6725
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(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
41-6009975
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010, (612) 671-3131
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
Bruce A. Kohn, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 (612) 671-2221
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
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Explanatory Note
The first prospectus contained in Part I of the Registration Statement will
be used, with minor variations, in connection with the following Registration
Statements No. 2-68296, No. 2-76193, No. 33-3562, No. 333-9611 and No.33-22503.
In each case, the first several pages of the prospectuses vary to describe the
unique attributes of each certificate. The balance of the prospectus is almost
identical for all certificates.
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IDS Flexible Savings Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Earn competitive rates guaranteed by IDS Certificate Company for the term you
choose.
IDS Flexible Savings Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company (IDSC).
You may purchase this certificate by selecting a term of six, 12, 18, 24, 30 or
36 months and an initial investment of at least $1,000 but not more than $1
million (unless you receive prior authorization from IDSC to invest more). Your
principal and interest are guaranteed by IDSC. IDSC guarantees a fixed rate of
interest depending upon the term you select. You may make additional investments
during the term subject to certain limitations. You may invest in successive
terms up to a total of 20 years from the issue date of the certificate. Your
interest rate will be determined as described in "About the certificate."
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This certificate is backed by IDSC's investments on deposit rather than
guaranteed or insured by the government or someone else. See "Invested and
guaranteed by IDSC" and "Regulated by government" under "How your money is used
and protected."
IDS Certificate Company is not a bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your IDS Flexible Savings
Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the certificate is
the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you invest and keep it
for future reference. No one has the authority to change the terms and
conditions of the IDS Flexible Savings Certificate as described in the
prospectus, or to bind IDSC by any statement not in it.
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
800-437-3133 (toll free) or (612) 671-3800
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
TTY numbers:
800-846-4293 (toll free) or (612) 671-1630
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
<PAGE>
An American Express company
Web site address: http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors
Where to get information about IDSC
IDS Certificate Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Reports and other information on IDSC are filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at
the SEC's Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest rates
IDSC guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each term. For the initial term,
the rate will be within a specified range of certain average certificates of
deposit interest rates, as published in the most recent BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25
Market AverageTM, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, as explained under "About the
certificate."
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Here are the interest rates in effect on the date of this prospectus, April 29,
1998:
Simple Effective
interest annualized
Term rate* yield**
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6-month 4.70% 4.80%
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12-month 4.96 5.07
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18-month 5.03 5.14
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24-month 5.11 5.23
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30-month 5.13 5.25
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36-month 5.17 5.29
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* These are the rates for investments under $100,000. Rates may depend on the
factors described in "Rates for new purchases" and "Promotions and pricing
flexibility" under "About the certificate."
** Assuming monthly compounding.
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. Rates for future terms are set at the discretion of IDSC and may
also differ from the rates shown here. See "Rates for new purchases" under
"About the certificate" for further information.
We reserve the right to issue other securities with different terms.
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Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts and terms p
Face amount and principal p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash during the term p
Interest p
Rates for new purchases p
Promotions and pricing flexibility p
Additional investments p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
Two ways to make investments p
Full and partial withdrawals p
When your certificate term ends p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Retirement plans: special policies p
Withdrawal at death p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Retirement accounts p
Gifts to minors p
How to determine the correct TIN p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
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How your money is managed p
Relationship between IDSC and American
Express Financial Corporation p
About American Express Service Corporation p
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
Transfer Agent p
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
IDS Certificates p
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts and terms
You may purchase the IDS Flexible Savings Certificate with a single payment of
at least $1,000 payable in U.S. currency. Unless you receive prior
authorization, your total amount paid in over the life of the certificate, less
withdrawals, cannot exceed $1 million.
After determining the amount you wish to invest, you select a term of six, 12,
18, 24, 30 or 36 months for which IDSC will guarantee an interest rate.
Generally, you will be able to select any of the terms offered. But if your
certificate is nearing its 20-year maturity, you will not be allowed to select a
term that would carry the certificate past its maturity date.
The certificate may be used as an investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA), 401(k) plan account or other qualified retirement plan account.
If so used, the amount of your contribution (investment) will be subject to any
limitations of the plan and applicable federal law.
Face amount and principal
The face amount of the certificate is the amount of your initial investment, and
will remain the same over the life of the certificate. Any investment or
withdrawal within 15 days of the end of a term will be added on or deducted to
determine principal for the new term. A withdrawal at any other time is taken
first from interest credited to your investment during that term. The principal
is the amount that is reinvested at the beginning of each subsequent term, and
is calculated as follows:
Principal equals Face amount (initial investment)
plus At the end of a term, interest credited to your account
during the term
minus Any interest paid to you in cash
plus Any additional investments to your certificate
minus Any withdrawals, fees and applicable penalties.
Principal may change during a term as described in "Add-on feature" and
"Full and partial withdrawals."
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For example: Assume your initial investment (face amount) of $5,000 has earned
$75 of interest during the term. You have not taken any interest as cash, or
made any withdrawals. You have invested an additional $2,500 prior to the
beginning of the next term. Your principal for the next term will equal:
$5,000.00 Face amount (initial investment)
plus $75.00 Interest credited to your account
minus ($0.00) Interest paid to you in cash
plus $2,500.00 Additional investment to your certificate
minus ($0.00) Withdrawals and applicable penalties or fees
$7,575.00 Principal at the beginning of the next term.
Value at maturity
You may continue to invest for successive terms for up to a total of 20 years.
Your certificate matures at 20 years from its issue date. At maturity, you will
receive a distribution for the value of your certificate, which will be the
total of your purchase price, plus additional investments and any credited
interest not paid to you in cash, less any withdrawals and penalties. Some fees
may apply as described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Receiving cash during the term
If you need your money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part
or all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
Your investments earn interest from the date they are credited to your account.
Interest is compounded and credited at the end of each certificate month (on the
monthly anniversary of the issue date).
IDSC declares and guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each term during the
life of your certificate. We calculate the amount of interest you earn each
certificate month by:
applying the interest rate then in effect to your balance each day;
adding these daily amounts to get a monthly total; and
subtracting interest accrued on any amount you withdraw during the
certificate month.
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Interest is calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year basis.
Rates for new purchases
When your application is accepted and we have received your initial investment,
we will send you a confirmation of your purchase showing the rate that your
investment will earn. IDSC guarantees that when rates for new purchases take
effect, the rates will be within a range based on the average interest rates
then published in the BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market AverageTM (the BRM
Average).
In the case of the six-, 12-, 24- and 30-month terms IDSC guarantees that, for
purchases of certificates for less than $100,000, your rate for your initial
term will be 15 basis points (.15%) below to 85 basis points (.85%) above such
rates for comparable length certificates of deposit (CDs). In the case of these
terms, for purchases of certificates for $100,000 or more, IDSC guarantees that
your rate for your initial term will be within a range of zero - 100 basis
points above such rates for comparable length certificates of deposit.
In the case of the 18-month term, because the BRM Average doesn't typically
publish rates for comparable length certificates of deposit, IDSC guarantees
that, for purchases of certificates for less than $100,000, the rate for your
initial term will be within a range of five below to 95 basis points above the
rates for the 12-month certificates of deposit. In the case of the 18-month
term, for purchases of certificates of $100,000 or more, IDSC guarantees that
your rate for your initial term will be within a range of 10-110 basis points
above the rates for the 12-month certificates of deposit.
In the case of the 36-month term, because the BRM Average doesn't typically
publish rates for comparable length certificates of deposit, IDSC guarantees
that, for purchases of certificates for less than $100,000, the rate for your
initial term will be within five below to 95 basis points above the rates for
the 30-month certificate of deposit. In the case of the 36-month term, for
purchases of certificates of $100,000 or more, IDSC guarantees that your rate
for your initial term will be within 10-110 basis points above the rates for the
30-month certificates of deposit. For example, if the rate most recently
published in the BRM Average with respect to the 30-month certificate of deposit
is 4.80% our rates in effect for that week for 36-month terms would be between
4.75% and 5.75% for purchases for less than $100,000.
However, IDSC guarantees that, for persons who have received a special
promotional coupon from IDSC for purchase of a Flexible Savings Certificate with
an initial term of six, 12, 24 or 30 months and have satisfied any requirement
stated in the coupon, when rates for new purchases take effect, the rate for the
initial term will be within a range from 100 basis points (1%) to 200 basis
points (2%) above the average interest rate published for comparable length CDs
in the BRM Average. Similarly, IDSC guarantees that, for persons who have
received a special promotional coupon from IDSC for purchase of a Flexible
Savings Certificate with an initial term of 18 or 36 months and have satisfied
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the conditions in the coupon, when rates for new purchases take effect, the rate
for an initial term of 18 or 36 months will be within a range from 100 basis
points (1%) to 200 basis points (2%) above the average interest rate published
for 12-month CDs or 30-month CDs, respectively, in the BRM Average. For example,
the coupon may require that you make a minimum investment and that you are not
an existing client of American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC), American
Express Financial Advisors Inc., or another subsidiary of AEFC. AEFC will select
persons to receive the coupon based on a business strategy to build
relationships with new clients in selected market segments who AEFC believes
meet threshold requirements for such factors as household income and home
values. From time to time coupons may be sent only to persons who both fit this
strategy and live in particular parts of the country or are affiliated with
particular organizations such as an automobile club.
From time to time, for your initial term, IDSC may offer certificates with
different terms than those described above. Such terms may be from seven, 11,
13, 19, 25, 31 or 37 months. For these terms, IDSC guarantees that, for
purchases of certificates for less than $100,000, your rate for your initial
term will be within a range of 50-150 basis points above the rates published in
the BRM Average for the certificates of deposit specified above that have the
maturity that is closest to the term of the IDS certificate in question. If two
different BRM Averages have the closest maturities, we will use the longest
maturity that is shorter than the term of the IDS certificate in question. For
purchases of certificates of $100,000 or more, the range for your initial term
will be 65-165 basis points above the same rate. For example, in the case of a
seven-month term, IDSC guarantees that, for purchases of certificates less than
$100,000, your rate for your initial term will be within a range of 50-150 basis
points above the rates for the six-month certificates of deposit, and for
purchases of certificates for $100,000 or more, your rate for your initial term
will be within a range of 65-165 basis points above the rates for the six-month
certificates of deposit. Purchase of a certificate in one of these special
offers may result in a later term of less than six months in order to permit
your certificate to mature 20 years from its issue date. IDSC may limit the
offering of these certificates to persons who have received a coupon as a
promotion, based on a business strategy to build relationships with new clients
in related market segments or persons who AEFC believes meet threshold
requirements for such factors as household income and home values or persons who
fit this strategy and live in particular areas of the country or are affiliated
with particular organizations. IDSC may also offer different rates or terms to
new clients, existing clients, or to individuals who have purchased other
products or used other services of American Express Company or its subsidiaries,
and may offer some terms only in selected distribution channels. We also may
offer different rates based on your amount invested, your geographic location
and whether the certificate is purchased for an IRA or for a qualified
retirement account.
The BANK RATE MONITOR is a weekly magazine published in North Palm Beach, FL
33408, by Advertising News Service Inc., an independent national news
organization that collects and disseminates information about bank products and
interest rates. Advertising News Service Inc. has no connection with IDSC, AEFC
or any of their affiliates.
<PAGE>
The BRM Average is an index of rates and annual effective yields offered on
various length certificates of deposit by large banks and thrifts in 25
metropolitan areas. The frequency of compounding varies among the banks and
thrifts. Certificates of deposit in the BRM Average are government insured
fixed-rate time deposits.
The BANK RATE MONITOR may be available in your local library. To obtain
information on current BRM Average rates, call the Client Service Organization
at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your
local time.
Rates for new purchases are reviewed and may change weekly. Normally, the rate
you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect for your chosen term on the date of your application; or
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC.
However, if your application bears a date more than seven days before its
receipt by IDSC, the rate you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC; or
the rate in effect seven days before receipt.
Except for specific promotions, IDSC guarantees an initial rate 25 basis points
above the rate offered to the general public on this IDS certificate if it is
purchased by using the CD transfer service offered by American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. to help you transfer money from a bank or thrift CD account into
IDSC investments. Consequently, the highest and lowest rate in the range of
rates for initial terms of such certificates purchased using the CD transfer
service will be 25 basis points higher than the comparable rates described at
the beginning of this section for ranges of rates for initial terms. To be
eligible for this rate, you must transfer at least $10,000 from a CD account to
IDSC to purchase one or more IDS Cash Reserve Certificates and/or IDS Flexible
Saving Certificates, and this rate will only apply to those certificates.
Except for specific promotions, IDSC guarantees active or retired AEFC
employees, IDSC's directors, American Express financial advisors, their
immediate families and any U.S. employee of any affiliated company of IDSC an
initial rate 75 basis points above the rate offered to the general public,
reflecting the lower distribution costs associated with such sales.
Consequently, the highest and lowest rate in the range of rates for initial
terms of such certificates purchased at the employee rate will be 75 basis
points higher than the comparable rates described at the beginning of this
section for ranges of rates for initial terms.
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Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in promotions involving one
or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
have purchased other products or used other services of American Express Company
or its subsidiaries.
We also may offer different rates based on your amount invested, geographic
location and whether the certificate is purchased for an IRA or a qualified
retirement account.
These promotions will generally be for a specified period of time. If we offer a
promotion, the rates for new purchases will be within the range of rates
described under "Rates for new purchases."
Rates for future terms: Interest on your certificate for future terms may be
greater or less than the rates you receive during your first term. In setting
future interest rates, a primary consideration will be the prevailing investment
climate, including certificate of deposit yields as reflected in the BRM
Average. Nevertheless, we have complete discretion as to what interest rate
shall be declared beyond the initial term. At least six days in advance of each
term, we will send you notice of the rate that your certificate will earn for
that term. If the BRM Average is no longer publicly available or feasible to
use, IDSC may use another, similar index as a guide for setting rates.
Performance: From February 1993 through February 1998, IDS Flexible Savings
Certificate one year yields were generally higher than average bank and thrift
one year certificate of deposit yields and Super NOW accounts, as measured by
the BRM Average.
Yields from February 1993 through February 1998
6% IDS Flexible Savings Certificate -
1 year
4% Certificate of Deposit - 1 year
2%
Two lines comparing the yields for one-year IDS Flexible
Savings Certificate against those of one-year certificates of
deposit with Flexible's yield generally above the CD's
`93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
The graph compares past yields and should not be considered a prediction of
future performance.
<PAGE>
Additional investments
You may make investments within 15 calendar days after the end of a term (the
grace period). Investments added to your certificate during the grace period
will increase the principal balance for purposes of the 25% add-on feature
described below and the 10% withdrawal feature described under "Full and partial
withdrawals." Additional investments may be in any amount so long as your total
investment, less withdrawals, does not exceed $1 million (unless you receive
prior authorization from IDSC to invest more). You will earn interest on
additional investments from the date we accept them. IDSC will send a
confirmation of additional investments.
Add-on feature: You may also add to your certificate during the term. These
additional investments may not exceed 25% of the certificate's principal balance
at the end of the grace period. This principal includes the balance at the end
of the previous term, plus or minus any deposits or withdrawals during the grace
period.
Any add-on or withdrawal during the grace period will change the principal
amount used to determine the amount available for the 25% add-on feature.
For example, suppose your original balance is $9,000. During the grace period,
you add $1,000. At any time during the current term, you could add up to 25% of
principal ($9,000 + $1,000 = $10,000), or $2,500 to your certificate.
The interest rate for these additional investments is the rate then in effect
for your account. If your additional investment increases the principal of your
certificate so that your certificate's principal has exceeded a break point for
a higher interest rate, the certificate will earn this higher interest rate for
the remainder of the term, from the date the additional investment is accepted.
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your American Express financial advisor will help you fill out and submit an
application to open an account with us and purchase a certificate. We will
process the application at our corporate offices in Minneapolis. When your
application is accepted and we have received your initial investment, we will
send you a confirmation of your purchase, indicating your account number and
applicable rate of interest for your first term, as described under "Rates for
new purchases." See "Purchase policies" below.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide IDSC with your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or Employer Identification
Number). See "Taxes on your earnings."
<PAGE>
Purchase policies:
Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis headquarters
on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be included in your account
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
You have 15 days from the date of purchase to cancel your investment
without penalty by either writing or calling the Client Service Organization
at the address or phone number on the back of this prospectus. If you decide
to cancel your certificate within this 15-day period, you will not earn any
interest.
If you purchase a certificate with a personal check or other non-guaranteed
funds, AEFC will wait one day for the process of converting your check to
federal funds (e.g., monies of member banks within the Federal Reserve Bank)
before your purchase will be accepted and you begin earning interest.
IDSC has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
A number of special policies apply to purchases, withdrawals and exchanges
within IRAs, 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement plans. See "Retirement
plans: special policies."
Two ways to make investments
1
By mail
Send your check along with your name and account number to:
Regular mail: Express mail:
American Express American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
<PAGE>
2
By wire
For investment into an established account, you may wire money to:
Norwest Bank Minneapolis
Routing No. 091000019
Minneapolis, MN
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept.
Give these instructions: Credit Account #00-30-015 for personal account # (your
account number) for (your name).
If this information is not included, the order may be rejected and all money
received, less any costs IDSC incurs, will be returned promptly.
Minimum amount you may wire: $1,000.
Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, AEFC, IDSC and
Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for business.
Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received and we accept
the purchase.
Bank wire purchases are not sent until the next business day.
Wire investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be credited
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
IDSC, AEFC and its other subsidiaries are not responsible for any delays
that occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by the bank.
You must pay any fee the bank charges for wiring.
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. If you purchase this certificate for an
IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plan account, early withdrawals or cash payments
of interest taken prematurely may be subject to IRS penalty taxes.
<PAGE>
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Full and partial withdrawals of principal are subject to penalties,
described below.
Interest payments in cash may be sent to you at the end of each certificate
month, quarter, or on a semiannual or annual basis.
If a withdrawal reduces your account value to a point where we pay a lower
interest rate, you will earn the lower rate from the date of the
withdrawal.
You may not otherwise make a partial withdrawal if it would reduce your
certificate balance to less than $1,000. If you request such a withdrawal,
we will contact you for revised instructions.
Scheduled partial withdrawals may be made monthly, quarterly, semiannually,
annually and at term end.
Withdrawals before the end of the certificate month will result in loss of
accrued interest on the amount withdrawn. You'll get the best result by
timing a withdrawal at the end of the certificate month.
Penalties for early withdrawal during a term: When you request a full or partial
withdrawal, we pay the amount you request:
first from interest credited during the current term;
then from the principal of your certificate.
Any additional investments or withdrawals during a term are added to or deducted
from the principal and are used in determining any withdrawal charges.
Withdrawal penalties: For withdrawals during the term of more than the interest
credited that term and over 10% of the certificate's principal, a 2% withdrawal
penalty will be deducted from the account's remaining balance.
For example, assume you invest $20,000 in a certificate and select a two-year
term. A little over a year later assume you have earned $1,600 in interest. The
following demonstrates how the withdrawal charge is deducted:
<PAGE>
When you withdraw a specific amount of money, we would have to withdraw somewhat
more from your account to cover the withdrawal charge. For instance, suppose you
request a $5,000 check. The first $1,600 paid to you is interest earned that
term, the next $2,000 is 10% of principal, and not subject to the withdrawal
penalty, and the remaining $1,400 paid to you is principal over the 10% limit.
We would send you a check for $5,000 and deduct a withdrawal charge of $28.00
($1,400 x 2%) from the remaining balance of your certificate account. Your new
balance would be $16,572 ($21,600 - $5,028).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Total investments $20,000.00
Interest credited $ 1,600.00
-----------
Total balance $21,600.00
Requested check $5,000.00
Credited interest withdrawn ($1,600.00)
10 percent of principal -- not subject to penalty ($2,000.00)
-----------
Remaining portion of requested withdrawal - subject to penalty $1,400.00
Withdrawal penalty percent 2.00%
Actual withdrawal penalty $ 28.00
Balance prior to withdrawal $21,600.00
Requested withdrawal check ($5,000.00)
Withdrawal penalty ($ 28.00)
-------------
Total balance after withdrawal $16,572.00
</TABLE>
Additionally, if you withdraw during a certificate month, you will not earn
interest for the month on the amount withdrawn.
Penalty exceptions: There is never a penalty for withdrawal of interest. In
addition, you may withdraw up to 10% of your principal during the term without a
withdrawal penalty. The principal available for the 10% no-penalty withdrawal
feature is the balance in the certificate at the beginning of the term plus or
minus any deposits or withdrawals made during the grace period.
The following example demonstrates how this feature works:
Suppose your certificate balance is $1,000. During the grace period you add
$500, bringing the principal to $1,500. At any time during the term you could
withdraw up to $150 of principal with no penalty.
Any additional investments or withdrawals following the grace period will not
change the principal amount used to determine the amount available for the 10%
no-penalty withdrawal feature.
<PAGE>
The 2% penalty is waived upon death of the certificate owner. We will also waive
withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate accounts for your
required distributions. See "Retirement plans: special policies" below.
For more information on withdrawal charges, talk with your American Express
financial advisor or call the Client Service Organization at the number on the
back cover.
When your certificate term ends
Shortly before the end of the term you have selected for your certificate, we
will send you a notice indicating the interest rate that will apply to the
certificate for the new term. When your certificate term ends we will
automatically renew your certificate for the standard term (six, 12, 24, 30 or
36 month) nearest in length to your initial term. If your initial term is
equidistant from two standard terms, we will automatically renew your
certificate to the term with the longest maturity that is shorter than your
initial term. If you wish to select a different term, you must notify us in
writing before the end of the grace period. You will not be allowed to select a
term that would carry the certificate past its maturity date.
The interest rates that will apply to your new term will be those in effect on
the day the new term begins. We will send you a confirmation showing the rate of
interest that will apply to the new term you have selected. This rate of
interest will not be changed during that term.
If you want to withdraw your certificate without a withdrawal charge, you must
notify us within 15 calendar days following the end of a term. However, you will
lose any interest accrued since the end of the term.
You may also add to your investment within the 15 calendar days following the
end of your term. See "Additional investments" under "About the certificate."
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
the date of your payment before IDSC mails a check to you. A check may be
mailed earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
<PAGE>
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to any other IDS certificate or
into another new or existing American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account
that has the same ownership (subject to any terms and conditions that may
apply).
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Call the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the
back cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your local time.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
Transfers into an American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with the
same ownership.
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone request believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests.
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
2
By mail
Send your name, account number and request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
<PAGE>
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000.
Pension plans and custodial accounts where the minor has reached the age at
which custodianship should terminate.
Transfers to another American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with
different ownership (all current registered owners must sign the request).
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing.
Payable to name(s) you requested.
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. We will
deduct the fee from your remaining certificate balance, provided that
balance would not be less than $1,000. If the balance would be less than
$1,000, the fee is deducted from the proceeds of the withdrawal.
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000.
Request that money be wired to your bank.
Bank account must be in same ownership as IDSC account.
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization section in
the application or use a form supplied by your American Express
financial advisor. All registered owners must sign.
<PAGE>
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
3
By electronic transfer
Available only for pre-authorized scheduled partial withdrawals and other
full or partial withdrawals.
No charge.
Deposited electronically in your bank account.
Allow two to five business days from request to deposit.
Retirement plans: special policies
If the certificate is purchased for a 401(k) plan or other qualified
retirement plan account, the terms and conditions of the certificate apply
to the plan as the owner of this certificate. However, the terms of the
plan, as interpreted by the plan trustee or administrator, will determine
how a participant's individual account under the plan is administered. These
terms may differ from the terms of the certificate.
If your certificate is held in a Custodial Retirement Plan (or Keogh plan),
special rules may apply at maturity. If no other investment instructions are
provided directing how to handle your certificate at maturity, the full
value of the certificate will automatically transfer to a new or existing
cash management account according to rules outlined in the Custodial
Retirement Plan document.
The annual custodial fee for IRA or non-401(k) qualified retirement plans
may be deducted from your certificate account. It may reduce the amount
payable at maturity or the amount received upon an early withdrawal.
Retirement plan withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal penalties or loss
of interest even if they are not subject to federal tax penalties.
We will waive withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate
accounts for your required distributions.
If you withdraw all funds from your last account in an IRA at American
Express Trust Company, a termination fee will apply as set out in Your Guide
to IRAs, the IRS disclosure information received when you opened your
account.
<PAGE>
The IRA termination fee will be waived if a withdrawal occurs after you
have reached age 70 1/2 or upon the owner's death.
Withdrawal at death
If a certificate is surrendered upon the client's death, any applicable
surrender charge will be waived. In addition, if an IRA termination fee is
applicable, it will also be waived.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not negotiable, IDSC will transfer ownership upon
written notification to our Client Service Organization. However, if you have
purchased your certificate for an IRA, 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement
plan, you may be unable to transfer or assign the certificate without losing the
account's favorable tax status. Please consult your tax advisor.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your American Express financial advisor or call the Client
Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Taxes on your earnings
Interest on your certificate is taxable when credited to your account. Each
calendar year we provide the certificate account owner and the IRS with reports
of all earnings over $10 (Form 1099). Withdrawals are reported to the
certificate account owner and the IRS on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker
Transactions.
Retirement accounts
If you are using the certificate as an investment for an IRA, 401(k) plan
account or other qualified retirement plan account, income tax rules for your
IRA or qualified plan apply. Generally, you will pay no income taxes on your
investment's earnings -- and, in many cases, on part or all of the investment
itself -- until you begin to make withdrawals.
IDSC will withhold federal income taxes of 10% on IRA withdrawals unless you
tell us not to. IDSC is required to withhold federal income taxes of 20% on most
other qualified plan distributions, unless the distribution is directly rolled
over to another qualified plan or IRA.
<PAGE>
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are generally subject to a penalty tax of
10% by the IRS if you make them before age 59 1/2, unless you are disabled or if
they are made by your beneficiary in the event of your death. Other exceptions
may also apply. Also, withdrawals of principal during a certificate month may be
subject to the certificate's provision for loss of interest.
Consult your tax advisor to see how these rules apply to you before you request
a distribution from your plan or IRA.
Gifts to minors
The certificate may be given to a minor under either the Uniform Gifts or
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), whichever applies in your state.
UGMAs/UTMAs are irrevocable. Generally, under federal tax laws, income over
$1,200 on property owned by children under age 14 will be taxed at the parents'
marginal tax rate, while income on property owned by children 14 or older will
be taxed at the child's rate.
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding: As with any
financial account you open, you must list your current and correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social Security or Employer
Identification Number. The TIN must be certified under penalties of perjury on
your application when you open an account.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect, you could be
subject to backup withholding of 31% of your interest earnings. You could also
be subject to further penalties, such as:
a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN;
a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that results in no
backup withholding; and
criminal penalties for falsifying information.
You could also be subject to backup withholding because you failed to report
interest on your tax return as required.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
To help you determine the correct TIN to use on various types of accounts,
please use this chart:
<S> <C>
How to determine the correct TIN
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or Employer
Identification Number of:
- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals listed on the
account
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
A living trust The grantor-trustee
(the person who puts the money into the trust)
An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate The legal entity
(not the personal representative or trustee,
unless no legal entity is designated in the
account title)
Sole proprietorship The owner
Partnership The partnership
Corporate The corporation
Association, club or tax-exempt The organization
organization
</TABLE>
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or local American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. office for federal Form W-9, "Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."
<PAGE>
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply IDSC
with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your certificate,
and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply both a current
mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if different. IDSC will not
accept purchases of certificates by nonresident aliens without an appropriately
certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute). Also, if you do not supply Form W-8
you will be subject to backup withholding on interest payments and withdrawals.
Interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as defined in U.S. Internal
Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident alien. Even though your
interest income is not taxed by the U.S. government, it will be reported at year
end to you and to the U.S. government on a Form 1042S, Foreign Person's U.S.
Source Income Subject to Withholding. The United States participates in various
tax treaties with foreign countries, which provide for sharing of tax
information.
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, IDSC generally will not act
on instructions with regard to the certificate unless IDSC first receives, at a
minimum, a statement from persons IDSC believes are knowledgeable about your
estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to IDSC and must tell us
that, on your date of death, your estate did not include any property in the
United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other cases, we generally will
not take action regarding your certificate until we receive a transfer
certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to IDSC that the estate is
being administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and
acting within the United States. In general, a transfer certificate requires the
opening of an estate in the United States and provides assurance that the IRS
will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
<PAGE>
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC
The IDS Flexible Savings Certificate is issued and guaranteed by IDSC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of face amount
certificates in the United States, with total assets of more than $4.0 billion
and a net worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and
American Express Service Corporation (AESC).
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
Regulated by government
Because the IDS Flexible Savings Certificate is a security, its offer and sale
are subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It is a
face-amount certificate -- not a bank product, an equity investment, a form of
life insurance or an investment trust.)
The federal Investment Company Act of 1940 requires us to keep investments on
deposit in a segregated custodial account to protect all of our outstanding
certificates. These investments back the entire value of your certificate
account. Their amortized cost must exceed the required carrying value of the
outstanding certificates by at least $250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the
amortized cost of these investments exceeded the required carrying value of our
outstanding certificates by more than $176 million.
<PAGE>
Backed by our investments
Our investments are varied and of high quality. This was the composition of our
portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of IDSC use their best judgment,
subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on independent
rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be rated
investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be the
<PAGE>
equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks and mortgages in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in real estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of IDSC's assets.
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest, dividends and other
distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to vote these
securities if a major event affecting our investment is under consideration. We
expect that outstanding securities loans will not exceed 10 percent of IDSC's
assets.
<PAGE>
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments.
When-issued securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may affect
IDSC's investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. IDSC may enter into other
financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the purpose
of managing the interest rate exposures associated with IDSC's assets or
liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance is derived,
at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security or
index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security or index
may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative. We do not
use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number of likely
buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than 15% of
IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid. In
valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
<PAGE>
How your money is managed
Relationship between IDSC and American Express Financial Corporation
IDSC was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before IDSC was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial Corporation), our
parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As of Jan. 1, 1995,
IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. IDSC and AEFC have never
failed to meet their certificate payments.
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and
Travelers Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related
Services Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and
its subsidiaries including American Express Bank International).
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
<PAGE>
Capital structure and certificates issued
IDSC has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common stock,
par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
As of the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single payment
certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of single
payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or IDSC as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to a
percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included assets).
Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion will be 0.107%
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of IDSC except mortgage loans, real estate, and
any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
<PAGE>
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by IDSC: The Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
we pay for the distribution of this certificate as follows:
0.20% of the initial payment on the issue date of the certificate; and
0.20% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
<PAGE>
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through American
Express Financial Direct, we pay AESC for the distribution of this certificate
as follows:
0.20% of the initial payment of the issue date of the certificate; and
0.20% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
For certificates paying a special promotional coupon rate described in "Rates
for new purchases" under "About the certificate," American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. waives its distribution fee.
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for all
series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended Dec. 31,
1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc. distribution
fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. pays commissions to its financial
advisors and pays other selling expenses in connection with services to us. Our
board of directors, including a majority of directors who are not interested
persons of American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or IDSC, approved this
distribution agreement.
Transfer Agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AECSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AECSC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those
offered by qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
<PAGE>
Directors and officers
IDSC's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually for a
term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings,Inc.Former vice president and group executive,
Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager -
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
<PAGE>
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president -
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Services of AEFC from July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Treasury of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
<PAGE>
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
IDSC has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
IDS Certificates
Other certificates issued by IDSC: Your American Express financial advisor can
give you more information on five other certificates issued by IDSC. These
certificates offer a wide range of investment terms and features.
<PAGE>
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
three-month term.
IDS Installment Certificate - An installment payment certificate that declares
interest in advance for a three-month period and offers bonuses in the third
through sixth years for regular investments.
IDS Market Strategy Certificate - A certificate that pays interest at a fixed
rate or linked to one-year stock market performance, as measured by a broad
market index, for a series of one-year terms starting every month or at other
intervals the client selects.
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate - A single payment certificate that combines
a competitive fixed rate of return with IDSC's guarantee of principal for large
investments of $250,000 to $5 million.
IDS Stock Market Certificate - A single payment certificate that calculates all
or part of your interest based on stock market performance, as measured by a
broad market index, with IDSC's guarantee of return of principal.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back Cover)
Quick telephone reference
Client Service Organization
Withdrawals, transfers, inquiries
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 612-671-3800
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4293
American Express Easy Access Line
Account value, cash transaction information, current rate information (automated
response, Touchtone(R) phones only)
National/Minnesota: 800-862-7919
Mpls./St. Paul area: 800-862-7919
IDS Flexible Savings Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
Summary of selected financial information
The following selected financial information has been derived from the
audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those
statements and the related notes to financial statements. Also see Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for
additional comments.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Year Ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
($ thousands)
Statement of Operations Data:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment income $258,232 $251,481 $256,913 $207,975 $236,859
Investment expenses 70,137 62,851 62,817 58,690 65,404
Net investment income before provision for
certificate reserves and income tax benefit 188,095 188,630 194,096 149,285 171,455
Net provision for certificate reserves 165,136 171,968 176,407 107,288 123,516
Net investment income before income
tax benefit 22,959 16,662 17,689 41,997 47,939
Income tax benefit 3,682 6,537 9,097 2,663 3,365
Net investment income 26,641 23,199 26,786 44,660 51,304
Realized gain (loss) on investments - net:
Securities of unaffiliated issuers 980 (444) 452 (7,514) (9,870)
Other - unaffiliated - 101 (120) 1,638 (418)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
before income taxes 980 (343) 332 (5,876) (10,288)
Income tax (expense) benefit (343) 120 (117) 2,047 4,617
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 637 (223) 215 (3,829) (5,671)
Net income - wholly owned subsidiary 328 1,251 373 241 120
Net income $27,606 $24,227 $27,374 $41,072 $45,753
Cash dividends declared $- $65,000 $- $40,200 $64,500
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets $4,053,648 $3,563,234 $3,912,131 $3,040,857 $2,951,405
Certificate loans 37,098 43,509 51,147 58,203 67,429
Certificate reserves 3,724,978 3,283,191 3,628,574 2,887,405 2,777,451
Stockholder's equity 239,510 194,550 250,307 141,852 161,138
IDS Certificate Company (IDSC) is 100% owned by American Express Financial Corporation (Parent).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations
Results of operations:
IDS Certificate Company's (IDSC) earnings are derived primarily from the
after-tax yield on invested assets less investment expenses and interest
credited on certificate reserve liabilities. Changes in earnings' trends occur
largely due to changes in the rates of return on investments and the rates of
interest credited to certificate owner accounts and also, the mix of fully
taxable and tax-advantaged investments in the IDSC portfolio.
During the year 1997, total assets and certificate reserves increased due
to certificate sales exceeding certificate maturities and surrenders. The excess
of certificate sales over maturities and surrenders resulted primarily from a
special introductory offer of the 7- and 13-month term Flexible Savings
certificate. The increase in total assets in 1997 reflects also, an increase of
$27 million in net unrealized appreciation on investment securities classified
as available for sale.
During the year 1996, total assets and certificate reserves decreased due
primarily to certificate maturities and surrenders exceeding certificate sales.
The excess of certificate maturities and surrenders over certificate sales
resulted primarily from lower accrual rates declared by IDSC during the year.
The decrease in total assets in 1996 reflects also, a decrease in unrealized
appreciation on investment securities classified as available for sale of $23
million and cash dividends paid to Parent of $65 million. The decrease in total
assets in 1996 was tempered by an increase in payable for securities purchased
of $62 million that settled in early 1997.
1997 Compared to 1996:
Gross investment income increased 2.7% due primarily to a higher average
balance of invested assets.
Investment expenses increased 12% in 1997. The increase resulted primarily
from higher amortization of premiums paid for index options of $4.4 million,
higher distribution fees of $1.8 million and $3.2 million of interest expense on
reverse repurchase and interest rate swap agreements entered into in 1997. These
higher expenses were partially offset by $2.3 million lower amortization of
premiums paid for interest rate caps, corridors and floors due primarily to the
expiration of the cap and corridor agreements in 1996 and early 1997.
Net provision for certificate reserves decreased 4.0% due primarily to the
net of lower accrual rates and a higher average balance of certificate reserves
during 1997.
The decrease in income tax benefit resulted primarily from a lesser portion
of net investment income before income tax benefit being attributable to
tax-advantaged income.
<PAGE>
1996 Compared to 1995:
Gross investment income decreased 2.1% due primarily to lower investment yields.
Investment expenses increased slightly in 1996. The increase resulted
primarily from higher amortization of premiums paid for index options of $2.1
million and higher investment advisory and services fee of $.5 million due to a
slightly higher average asset base on which the fee is calculated. These
increases were offset by lower distribution fees of $1.2 million due to lower
certificate sales, and lower amortization of premiums paid for interest rate
caps/corridors of $1.4 million. The lower amortization of interest rate
caps/corridors reflects the net of $8.2 million lower amortization and $6.8
million less interest earned under the cap/corridor agreements.
Net provision for certificate reserves decreased 2.5% due primarily to the
net of lower accrual rates and a slightly higher average balance of certificate
reserves during 1996.
The decrease in income tax benefit resulted primarily from a lesser portion
of net investment income before income tax benefit being attributable to
tax-advantaged income.
Liquidity and cash flow:
IDSC's principal sources of cash are payments from sales of face-amount
certificates and cash flows from investments. In turn, IDSC's principal uses of
cash are payments to certificate owners for matured and surrendered
certificates, purchase of investments and payments of dividends to its Parent.
Certificate sales remained strong in 1997 reflecting clients' ongoing
desire for safety of principal. Sales of certificates totaled $1.5 billion in
1997 compared to $1.0 billion in 1996 and $1.8 billion in 1995. The higher
certificate sales in 1997 over 1996 resulted primarily from a special
introductory promotion of IDSC's 7- and 13-month term Flexible Savings
certificate which produced sales of $238 million. Certificate sales in 1997
benefited also, from higher sales of the Preferred Investors certificate of $113
million and sales of the Special Deposits certificate of $85 million. The
Preferred Investors certificate was first offered for sale early in the last
quarter of 1996. The Special Deposits certificate was first offered for sale to
private banking clients of American Express Bank Ltd. in Hong Kong late in the
third quarter of 1997. Certificate sales in 1995 benefited from a special
introductory promotion of IDSC's 11-month term Flexible Savings certificate
which produced sales of $562 million.
The special promotion of the 7- and 13-month term Flexible Savings
certificate was offered from Sept. 10, 1997 to Nov. 25, 1997, and applied only
to sales of new certificate accounts during the promotion period. Certificates
sold during the promotion period received a special interest rate, determined on
a weekly basis, of one percentage point above the Bank Rate Monitor Top 25
Market Average(TM) of comparable length certificates of deposit.
<PAGE>
The special promotion of the 11-month term Flexible Savings certificate was
offered from May 10, 1995 to July 3, 1995, and applied only to sales of new
certificate accounts during the promotion period. Certificates sold during the
promotion period received a special interest rate of 7.0% for the 11-month term.
Certificate maturities and surrenders totaled $1.3 billion during 1997
compared to $1.7 billion in 1996 and $1.0 billion in 1995. The higher
certificate maturities and surrenders in 1996 resulted primarily from $461
million of surrenders of the 11-month Flexible Savings certificate. The
surrenders of the 11-month Flexible Savings certificate resulted primarily from
lower accrual rates declared by IDSC at term renewal, reflecting interest rates
available in the marketplace.
IDSC, as an issuer of face-amount certificates, is affected whenever there
is a significant change in interest rates. In view of the uncertainty in the
investment markets and due to the short-term repricing nature of certificate
reserve liabilities, IDSC continues to invest in securities that provide for
more immediate, periodic interest/principal payments, resulting in improved
liquidity. To accomplish this, IDSC continues to invest much of its cash flow in
mortgage-backed securities and intermediate-term bonds.
IDSC's investment program is designed to maintain an investment portfolio
that will produce the highest possible after-tax yield within acceptable risk
standards with additional emphasis on liquidity. The program considers
investment securities as investments acquired to meet anticipated certificate
owner obligations.
Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities", debt
securities that IDSC has both the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity are carried at amortized cost. Debt securities IDSC does not have the
positive intent to hold to maturity, as well as all marketable equity
securities, are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value. The
available-for-sale classification does not mean that IDSC expects to sell these
securities, but that under SFAS No. 115 positive intent criteria, these
securities are available to meet possible liquidity needs should there be
significant changes in market interest rates or certificate owner demand. See
notes 1 and 3 to the financial statements for additional information relating to
SFAS No. 115.
At Dec. 31, 1997, securities classified as held to maturity and carried at
amortized cost were $.8 billion. Securities classified as available for sale and
carried at fair value were $2.9 billion. These securities, which comprise 92% of
IDSC's total invested assets, are well diversified. Of these securities, 98%
have fixed maturities of which 91% are of investment grade. Other than U.S.
Government Agency mortgage-backed securities, no one issuer represents more than
1% of total securities. See note 3 to financial statements for additional
information on ratings and diversification.
<PAGE>
During the year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC sold held-to-maturity securities with
an amortized cost and fair value of $33.0 million and $33.9 million,
respectively. The securities were sold due to significant deterioration in the
issuers' creditworthiness. During the same period in 1997, securities classified
as available for sale were sold with an amortized cost and fair value of $161
million. The securities were sold in general management of the investment
portfolio.
There were no transfers of available-for-sale or held-to-maturity
securities during the years ended Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996. During the year ended
Dec. 31, 1995, investment securities, primarily municipal bonds, with an
amortized cost and fair value of $112 million and $117 million, respectively,
were reclassified from held to maturity to available for sale. The
reclassification was made on Dec. 4, 1995, as a result of IDSC adopting the FASB
Special Report, "A Guide to Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities".
Market risk and derivative financial instruments:
The sensitivity analysis of two different tests of market risk discussed
below estimate the effects of hypothetical sudden and sustained changes in the
applicable market conditions on the ensuing one year's earnings. The market
changes, assumed to occur as of Dec. 31, 1997, are a 100 basis point increase in
market interest rates and a 10% decline in a major stock market index.
Computation of the prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate and major
stock market index changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative
levels of market interest rates and the major stock market index level, as well
as the levels of assets and liabilities. The hypothetical changes and
assumptions will be different than what actually occurs in the future.
Furthermore, the computations do not anticipate actions that may be taken by
management if the hypothetical market changes actually occurred over time. As a
result, actual earnings affects in the future will differ from those quantified
below.
IDSC primarily invests in intermediate-term and long-term fixed income
securities to provide its certificate owners with a competitive rate of return
on their certificates while managing risk. These investment securities provide
IDSC with a historically dependable and targeted margin between the interest
rate earned on investments and the interest rate credited to certificate owners'
accounts. IDSC does not invest in securities to generate trading profits for its
own account.
IDSC's Investment Committee, which comprises senior business managers,
meets regularly to review models projecting different interest rate scenarios
and their impact on IDSC's profitability. The committee's objective is to
structure IDSC's portfolio of investment securities based upon the type and
behavior of the certificates in the certificate reserve liabilities, to achieve
targeted levels of profitability and meet certificate contractual obligations
Rates credited to certificate owners' accounts are generally reset at
shorter intervals than the maturity of underlying investments. Therefore, IDSC's
margins may be negatively impacted by increases in the general level of interest
rates. Part of the committee's strategies include the purchase of derivatives,
such as interest rate caps, corridors, floors and swaps, for hedging purposes.
On a certain series of certificates, interest is credited to the certificate
owners' accounts based upon the relative change in a major stock market index
<PAGE>
between the beginning and end of the certificates' term. As a means of
hedging its obligations under the provisions of these certificates, the
committee purchases and writes call options on the major stock market index. See
note 9 to the financial statements for additional information regarding
derivative financial instruments.
The negative impact on IDSC's earnings of the 100 basis point increase in
interest rates described above would be approximately $5.9 million pretax. It
assumes repricings and customer behavior based on the application of proprietary
models to the book of business at Dec. 31, 1997. The 10% decrease in a major
stock market index level would have a minimal impact on IDSC's earnings because
the income effect is a decrease in option income and a corresponding decrease in
interest credited to the Stock Market certificate owners' accounts.
Year 2000 Issue:
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written
using two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of IDSC. All of the systems
used by IDSC are maintained by its Parent and are utilized by multiple
subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent. IDSC's business is heavily dependent
upon the Parent's computer systems, and has significant interactions with
systems of third parties.
A comprehensive review of the Parent's computer systems and business
processes, including those specific to IDSC, has been conducted to identify the
major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue. Steps are being
taken to resolve any potential problems including modification to existing
software and the purchase of new software. These measures are scheduled to be
completed and tested on a timely basis. The Parent's goal is to complete
internal remediation and testing of each system by the end of 1998 and to
continue compliance efforts through 1999.
The Parent is evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other
third parties whose system failures could have an impact on IDSC's operations.
The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this time.
Ratios:
The ratio of stockholder's equity, excluding net unrealized holding gains
on investment securities, to total assets less certificate loans and net
unrealized holding gains on investment securities at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996 was
5.2%. IDSC's current regulatory requirement is a ratio of 5.0%.
<PAGE>
Annual Financial Information
IDS Certificate Company
Responsibility for Preparation of Financial Statements
The management of IDS Certificate Company (IDSC) is responsible for the
preparation and fair presentation of its financial statements. The financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles appropriate in the circumstances, and include amounts based on the
best judgment of management. IDSC's management is also responsible for the
accuracy and consistency of other financial information included in the
prospectus.
In recognition of its responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of
data in the financial statements, IDSC maintains a system of internal control
over financial reporting. The system is designed to provide reasonable, but not
absolute, assurance with respect to the reliability of IDSC's financial
statements. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on the notion that the
cost of the internal control system should not exceed the benefits derived.
The internal control system is founded on an ethical climate and includes
an organizational structure with clearly defined lines of responsibility,
policies and procedures, a Code of Conduct, and the careful selection and
training of employees. Internal auditors monitor and assess the effectiveness of
the internal control system and report their findings to management throughout
the year. IDSC's independent auditors are engaged to express an opinion on the
year-end financial statements and, with the coordinated support of the internal
auditors, review the financial records and related data and test the internal
control system over financial reporting.
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors and Security Holders
IDS Certificate Company:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of IDS Certificate Company,
a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation, as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of operations,
stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the management of IDS Certificate Company. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of investments owned as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 by
correspondence with custodians and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of IDS Certificate Company at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 5, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Balance Sheets, Dec. 31,
Assets
<S> <C> <C>
Qualified Assets (note 2) 1997 1996
($ thousands)
Investments in unaffiliated issuers (notes 3, 4 and 10):
Cash and cash equivalents $- $111,331
Held-to-maturity securities 758,143 863,921
Available-for-sale securities 2,911,524 2,212,968
First mortgage loans on real estate 212,433 218,697
Certificate loans - secured by certificate reserves 37,098 43,509
Investments in and advances to affiliates 6,772 6,444
Total investments 3,925,970 3,456,870
Receivables:
Dividends and interest 48,817 44,013
Investment securities sold 1,635 654
Total receivables 50,452 44,667
Other (notes 9 and 10) 56,127 36,164
Total qualified assets 4,032,549 3,537,701
Other Assets
Deferred distribution fees and other 21,099 25,533
Total assets $4,053,648 $3,563,234
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Balance Sheets, Dec. 31, (continued)
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Liabilities 1997 1996
($ thousands)
Certificate Reserves (notes 5 and 10):
Installment certificates:
Reserves to mature $343,219 $344,344
Additional credits and accrued interest 19,554 21,931
Advance payments and accrued interest 968 1,198
Other 56 55
Fully paid certificates:
Reserves to mature 3,186,191 2,747,690
Additional credits and accrued interest 174,699 167,673
Due to unlocated certificate holders 291 300
Total certificate reserves 3,724,978 3,283,191
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities:
Due to Parent (note 7A) 1,639 1,424
Due to Parent for federal income taxes 495 1,737
Due to affiliates (note 7B, 7C and 7D) 331 279
Reverse repurchase agreements 22,000 -
Payable for investment securities purchased 19,601 61,979
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other (notes 9 and 10) 29,919 11,977
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities 73,985 77,396
Deferred federal income taxes (note 8) 15,175 8,097
Total liabilities 3,814,138 3,368,684
Commitments (note 4)
Stockholder's Equity (notes 5B, 5C, and 6):
Common stock, $10 par - authorized and issued 150,000 shares 1,500 1,500
Additional paid-in capital 143,844 143,844
Retained earnings:
Appropriated for predeclared additional credits/interest 6,375 11,989
Appropriated for additional interest on advance payments 50 50
Unappropriated 55,948 22,728
Unrealized holding gains on investment
securities - net (note 3A) 31,793 14,439
Total stockholder's equity 239,510 194,550
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $4,053,648 $3,563,234
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Statements of Operations
Year ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995
($ thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Income:
Interest income from investments:
Bonds and notes:
Unaffiliated issuers $191,190 $184,653 $181,902
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Unaffiliated 18,053 19,583 22,171
Affiliated - 36 56
Certificate loans 2,200 2,533 2,963
Dividends 44,543 44,100 48,614
Other 2,246 576 1,207
Total investment income 258,232 251,481 256,913
Investment Expenses:
Parent and affiliated company fees (note 7):
Distribution 34,507 32,732 33,977
Investment advisory and services 17,233 16,989 16,472
Depositary 238 228 242
Options (note 9) 14,597 10,156 8,038
Interest rate caps, corridors and floors (note 9) 35 2,351 3,725
Reverse repurchase agreements 1,217 - -
Interest rate swap agreements (note 9) 1,956 - -
Other 354 395 363
Total investment expenses 70,137 62,851 62,817
Net investment income before provision
for certificate reserves and income tax benefit $188,095 $188,630 $194,096
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995
($ thousands)
Provision for Certificate Reserves (notes 5 and 9):
According to the terms of the certificates:
Provision for certificate reserves $9,796 $10,445 $11,009
Interest on additional credits 1,244 1,487 2,300
Interest on advance payments 50 61 73
Additional credits/interest authorized by IDSC:
On fully paid certificates 150,752 155,411 157,857
On installment certificates 4,323 5,637 6,288
Total provision for certificate reserves before reserve
recoveries 166,165 173,041 177,527
Reserve recoveries from terminations
prior to maturity (1,029) (1,073) (1,120)
Net provision for certificate reserves 165,136 171,968 176,407
Net investment income before income tax benefit 22,959 16,662 17,689
Income tax benefit (note 8) 3,682 6,537 9,097
Net investment income 26,641 23,199 26,786
Realized gain (loss) on investments - net:
Securities of unaffiliated issuers 980 (444) 452
Other-unaffiliated - 101 (120)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments before income taxes 980 (343) 332
Income tax (expense) benefit (note 8):
Current (304) 772 160
Deferred (39) (652) (277)
Total income tax (expense) benefit (343) 120 (117)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 637 (223) 215
Net income - wholly owned subsidiary 328 1,251 373
Net income $27,606 $24,227 $27,374
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Statements of Stockholder's Equity
Year ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995
($ thousands)
Common Stock:
Balance at beginning and end of year $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Additional Paid-in Capital:
Balance at beginning of year $143,844 $168,844 $140,344
Contribution from Parent - - 28,500
Cash dividends declared - (25,000) -
Balance at end of year $143,844 $143,844 $168,844
Retained Earnings:
Appropriated for predeclared additional credits/interest (note 5B):
Balance at beginning of year $11,989 $18,878 $18,398
Transferred (to) from unappropriated retained earnings (5,614) (6,889) 480
Balance at end of year $6,375 $11,989 $18,878
Appropriated for additional interest on advance payments (note 5C):
Balance at beginning and end of year $50 $50 $50
Unappropriated (note 6):
Balance at beginning of year $22,728 $31,612 $4,718
Net income 27,606 24,227 27,374
Transferred from (to) appropriated retained earnings 5,614 6,889 (480)
Cash dividends declared - (40,000) -
Balance at end of year $55,948 $22,728 $31,612
Unrealized holding gains and losses on investment securities net (notes 1 and
3A):
Balance at beginning of year $14,439 $29,423 ($23,158)
Change during year 17,354 (14,984) 52,581
Balance at end of year $31,793 $14,439 $29,423
Total stockholder's equity $239,510 $194,550 $250,307
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Statements of Cash Flows
Year ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995
($ thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $27,606 $24,227 $27,374
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Net income of wholly owned subsidiary (328) (1,251) (373)
Net provision for certificate reserves 165,136 171,968 176,407
Interest income added to certificate loans (1,414) (1,631) (1,902)
Amortization of premiums/discounts-net 15,484 14,039 19,232
Provision for deferred federal income taxes (2,266) (1,124) (2,652)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments before income taxes (980) 343 (332)
(Increase) decrease in dividends and interest receivable (4,804) 5,619 (7,371)
Decrease (increase) in deferred distribution fees 4,434 2,761 (1,144)
Decrease in other assets - - 466
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 443 (679) (1,549)
Net cash provided by operating activities 203,311 214,272 208,156
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturity and redemption of investments:
Held-to-maturity securities 76,678 163,066 315,766
Available-for-sale securities 408,019 537,565 325,521
Other investments 79,929 52,189 46,004
Sale of investments:
Held-to-maturity securities 33,910 24,984 22,305
Available-for-sale securities 160,207 356,194 48,372
Other investments - 385 21
Certificate loan payments 4,814 6,003 6,061
Purchase of investments:
Held-to-maturity securities (4,565) (49,984) (208,140)
Available-for-sale securities (1,283,620) (617,138) (1,397,983)
Other investments (62,831) (28,617) (17,234)
Certificate loan fundings (5,021) (5,288) (7,776)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities ($592,480) $439,359 ($867,083)
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
Year ended Dec. 31, 1997 1996 1995
($ thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments from certificate owners $1,580,013 $1,129,023 $1,577,884
Capital contribution from Parent - - 28,500
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements 433,000 - -
Certificate maturities and cash surrenders (1,324,175) (1,663,196) (1,030,712)
Payments under reverse repurchase agreements (411,000) - -
Dividends paid - (65,000) -
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 277,838 (599,173) 575,672
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (111,331) 54,458 (83,255)
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year 111,331 56,873 140,128
Cash and cash equivalents end of year $- $111,331 $56,873
Supplemental disclosures including non-cash transactions:
Cash (paid) received for income taxes ($104) $7,195 $6,854
Certificate maturities and surrenders through
loan reductions 8,032 8,554 10,673
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
1. Nature of business and summary of significant accounting policies
Nature of business
IDS Certificate Company (IDSC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of American
Express Financial Corporation (Parent), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Express Company. IDSC is registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("the 1940 Act") and is in the business of
issuing face-amount investment certificates. The certificates issued by IDSC are
not insured by any government agency. IDSC's certificates are sold primarily by
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.'s (an affiliate) field force operating
in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. IDSC's Parent acts as
investment advisor for IDSC.
IDSC currently offers eight types of certificates with specified maturities
ranging from ten to twenty years. Within their specified maturity, most
certificates have interest rate terms of one to thirty-six months. In addition,
one type of certificate has interest tied, in whole or in part, to any upward
movement in a broad-based stock market index. Except for two types of
certificates, all of the certificates are available as qualified investments for
Individual Retirement Accounts or 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement
plans.
IDSC's gross income is derived primarily from interest and dividends
generated by its investments. IDSC's net income is determined by deducting from
such gross income its provision for certificate reserves, and other expenses,
including taxes, the fee paid to Parent for investment advisory and other
services, and the distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors
Inc.
Described below are certain accounting policies that are important to an
understanding of the accompanying financial statements.
Basis of financial statement presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. IDSC uses the equity method of
accounting for its wholly owned unconsolidated subsidiary, which is the method
prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for non-investment
company subsidiaries of issuers of face-amount certificates. Certain amounts
from prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year
presentation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of
income and expenses during the year then ended. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Fair values of financial instruments
The fair values of financial instruments disclosed in the notes to
financial statements are estimates based upon current market conditions and
perceived risks, and require varying degrees of management judgment.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
Preferred stock dividend income
IDSC recognizes dividend income from cumulative redeemable preferred stocks
with fixed maturity amounts on an accrual basis similar to that used for
recognizing interest income on debt securities. Dividend income from perpetual
preferred stock is recognized on an ex-dividend basis.
Securities
Cash equivalents are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair
value. IDSC has defined cash and cash equivalents as cash in banks and highly
liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at acquisition and
are not interest rate sensitive.
Debt securities that IDSC has both the positive intent and ability to hold
to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Debt securities IDSC does not have
the positive intent to hold to maturity, as well as all marketable equity
securities, are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value.
Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities classified as available for
sale are carried, net of deferred income taxes, as a separate component of
stockholder's equity.
The basis for determining cost in computing realized gains and losses on
securities is specific identification. When there is a decline in value that is
other than temporary, the securities are carried at estimated realizable value
with the amount of adjustment included in income.
First mortgage loans on real estate
Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost, less reserves for losses,
which is the basis for determining any realized gains or losses. The estimated
fair value of the mortgage loans is determined by a discounted cash flow
analysis using mortgage interest rates currently offered for mortgages of
similar maturities.
Impairment is measured as the excess of the loan's recorded investment over
its present value of expected principal and interest payments discounted at the
loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of collateral. The amount of
the impairment is recorded in a reserve for mortgage loan losses.
The reserve for mortgage loan losses is maintained at a level that
management believes is adequate to absorb estimated losses in the portfolio. The
level of the reserve account is determined based on several factors, including
historical experience, expected future principal and interest payments,
estimated collateral values, and current and anticipated economic and political
conditions. Management regularly evaluates the adequacy of the reserve for
mortgage loan losses.
IDSC generally stops accruing interest on mortgage loans for which interest
payments are delinquent more than three months. Based on Management's judgment
as to the ultimate collectibility of principal, interest payments received are
either recognized as income or applied to the recorded investment in the loan.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
Certificates
Investment certificates may be purchased either with a lump-sum payment or
by installment payments. Certificate owners are entitled to receive at maturity
a definite sum of money. Payments from certificate owners are credited to
investment certificate reserves. Investment certificate reserves accumulate at
specified percentage rates as declared by IDSC. Reserves also are maintained for
advance payments made by certificate owners, accrued interest thereon, and for
additional credits in excess of minimum guaranteed rates and accrued interest
thereon. On certificates allowing for the deduction of a surrender charge, the
cash surrender values may be less than accumulated investment certificate
reserves prior to maturity dates. Cash surrender values on certificates allowing
for no surrender charge are equal to certificate reserves. The payment
distribution, reserve accumulation rates, cash surrender values, reserve values
and other matters are governed by the 1940 Act.
Deferred distribution fee expense
On certain series of certificates, distribution fees are deferred and
amortized over the estimated lives of the related certificates, which is
approximately 10 years. Upon surrender prior to maturity, unamortized deferred
distribution fees are recognized in expense and any related surrender charges
are recognized as a reduction in provision for certificate reserves.
Federal income taxes
IDSC's taxable income or loss is included in the consolidated federal
income tax return of American Express Company. IDSC provides for income taxes on
a separate return basis, except that, under an agreement between Parent and
American Express Company, tax benefits are recognized for losses to the extent
they can be used in the consolidated return. It is the policy of Parent and its
subsidiaries that Parent will reimburse a subsidiary for any tax benefits
recorded.
2. Deposit of assets and maintenance of qualified assets
A) Under the provisions of its certificates and the 1940 Act, IDSC was
required to have qualified assets (as that term is defined in Section 28(b) of
the 1940 Act) in the amount of $3,694,204 and $3,259,260 at Dec. 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively. IDSC had qualified assets of $3,964,036 at Dec. 31, 1997 and
$3,453,508 at Dec. 31, 1996, excluding net unrealized appreciation on
available-for-sale securities of $48,912 and $22,214 at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively and payable for securities purchased of $19,601 and $61,979 at Dec.
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Qualified assets are valued in accordance with such provisions of Minnesota
Statutes as are applicable to investments of life insurance companies. Qualified
assets for which no provision for valuation is made in such statutes are valued
in accordance with rules, regulations or orders prescribed by the SEC. These
values are the same as financial statement carrying values, except for debt
securities classified as available for sale and all marketable equity
securities, which are carried at fair value in the financial statements but are
valued at amortized cost for qualified asset and deposit maintenance purposes.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
B) Pursuant to provisions of the certificates, the 1940 Act, the central
depositary agreement and to requirements of various states, qualified assets of
IDSC were deposited as follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Dec. 31, 1997
Required
Deposits deposits Excess
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Deposits to meet certificate
liability requirements:
States $363 $328 $35
Central Depositary 3,826,505 3,650,121 176,384
Total $3,826,868 $3,650,449 $176,419
Dec. 31, 1996
Required
Deposits deposits Excess
Deposits to meet certificate
liability requirements:
States $362 $330 $32
Central Depositary 3,355,041 3,203,076 151,965
Total $3,355,403 $3,203,406 $151,997
</TABLE>
The assets on deposit at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of securities
having a deposit value of $3,580,866 and $3,117,715, respectively; mortgage
loans of $212,433 and $218,697, respectively; and other assets of $33,569 and
$18,991, respectively.
American Express Trust Company is the central depositary for IDSC. See note 7C.
3. Investments in securities
A) Fair values of investments in securities represent market prices or
estimated fair values when quoted prices are not available. Estimated fair
values are determined by IDSC using established procedures, involving review of
market indexes, price levels of current offerings and comparable issues, price
estimates and market data from independent brokers and financial files. The
procedures are reviewed annually. IDSC's vice president - investments reports to
the board of directors on an annual basis regarding such pricing sources and
procedures to provide assurance that fair value is being achieved.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
The following is a summary of securities held to maturity and securities
available for sale at Dec. 31, 1997 and Dec. 31, 1996.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Dec. 31, 1997
Gross Gross
Amortized Fair unrealized unrealized
cost value gains losses
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
HELD TO MATURITY
U.S. Government and
agencies obligations $363 $369 $6 $-
Mortgage-backed securities 29,340 29,969 629 -
Corporate debt securities 242,050 248,455 6,493 88
Stated maturity preferred stock 486,390 505,522 19,332 200
$758,143 $784,315 $26,460 $288
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Mortgage-backed securities $1,251,283 $1,274,417 $23,336 $202
State and municipal obligations 41,116 42,526 1,410 -
Corporate debt securities 1,417,668 1,438,640 22,636 1,664
Stated maturity preferred stock 63,214 64,444 1,284 54
Perpetual preferred stock 88,726 91,497 2,771 -
Common stock 605 - - 605
$2,862,612 $2,911,524 $51,437 $2,525
Dec. 31, 1996
Gross Gross
Amortized Fair unrealized unrealized
cost value gains losses
HELD TO MATURITY
U.S. Government and
agencies obligations $362 $365 $4 $1
Mortgage-backed securities 38,435 38,834 743 344
Corporate debt securities 266,642 274,235 8,447 854
Stated maturity preferred stock 558,482 576,603 19,513 1,392
$863,921 $890,037 $28,707 $2,591
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Mortgage-backed securities $1,009,738 $1,021,603 $14,164 $2,299
State and municipal obligations 55,876 57,726 1,850 -
Corporate debt securities 1,000,316 1,008,077 10,808 3,047
Stated maturity preferred stock 52,458 52,139 109 428
Perpetual preferred stock 68,000 68,282 317 35
Common stock 4,366 5,141 775 -
$2,190,754 $2,212,968 $28,023 $5,809
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
The amortized cost and fair value of securities held to maturity and
available for sale, by contractual maturity, at Dec. 31, 1997, are shown below.
Cash flows will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the
right to call or prepay obligations.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Amortized Fair
cost value
<S> <C> <C>
HELD TO MATURITY
Due within 1 year $78,343 $78,991
Due after 1 through 5 years 381,844 393,317
Due after 5 years through 10 years 168,247 175,540
Due after 10 years 100,369 106,498
728,803 754,346
Mortgage-backed securities 29,340 29,969
$758,143 $784,315
AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Due within 1 year $53,744 $54,074
Due after 1 through 5 years 785,191 794,535
Due after 5 years through 10 years 469,792 480,813
Due after 10 years 213,271 216,188
1,521,998 1,545,610
Mortgage-backed securities 1,251,283 1,274,417
Perpetual preferred stock 88,726 91,497
Common stock 605 -
$2,862,612 $2,911,524
</TABLE>
During the years ended Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, there were no securities
classified as trading securities.
The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross
realized gains and gross realized losses on those sales during the years ended
Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, were as follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Proceeds $161,188 $313,976 $83,970
Gross realized gains 1,292 456 36
Gross realized losses 1,637 5,836 1,854
</TABLE>
Sales of held-to-maturity securities, due to significant credit
deterioration, during the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, were as
follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Amortized cost $32,969 $22,297 $22,782
Gross realized gains 1,621 3,200 2
Gross realized losses 680 513 479
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
During the years ended Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, no securities were
reclassified from held to maturity to available for sale. During the year ended
Dec. 31, 1995, securities with an amortized cost and fair value of $111,967 and
$116,882, respectively, were reclassified from held to maturity to available for
sale. The reclassification was made on Dec. 4, 1995, as a result of adopting the
FASB Special Report, "A Guide to Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities".
B) Investments in securities with fixed maturities comprised 89% and 85% of
IDSC's total invested assets at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Securities
are rated by Moody's and Standard & Poors (S&P), or by Parent's internal
analysts, using criteria similar to Moody's and S&P, when a public rating does
not exist. A summary of investments in securities with fixed maturities by
rating of investment is as follows:
Rating 1997 1996
Aaa/AAA 44% 41%
Aa/AA 1 1
Aa/A 1 1
A/A 14 20
A/BBB 6 6
Baa/BBB 25 24
Below investment grade 9 7
100% 100%
Of the securities rated Aaa/AAA, 83% at Dec. 31, 1997 and 87% at Dec. 31,
1996 are U.S. Government Agency mortgage-backed securities that are not rated by
a public rating agency. Approximately 9% at Dec. 31, 1997 and 11% at Dec. 31,
1996 of other securities with fixed maturities are rated by Parent's internal
analysts. At Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996 no one issuer, other than U.S. Government
Agency mortgage-backed securities, is greater than 1% of IDSC's total investment
in securities with fixed maturities.
C) IDSC reserves freedom of action with respect to its acquisition of
restricted securities that offer advantageous and desirable investment
opportunities. In a private negotiation, IDSC may purchase for its portfolio all
or part of an issue of restricted securities. Since IDSC would intend to
purchase such securities for investment and not for distribution, it would not
be "acting as a distributor" if such securities are resold by IDSC at a later
date.
The fair values of restricted securities are determined by the board of
directors using the procedures and factors described in note 3A.
In the event IDSC were to be deemed to be a distributor of the restricted
securities, it is possible that IDSC would be required to bear the costs of
registering those securities under the Securities Act of 1933, although in most
cases such costs would be incurred by the issuer of the restricted securities.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
4. Investments in first mortgage loans on real estate
At Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, IDSC's recorded investment in impaired mortgage
loans was $363 and $847, respectively, and the reserve for loss on those amounts
was $261 and $611, respectively. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the average
recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans was $743, $925 and $1,052,
respectively.
IDSC recognized $37, $88 and $53 of interest income related to impaired
mortgage loans for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
During the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, there were no changes
in the reserve for loss on mortgage loans of $611.
At Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, approximately 5% and 6%, respectively, of IDSC's
invested assets were first mortgage loans on real estate. A summary of first
mortgage loans by region and type of real estate is as follows:
Region 1997 1996
South Atlantic 23% 22%
West North Central 21 17
East North Central 18 21
Mountain 13 15
Middle Atlantic 11 14
West South Central 6 5
New England 5 3
Pacific 3 3
100% 100%
Property Type 1997 1996
Retail/shopping centers 31% 36%
Apartments 23 33
Office buildings 20 9
Industrial buildings 17 13
Other 9 9
100% 100%
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
The carrying amounts and fair values of first mortgage loans on real estate
are as follows at Dec. 31. The fair values are estimated using discounted cash
flow analysis, using market interest rates currently being offered for loans
with similar maturities.
Dec. 31, 1997 Dec. 31, 1996
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
amount value amount value
First mortgage loans on real estate $213,044 $216,951 $219,308 $221,253
Reserve for losses (611) - (611) -
Net first mortgage loans on
real estate $212,433 $216,951 $218,697 $221,253
At Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996, commitments for fundings of first mortgage
loans, at market interest rates, aggregated $9,375 and $9,300, respectively.
IDSC employs policies and procedures to ensure the creditworthiness of the
borrowers and that funds will be available on the funding date. IDSC's loan
fundings are restricted to 80% or less of the market value of the real estate at
the time of the loan funding. Management believes there is no fair value for
these commitments.
5. Certificate reserves
Reserves maintained on outstanding certificates have been computed in
accordance with the provisions of the certificates and Section 28 of the 1940
Act. The average rates of accumulation on certificate reserves at Dec. 31, 1997
and 1996 were:
1997
Average Average
Reserve gross additional
balance accumulation credit
rate rate
Installment certificates:
Reserves to mature:
With guaranteed rates $24,316 3.50 1.35%
Without guaranteed rates (A) 318,903 - 2.96
Additional credits and accrued interest 19,554 3.17 -
Advance payments and accrued interest (C) 968 3.17 1.68
Other 56 -
Fully paid certificates:
Reserves to mature:
With guaranteed rates 165,258 3.21 1.83
Without guaranteed rates (A) and (D) 3,020,933 - 5.03
Additional credits and accrued interest 174,699 3.21 -
Due to unlocated certificate holders 291 - -
$3,724,978
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
1996
Average Average
Reserve gross additional
balance accumulation credit
rate rate
Installment certificates:
Reserves to mature:
With guaranteed rates $32,512 3.50 1.35%
Without guaranteed rates (A) 311,832 - 2.97
Additional credits and accrued interest 21,931 3.14 -
Advance payments and accrued interest 1,198 3.15 1.70
Other 55 - -
Fully paid certificates:
Reserves to mature:
With guaranteed rates 187,272 3.23 1.79
Without guaranteed rates (A) and (D) 2,560,418 - 5.03
Additional credits and accrued interest 167,673 3.23 -
Due to unlocated certificate holders 300 - -
$3,283,191
A) There is no minimum rate of accrual on these reserves. Interest is
declared periodically, quarterly or annually, in accordance with the terms of
the separate series of certificates.
B) On certain series of single payment certificates, additional interest is
predeclared for periods greater than one year. At Dec. 31, 1997, $6,375 of
retained earnings had been appropriated for the predeclared additional interest,
which represents the difference between certificate reserves on these series,
calculated on a statutory basis, and the reserves maintained per books.
C) Certain series of installment certificates guarantee accrual of interest
on advance payments at an average of 3.17%. IDSC has increased the rate of
accrual to 4.85% through April 30, 1999. An appropriation of retained earnings
amounting to $50 has been made, which represents the estimated additional
accrual that will result from the increase granted by IDSC.
D) IDS Stock Market Certificate enables the certificate owner to
participate in any relative rise in a major stock market index without risking
loss of principal. Generally the certificate has a term of 12 months and may
continue for up to 14 successive terms. The reserve balance at Dec. 31, 1997 and
1996 was $416,485 and $309,570, respectively.
E) The carrying amounts and fair values of certificate reserves consisted
of the following at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996. Fair values of certificate reserves
with interest rate terms of one year or less approximated the carrying values
less any applicable surrender charges.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
The fair values for other certificate reserves are determined by a
discounted cash flow analysis using interest rates currently offered for
certificates with similar remaining terms, less any applicable surrender
charges.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
1997 1996
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
amount value amount value
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reserves with terms of one year or less $3,186,971 $3,185,396 $2,637,144 $2,635,835
Other 538,007 551,988 646,047 673,772
Total certificate reserves 3,724,978 3,737,384 3,283,191 3,309,607
Unapplied certificate transactions 868 868 1,217 1,217
Certificate loans and accrued interest (37,495) (37,495) (43,980) (43,980)
Total $3,688,351 $3,700,757 $3,240,428 $3,266,844
</TABLE>
6. Dividend restriction
Certain series of installment certificates outstanding provide that cash
dividends may be paid by IDSC only in calendar years for which additional
credits of at least one-half of 1% on such series of certificates have been
authorized by IDSC. This restriction has been removed for 1998 and 1999 by
IDSC's declaration of additional credits in excess of this requirement.
7. Fees paid to Parent and affiliated companies ($ not in thousands)
A) The basis of computing fees paid or payable to Parent for investment
advisory and other general and administrative services is:
The investment advisory and services agreement with Parent provides for a
graduated scale of fees equal on an annual basis to 0.750% on the first $250
million of total book value of assets of IDSC, 0.650% on the next $250 million,
0.550% on the next $250 million, 0.500% on the next $250 million and 0.107% on
the amount in excess of $1 billion. Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on the
amount in excess of $1 billion was changed from 0.450% to 0.107%. The fee is
payable monthly in an amount equal to one-twelfth of each of the percentages set
forth above. Excluded from assets for purposes of this computation are first
mortgage loans, real estate and any other asset on which IDSC pays an outside
service fee.
B) The basis of computing fees paid or payable to American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. (an affiliate) for distribution services is:
Fees payable to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. on sales of IDSC's
certificates are based upon terms of agreements giving American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. the exclusive right to distribute the certificates
covered under the agreements. The agreements provide for payment of fees over a
period of time.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in sales promotions
involving one or more of the certificates and their respective terms. These
promotions may offer a special interest rate to attract new clients or retain
existing clients. To cover the cost of these promotions, distribution fees paid
to American Express Financial Advisors may be lowered. For the promotion of
IDSC's 7-month and 13-month term Flexible Savings certificate which occurred
Sept. 10, 1997 to Nov. 25, 1997, the distribution fee for sales of these
certificates was lowered to 0.067%.
The aggregate fees payable under the agreements per $1,000 face amount of
installment certificates and a summary of the periods over which the fees are
payable are:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Number of
certificate
years over
Aggregate fees payable which
subsequent
First Subsequent years' fees
Total year years are payable
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
On sales effective April 30, 1997 $25.00 $ 2.50 $22.50 9
On sales prior to April 30, 1997(a) 30.00 6.00 24.00 4
</TABLE>
(a) At the end of the sixth through the 10th year, an additional fee of
0.5% is payable on the daily average balance of the certificate reserve
maintained during the sixth through the 10th year, respectively.
Effective April 30, 1997, fees on Cash Reserve and Flexible Savings
Certificates are paid at a rate of 0.20% of the purchase price at the time of
issuance and 0.20% of the reserves maintained for these certificates at the
beginning of the second and subsequent quarters from issue date. For
certificates sold prior to April 30, 1997, fees were paid at a rate of 0.25% of
the purchase price at the time of issuance and are paid at the rate of 0.25% of
the reserves maintained for these certificates at the beginning of the second
and subsequent quarters from issue date.
Fees on the Future Value Certificate were paid at the rate of 5% of the
purchase price at time of issuance. Effective May 1, 1997, the Future Value
Certificate is no longer being offered for sale.
Fees on the Investors Certificate are paid at an annualized rate of 1% of
the reserves maintained for the certificates. Fees are paid at the end of each
term on certificates with a one, two or three-month term. Fees are paid each
quarter from date of issuance on certificates with a six, 12, 24 or 36-month
term.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
Fees on the Preferred Investors Certificate are paid at an annualized rate
of 0.66% of the reserves maintained for the certificates. Fees are paid at the
end of each term on certificates with a one, two or three-month term. Fees are
paid each quarter from date of issuance on certificates with a six, 12, 24 or
36-month term.
Effective April 30, 1997, fees on the IDS and American Express Stock Market
Certificates are paid at the rate of 0.70% of the purchase price on the first
day of the certificate's term and 0.70% of the reserves maintained for these
certificates at the beginning of each subsequent term. For certificates sold
prior to April 30, 1997, fees were paid at a rate of 1.25% of the purchase price
on the first day of the certificate's term and are paid at a rate of 1.25% of
the reserves maintained for these certificates at the beginning of each
subsequent term.
C) The basis of computing depositary fees paid or payable to American Express
Trust Company (an affiliate) is:
Maintenance charge per account 5 cents per $1,000 of assets on deposit
Transaction charge $20 per transaction
Security loan activity:
Depositary Trust Company
receive/deliver $20 per transaction
Physical receive/deliver $25 per transaction
Exchange collateral $15 per transaction
A transaction consists of the receipt or withdrawal of securities and
commercial paper and/or a change in the security position. The charges are
payable quarterly except for maintenance, which is an annual fee.
D) The basis for computing fees paid or payable to American Express Bank Ltd.
(an affiliate) for the distribution of the American Express Special Deposits
Certificate on an annualized basis is:
1.25% of the reserves maintained for the certificates on an amount from
$100,000 to $249,000, 0.80% on an amount from $250,000 to $499,000, 0.65% on an
amount from $500,000 to $999,000 and 0.50% on an amount $1,000,000 or more. Fees
are paid at the end of each term on certificates with a one, two or three-month
term. Fees are paid at the end of each quarter from date of issuance on
certificates with a six, 12, 24 or 36-month term.
E) The basis of computing transfer agent fees paid or payable to American
Express Client Service Corporation (AECSC) (an affiliate) is:
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement effective Jan. 1, 1998, AECSC will
maintain certificate owner accounts and records. IDSC will pay AECSC a monthly
fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per certificate owner account.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
8. Income taxes
Income tax benefit (expense) as shown in the statement of operations for
the three years ended Dec. 31, consists of:
1997 1996 1995
Federal:
Current $1,138 $5,560 $6,285
Deferred 2,266 1,124 2,652
3,404 6,684 8,937
State (65) (27) 43
Total income tax benefit $3,339 $6,657 $8,980
Income tax benefit (expense) differs from that computed by using the U.S.
Statutory rate of 35%. The principal causes of the difference in each year are
shown below:
1997 1996 1995
Federal tax expense at U.S. statutory rate ($8,378) ($5,711) ($6,307)
Tax-exempt interest 724 1,517 3,339
Dividend exclusion 11,044 10,865 12,166
Other, net 14 13 (261)
Federal tax benefit $3,404 $6,684 $8,937
Deferred income taxes result from the net tax effects of temporary
differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements
that will result in differences between income for tax purposes and income for
financial statement purposes in future years. Principal components of IDSC's
deferred tax assets and liabilities as of Dec. 31, are as follows.
Deferred tax assets: 1997 1996
Certificate reserves $13,488 $13,028
Investment reserves 502 540
Other, net 19 19
Total deferred tax assets $14,009 $13,587
Deferred tax liabilities: 1997 1996
Deferred distribution fees $7,382 $8,934
Investment unrealized gains 17,119 7,775
Purchased/written call options 3,557 3,429
Dividends receivable 654 745
Investments 429 714
Return of capital dividends 43 87
Total deferred tax liabilities $29,184 $21,684
Net deferred tax liabilities $15,175 $8,097
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
9. Derivative financial instruments
IDSC enters into transactions involving derivative financial instruments as
an end user (nontrading). IDSC uses these instruments to manage its exposure to
interest rate risk and equity price risk, including hedging specific
transactions. IDSC manages risks associated with these instruments as described
below.
Market risk is the possibility that the value of the derivative financial
instrument will change due to fluctuations in a factor from which the instrument
derives its value, primarily an interest rate or a major market index. IDSC is
not impacted by market risk related to derivatives held because derivatives are
largely used to manage risk and, therefore, the cash flows and income effects of
the derivatives are inverse to the effects of the underlying hedged
transactions.
Credit risk is the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the
terms of the contract. IDSC monitors credit risk related to derivative financial
instruments through established approval procedures, including setting
concentration limits by counterparty, reviewing credit ratings and requiring
collateral where appropriate. At Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC's counterparties to the
interest rate floors and swaps are rated A or better by nationally recognized
rating agencies. The counterparties to the purchased call options are seven
major broker/dealers.
The notional or contract amount of a derivative financial instrument is
generally used to calculate the cash flows that are received or paid over the
life of the agreement. Notional amounts do not represent market or credit risk
and are not recorded on the balance sheet.
Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is measured by the
replacement cost of those contracts at the balance sheet date. The replacement
cost represents the fair value of the instrument, and is determined by market
values, dealer quotes or pricing models.
IDSC's holdings of derivative financial instruments were as follows at Dec.
31, 1997 and 1996.
1997
Notional Total
or contract Carrying Fair credit
amount value value risk
Assets:
Interest rate floors $500,000 $205 $251 $251
Purchased call options 389 55,922 54,609 54,609
Total $500,389 $56,127 $54,860 $54,860
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps $1,000,000 $416 $2,138 $-
Written call options 376 24,739 32,990 -
Total $1,000,376 $25,155 $35,128 $-
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
1996
Notional Total
or contract Carrying Fair credit
amount value value risk
Assets:
Interest rate caps and corridors $200,000 $- $188 $188
Purchased call options 362 36,164 34,987 34,987
Total $200,362 $36,164 $35,175 $35,175
Liabilities:
Written call options $337 $9,552 $17,571 $-
The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on market
values, dealer quotes or pricing models. The interest rate floors expire in
April of 1999 and $500,000 notional amount of the interest rate swaps expires in
May of 1998 and $500,000 expire in April of 1999. The options expire throughout
1998.
Interest rate caps, corridors, floors and swaps, and options are used to
manage IDSC's exposure to rising interest rates. These instruments are used
primarily to protect the margin between the interest earned on investments and
the interest rate credited to related investment certificate owners.
The interest rate floors are reset monthly and IDSC earns interest on the
notional amount to the extent the U.S. Treasury securities at "constant
maturity" for a period of one year exceed the reference rates specified in the
floor agreements. These reference rates range from 4.6% to 4.7%. The cost of
interest rate floors is amortized over the terms of the agreements on a straight
line basis and is included in other qualified assets. The amortization, net of
any interest earned, is included in investment expenses.
The interest rate caps and corridors were reset quarterly and IDSC earned
interest on the notional amount to the extent the London Interbank Offering Rate
exceeded the reference rates specified in the cap and corridor agreements. These
reference rates ranged from 4% to 9%. The cost of interest rate caps and
corridors is amortized over the terms of the agreements on a straight line basis
and is included in other qualified assets. The amortization, net of any interest
earned, is included in investment expenses.
The interest rate swaps are reset monthly. IDSC pays a fixed rate on the
notional amount ranging from 5.46% to 6.72% and receives a floating rate on the
notional amount tied to the U.S. Treasury securities at "constant maturity" for
a period of one year. There is no cost carried on the balance sheet. The
carrying amount shown above represents the net interest receivable/payable under
the swap agreements. Interest earned and interest expensed under the agreements
is shown net in investment expenses.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
IDSC offers a series of certificates which pays interest based upon the
relative change in a major stock market index between the beginning and end of
the certificates' term. The certificate owners have the option of participating
in the full amount of increase in the index during the term (subject to a
specified maximum) or a lesser percentage of the increase plus a guaranteed
minimum rate of interest. As a means of hedging its obligations under the
provisions of these certificates, IDSC purchases and writes call options on the
major market index. The options are cash settlement options, that is, there is
no underlying security to deliver at the time the contract is closed out.
Each purchased (written) call option contract confers upon the holder the
right (obligation) to receive (pay) an amount equal to one hundred dollars times
the difference between the level of the major stock market index on the date the
call option is exercised and the strike price of the option.
The option contracts are less than one year in term. The premiums paid or
received on these index options are reported in other qualified assets or other
liabilities, as appropriate, and are amortized into investment expense over the
life of the option. The intrinsic value of these index options is also reported
in other qualified assets or other liabilities, as appropriate. The unrealized
gains and losses related to the changes in the intrinsic value of these options
are recognized currently in provision for certificate reserves.
Following is a summary of open option contracts at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996.
1997
Contract Average Index at
amount strike price Dec.31,1997
Purchased call options $389 876 970
Written call options 376 969 970
1996
Contract Average Index at
amount strike price Dec.31,1996
Purchased call options $362 669 741
Written call options 337 736 741
10. Fair values of financial instruments
IDSC discloses fair value information for most on- and off-balance sheet
financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The
fair value of the financial instruments presented may not be indicative of their
future fair values. The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments
such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables for dividends and interest,
investment securities sold and other trade receivables, accounts payable due to
Parent and affiliates, payable for investment securities purchased and other
accounts payable and accrued expenses are approximated to be the carrying
amounts disclosed in the balance sheets. Non-financial instruments, such as
deferred distribution fees, are excluded from required disclosure. IDSC's
off-balance sheet intangible assets, such as IDSC's name and future earnings of
the core business are also excluded. IDSC's management believes the value of
these excluded assets is significant. The fair value of IDSC, therefore, cannot
be estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements ($ in thousands unless indicated otherwise)
A summary of fair values of financial instruments as of Dec. 31, is as follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
1997 1996
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
value value value value
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Financial assets:
Assets for which carrying values
approximate fair values $49,940 $49,940 $155,396 $155,396
Investment securities (note 3) 3,669,667 3,695,839 3,076,889 3,103,005
First mortgage loans on real estate (note 4) 212,433 216,951 218,697 221,253
Derivative financial instruments (note 9) 56,127 54,860 36,164 35,175
Financial liabilities:
Liabilities for which carrying values
approximate fair values 48,255 48,255 76,040 76,040
Certificate reserves (note 5) 3,688,351 3,700,757 3,240,428 3,266,844
Derivative financial instruments (note 9) 25,155 35,128 9,552 17,571
</TABLE>
11. Year 2000 issue (Unaudited)
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written
using two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of IDSC. All of the systems
used by IDSC are maintained by its Parent and are utilized by multiple
subsidiaries and affiliates of the Parent. IDSC's business is heavily dependent
upon the Parent's computer systems, and has significant interactions with
systems of third parties.
A comprehensive review of the Parent's computer systems and business
processes, including those specific to IDSC, has been conducted to identify the
major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue. Steps are being
taken to resolve any potential problems including modification to existing
software and the purchase of new software. These measures are scheduled to be
completed and tested on a timely basis. The Parent's goal is to complete
internal remediation and testing of each system by the end of 1998 and to
continue compliance efforts through 1999.
The Parent is evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other
third parties whose system failures could have an impact on IDSC's operations.
The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this time.
<PAGE>
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Earn attractive rates with ready access to your cash reserves.
IDS Cash Reserve Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company (IDSC). You
can purchase this certificate with an initial investment of at least $1,000 or
monthly investments of at least $50. Your principal and interest are guaranteed
by IDSC. Your certificate earns a fixed rate of interest, declared every three
months. Investments in the certificate may continue for successive three-month
terms up to a total of 20 years from the issue date of the certificate. Unless
you receive prior authorization from IDSC, your total investment, excluding
interest earned, cannot exceed $1 million. Your interest rate will be determined
as described in "About the certificate."
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This certificate is backed by IDSC's investments on deposit rather than
guaranteed or insured by the government or someone else. See "Invested and
guaranteed by IDSC" and "Regulated by government" under "How your money is used
and protected."
IDS Certificate Company is not a bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your IDS Cash Reserve
Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the certificate is
the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you invest and keep it
for future reference. No one has the authority to change the terms and
conditions of the IDS Cash Reserve Certificate as described in the prospectus,
or to bind IDSC by any statement not in it.
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
800-437-3133 (toll free) or (612) 671-3800
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
<PAGE>
TTY numbers:
800-846-4293 (toll free) or (612) 671-1630
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
An American Express company
Web site address: http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors
Where to get information about IDSC
IDS Certificate Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Reports and other information on IDSC are filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at
the SEC's Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest rates
IDSC guarantees a fixed interest rate for each three-month term during the life
of the certificate. For your initial term, IDSC guarantees that when the rate
for new purchases takes effect, the rate will be within a specified range of the
average rate for three-month certificates of deposit as published in the most
recent BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market AverageTM, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, as
explained under "About the certificate."
<PAGE>
Here are the interest rates in effect on the date of this prospectus, April 29,
1998:
Investment Simple Effective
amount interest rate* annualized yield**
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------------
$50 to $999 2.96% 3.00%
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------------
$1,000 to $24,999 4.13 4.20
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------------
$25,000 or more 4.33 4.41
- ------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------------------
* Rates may depend on factors described in "Rates for new purchases" under
"About the certificate."
** Assuming monthly compounding.
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. Rates for later three-month terms are set at the discretion of IDSC
and may also differ from the rates shown here. See "Rates for new purchases"
under "About the Certificate" for further information.
We reserve the right to issue other securities with different terms.
<PAGE>
Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts and terms p
Face amount and principal p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash during the term p
Interest p
Rates for new purchases p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
Three ways to make investments p
Full and partial withdrawals p
When your certificate term ends p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Retirement plans: special policies p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Retirement accounts p
Gifts to minors p
How to determine the correct TIN p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
<PAGE>
How your money is managed p
Relationship between IDSC and American
Express Financial Corporation p
About American Express Service Corporation
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
Transfer Agent
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
IDS Certificates
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts and terms
You may purchase the IDS Cash Reserve Certificate with an initial investment of
at least $1,000 or monthly investments of at least $50 through scheduled bank
authorization or payroll deduction. Your total investments over the life of the
certificate may not exceed $1 million unless you receive prior authorization
from IDSC.
The certificate may be used as an investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA), 401(k) plan account or other qualified retirement plan account. A
minimum investment of $50 per month is required for these types of accounts. If
so used, the amount of your contribution (investment) will be subject to any
limitations of the plan and applicable federal law.
Face amount and principal
The face amount of the certificate is the amount of your initial investment, and
will remain the same over the life of the certificate.
The principal is the amount that is reinvested at the beginning of each
subsequent term, and is calculated as follows:
Principal equals Face amount (initial investment)
plus At the end of a term, interest credited to your account
during the term
minus Any interest paid to you in cash
plus Any additional investments to your certificate
minus Any withdrawals, fees and applicable penalties.
For example: Assume your initial investment (face amount) of $5,000 has earned
$75 of interest during the term. You have not taken any interest as cash, or
made any withdrawals. You have invested an additional $2,500 at the beginning of
the next term.
Your principal for the next term will equal:
$5,000.00 Face amount (initial investment)
plus $75.00 Interest credited to your account
minus ($0.00) Interest paid to you in cash
plus $2,500.00 Additional investment to your certificate
minus ($0.00) Withdrawals and applicable penalties or fees
$7,575.00 Principal at the beginning of the next term.
<PAGE>
Value at maturity
Your certificate matures 20 years from its issue date. At maturity, the value of
your certificate will be the total of your actual investment, plus credited
interest not paid to you in cash, less withdrawals, penalties and fees. When
your certificate matures, you will receive a distribution for your principal,
plus any credited interest, less any withdrawals, penalties and fees. Bank
authorizations will automatically be stopped at maturity or full withdrawal.
Receiving cash during the term
If you need your money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part
or all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
Your investments earn interest from the date they are credited to your account.
Interest is compounded and credited at the end of each certificate month (on the
monthly anniversary of the issue date).
IDSC declares and guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each three month term
during the life of your certificate. We calculate the amount of interest you
earn each certificate month by:
applying the interest rate then in effect to your balance each day;
adding these daily amounts to get a monthly total; and
subtracting interest accrued on any amount you withdraw during the
certificate month.
Interest is calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year basis.
Rates for new purchases
When your application is accepted, and we have received your initial investment,
we will send you a confirmation showing the rate that your investment will earn
for the first term. For accounts of $1,000 to $24,999.99 IDSC guarantees that
this rate will be within a range from 30 basis points (0.30%) below to 70 basis
points (0.70%) above the average interest rate published for three-month CDs in
the BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market AverageTM (the BRM Average). For example, if
the average rate most recently published is 4.00%, our rate in effect for that
<PAGE>
week for amounts of $1,000 to $24,999.99 would be between 3.70% to 4.70%. For
accounts of $25,000 or more, this rate will be within a range from 10 basis
points (0.10%) below to 90 basis points (.90%) above the same index rate. For
accounts of less than $1,000, this rate will be within a range of 135 basis
points (1.35%) below to 35 basis points (0.35%) below this average interest
rate.
The BANK RATE MONITOR is a weekly magazine published in North Palm Beach, FL
33408, by Advertising News Service Inc., an independent national news
organization that collects and disseminates information about bank products and
interest rates. Advertising News Service Inc. has no connection with IDSC,
American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC), or any of their affiliates.
The BRM Average is an index of rates and annual effective yields offered on
various length certificates of deposit by large banks and thrifts in 25
metropolitan areas. The frequency of compounding varies among the banks and
thrifts. Certificates of deposit in the BRM Average are government insured
fixed-rate time deposits.
The BANK RATE MONITOR may be available in your local library. To obtain
information on the current BRM Average rates, call the Client Service
Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover between 8 a.m.
and 6 p.m. your local time.
Rates for new purchases are reviewed and may change weekly. Normally, the rate
you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect on the date of your application; or
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC.
However if your application bears a date more than seven days before its receipt
by IDSC, the rate you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC; or
the rate in effect seven days prior to receipt.
Except for specific promotions, IDSC guarantees an initial rate 25 basis points
above the rate offered to the general public on this IDS certificate if it is
purchased by using the CD transfer service offered by American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. to help you transfer money from a bank or thrift CD account to
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. investments. Consequently, the highest
and lowest rate in the range of rates for initial terms of such certificates
purchased using the CD transfer service will be 25 basis points higher than the
comparable rates described at the beginning of this section for ranges of rates
for initial terms. To be eligible for this rate, you must transfer at least
$10,000 from a CD account to IDSC to purchase one or more IDS Cash Reserve
Certificates and/or IDS Flexible Savings Certificates, and this rate will only
apply to those certificates.
<PAGE>
Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in promotions involving one
or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
purchase or use other products or services offered by American Express Company
or its affiliates. Rates also may vary depending on the amount you invest, your
geographic location and whether the certificate is purchased for an IRA or
qualified retirement plan account.
These promotions will generally be for a specified period of time. If we offer a
promotion, the rates for new purchases will be within the range of rates
described under "Rates for new purchases," above.
Rates for future terms: Interest on your certificate for future three-month
terms may be greater or less than the rates you receive during the first three
months. In setting future rates, a primary consideration will be the prevailing
investment climate, including three-month CD rates as reflected in the BRM
Average. Nevertheless, we have complete discretion as to what interest shall be
declared beyond the initial three-month term. If the BRM Average is no longer
publicly available or feasible to use, IDSC may use another similar index as a
guide for setting rates.
Performance: From February 1993 through February 1998, IDS Cash Reserve yields
were generally higher than average bank and thrift three-month CD yields, as
measured by the BRM Average.
Yields from February 1993 through February 1998
4% IDS Cash Reserve Certificate
3% Certificate of Deposit - Three Month
2% Money Market Deposit Account
Three lines comparing the yields for IDS Cash Reserve
Certificate versus money market deposit accounts and
three-month certificates of deposit, with IDS Cash Reserve's
line generally above the other two.
`93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
This graph compares past yields offered on IDS Cash Reserve Certificate to those
of three-month CDs and money market deposit accounts and should not be
considered a prediction of future performance.
<PAGE>
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your American Express financial advisor will help you fill out and submit an
application to open an account with us and purchase a certificate. We will
process the application at our corporate offices in Minneapolis. When your
application is accepted and we have received your initial investment, we will
send you a confirmation of your purchase, indicating your account number and
applicable rate of interest for your first term, as described under "Rates for
new purchases." See "Purchase policies" below.
Additional investments
You may make additional investments at any time. Additional investments must be
at least $50 and your total investment, less withdrawals, may not exceed $1
million (unless you receive prior authorization from IDSC to invest more). You
will earn interest on additional investments from the date we accept them. IDSC
will send a confirmation of additional investments.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide IDSC with your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or Employer Identification
Number).
See "Taxes on your earnings."
Purchase policies:
Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis headquarters
on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be included in your account
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
You have 15 days from the date of purchase to cancel your investment
without penalty by either writing or calling the Client Service Organization
at the address or phone number on the back of this prospectus. If you decide
to cancel your certificate within this 15-day period you will not earn any
interest.
If you purchase a certificate with a personal check or other non-guaranteed
funds, AEFC will wait one day for the process of converting your check to
federal funds (e.g., monies of member banks with the Federal Reserve Bank)
before your purchase will be accepted and you begin earning interest.
IDSC has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
<PAGE>
You must maintain a balance of at least $1,000 in your Cash Reserve
Certificate account unless you are using an authorized systematic pay-in or
payout arrangement. If you use a scheduled pay-in arrangement, your minimum
balance requirement is $50.
If you make no investments for a period of at least 12 consecutive months
and your principal is less than $1,000, we will send you a notice of our
intent to cancel the certificate. After the notice, if an investment is not
made within 60 days your certificate will be canceled, and we will send you
a check for its full value.
A number of special policies apply to purchases, withdrawals and exchanges
within IRAs, 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement plans. See "Retirement
plans: special policies."
Three ways to make investments
1. By scheduled investment plan
Contact your financial advisor to set up one of the following scheduled plans
for monthly investments:
Bank authorization (automatic deduction from your account)
automatic payroll deduction
direct deposit of social security check
other plan approved by IDSC
monthly minimum investment must be $50
To cancel a bank authorization, you must instruct IDSC in writing or over the
phone. We must receive notice at least three business days before the date funds
would normally be withdrawn from your bank account.
<PAGE>
2. By mail
For monthly or lump sum investments, send your check along with your name and
account number to:
Regular mail: Express mail:
American Express American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 Minneapolis, MN 55402
3. By wire
If you have an established account, you may wire to:
Norwest Bank Minneapolis
Routing No. 091000019
Minneapolis, MN
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept.
Give these instructions: Credit IDS Account #00-30-015 for personal account #
(your personal number) for (your name).
If this information is not included, the order may be rejected and all money
received, less any costs AEFC incurs, will be returned promptly.
Minimum amounts each wire investment: $1,000.
Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, AEFC, IDSC and
Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for business.
Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received and we accept
the purchase.
Bank wire purchases are not sent until the next day.
Wire investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be credited
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
IDSC, AEFC and its other subsidiaries are not responsible for any delays
that occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by the bank.
<PAGE>
You must pay for any fee the bank charges for wiring.
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. If you purchase this certificate for an
IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan account, early withdrawals or cash
payments of interest taken prematurely may be subject to IRS penalty taxes.
Complete withdrawal of your certificate is made by giving us proper
instructions.
To complete these transactions, see "Two ways to request a withdrawal
or transfer."
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Interest payments in cash may be sent to you at the end of each certificate
month, quarter, or on a semiannual or annual basis.
Scheduled partial withdrawals may be sent to you monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually. The minimum withdrawal amount is $50.
Withdrawals before the end of the certificate month will result in loss of
interest on the amount withdrawn. You'll get the best result by timing a
withdrawal at the end of the certificate month.
Withdrawals that reduce your certificate's principal below a break point
for a lower interest rate will cause the remaining principal to earn the
lower interest rate for the rest of the term from the date of the
withdrawal.
You may not make a withdrawal from your certificate if that withdrawal
causes your balance to fall below $1,000 unless you are making bank
authorization or payroll deduction payments or taking systematic payments
from your certificate. In these instances, the remaining balance will earn
the lower interest rate in effect for balances of less than $1,000.
When your certificate term ends
Shortly before the end of your certificate's term we will send you a notice
indicating the interest rate that will apply to the new term. Unless you tell us
otherwise, your certificate will automatically continue for another term. The
interest rate that will apply to your new term will be the rate in effect on the
day the new term begins. This rate of interest will not
<PAGE>
be changed during that term unless your certificate's principal falls below a
break point for a lower interest rate.
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
the date of your payment before IDSC mails a check to you. A check may be
mailed earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to any other IDS certificate or
into another new or existing American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account
that has the same ownership (subject to any terms and conditions that may
apply).
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Call the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed
on the back cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your local time.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
Transfers into an American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with the
same ownership.
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone request believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests.
<PAGE>
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
2
By mail
Send your name, account number and request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000.
Pension plans and custodial accounts where the minor has reached the age at
which custodianship should terminate.
Transfers to another American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with
different ownership (all current registered owners must sign the request).
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing.
Payable to name(s) you requested.
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. We will
deduct the fee from your remaining certificate balance, provided that
balance would not be less than $1,000. If the balance would be less than
$1,000, the fee is deducted from the proceeds of the withdrawal.
<PAGE>
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000.
Request that money be wired to your bank.
Bank account must be in same ownership as IDSC account.
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization
section in the application or use a form supplied by your American Express
financial advisor. All
registered owners must sign.
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
3
By electronic transfer
Available only for pre-authorized scheduled partial withdrawals and other
full or partial withdrawals.
No charge.
Deposited electronically in your bank account.
Allow two to five business days from request to deposit.
Retirement plans: special policies
If the certificate is purchased for a 401(k) plan or other qualified
retirement plan account, the terms and conditions of the certificate apply
to the plan as the owner of this certificate. However, the terms of the
plan, as interpreted by the plan trustee or administrator, will determine
how a participant's individual account under the plan is administered. These
terms may differ from the terms of the certificate.
If your certificate is held in a Custodial Retirement Plan (or Keogh plan),
special rules may apply at maturity. If no other investment instructions are
provided directing how to handle your certificate at maturity, the full
value of the certificate will automatically transfer to a new or existing
cash management account according to the rules outlined in the Custodial
Retirement Plan document.
<PAGE>
The annual custodial fee for IRA or non-401(k) qualified retirement plans
may be deducted from your certificate account. It may reduce the amount
payable at maturity or the amount received upon an early withdrawal.
Retirement plan withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal penalties or loss
of interest even if they are not subject to federal tax penalties.
If you withdraw all funds from your last account in an IRA at American
Express Trust Company, a termination fee will apply as set out in Your Guide
to IRAs, the IRS disclosure information received when you opened your
account.
The IRA termination fee will be waived if a withdrawal occurs after you
have reached age 70 1/2 or upon the owner's death.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not negotiable, IDSC will transfer ownership upon
written notification to our Client Service Organization. However, if you have
purchased your certificate for an IRA, 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement
plan, you may be unable to transfer or assign the certificate without losing the
account's favorable tax status.
Please consult your tax advisor.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your American Express financial advisor or call the Client
Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Taxes on your earnings
Interest on your certificate is taxable when credited to your account. Each
calendar year we provide the certificate account owner and the IRS with reports
of all earnings over $10 (Form 1099). Withdrawals are reported to the
certificate account owner and the IRS on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker
Transactions.
Retirement accounts
If you are using the certificate as an investment for an IRA, 401(k) plan
account or other qualified retirement plan account, income tax rules for your
IRA or qualified plan apply. Generally, you will pay no income taxes on your
investment's earnings -- and, in many cases, on part or all of the investment
itself -- until you begin to make withdrawals.
<PAGE>
IDSC will withhold federal income taxes of 10% on IRA withdrawals unless you
tell us not to. IDSC is required to withhold federal income taxes of 20% on most
other qualified plan distributions, unless the distribution is directly rolled
over to another qualified plan or IRA.
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are generally subject to a penalty tax of
10% by the IRS if you make them before age 59 1/2, unless you are disabled or if
they are made by your beneficiary in the event of your death. Other exceptions
may also apply. Also, withdrawals of principal during a certificate month may be
subject to the certificate's provision for loss of interest.
Consult your tax advisor to see how these rules apply to you before you request
a distribution from your plan or IRA.
Gifts to minors
The certificate may be given to a minor under either the Uniform Gifts or
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), whichever applies in your state.
UGMAs/UTMAs are irrevocable. Generally, under federal tax laws, income over
$1,200 on property owned by children under age 14 will be taxed at the parents'
marginal tax rate, while income on property owned by children 14 or older will
be taxed at the child's rate.
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding: As with any
financial account you open, you must list your current and correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social Security or Employer
Identification Number. The TIN must be certified under penalties of perjury on
your application when you open an account.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect, you could be
subject to backup withholding of 31% of your interest earnings. You could also
be subject to further penalties, such as:
a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN;
a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that results in no
backup withholding; and
criminal penalties for falsifying information.
You could also be subject to backup withholding because you failed to report
interest on your tax return as required.
<PAGE>
To help you determine the correct TIN to use on various types of accounts,
please use this chart:
How to determine the correct TIN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or Employer
Identification Number of:
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals listed on the
account
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
A living trust The grantor-trustee
(the person who puts the money
into the trust)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate The legal entity
(not the personal representative or trustee,
unless no legal entity is designated in the
account title)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Sole proprietorship The owner
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Partnership The partnership
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Corporate The corporation
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Association, club or tax-exempt The organization
organization
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or local American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. office for federal Form W-9, "Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."
<PAGE>
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply IDSC
with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your certificate,
and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply both a current
mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if different. IDSC will not
accept purchases of certificates by nonresident aliens without an appropriately
certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute). Also, if you do not supply Form W-8
you will be subject to backup withholding on interest payments and withdrawals.
Interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as defined in U.S. Internal
Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident alien. Even though your
interest income is not taxed by the U.S. government, it will be reported at year
end to you and to the U.S. government on a Form 1042S, Foreign Person's U.S.
Source Income Subject to Withholding. The United States participates in various
tax treaties with foreign countries, which provide for sharing of tax
information.
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, IDSC generally will not act
on instructions with regard to the certificate unless IDSC first receives, at a
minimum, a statement from persons IDSC believes are knowledgeable about your
estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to IDSC and must tell us
that, on your date of death, your estate did not include any property in the
United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other cases, we generally will
not take action regarding your certificate until we receive a transfer
certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to IDSC that the estate is
being administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and
acting within the United States. In general, a transfer certificate requires the
opening of an estate in the United States and provides assurance that the IRS
will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
<PAGE>
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC
The IDS Cash Reserve Certificate is issued and guaranteed by IDSC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of face amount
certificates in the United States, with total assets of more than $4.0 billion
and a net worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc
and American Express Service Corporation (AESC).
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
Regulated by government
Because the IDS Cash Reserve Certificate is a security, its offer and sale are
subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It is a
face-amount certificate -- not a bank product, an equity investment, a form of
life insurance or an investment trust.)
The federal Investment Company Act of 1940 requires us to keep investments on
deposit in a segregated custodial account to protect all of our outstanding
certificates. These investments back the entire value of your certificate
account. Their amortized cost must exceed the required carrying value of the
outstanding certificates by at least $250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the
amortized cost of these investments exceeded the required carrying value of our
outstanding certificates by more than $176 million.
<PAGE>
Backed by our investments
Our investments are varied and of high quality. This was the composition of our
portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of IDSC use their best judgment,
subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on independent
<PAGE>
rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be rated
investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be the
equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks, and mortgages) in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in real estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of IDSC's assets.
<PAGE>
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest, dividends and other
distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to vote these
securities if a major event affecting our investment is under consideration. We
expect that outstanding securities loans will not exceed 10 percent of IDSC's
assets.
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments. When-issued
securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may affect IDSC's
investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. IDSC may enter into other
financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the purpose
of managing the interest rate exposures associated with IDSC's assets or
liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance is derived,
at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security or
index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security or index
may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative. We do not
use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number of likely
buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than 15% of
IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid. In
valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
<PAGE>
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
How your money is managed
Relationship between IDSC and American Express Financial Corporation
IDSC was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before IDSC was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial Corporation), our
parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As of Jan. 1, 1995,
IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. IDSC and AEFC have never
failed to meet their certificate payments.
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and
Travelers Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related
Services Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and its
subsidiaries).
<PAGE>
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
Capital structure and certificates issued
IDSC has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common stock,
par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
For the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single payment
certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of single
payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or IDSC as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to
a percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included
assets). Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion
will be 0.107%.
<PAGE>
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of IDSC except mortgage loans, real estate, and
any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by IDSC: The Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
<PAGE>
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., we
pay for the distribution of this certificate as follows:
0.20% of the initial payment on the issue date of the certificate; and
0.20% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through AEFD, we
pay AESC for the distribution of this certificate as follows:
0.20% of the initial payment of the issue date of the certificate; and
0.20% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
for all series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended
Dec. 31, 1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
distribution fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. pays commissions to its financial
advisors and pays other selling expenses in connection with services to us.
Our board of directors, including a majority of directors who are not
interested persons of American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or IDSC,
approved this distribution agreement.
Transfer Agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AESC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AESC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
<PAGE>
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those
offered by qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
Directors and officers
IDSC's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually for a
term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings,Inc.Former vice president and group executive,
Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
<PAGE>
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager -
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president -
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
<PAGE>
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Services of AEFC from July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Treasury of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
IDSC has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
<PAGE>
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
IDS Certificates
Other certificates issued by IDSC: Your American Express financial advisor can
give you more information on five other certificates issued by IDSC. These
certificates offer a wide range of investment terms and features.
IDS Flexible Savings Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments and on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
term of six, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
IDS Installment Certificate - An installment payment certificate that declares
interest in advance for a three-month period and offers bonuses in the third
through sixth years for regular investments.
IDS Market Strategy Certificate - A certificate that pays interest at a fixed
rate or linked to one-year stock market performance, as measured by a broad
market index, for a series of one-year terms starting every month or at other
intervals the client selects.
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate - A single payment certificate that combines
a competitive fixed rate of return with IDSC's guarantee of principal for large
investments of $250,000 to $5 million.
IDS Stock Market Certificate - A single payment certificate that calculates all
or part of your interest based on stock market performance, as measured by a
broad market index, with IDSC's guarantee of return of principal.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back Cover)
Quick telephone reference
Client Service Organization
Withdrawals, transfers, inquiries
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 612-671-3800
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4293
American Express Easy Access Line
Account value, cash transaction information, current rate information (automated
response, Touchtone(R) phones only)
National/Minnesota: 800-862-7919
Mpls./St. Paul area: 800-862-7919
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
IDS Installment Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Earn attractive rates while you build your savings.
IDS Installment Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company (IDSC). You
can purchase this certificate with monthly investments of at least $50 but not
more than $5,000 (unless you receive prior authorization from IDSC to invest
more). Your principal is guaranteed by IDSC. Your certificate earns interest,
which is declared every three months, guaranteed for a three-month period and
compounded monthly. In addition, you may receive bonus interest payments if you
make regular investments for specified periods. Your certificate matures 10
years from its issue date.
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This certificate is backed by IDSC's investments on deposit rather than
guaranteed or insured by the government or someone else. See "Invested and
guaranteed by IDSC" and "Regulated by government" under "How your money is used
and protected."
IDS Certificate Company is not a bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your IDS Installment
Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the certificate is
the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you invest and keep it
for future reference. No one has the authority to change the terms and
conditions of the IDS Installment Certificate as described in the prospectus, or
to bind IDSC by any statement not in it.
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
800-437-3133 (toll free) or (612) 671-3800
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
<PAGE>
TTY numbers:
800-846-4293 (toll free) or (612) 671-1630
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
An American Express company
Web site address: http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors
Where to get information about IDSC
IDS Certificate Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Reports and other information on IDSC are filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at
the SEC's Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest rates
IDSC guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each three-month period during the
life of your certificate. The rate for your first three months will be within a
specified range of the average rate for bank money market accounts published in
the most recent BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market AverageTM, North Palm Beach, FL
33408, as explained under "About the certificate," below.
<PAGE>
Here are the interest rates in effect on the date of this prospectus, April 29,
1998:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple interest rate 2.96%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective annualized yield* 3.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Assuming monthly compounding.
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. Rates for later three-month periods are set at the discretion of
IDSC and may also differ from the rates shown here. See "Rates for new
purchases" under "About the certificate" for further information.
We reserve the right to issue other securities with different terms.
<PAGE>
Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts p
Face amount and principal p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash during the term p
Interest p
Rates for new purchases p
Bonus payments p
Calculating your bonus p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
Two ways to make investments p
Full and partial withdrawals p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Retirement plans: special policies p
Withdrawal at death p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Retirement accounts p
Gifts to minors p
How to determine the correct TIN p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
<PAGE>
How your money is managed p
Relationship between IDSC and American
Express Financial Corporation p
About American Express Service Corporation p
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
Transfer Agent p
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
IDS Certificates
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts
IDSC offers the IDS Installment Certificate for scheduled monthly purchase
payment installments of at least $50 but not more than $5,000 payable in U.S.
currency. You may also make additional lump-sum investments in any amount, as
long as these investments plus your scheduled payments over the life of the
certificate do not total more than $600,000.
The certificate may be used as an investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA), 401(k) plan account or other qualified retirement plan account.
If so used, the amount of your contribution (investment) will be subject to any
limitations of the plan and applicable federal law.
Face amount and principal
The face amount of your certificate is the total of your scheduled monthly
investments during its 10-year life. The minimum face amount is $6,000 or the
total of 120 monthly investments of $50 each. Your maximum face amount cannot
exceed $600,000. Your principal is the amount you actually invest over the life
of the certificate, less any withdrawals of your investments, and penalties and
fees. It is guaranteed by IDSC.
Value at maturity
Your certificate matures 10 years from its issue date. At maturity, you will
receive a distribution for the value of your certificate, which will be the
total of your actual investments, plus credited interest not paid to you in cash
and any bonus payments, less withdrawals, penalties and fees.
Receiving cash during the term
If you need your money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part
or all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
Your investments earn interest from the date they are credited to your account.
Interest is compounded and credited at the end of each certificate month (on the
monthly anniversary of the issue date).
<PAGE>
IDSC declares and guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each three month term
during the life of your certificate. We calculate the amount of interest you
earn each certificate month by:
applying the interest rate then in effect to your balance each day;
adding these daily amounts to get a monthly total; and
subtracting interest accrued on any amount you withdraw during the
certificate month.
Interest is calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year basis.
Rates for new purchases
When your application is accepted, and we have received your initial investment,
we will send you a confirmation showing the rate that your investment will earn
for the first three-month period. IDSC guarantees that this rate will be within
a range from 25 basis points (0.25%) below to 75 basis points (0.75%) above the
average interest rate for bank money market deposit accounts published in the
BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market AverageTM (the BRM Average) on the first day of
the period the rate is declared for. For example, if the average rate most
recently published is 2.75%, our rate in effect for a one-week period beginning
on the Wednesday after that publication would be between 2.50 and 3.50%. (Bank
money market deposit accounts are government insured.)
The BANK RATE MONITOR is a weekly magazine published in North Palm Beach, FL
33408, by Advertising News Service Inc., an independent national news
organization that collects and disseminates information about bank products and
interest rates. Advertising News Service Inc. has no connection with IDSC,
American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC), or any of their affiliates.
The BRM Average is an index of rates and annual effective yields offered on
various length certificates of deposit by large banks and thrifts in 25
metropolitan areas. The frequency of compounding varies among the banks and
thrifts. Certificates of deposit in the BRM average are government insured
fixed-rate time deposits.
The BANK RATE MONITOR may be available in your local library. To obtain
information on the current BRM Average rates, call the Client Service
Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover between 8 a.m.
and 6 p.m. your local time.
<PAGE>
Rates for new purchases are reviewed and may change weekly. Normally, the rate
you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect on the date of your application; or
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC.
However, if your application bears a date more than seven days before its
receipt by IDSC, the rate you receive will be the higher of:
the rate in effect on the date your application is accepted by IDSC; or
the rate in effect seven days prior to receipt.
Active or retired American Express employees, IDSC directors, American Express
financial advisors, their immediate families and any U.S. employee of any
affiliated company of IDSC are guaranteed an initial rate 75 basis points above
the rate offered to the general public, reflecting the lower distribution costs
associated with such sales. Consequently, the highest and lowest rate in the
range of rates for initial terms of such certificates purchased at the employee
rate will be 75 basis points higher than the comparable rates described at the
beginning of this section for ranges of rates for initial terms.
Rates for future periods: Interest on your certificate for future three-month
periods may be greater or less than the rates you receive during the first three
months. In setting future interest rates, a primary consideration will be the
prevailing investment climate, including bank money market deposit account
average rates as reflected in the BRM Average. Nevertheless, we have complete
discretion as to what interest shall be declared beyond the initial three-month
period. At least six days in advance of each three-month period, we will send
you notice of the rate that your certificate will earn for that period. If the
BRM Average is no longer publicly available or feasible to use, IDSC may use
another, similar index as a guide for setting rates.
Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in promotions involving one
or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
purchase or use products or services offered by American Express Company or its
affiliates.
We also may offer different rates based on your amount invested, maturity
selected, geographic location and whether the certificate is purchased for an
IRA or a qualified retirement account.
<PAGE>
These promotions will generally be for a specified period of time. If we offer a
promotion, rates will be within the range of rates described under "Rates for
new purchases," above.
Performance: From February 1993 through February 1998, IDS Installment
certificate yields were generally higher than average bank money market deposit
accounts and Super Now accounts, as measured by the BRM Average.
Yields from February 1993 through February 1998
4% IDS Installment Certificate
3% Money Market Deposit Account
2% Super NOW Account
Three lines comparing the yields for IDS Installment
Certificate against those of money market and Super NOW
accounts with Installment's yield generally above the other two
lines.
`93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
The graph compares past yields and should not be considered a prediction of
future performance. Monthly compounding is reflected from February 1993 through
February 1998.
Bonus payments
If you meet our requirements for your investments, IDSC will pay you a monthly
bonus for a period of time. Your bonus will be a percentage of your weighted
average monthly investment (WAMI). This percentage may increase from time to
time if you continue to meet our requirements, including maintaining a minimum
balance. These requirements are set out in the table below. All the periods of
12 months mentioned in the table must begin and end on the date we issue your
certificate or an annual anniversary of that date.
<PAGE>
To be eligible for this bonus You must meet these requirements:
for 12 months:
5% annualized bonus During a 12-month period, you must make one or
payment on your WAMI more payments totaling at least $600. In a
subsequent 12-month period, you must make
payments totaling at least an additional $600
for a total principal amount invested of
$1,200, not including interest. The two
12-month periods do not have to be
consecutive. Further the first 12-month period
does not have to be the year beginning with your
first investment. This bonus may be earned in
any certificate year from your second through
your ninth year.
8% annualized bonus During a 12-month period subsequent to your qualification
payment on your WAMI for the 5% annualized bonus payments, you must make one or
more payments totaling at least $600 for a total principal amount invested of
$1,800, not including interest. This bonus may be earned in any certificate year
from your third through your ninth certificate year.
10% annualized bonus During a 12-month period subsequent to your qualification
payment on your WAMI for the 8% annualized bonus payments, you must make one or
more payments totaling at least $600 for a total principal amount invested of
$2,400, not including interest. This bonus may be earned in any certificate year
from your fourth through your ninth certificate year.
20% annualized bonus During a 12-month period subsequent to your qualification
payment on your WAMI for the 10% annualized bonus payments, you must make one or
more payments totaling at least $600 for a total principal amount invested of
$3,000, not including interest. This bonus may be earned in any certificate year
from your fifth through your ninth certificate year.
The rate in the remaining years following attainment of the 20% bonus is
comparable to a fixed rate investment. It may be obtained as soon as your
seventh certificate year or as late as your tenth certificate year.
Bonus payments are credited to your account at the end of each certificate
month. They immediately become part of your balance and begin to earn interest.
The illustrations below show the cumulative effect of bonus payments on a
hypothetical investment. Suppose you invest $100 per month, receive interest at
a constant rate of 2.96% (an effective annual yield of 3.00%, assuming a Jan. 1
purchase) and make no
<PAGE>
additional lump-sum investments and no withdrawals. (The rate and yield are for
illustration only and may not be in effect when you purchase your certificate.)
Your interest, balance and average annual yield would increase as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Installment Certificate Example
$8,000 ***Amount Paid In
.......Interest
$6,000 -----Bonus
$4,000
$2,000 Graph shows the effect of cumulative interest and bonus earned on an
account from zero through 72 months
6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Installment Certificate example
Without bonus Added by bonus Total with bonus
Cumulative Cumulative Balance Cumulative Cumulative Balance Average
investments interest on bonus interest on annual
investments bonus yield*
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
1st 12 month $1,200.00 $ 19.42 $1,219.42 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $1,219.42 3.00%
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
2nd 12 month 2,400.00 75.42 2,475.42 0.00 0.00 2,475.42 3.00
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
3rd 12 month 3,600.00 169.11 3,769.11 60.00 0.97 3,830.08 4.06
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
4th 12 month 4,800.00 301.62 5,101.00 156.00 4.35 5,261.97 4.54
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
5th 12 month 6,000.00 474.11 6,474.11 276.00 11.10 6,761.21 4.72
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
6th 12 month 7,200.00 687.78 7,887.78 516.00 23.60 8,427.38 5.18
period
- ------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ----------
</TABLE>
* Average from date of issue to end of year indicated.
Important: The increase in yield that you receive from bonus payments may be
more or less than in the example, depending upon interest rates during the six
years following issue of your certificate. If actual interest rates are higher
than in the example, the effect of the bonus will be less. For example, at a
7.00% interest rate, bonus payments would raise the certificate's average annual
yield from issue through year six by 2.06%, compared to 2.18% (5.18 - 3.00) in
the example. If actual interest rates are lower than in the example, the
increase in the average annual yield would be somewhat more than 2.18%.
<PAGE>
Calculating your bonus
To determine your bonus we:
first calculate your average monthly investment over the life of your
certificate, weighting it to reflect the amount of time each dollar has been
invested (your weighted average monthly investment). Money invested early is
given more weight than money invested later.
then calculate your monthly bonus as a specified percentage of your
weighted average monthly investment.
Here is an example to illustrate the two calculations: Suppose you make 24
consecutive monthly investments - $100 per month for the first six months and
$150 per month thereafter (a total of $3300).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Calculating your bonus
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
Month Investment Months Held Weighted
Value
- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
1 100 x 24 = $2,400
2 100 23 2,300
3 100 22 2,200
4 100 21 2,100
5 100 20 2,000
6 100 19 1,900
7... 150 18... 2,700
24 150 1 150
- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
Sum $3,300 Total 300 $38,550
amount invested
over 24 months
- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
</TABLE>
1. Calculate the weighted value of each month's investment.
Multiply the amount invested ($100) by the number of months it is
held - 24 months for the first $100, 23 months for the second, etc.
Example: Amount invested in month 1 is $100. The investment will be
held 24 months. $100 x 24 months = $2,400 monthly weighted value.
2. Add the weighted values:
$2,400 + $2,300 + $2,200 + ...$150 = $38,550 is the total weighted value
of the investment.
<PAGE>
3. Add the number of months held:
24 + 23 + 22 + ...1 = 300.
300 is the total number of months the investment is held.
4. Divide the total weighted value of the investment (step 2) by the total
number of months the investment is held (step 3):
$38,550 / 300 = $128.50 is your weighted average monthly investment
(WAMI) at the end of 24 months.
5. Multiply your WAMI by the applicable bonus percentage (5% in the third year):
5% of $128.50 = $6.43. $6.43 is your bonus payment each month in year
three, a total of $77 for the year.
Here is another example: Suppose you make one investment of $600 in the first
month then your next investment is $600 in the 24th month (a total of $1,200).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Calculating your bonus
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Month Investment Months Held Weighted
Value
- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
1 600 x 24 = $14,400
2 0 23 0
3 0 22 0
4 0 21 0
5 0 20 0
6 0 19 0
7... 0 18 0
24 600 1 600
- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Sum $1,200 Total amount 300 $15,000
invested over 24
months
- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
</TABLE>
1. Calculate the weighted value of each month's investment.
Multiply the amount invested ($600) by the number of months it is held.
Example: Amount invested in month 1 is $600. The investment will be held
24 months. $600 x 24 months = $14,400 monthly weighted value.
<PAGE>
2. Add the weighted values:
$14,400 + 0 + $600 = $15,000.
$15,000 is the total weighted value of the investment.
3. Add the number of months held:
24 + 23 + 22 + ...1 = 300.
300 is the total number of months the investment is held.
4. Divide the total weighted value of the investment (step 2) by the total
number of months the investment is held (step 3):
$15,000 / 300 = $50 is your weighted average monthly investment (WAMI)
at the end of 24 months.
5. Multiply your WAMI by the applicable bonus percentage (5% in the third year):
5% of $50 = $2.50. $2.50 is your bonus payment each month in year three,
a total of $30 for the year.
This procedure is repeated in months 36, 48 and 60 to calculate your weighted
average monthly investment from issue through years three, four and five,
respectively assuming you maintain your regular monthly payments. These weighted
averages are then multiplied by the applicable percentages - 8%, 10% and 20% -
to determine monthly bonus payments for years four, five and six, respectively.
Effect of partial withdrawals: If you withdraw part of your principal, you will
not receive credit toward a bonus for the sum(s) you withdraw or at all, since
you would not qualify for the bonus for the year if the value drops below the
required amount at the required time. In effect, you reduce the size of the
bonus you are eligible to receive. This is because removing principal will
reduce the weighted value of your investment. The weighted value will decrease
in proportion to the amount of principal you withdraw. Using the example above,
if you withdrew $1,000 of the principal before the end of the 24th month, your
total investment would decrease by 30.3% ($1,000/3,300=.303); therefore the
reduction factor you will use to figure out the amount of your reduced bonus is
.303.
To figure out how much your bonus will be, follow these steps:
1. Multiply the original total weighted value (see original example) of
your investment by the reduction factor calculated above.
$38,550 x .303 = $11,680.65.
<PAGE>
2. Subtract the number calculated in Step 1 from the original total
weighted value of your investment.
$38,550 - 11,680.65 = $26,869.35.
The new weighted value of your investment after making the $1,000
withdrawal is $26,869.35.
3. Divide the new weighted value of your investment by the total number of
months held (300 in this example).
$26,869/300 = $89.56.
Your new weighted average monthly investment (WAMI) is $89.56.
4. Multiply the new WAMI by the applicable bonus percentage. In this
example, 5% is the bonus because that is the amount on the third year
bonus.
$89.56 x .05 = $4.48, or $53.76 total bonus for the year.
Withdrawals may also affect your eligibility for bonus payments in the third
through sixth years. To remain eligible your balance at the end of a relevant 12
month period must be at least equal to the amount set out in the table under
"Bonus payments" above. You will become ineligible if withdrawals reduce your
balance below this level at the end of a relevant 12-month period.
Other eligibility policies: If you have not made the required minimum
investments specified earlier, you may not receive bonus payments in the year
bonuses would otherwise be paid. But you may become eligible during the next
bonus period by making the required investments in the next year. For example,
assume that you make the required investments for the first 24 months and
receive bonus payments in the third year. But during the third year, you make
payments of only $400, so the total principal invested is $1,600 instead of the
required $1,800. In that case, you would not receive the bonus payments that
would normally be made in the fourth year. However, if you make all your regular
monthly investments in the fourth year, and your account principal balance
reaches the required equivalent of 36 investments of $50 per month ($1,800 at
the end of the fourth year), then you would qualify for 8% bonus payments in
year five, based on the new weighted average monthly investment.
Interest rate from years seven through 10: This may be as soon as year seven or
as late as year ten. A rate will be declared during the next month in which you
receive a bonus payment and will be guaranteed by IDSC for a three-month period
starting in the next month. Thereafter, the rate will be declared every three
months and guaranteed for three-month periods.
<PAGE>
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your American Express financial advisor will help you fill out and submit an
application to open an account with us and purchase a certificate. We will
process the application at our corporate offices in Minneapolis. When your
application is accepted and we have received your initial investment, we will
send you a confirmation of your purchase, indicating your account number and
showing the rate of interest for your first three months as described under
"Rates for new purchases," above. See "Purchase policies" below.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide IDSC with your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or Employer Identification
Number).
See "Taxes on your earnings."
Purchase policies:
Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis headquarters
on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be included in your account
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
You have 15 days from the date of purchase to cancel your investment
without penalty by either writing or calling the Client Service Organization
at the address or phone number on the back of this prospectus. If you decide
to cancel your certificate within this 15-day period, you will not earn any
interest.
If you purchase a certificate with a personal check or other non-guaranteed
funds, AEFC will wait one day for the process of converting your check to
federal funds (e.g., monies of member banks within the Federal Reserve Bank)
before your purchase will be accepted and you begin earning interest.
IDSC has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
If you make no investments for a period of at least six consecutive months
and your principal is less than $500, we may send you a notice of our intent
to cancel the certificate. After the notice, if an investment is not made
within 60 days, your certificate will be canceled, and we will send you a
check for its full value.
A number of special policies apply to purchases, withdrawals and exchanges
within IRAs, 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement plans. See "Retirement
plans: special policies."
<PAGE>
Two ways to make monthly investments
1
By scheduled investment plan
Contact your financial advisor to set up one of the following scheduled plans:
bank authorization (automatic deduction from your bank account)
automatic payroll deduction
direct deposit of Social Security check
other plan approved by IDSC
To cancel a bank authorization, you must instruct IDSC in writing or over the
phone. We must receive notice at least three business days before the date funds
would normally be withdrawn from your bank account. Bank authorization will
automatically be stopped at maturity or full withdrawal.
2
By mail
Send your check along with your name and account number to:
Regular mail: Express mail:
American Express American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 Minneapolis, MN 55402
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. However:
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Full and partial withdrawals of principal in the first three years are
subject to penalties, described below.
<PAGE>
You may not make a partial withdrawal if it would reduce your certificate
balance to less than $250. If you request such a withdrawal, we will contact
you for revised instructions.
As noted earlier, withdrawals during the first six years will affect the
amount of your bonus payments and may make you ineligible for a bonus. If
you do not receive all your bonus payments in the first six years, future
withdrawals also may affect the amount of your bonus payments. See "Bonus
payments."
Penalties for early withdrawal: If you withdraw money within three years after
the certificate was purchased, you will pay a penalty of 2% of the principal
withdrawn. The 2% penalty is waived upon death of the certificate owner. We also
will waive withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate accounts for
your required distributions.
See "Retirement plans: special policies" below.
When you request a full or partial withdrawal, we pay the amount you request:
first from interest and bonus payments credited to your account;
then from the principal of your certificate.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For example, suppose this is your balance at the end of the second year:
<S> <C>
Total investments $ 7,200.00
Interest and bonus credited $ 488.61
Total balance $ 7,688.61
If you request a $1,000 check, we would withdraw funds in this order:
Credited interest and bonus $ 488.61
Withdrawal of principal $ 511.39
Total requested withdrawal $ 1,000.00
In addition, we would have to withdraw funds to cover the full withdrawal
penalty:
Principal withdrawn $ 511.39
Withdrawal penalty % 2%
Withdrawal penalty $ 10.23
<PAGE>
The total transaction would be:
Beginning balance $ 7,688.61
Credited interest and bonus withdrawn $ (488.61)
Principal withdrawn $ (511.39)
Withdrawal penalty (also from principal) $ (10.23)
Remaining balance $ 6,678.38
</TABLE>
Loss of Interest: If you make a withdrawal at any time other than the last day
of the certificate month, you will lose interest accrued on the withdrawal
amount since the end of the last certificate month.
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
the date of your payment before IDSC mails a check to you. A check may be
mailed earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to any other IDS certificate or
into another new or existing American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account
that has the same ownership (subject to any terms and conditions that may
apply).
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Call the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back
cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your local time.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
Transfers into an American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with the
same ownership.
<PAGE>
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone request believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests.
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
2
By mail
Send your name, account number and request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000
Pension plans and custodial accounts where the minor has reached the age at
which custodianship should terminate.
Transfers to another American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with
different ownership. (All current registered owners must sign the request.)
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing.
<PAGE>
Payable to name(s) you requested.
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. Cost for
partial withdrawals is deducted from the remaining balance, or from the
proceeds for full withdrawals.
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000.
Request that money be wired to your bank.
Bank account must be in same ownership as American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. account.
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization section in
the application or use a form supplied by your American Express financial
advisor. All registered owners must sign.
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
3
By electronic transfer
Available only for pre-authorized scheduled partial withdrawals and other
full or partial withdrawals.
No charge.
Deposited electronically in your bank account.
Allow two to five business days from request to deposit.
Retirement plans: special policies
If the certificate is purchased for a 401(k) plan or other qualified
retirement plan account, the terms and conditions of the certificate apply
to the plan as the owner of this certificate. However, the terms of the
plan, as interpreted by the plan trustee or administrator, will determine
how a participant's individual account under the plan is administered. These
terms may differ from the terms of the certificate.
<PAGE>
If your certificate is held in a Custodial Retirement Plan (or Keogh plan),
special rules may apply at maturity. If no other investment instructions are
provided directing how to handle your certificate at maturity, the full
value of the certificate will automatically transfer to a new or existing
cash management account according to rules outlined in the Custodial
Retirement Plan document.
The annual custodial fee for IRA or non-401(k) qualified retirement plans
may be deducted from your certificate account. It may reduce the amount
payable at maturity or the amount received upon an early withdrawal.
Retirement plan withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal penalties or loss
of interest even if they are not subject to federal tax penalties.
We will waive withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate
accounts for your required distributions.
If you withdraw all funds from your last account in an IRA at American
Express Trust Company, a termination fee will apply as set out in Your Guide
to IRAs, the IRS disclosure information received when you opened your
account.
The IRA termination fee will be waived if a withdrawal occurs after you
have reached age 70 1/2 or upon the owner's death.
Withdrawal at death
If a certificate is surrendered upon the client's death, any applicable
surrender charge will be waived. In addition, if an IRA termination fee is
applicable, it will also be waived.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not negotiable, IDSC will transfer ownership upon
written notification to our Client Service Organization. However, if you have
purchased your certificate for an IRA, 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement
plan, you may be unable to transfer or assign the certificate without losing the
account's favorable tax status. Please consult your tax advisor.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your American Express financial advisor or call the Client
Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
<PAGE>
Taxes on your earnings
The bonus payments and interest on your certificate, including interest on bonus
payments, are taxable when credited to your account. Each calendar year we
provide the certificate account owner and the IRS with reports of all earnings
over $10 (Form 1099). Withdrawals are reported to the certificate account owner
and the IRS on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker Transactions.
Retirement accounts
If you are using the certificate as an investment for an IRA, 401(k) plan
account or other qualified retirement plan account, income tax rules for your
IRA or qualified plan apply. Generally, you will pay no income taxes on your
investment's earnings -- and, in many cases, on part or all of the investment
itself -- until you begin to make withdrawals.
IDSC will withhold federal income taxes of 10% on IRA withdrawals unless you
tell us not to. IDSC is required to withhold federal income taxes of 20% on most
other qualified plan distributions, unless the distribution is directly rolled
over to another qualified plan or IRA.
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are generally subject to a penalty tax of
10% by the IRS if you make them before age 59 1/2, unless you are disabled or if
they are made by your beneficiary in the event of your death. Other exceptions
may also apply.
Consult your tax advisor to see how these rules apply to you before you request
a distribution from your plan or IRA.
Gifts to minors
The certificate may be given to a minor under either the Uniform Gifts or
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), whichever applies in your state.
UGMAs/UTMAs are irrevocable. Generally, under federal tax laws, income over
$1,200 on property owned by children under age 14 will be taxed at the parents'
marginal tax rate, while income on property owned by children 14 or older will
be taxed at the child's rate.
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding: As with any
financial account you open, you must list your current and correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social Security or Employer
Identification Number. The TIN must be certified under penalties of perjury on
your application when you open an account.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect, you could be
subject to backup withholding of 31% of your interest earnings. You could also
be subject to further penalties, such as:
<PAGE>
a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN;
a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that results in no
backup withholding; and
criminal penalties for falsifying information.
You could also be subject to backup withholding because you failed to report
interest on your tax return as required.
To help you determine the correct TIN to use on various types of accounts,
please use this chart:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
How to determine the correct TIN
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or Employer
Identification Number of:
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals listed on the
account
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
A living trust The grantor-trustee (the person
who puts the money into the trust)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate The legal entity (not the personal
representative or trustee, unless
no legal entity is designated in the
account title)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Sole proprietorship The owner
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Partnership The partnership
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Corporate The corporation
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Association, club or tax-exempt The organization
organization
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or local American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. office for federal Form W-9, "Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply IDSC
with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your certificate,
and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply both a current
mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if different. IDSC will not
accept purchases of certificates by nonresident aliens without an appropriately
certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute). Also, if you do not supply Form W-8
you will be subject to backup withholding on interest payments and withdrawals.
Interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as defined in U.S. Internal
Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident alien. Even though your
interest income is not taxed by the U.S. government, it will be reported at year
end to you and to the U.S. government on a Form 1042S, Foreign Person's U.S.
Source Income Subject to Withholding. The United States participates in various
tax treaties with foreign countries, which provide for sharing of tax
information.
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, IDSC generally will not act
on instructions with regard to the certificate unless IDSC first receives, at a
minimum, a statement from persons IDSC believes are knowledgeable about your
estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to IDSC and must tell us
that, on your date of death, your estate did not include any property in the
United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other cases, we generally will
not take action regarding your certificate until we receive a transfer
certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to IDSC that the estate is
being administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and
acting within the United States. In general, a transfer certificate requires the
opening of an estate in the United States and provides assurance that the IRS
will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
<PAGE>
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC
The IDS Installment Certificate is issued and guaranteed by IDSC, a wholly owned
subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of face amount certificates
in the United States, with total assets of more than $4.0 billion and a net
worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
and American Express Service Corporation (AESC).
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
Regulated by government
Because the IDS Installment Certificate is a security, its offer and sale are
subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It is a
face-amount certificate -- not a bank product, an equity investment, a form of
life insurance or an investment trust.)
The federal Investment Company Act of 1940 requires us to keep investments on
deposit in a segregated custodial account to protect all of our outstanding
certificates. These investments back the entire value of your certificate
account.
<PAGE>
Their amortized cost must exceed the required carrying value of the outstanding
certificates by at least $250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the amortized cost of
these investments exceeded the required carrying value of our outstanding
certificates by more than $176 million.
Backed by our investments
Our investments are varied and of high quality. This was the composition of our
portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of IDSC use their best judgment,
subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally
<PAGE>
make it more difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on
independent rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under
normal circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be
rated investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be
the equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks and mortgages) in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in real estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of assets.
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest,
<PAGE>
dividends and other distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to
vote these securities if a major event affecting our investment is under
consideration. We expect that outstanding securities loans will not exceed 10
percent of IDSC's assets.
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments. When-issued
securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may affect IDSC's
investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. IDSC may enter into other
financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the purpose
of managing the interest rate exposures associated with IDSC's assets or
liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance is derived,
at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security or
index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security or index
may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative. We do not
use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number of likely
buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than 15% of
IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid. In
valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
<PAGE>
How your money is managed
Relationship between IDSC and American Express Financial Corporation
IDSC was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before IDSC was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial Corporation), our
parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As of Jan. 1, 1995,
IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. IDSC and AEFC have never
failed to meet their certificate payments.
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and Travelers
Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and its
subsidiaries).
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
<PAGE>
Capital structure and certificates issued
IDSC has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common stock,
par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
For the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single payment
certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of single
payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or IDSC as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to a
percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included assets).
Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion will be 0.107%.
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of IDSC except mortgage loans, real estate, and
any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
<PAGE>
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by IDSC: The Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., we
pay a fee every month of 2.5% of all payments received during the month. This
fee is paid on all payments received on or after issue of your certificate until
the certificate's maturity date.
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through AEFD, we
pay AESC a fee every month of 2.5% of all payments received during the month.
This fee is paid on all payments received on or after issue of your certificate
until the certificate's maturity date.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
<PAGE>
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for all
series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended Dec. 31,
1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc. distribution
fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. pays commissions to its financial
advisors and pays other selling expenses in connection with services to us. Our
board of directors, including a majority of directors who are not interested
persons of American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or IDSC, approved this
distribution agreement.
Transfer Agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AESC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AESC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those offered by
qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
Directors and officers
IDSC's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually for a
term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
<PAGE>
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings, Inc. Former vice president and group
executive, Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager -
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
<PAGE>
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president -
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Services of AEFC from July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Treasury of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
<PAGE>
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
IDSC has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
<PAGE>
IDS Certificates
Other certificates issued by IDSC: Your American Express financial advisor can
give you more information on five other certificates issued by IDSC. These
certificates offer a wide range of investment terms and features.
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
three-month term.
IDS Flexible Savings Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments and on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
term of six, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
IDS Market Strategy Certificate - A certificate that pays interest at a fixed
rate or linked to one-year stock market performance, as measured by a broad
market index, for a series of one-year terms starting every month or at other
intervals the client selects.
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate - A single payment certificate that combines
a competitive fixed rate of return with IDSC's guarantee of principal for large
investments of $250,000 to $5 million.
IDS Stock Market Certificate - A single payment certificate that calculates all
or part of your interest based on stock market performance, as measured by a
broad market index, with IDSC's guarantee of return of principal.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back Cover)
Quick telephone reference
Client Service Organization
Withdrawals, transfers, inquiries
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 612-671-3800
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4293
American Express Easy Access Line
Account value, cash transaction information, current rate information (automated
response, Touchtone(R) phones only)
National/Minnesota: 800-862-7919
Mpls./St. Paul area: 800-862-7919
IDS Installment Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Combines a competitive fixed rate of return with principal guaranteed by IDS
Certificate Company.
IDS Preferred Investors Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company
(IDSC). You may purchase this certificate by selecting a term of one, two,
three, six, 12, 24, or 36 months and an initial investment of at least $250,000
but not more than $5 million (unless you receive prior authorization from IDSC
to invest more). Your principal and interest are guaranteed by IDSC. IDSC
guarantees a fixed rate of interest depending upon the term you select. You may
invest in successive terms up to a total of 20 years from the issue date of the
certificate. Your interest rate will be determined as described in "About the
certificate."
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This certificate is backed by IDSC's investments on deposit rather than
guaranteed or insured by the government or someone else. See "Invested and
guaranteed by IDSC" and "Regulated by government" under "How your money is used
and protected."
IDS Certificate Company is not a bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your IDS Preferred Investors
Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the certificate is
the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you invest and keep it
for future reference. No one has the authority to change the terms and
conditions of the IDS Preferred Investors Certificate as described in the
prospectus, or to bind IDSC by any statement not in it.
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
800-437-3133 (toll free) or (612) 671-3800
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
<PAGE>
TTY numbers:
800-846-4293 (toll free) or (612) 671-1630
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
An American Express company
Web site address: http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors
Where to get information about IDSC
IDS Certificate Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Reports and other information on IDSC are filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at
the SEC's Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest rates
IDSC guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each term. For the initial term,
the rate will be within a specified range of certain average interest rates,
generally referred to as the London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR), as
explained under "About the certificate."
Here are the interest rates in effect on the date of this prospectus, April 29,
1998:
<PAGE>
Simple Effective
interest annualized
Term rate* yield**
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
1-month 5.03% 5.14%
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
2-month 5.02 5.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-month 5.04 5.15
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
6-month 5.05 5.16
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
12-month 5.10 5.22
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
24-month 5.25 5.37
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
36-month 5.25 5.37
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
* These are the rates for investments of $250,000. Rates may depend on the
factors described in "Rates for new purchases" and "Promotions and pricing
flexibility" under "About the certificate."
** Assuming monthly compounding for 12 months and a $250,000 purchase.
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. Rates for future terms are set at the discretion of IDSC and may
also differ from the rates shown here. See "Rates for new purchases" under
"About the certificate" for further information.
We reserve the right to issue other securities with different terms.
<PAGE>
Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts and terms p
Face amount and principal p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash during the term p
Interest p
Rates for new purchases p
Promotions and pricing flexibility p
Additional investments p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
Two ways to make investments p
Full and partial withdrawals p
When your certificate term ends p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Retirement plans: special policies p
Withdrawal at death p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Retirement accounts p
Gifts to minors p
How to determine the correct TIN p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
<PAGE>
How your money is managed p
Relationship between IDSC and American
Express Financial Corporation p
About American Express Service Corporation p
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
Transfer Agent
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
IDS Certificates
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts and terms
You may purchase the IDS Preferred Investors Certificate with a single payment
of at least $250,000 payable in U.S. currency. As its name suggests, this
certificate is designed to offer attractive interest rates to investors with a
large amount to invest. Unless you receive prior authorization, your total
amount paid in over the life of the certificate, less withdrawals, cannot exceed
$5 million.
After determining the amount you wish to invest, you select a term of one, two,
three, six, 12, 24 or 36 months for which IDSC will guarantee an interest rate.
Generally, you will be able to select any of the terms offered. But if your
certificate is nearing its 20-year maturity, you will not be allowed to select a
term that would carry the certificate past its maturity date.
The certificate may be used as an investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA), 401(k) plan account or other qualified retirement plan account.
If so used, the amount of your contribution (investment) will be subject to any
limitations of the plan and applicable federal law.
Face amount and principal
The face amount of the certificate is the amount of your initial investment, and
will remain the same over the life of the certificate. Any investment or
withdrawal within 15 days of the end of a term will be added on or deducted to
determine principal for the new term. The principal is the amount that is
reinvested at the beginning of each subsequent term, and is calculated as
follows:
Principal equals Face amount (initial investment)
plus At the end of a term, interest credited to your account
during the term
minus Any interest paid to you in cash
plus Any additional investments to your certificate
minus Any withdrawals, fees and applicable penalties.
Principal may change during a term as described in "Full and partial
withdrawals."
For example: Assume your initial investment (face amount) of $500,000 has earned
$7,500 of interest during the term. You have not taken any interest as cash, or
made any withdrawals. You have invested an additional $250,000 at the beginning
of the next term. Your principal for the next term will equal:
<PAGE>
$500,000.00 Face amount (initial investment)
plus $7,500.00 Interest credited to your account
minus ($0.00) Interest paid to you in cash
plus $250,000.00 Additional investment to your certificate made in the
current term's grace period
minus ($0.00) Withdrawals and applicable penalties or fees
$757,500.00 Principal at the beginning of the next term.
Value at maturity
You may continue to invest for successive terms for up to a total of 20 years.
Your certificate matures at 20 years from its issue date. At maturity, you will
receive a distribution for the value of your certificate, which will be the
total of your purchase price, plus additional investments and any credited
interest not paid to you in cash, less any withdrawals and penalties. Some fees
may apply as described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Receiving cash during the term
If you need your money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part
or all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
Your investments earn interest from the date they are credited to your account.
Interest is compounded and credited at the end of each certificate month (on the
monthly anniversary of the issue date).
IDSC declares and guarantees a fixed rate of interest for each term during the
life of your certificate. We calculate the amount of interest you earn each
certificate month by:
applying the interest rate then in effect to your balance each day;
adding these daily amounts to get a monthly total; and
subtracting interest accrued on any amount you withdraw during the
certificate month.
Interest is calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year basis.
<PAGE>
Rates for new purchases
When your application is accepted and we have received your initial investment,
we will send you a confirmation of your purchase showing the rate that your
investment will earn. IDSC guarantees that the rate in effect for your initial
term will be within a 100 basis point (1%) range tied to certain average
interest rates for comparable length dollar deposits available on an interbank
basis in the London market, and generally referred to as the London Interbank
Offered Rates (LIBOR). For investments of $1 million or more, initial rates for
specific terms are determined as follows:
1 month Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points above
the one-month LIBOR rate.
2 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points
above the one-month LIBOR rate. (A two-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
3 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points above
the three-month LIBOR rate.
6 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points above
the six-month LIBOR rate.
12 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points above
the 12-month LIBOR rate.
24 months Within a range of 25 basis points below to 75 basis points
above the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 24-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
36 months Within a range of 25 basis points below to 75 basis points
above the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 36-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
For investments from $500,000 to $999,999, initial rates for specific terms are
determined as follows:
1 month Within a range of 75 basis points below to 25 basis points above
the one-month LIBOR rate.
2 months Within a range of 75 basis points below to 25 basis points
above the one-month LIBOR rate. (A two-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
3 months Within a range of 75 basis points below to 25 basis points above
the three-month LIBOR rate.
6 months Within a range of 75 basis points below to 25 basis points above
the six-month LIBOR rate.
<PAGE>
12 months Within a range of 75 basis points below to 25 basis points above
the 12-month LIBOR rate.
24 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points
above the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 24-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
36 months Within a range of 50 basis points below to 50 basis points
above the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 36-month LIBOR rate is not
published.)
For investments of $250,000 to $499,999, initial rates for specific terms are
determined as follows:
1 month Within a range of 125 basis points below to 25 basis points below
the one-month LIBOR rate.
2 months Within a range of 125 basis points below to 25 basis
points below the one-month LIBOR rate. (A two-month LIBOR rate is
not published.)
3 months Within a range of 125 basis points below to 25 basis points below
the three-month LIBOR rate.
6 months Within a range of 125 basis points below to 25 basis points below
the six-month LIBOR rate.
12 months Within a range of 125 basis points below to 25 basis points below
the 12-month LIBOR rate.
24 months Within a range of 100 basis points below to zero basis
points below the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 24-month LIBOR rate is
not published.)
36 months Within a range of 100 basis points below to zero basis
points below the 12-month LIBOR rate. (A 36-month LIBOR rate is
not published.)
Although the minimum investment is $250,000, in the event that your investment
is less than the minimum, the range of initial rates for any given term will be
100 basis points less than the corresponding range of rates for an investment of
$250,000.
For example, if the LIBOR rate published on the date rates are determined with
respect to a six-month certificate is 6.50%, the rate declared on a six-month
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate between $500,000 and $999,999 would be
between 5.75% and 6.75%. If the LIBOR rate published for a given date with
respect to 12-month deposits is 7.00%, IDSC's rates in effect for that date for
the 24- and 36-month IDS Preferred Investors Certificates between $500,000 and
$999,999 would be between 6.50% and 7.50%. When your application is accepted,
you will be sent a confirmation showing the rate that your investment will earn
for the first term.
<PAGE>
LIBOR is the interbank-offered rates for dollar deposits at which major
commercial banks will lend for specific terms in the London market. Generally,
LIBOR rates quoted by major London banks will be the same. However, market
conditions, including movements in the U.S. prime rate and the internal funding
position of each bank, may result in minor differences in the rates offered by
different banks. LIBOR is a generally accepted and widely quoted interest-rate
benchmark. The average LIBOR rate used by IDSC is published in The Wall Street
Journal.
Rates for new purchases are reviewed and may change daily. The rate that is in
effect for your chosen term will be the higher of:
the rate in effect for your chosen term on the date your application is
accepted at IDSC's corporate office or;
the rate in effect for your chosen term on the business day preceding the
date your application is accepted at IDSC's corporate office.
The interest rates printed in the front of this prospectus may or may not be in
effect on the date your application to invest is accepted. Rates for new
purchases may vary depending on the amount you invest, but will always be within
the 100 basis point range described above.
Interest rates for the term you have selected will not change once the term has
begun, unless a withdrawal reduces your account value to a point where we pay a
lower interest rate, as described in "Full and partial withdrawals" under "How
to invest and withdraw funds."
Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in promotions involving one
or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
have purchased other products or used other services of American Express Company
or its subsidiaries or affiliates.
We also may offer different rates based on your amount invested, geographic
location and whether the certificate is purchased for an IRA or a qualified
retirement account.
These promotions will generally be for a specified period of time. If we offer a
promotion, the rates for new purchases will be within the range of rates
described under "Rates for new purchases."
Rates for future terms: Interest on your certificate for future terms may be
greater or less than the rates you receive during your first term. In setting
future interest rates, a primary consideration will be the prevailing investment
<PAGE>
climate, including the LIBOR rates. Nevertheless, we have complete discretion as
to what interest rate shall be declared beyond the initial term. If LIBOR is no
longer publicly available or feasible to use, IDSC may use another, similar
index as a guide for setting rates.
Additional investments
You may make investments within 15 calendar days after the end of a term (the
grace period). About one week before the end of the term you have selected for
your certificate, we will send you a notice indicating your term end date.
Otherwise, to find out your term end date and/or the current interest rate,
contact the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the
back cover. The interest rate for your next term can be obtained by calling this
number after 12:00 noon Central time on the business day preceding your renewal
date. Your confirmation will show the applicable rate. However, unless you
receive prior approval from IDSC your investment may not bring the aggregate net
investment of any one or more certificates held by you (excluding any interest
added during the life of the certificate and less withdrawals) over $5 million.
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your American Express financial advisor will help you fill out and submit an
application to open an account with us and purchase a certificate. We will
process the application at our corporate offices in Minneapolis. When your
application is accepted and we have received your initial investment, we will
send you a confirmation of your purchase, indicating your account number and
applicable rate of interest for your first term, as described under "Rates for
new purchases." See "Purchase policies" below.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide IDSC with your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or Employer Identification
Number).
See "Taxes on your earnings."
Purchase policies:
Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis headquarters
on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be included in your account
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
You have 15 days from the date of purchase to cancel your investment
without penalty by writing the Client Service Organization at the address on
the back of this prospectus. If you decide to cancel your certificate within
this 15-day period, you will earn interest at the rate declared for your
current term.
<PAGE>
IDSC has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
A number of special policies apply to purchases, withdrawals and exchanges
within IRAs, 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement plans. See "Retirement
plans: special policies."
Two ways to make investments
1
By mail
Send your check along with your name and account number to:
Regular mail: Express mail:
American Express American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
2
By wire
For investment into an established account, you may wire money to:
Norwest Bank Minneapolis
Routing No. 091000019
Minneapolis, MN
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept.
Give these instructions: Credit Account #00-30-015 for personal account # (your
account number) for (your name).
If this information is not included, the order may be rejected and all money
received, less any costs IDSC incurs, will be returned promptly.
Minimum amount you may wire: $1,000.
Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, American Express
Financial Corporation (AEFC), IDSC and Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for
business.
<PAGE>
Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received and we accept
the purchase.
Bank wire purchases are not sent until the next business day.
Wire investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be credited
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
IDSC, AEFC and its other subsidiaries are not responsible for any delays
that occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by the bank.
You must pay any fee the bank charges for wiring.
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. However:
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Full and partial withdrawals of principal are subject to penalties,
described below.
Interest payments in cash may be sent to you at the end of each certificate
month, quarter, semiannual or annual basis or end of term.
If a withdrawal reduces your account value to a point where we pay a lower
interest rate, you will earn the lower rate from the date of the withdrawal.
Partial withdrawals during a term must be at least $100. You may not make a
partial withdrawal if it would reduce your certificate balance to less than
$250,000. If you request such a withdrawal, we will contact you for revised
instructions.
Scheduled partial withdrawals may be made monthly, quarterly, semiannually,
annually and at term end.
Withdrawals before the end of the certificate month will result in loss of
accrued interest on the amount withdrawn. You'll get the best result by
timing a withdrawal at the end of the certificate month.
<PAGE>
Penalties for early withdrawal during a term: When you request a full or partial
withdrawal, we pay the amount you request:
first from interest credited during the current term
then from the principal of your certificate.
Any withdrawals, (other than of interest credited) during a term are deducted
from the principal and are used in determining any withdrawal charges.
Withdrawal penalties: For withdrawals during the term of more than the interest
credited that term, a 2% withdrawal penalty will be deducted from the account's
remaining balance.
For example, assume you invest $1 million in a certificate and select a two-year
term. Four months later assume you have earned $27,000 in interest. The
following demonstrates how the withdrawal charge is deducted:
When you withdraw a specific amount of money in excess of the interest credited,
we would have to withdraw somewhat more from your account to cover the
withdrawal charge. For instance, suppose you request a $100,000 check on a $1
million investment. The first $27,000 paid to you is interest earned that term,
and the remaining $73,000 paid to you is principal. We would send you a check
for $100,000 and deduct a withdrawal charge of $1,460 (2% of $73,000) from the
remaining balance of your certificate. Your new balance would be $925,540.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Total investments $1,000,000.00
Interest credited $27,000.00
---------------
Total balance $1,027,000.00
Requested check $100,000.00
Credited interest withdrawn ($27,000.00)
Withdrawal charge percent 2%
Actual withdrawal charge $1,460.00
Balance prior to withdrawal $1,027,000.00
Requested withdrawal check ($100,000.00)
Withdrawal charge ($1,460.00)
-----------------
Total balance after withdrawal $925,540.00
</TABLE>
Additionally if you make a withdrawal during a certificate month, you will lose
the entire amount of accrued but uncredited interest for the month on the amount
withdrawn.
<PAGE>
Reducing your amount below $1 million would also cause it to earn interest at a
lower rate.
For more information on withdrawal charges, talk with your American Express
financial advisor or call the Client Service Organization at the number on the
back cover.
When your certificate term ends
About one week before the end of the term you have selected for your
certificate, we will send you a notice indicating your term end date. Otherwise
to find out your term end date and/or the current interest rates, contact the
Client Service Organization at the telephone number listed on the back cover.
The interest rate for your next term can be obtained by calling this number
after 12:00 noon Central time on the business day preceding your renewal date.
When your certificate term ends we will automatically renew your certificate for
the same term unless you notify us otherwise.
If you wish to select a different term, you must notify us either by telephone
or in writing before the end of the grace period. You will not be allowed to
select a term that would carry the certificate past its maturity date.
The interest rates that will apply to your new term will be those in effect on
the day the new term begins. We will send you a confirmation showing the rate of
interest that will apply to the new term you have selected. This rate of
interest will not be changed during that term.
If you want to withdraw your certificate without a withdrawal charge, you must
notify us within 15 calendar days following the end of a term. If you decide to
cancel your certificate within this 15-day period, you will earn interest at the
rate declared for your current term.
You may also add to your investment within the 15 calendar days following the
end of your term. See "Additional investments" under "About the certificate."
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
the date of your payment before IDSC mails a check to you. A check may be
mailed earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
<PAGE>
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to any other IDS certificate or
into another new or existing American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account
that has the same ownership (subject to any terms and conditions that may
apply).
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Call the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the
back cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your local time.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
Transfers into an American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with the
same ownership.
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone request believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests.
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
2
By mail
Send your name, account number and request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
<PAGE>
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000.
Pension plans and custodial accounts where the minor has reached the age at
which custodianship should terminate.
Transfers to another American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with
different ownership (all current registered owners must sign the request).
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing.
Payable to name(s) you requested.
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. We will
deduct the fee from your remaining certificate balance, provided that
balance would not be less than $250,000. If the balance would be less than
$250,000, the fee is deducted from the proceeds of the withdrawal.
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000.
Request that money be wired to your bank.
Bank account must be in same ownership as IDSC account.
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization section in
the application or use a form supplied by your American Express financial
advisor. All registered owners must sign.
<PAGE>
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
3
By electronic transfer
Available only for pre-authorized scheduled partial withdrawals and other
full or partial withdrawals.
No charge.
Deposited electronically in your bank account.
Allow two to five business days from request to deposit.
Retirement plans: special policies
If the certificate is purchased for a 401(k) plan or other qualified
retirement plan account, the terms and conditions of the certificate apply
to the plan as the owner of this certificate. However, the terms of the
plan, as interpreted by the plan trustee or administrator, will determine
how a participant's individual account under the plan is administered. These
terms may differ from the terms of the certificate.
If your certificate is held in a Custodial Retirement Plan (or Keogh plan),
special rules may apply at maturity. If no other investment instructions are
provided directing how to handle your certificate at maturity, the full
value of the certificate will automatically transfer to a new or existing
cash management account according to rules outlined in the Custodial
Retirement Plan document.
The annual custodial fee for IRA or non-401(k) qualified retirement plans
may be deducted from your certificate account. It may reduce the amount
payable at maturity or the amount received upon an early withdrawal.
Retirement plan withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal penalties or loss
of interest even if they are not subject to federal tax penalties.
We will waive withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate
accounts for your required distributions.
<PAGE>
If you withdraw all funds from your last account in an IRA at American
Express Trust Company, a termination fee will apply as set out in Your Guide
to IRAs, the IRS disclosure information received when you opened your
account.
The IRA termination fee will be waived if a withdrawal occurs after you
have reached age 70 1/2 or upon the owner's death.
Withdrawal at death
If a certificate is surrendered upon the client's death, any applicable
surrender charge will be waived. In addition, if an IRA termination fee is
applicable, it will also be waived.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not negotiable, IDSC will transfer ownership upon
written notification to our Client Service Organization. However, if you have
purchased your certificate for an IRA, 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement
plan, you may be unable to transfer or assign the certificate without losing the
account's favorable tax status.
Please consult your tax advisor.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your American Express financial advisor or call the Client
Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Taxes on your earnings
Interest on your certificate is taxable when credited to your account. Each
calendar year we provide the certificate account owner and the IRS with reports
of all earnings over $10 (Form 1099). Withdrawals are reported to the
certificate account owner and the IRS on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker
Transactions.
Retirement accounts
If you are using the certificate as an investment for an IRA, 401(k) plan
account or other qualified retirement plan account, income tax rules for your
IRA or qualified plan apply. Generally, you will pay no income taxes on your
investment's earnings -- and, in many cases, on part or all of the investment
itself -- until you begin to make withdrawals.
<PAGE>
IDSC will withhold federal income taxes of 10% on IRA withdrawals unless you
tell us not to. IDSC is required to withhold federal income taxes of 20% on most
other qualified plan distributions, unless the distribution is directly rolled
over to another qualified plan or IRA.
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are generally subject to a penalty tax of
10% by the IRS if you make them before age 59 1/2, unless you are disabled or if
they are made by your beneficiary in the event of your death. Other exceptions
may also apply. Also, withdrawals of principal during a certificate month may be
subject to the certificate's provision for loss of interest.
Consult your tax advisor to see how these rules apply to you before you request
a distribution from your plan or IRA.
Gifts to minors
The certificate may be given to a minor under either the Uniform Gifts or
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), whichever applies in your state.
UGMAs/UTMAs are irrevocable. Generally, under federal tax laws, income over
$1,200 on property owned by children under age 14 will be taxed at the parents'
marginal tax rate, while income on property owned by children 14 or older will
be taxed at the child's rate.
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding: As with any
financial account you open, you must list your current and correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social Security or Employer
Identification Number. The TIN must be certified under penalties of perjury on
your application when you open an account.
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect, you could be
subject to backup withholding of 31% of your interest earnings. You could also
be subject to further penalties, such as:
a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN;
a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that results in no
backup withholding; and
criminal penalties for falsifying information.
You could also be subject to backup withholding because you failed to report
interest on your tax return as required.
To help you determine the correct TIN to use on various types of accounts,
please use this chart:
How to determine the correct TIN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or Employer
Identification Number of:
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals listed on the
account
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
A living trust The grantor-trustee
(the person who puts the money
into the trust)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate The legal entity
(not the personal representative or trustee,
unless no legal entity is designated in the
account title)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Sole proprietorship The owner
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Partnership The partnership
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Corporate The corporation
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Association, club or tax-exempt The organization
organization
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or local American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. office for federal Form W-9, "Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."
<PAGE>
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply IDSC
with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your certificate,
and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply both a current
mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if different. IDSC will not
accept purchases of certificates by nonresident aliens without an appropriately
certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute). Also, if you do not supply Form W-8
you will be subject to backup withholding on interest payments and withdrawals.
Interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as defined in U.S. Internal
Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident alien. Even though your
interest income is not taxed by the U.S. government, it will be reported at year
end to you and to the U.S. government on a Form 1042S, Foreign Person's U.S.
Source Income Subject to Withholding. The United States participates in various
tax treaties with foreign countries, which provide for sharing of tax
information.
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, IDSC generally will not act
on instructions with regard to the certificate unless IDSC first receives, at a
minimum, a statement from persons IDSC believes are knowledgeable about your
estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to IDSC and must tell us
that, on your date of death, your estate did not include any property in the
United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other cases, we generally will
not take action regarding your certificate until we receive a transfer
certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to IDSC that the estate is
being administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and
acting within the United States. In general, a transfer certificate requires the
opening of an estate in the United States and provides assurance that the IRS
will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
<PAGE>
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC
The IDS Preferred Investors Certificate is issued and guaranteed by IDSC, a
wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of face amount
certificates in the United States, with total assets of more than $4.0 billion
and a net worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
and American Express Service Corporation (AESC).
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
Regulated by government
Because the IDS Preferred Investors Certificate is a security, its offer and
sale are subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It is a
face-amount certificate -- not a bank product, an equity investment, a form of
life insurance or an investment trust.)
The federal Investment Company Act of 1940 requires us to keep investments on
deposit in a segregated custodial account to protect all of our outstanding
certificates. These investments back the entire value of your certificate
account. Their amortized cost must exceed the required carrying value of the
outstanding certificates by at least $250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the
amortized cost of these investments exceeded the required carrying value of our
outstanding certificates by more than $176 million.
<PAGE>
Backed by our investments
Our investments are varied and of high quality. This was the composition of our
portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of IDSC use their best judgment,
subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on independent
<PAGE>
rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be rated
investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be the
equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks, and mortgages) in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in real estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of IDSC's assets.
<PAGE>
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest, dividends and other
distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to vote these
securities if a major event affecting our investment is under consideration. We
expect that outstanding loans will not exceed 10 percent of IDSC's assets.
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments. When-issued
securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may affect IDSC's
investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. IDSC may enter into other
financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the purpose
of managing the interest rate exposures associated with IDSC's assets or
liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance is derived,
at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security or
index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security or index
may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative. We do not
use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number of likely
buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than 15% of
IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid. In
valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
<PAGE>
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
How your money is managed
Relationship between IDSC and American Express Financial Corporation
IDSC was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before IDSC was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial Corporation), our
parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As of Jan. 1, 1995,
IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. IDSC and AEFC have never
failed to meet their certificate payments.
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and Travelers
Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and its
subsidiaries).
<PAGE>
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
Capital structure and certificates issued
IDSC has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common stock,
par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
For the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single payment
certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of single
payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or IDSC as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to a
percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included assets).
Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion will be 0.107%
<PAGE>
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of IDSC except mortgage loans, real estate, and
any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by IDSC: The Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
<PAGE>
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc. we
pay for the distribution of this certificate as follows:
0.165% of the initial payment on the issue date of the certificate, and
0.165% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through AEFD, we
pay AESC for the distribution of this certificate as follows:
0.165% of the initial payment on the issue date of the certificate, and
0.165% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of the second and
subsequent quarters from issue date.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for all
series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended Dec. 31,
1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc. distribution
fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. pays commissions to its financial
advisors and pays other selling expenses in connection with services to us. Our
board of directors, including a majority of directors who are not interested
persons of American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or IDSC, approved this
distribution agreement.
Transfer Agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AESC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AESC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
<PAGE>
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those offered by
qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
Directors and officers
IDSC's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually for a
term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings, Inc. Former vice president and group
executive, Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
<PAGE>
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
<PAGE>
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Services of AEFC from July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Treasury of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
IDSC has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
<PAGE>
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
<PAGE>
IDS Certificates
Other certificates issued by IDSC: Your American Express financial advisor can
give you more information on five other certificates issued by IDSC. These
certificates offer a wide range of investment terms and features.
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
three-month term.
IDS Flexible Savings Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments and on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
term of six, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
IDS Installment Certificate - An installment payment certificate that declares
interest in advance for a three-month period and offers bonuses in the third
through sixth years for regular investments.
IDS Market Strategy Certificate - A certificate that pays interest at a fixed
rate or linked to one-year stock market performance, as measured by a broad
market index, for a series of one-year terms starting every month or at other
intervals the client selects.
IDS Stock Market Certificate - A single payment certificate that calculates all
or part of your interest based on stock market performance, as measured by a
broad market index, with IDSC's guarantee of return of principal.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back cover)
Quick telephone reference
Client Service Organization
Withdrawals, transfers, inquiries, current rate information
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 612-671-3800
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4293
American Express Easy Access Line
Account value, cash transaction information, current rate information (automated
response, Touchtone(R) phones only)
National/Minnesota: 800-862-7919
Mpls./St. Paul area: 800-862-7919
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by
American Express
Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
IDS Stock Market Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Potential for stock market growth with safety of principal.
IDS Stock Market Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company (IDSC). You
can purchase this certificate with a single investment of at least $1,000 but
not more than $1 million (unless you receive prior authorization from IDSC to
invest more). As long as you stay within this limit, you can make additional
investments at the end of a term. Your principal is guaranteed by IDSC. You can
participate in any increase of the stock market based on the S&P 500 Index while
protecting your principal. In addition, you decide whether part of your return
will be guaranteed by IDSC or whether all of it will be tied to the market. You
can keep your certificate for up to 14 terms.
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This certificate is backed by IDSC's investments on deposit rather than
guaranteed or insured by the government or someone else. See "Invested and
guaranteed by IDSC" and "Regulated by government" under "How your money is used
and protected."
IDS Certificate Company is not a bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, or backed or guaranteed
or endorsed by, any bank or financial institution, nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your IDS Stock Market
Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the certificate is
the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you invest and keep it
for future reference. No one has the authority to change the terms and
conditions of the IDS Stock Market Certificate as described in the prospectus,
or to bind IDSC by any statement not in it.
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
800-437-3133 (toll free) or (612) 671-3800
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
TTY numbers:
800-846-4293 (toll free) or (612) 671-1630
(Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
<PAGE>
An American Express company
Web site address: http://www.americanexpress.com/advisors
Where to get information about IDSC
IDS Certificate Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Reports and other information on IDSC are filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC
Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at
the SEC's Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest and participation rates
IDSC guarantees return of your principal. The interest on your certificate is
linked to stock market performance as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index (S&P 500 Index) as explained under "About the certificate" below.
Here are the interest rates and market participation percentages in effect on
the date of this prospectus, April 29, 1998:
Maximum Market participation Minimum
return percentage interest
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
10% 100% (full) None
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
10% 25% (partial) Currently 2.50%
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
<PAGE>
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. For your first term, if you choose the partial participation option
for your certificate, your minimum interest rate will be between 2.00% and
3.00%. Rates for later terms are set at the discretion of IDSC and may differ
from the rates shown here.
<PAGE>
Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts p
Face amount and principal p
Certificate term p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash before end of term p
Interest p
Promotions and pricing flexibility p
Historical data on the S&P 500 Index p
Calculation of return p
About the S&P 500 Index p
Opportunities at the end of a term p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
Two ways to make investments p
Full and partial withdrawals p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Retirement plans: special policies p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Retirement accounts p
Gifts to minors p
How to determine the correct TIN p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
<PAGE>
How your money is managed p
Relationship between IDSC and American
Express Financial Corporation p
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
About American Express Service Corporation p
About American Express Bank International and Coutts p
Transfer Agent p
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
IDS Certificates p
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts
You may purchase the IDS Stock Market Certificate with a single investment of at
least $1,000 but not more than $1 million (unless you receive prior
authorization from IDSC to invest more) payable in U.S. currency. You may also
make additional lump-sum investments in any amount at the end of any term as
long as your total amount paid in is not more than the $1 million (unless you
receive prior authorization from IDSC to invest more).
The certificate may be used as an investment for your Individual Retirement
Account (IRA). If so used, the amount of your contribution (investment) will be
subject to limitations in applicable federal law.
Face amount and principal
The face amount of your certificate is the amount of your initial investment.
Your principal is the value of your certificate at the beginning of each
subsequent term. Your principal is guaranteed by IDSC. It consists of the amount
you actually invest plus interest credited to your account and any additional
investment you make less withdrawals, penalties and any interest paid to you in
cash.
For example: Assume your initial investment (face amount) of $10,000 has earned
a return of 7.25%. Interest is credited to your account at the end of the term.
You have not taken any interest as cash, or made any withdrawals. You have
invested an additional $2,500 prior to the beginning of the next term. Your
principal for the next term will equal:
$10,000.00 Face amount (initial investment)
plus 725.00 Interest credited to your account at the end of the
term
plus 5.00 Interim interest (See "Interim interest")
minus ($0.00) Interest paid to you in cash
plus 2,500.00 Additional investment to your certificate
minus ($0.00) Withdrawals and applicable penalties
$13,230.00 Principal at the beginning of the next term.
Certificate term
Your first certificate term is a 12-month period that begins on the Wednesday
after your application is accepted and ends the Tuesday before the one-year
anniversary of its acceptance. For example, if your application is accepted on a
Wednesday, your first term would begin the next Wednesday. Your certificate will
earn interest at the interim interest rate then in effect until the term begins.
It will not earn any participation interest until the term begins. If you choose
to continue to receive participation interest, subsequent terms
<PAGE>
are 12-month periods that begin on the Wednesday following the 14-day grace
period at the end of the prior 12-month term. You may begin your next term on
any Wednesday during the 14-day period by providing prior written instructions
to IDSC. If you choose to receive fixed interest, subsequent terms will be up to
12 months as described in "Fixed interest" under "Interest" below.
Value at maturity
Your certificate matures after 14 terms and you will receive a distribution for
its value. Participation terms are always 12 months. Fixed interest terms may be
less than 12 months if you convert to participation before the 12-month period.
At maturity, the value of your certificate will be the total of your actual
investments, plus credited interest not paid to you in cash, less any
withdrawals and withdrawal penalties. Certain other fees may apply.
Receiving cash before end of term
If you need money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part or
all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
You may select from two types of participation interest for your first term. The
two types are 1) full participation, or 2) partial participation together with
minimum interest. Interest earned under both of these options has an upper limit
which is the maximum annual return explained below. After your first term, you
may choose full or partial participation or you may choose not to participate in
any market movement and receive a fixed rate of interest.
Full participation interest: With this option you participate 100% in any
percentage increase in the S&P 500 Index up to the maximum return. You earn
interest only if the value of the S&P 500 Index is higher on the last day of
your term than it was on the first day of your term. Thus, your return is linked
to stock market performance. The S&P 500 Index is frequently used to measure the
relative performance of the stock market. For a more detailed discussion of the
S&P 500 Index, see "About the S&P 500 Index."
Partial participation and minimum interest: This option allows you to
participate in a certain part (market participation rate) of any increase in the
S&P 500 Index together with a rate of interest guaranteed by IDSC in advance for
each term (minimum interest).
Your return is composed of two parts:
<PAGE>
1. A percentage of any increase in the S&P 500 Index, and
2. A rate of interest guaranteed by IDSC in advance for each term.
Together, they cannot exceed the maximum return.
If you choose the partial participation option for your first term, the minimum
interest paid on your certificate will be between 2.00% and 3.00%.
The market participation rate and the minimum interest rate on the date of this
prospectus are listed on the inside cover under "Initial interest and
participation rates."
Fixed interest: After your first term, this fixed interest option allows you to
stop participating in the market entirely for some period of time. A fixed
interest term is 12 months unless you choose to start a new participation term
before your 12 month term ends. You may choose to receive a fixed rate of
interest for any term after the first term. During the term when you are
receiving fixed interest, you can change from your fixed interest selection to
again participate in the market. If you make the change from fixed interest to
participation interest, your next term would begin on the Wednesday following
our receipt of notice of your new selection. In this way, you may have a term
(during which you would earn fixed interest) that is less than 12 months. You
may not change from participation interest to fixed interest during a term.
Maximum annual return: This is the cap, or upper limit, of your return. Your
total return including both participation and minimum interest for a term for
which you have chosen participation interest will be limited to this maximum
return percentage.
Determining the S&P 500 Index value: The stock market closes at 3 p.m. Central
time and the S&P 500 Index value is available at approximately 4:30 p.m. This is
the value we currently use to determine participation interest. Occasionally,
Standard & Poor's (S&P) makes minor adjustments to the closing value after 4:30
p.m., and the value we use may not be exactly the one that is published the next
business day. In the future, we may use a later time cut-off if it becomes
feasible to do so. If the stock market is not open or the S&P 500 Index is
unavailable as of the last day of your term, the preceding business day for
which a value is available will be used instead. Each Tuesday's closing value of
the S&P 500 Index is used for establishing the term start and the term end
values each week.
Interim interest: When we accept your application, we pay interim interest to
your account for the time before your first term begins. We also pay interim
interest for the 14-day period between terms unless you write to ask us to begin
your next term earlier. You may withdraw this interest in cash at any time
before it becomes part of your certificate's principal without a withdrawal
penalty. If it is not withdrawn, the interest will become part of your
certificate's principal at the start of the next succeeding term. For example,
the interest you earn between the end of the first and the beginning of the
second term will become part of the principal at the start of your third term.
Interim
<PAGE>
interest rates for the time before your first term begins will be within a range
zero to 100 basis points (0% to 1%) above the average interest rate published
for 12-month certificates of deposit in the BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25 Market
AverageTM (the BRM Average), North Palm Beach, FL 33408. If the BRM Average is
no longer publicly available or feasible to use, IDSC may use another, similar
index as a guide for setting rates.
The BANK RATE MONITOR is a weekly magazine published in North Palm Beach, FL
33408, by Advertising News Service Inc., an independent national news
organization that collects and disseminates information about bank products and
interest rates. Advertising News Service has no connection with IDSC, American
Express Financial Corporation (AEFC) or any of their affiliates.
The BRM Average is an index of rates and annual effective yields offered on
various length certificates of deposit by large banks and thrifts in 25
metropolitan areas. The frequency of compounding varies among the banks and
thrifts. Certificates of deposit in the BRM Average are government insured
fixed-rate time deposits.
The BANK RATE MONITOR may be available in your local library. To obtain
information or current BRM Average rates, call the Client Service Organization
at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Earning interest: Participation interest is calculated, credited and compounded
at the end of your certificate term. Minimum interest accrues daily and is
credited and compounded at the end of your certificate term. Fixed interest
accrues and is credited daily and compounds at the end of your term. Both
minimum and fixed interest are calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year
basis. Interim interest accrues and is credited daily and compounds at the end
of your term immediately following the period in which interim interest is
credited.
Rates for future periods: After the initial term, the maximum return, market
participation percentage or minimum interest rate on your certificate may be
greater or less than those shown on the front of this prospectus. Rates are
reviewed weekly, and we have complete discretion as to what interest rate will
be declared.
To find out what your certificate's new maximum return, market participation
percentage and minimum interest rate will be for your next term, please consult
your American Express financial advisor, or the Client Service Organization at
the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
<PAGE>
Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, IDSC may sponsor or participate in promotions involving one
or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
purchase or use other products or services offered by American Express Company
or its affiliates. These promotions will generally be for a specified period of
time.
We also may offer different rates based on your amount invested, geographic
location and whether the certificate is purchased for an IRA or a qualified
retirement account.
Historical Data on the S&P 500 Index
The following chart illustrates the month-end closing values of the index from
Dec. 31, 1983 through Feb. 28, 1998. The values of the S&P 500 Index are
reprinted with the permission of S&P.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P 500 Index values -- December 1984 to February 1998
Chart shows closing values of the S&P from above 100 in
Dec. 1983 to near 1500 in Feb. 1998.
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1000
900
800
600
500
400
300
200
100
`84 `85 `86 `87 `88 `89 `90 `91 `92 `93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
S&P 500 Index Average Annual Return
Beginning date Period held Average annual
Dec. 31, in Years return
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
1987 10 14.66%
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
1992 5 17.37
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
1996 1 31.01
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
The next chart illustrates, on a moving 12-month basis, the price return of the
S&P 500 Index measured for every 12-month period beginning with the period ended
Dec. 31, 1984. The price return is the percentage return for each period using
month-end closing prices of the S&P 500 Index. Dividends and other distributions
on the securities comprising the S&P 500 Index are not included in calculating
the price return.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S&P 500 Index - December 1984 to February 1997
40% Chart shows 12-month Moving Price Return of the S&P from
a high of 40% to a low of -20%
30%
Label of "Y" axis reads: 12-month return
20%
10%
0%
- -10%
- -20%
`85 `86 `87 `88 `89 `90 `91 `92 `93 `94 `95 `96 `97
</TABLE>
Using the same data on price returns described above, the next graph expands on
the information in the preceding chart by illustrating the distribution of all
the 12-month price returns of the S&P 500 Index beginning with the 12-month
period ending Dec. 31, 1984. The graph also shows the number of times these
price returns fell within certain ranges.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S&P 500 Index - December 1985 to February 1998
25 Chart shows the distribution of all of the 12-month price returns of
the S&P 500 from 1/1/84 through 2/28/97 with a high of just over
20 and a low between 0 and 5.
20
15 Label of "Y" axis reads: Observations
10
5
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 29.9 >=30
</TABLE>
The last chart illustrates, on a moving weekly basis, the actual 12-month return
of the IDS Stock Market Certificate at full and partial participation compared
to the price return of the NYSE Composite Index(R) through October 1992 and the
S&P 500 Index after October 1992. For non-guaranteed funds received before Nov.
3, 1992, and guaranteed funds received before Nov. 4, 1992, IDS Stock Market
Certificate participation interest was based on the NYSE Composite Index(R)
rather than the S&P 500 Index.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Actual 12-month return 1/22/92 to 2/18/97
35% Chart shows actual returns of the certificate at full and
25% participation with the full participation generally
tracking the market indexes over the.
30% period and 25% level of participation tracking at the 25%
level of return.
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
1/91 5/91 9/91 1/92 5/92 9/92 1/93 5/93 8/93 1/94 5/94 9/94 1/95 5/95 9/95 1/96 5/96 9/96 1/97
Your interest earnings are tied to the movement of the Index. They will be based
on any increase in the Index as measured on the beginning and ending date of
each 12-month term. Of course, if the Index is not higher on the last day of
your term than it was on the first day, your principal will be secure but you
will earn no participation interest.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The NYSE Composite Index(R) is a registered service mark of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) and is a composite covering price movements of all common
stocks listed on the NYSE. Because the IDS Stock Market Certificate was first
available on Jan. 24, 1990, the performance reflects the returns on the one-year
anniversary date, falling on a Wednesday, of each of the weeks shown.
The recent historical experience of an index should not be taken as an
indication of future performance of the stock market or the certificate. No
assurance can be given that an index will not decline or that certificate owners
will receive interest on their accounts beyond any minimum interest or fixed
interest selected.
Calculation of return
The increase or decrease in the S&P 500 Index, as well as the actual return paid
to you, is calculated as follows:
Rate of return on S&P 500 Index
Term ending value of S&P 500 Index minus Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
divided by Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index equals Rate of return on S&P
500 Index
The actual return paid to you will depend on your interest participation
selection.
For example, assume:
Term ending value of S&P 500 Index 968
Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index 890
Maximum return 10%
Minimum return 2.50%
Partial participation rate 25%
968 Term ending value of S&P 500 Index
minus 890 Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
-------
equals 78 Difference between beginning and ending values
78 Difference between beginning and ending values
divided by 890 Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
equals 8.76% Percent increase - full participation return
<PAGE>
8.76% Percent increase or decrease
times 25.00% Partial participation rate
equals 2.19%
plus 2.50% 3.00% minimum interest rate
equals 4.69% Partial participation return
In both cases in the example, the return would be less than the 10% maximum.
Maximum Return and Partial Participation Minimum Rate History - The following
table illustrates the maximum annual returns and partial participation minimum
rates that have been in effect since the Stock Market Certificate was
introduced.
Partial participation
Start of Term Maximum annual return minimum rate
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Jan. 24, 1990 18.00% 5.00%
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Feb. 5, 1992 18.00 4.00
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
May 13, 1992 15.00 4.00
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Sept. 9, 1992 12.00 3.00
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Nov. 11, 1992 10.00 2.50
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Nov. 2, 1994 10.00 2.75
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
April 26, 1995 12.00 3.50
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Jan. 17, 1996 10.00 3.25
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Feb. 26, 1997 10.00 3.00
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
May 7, 1997 10.00 2.75
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Oct. 8, 1997 10.00 2.50
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Examples:
To help you understand the way this certificate works, here are some
hypothetical examples. The following are three different examples of market
scenarios and how they affect the certificate's return. Assume for all examples
that you purchased the certificate with a $10,000 original investment. Also
assume that the partial participation rate is 25%, the minimum interest rate for
partial participation is 2.50%, and the maximum total return for full and
partial participation is 10%.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1. If the S&P 500 Index value rises
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 8% increase in the S&P 500 Index Index 459
<S> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 800 8% x $10,000 + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
Participation interest + 200 25% x 8% x $10,000 Participation interest
- -------- --------
$10,800 Ending balance $10,450 Ending balance
(8% Total return) (4.50% Total return)
2. If the Market and the S&P 500 Index value fall
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 4% decrease in the S&P 500 Index Index 408
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 0 Participation interest + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
- --------
$10,000 Ending balance + 0 Participation interest
- - --------
(0% Total return) $10,250 Ending balance
(2.50% Total return)
3. If the Market and the S&P 500 Index value rise above the maximum return
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 16% increase in the S&P 500 Index Index 493
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 1,000 10% x $10,000 + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
Maximum interest + 400 25% x 16% x $10,000 Participation interest
- -------- --------
$11,000 Ending balance $10,650 Ending balance
(10% Total return) (6.50% Total return)
</TABLE>
About the S&P 500 Index
The description in this prospectus of the S&P 500 Index including its make-up,
method of calculation and changes in its components are derived from publicly
available information regarding the S&P 500 Index. IDSC does not assume any
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.
The S&P 500 Index is composed of 500 common stocks, most of which are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 Index is published by S&P and is
intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock movement.
Standard & Poor's (S&P) chooses the 500 stocks to be included in the S&P 500
Index with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that
<PAGE>
approximates the distribution of these groupings in the U.S. common stock
population. Changes in the S&P 500 Index are reported daily in the financial
pages of many major newspapers. The index used for the IDS Stock Market
Certificate includes dividends on the 500 stocks
"Standard & Poor's(R)", "S&P(R)", "S&P 500(R)", "Standard & Poor's 500" and
"500" are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. and have been licensed
for use by IDSC. The certificate is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by
S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners
of the certificate or any member of the public regarding the advisability of
investing in securities generally or in the certificate particularly or the
ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market performance. S&P's
only relationship to IDSC is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names
of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by
S&P without regard to IDSC or the certificate. S&P has no obligation to take the
needs of IDSC or the owners of the certificate into consideration in
determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible
for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at,
or quantities of the certificate to be issued or in the determination or
calculation of the equation by which the certificate is to be converted into
cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration,
marketing or trading of the certificate.
S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index
or any data included therein and S&P shall have no liability for any errors,
omissions, or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied,
as to the results to be obtained by IDSC, owners of the certificate, or any
person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein.
S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with
respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any
of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special,
punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if
notified of the possibility of such damages.
If for any reason the S&P 500 Index were to become unavailable or not reasonably
feasible to use, we would use a comparable stock market index for determining
participation interest. If this were to occur, you would be sent a notice
indicating the comparable index that will be used and be given the option to
surrender your certificate, if desired, and receive your principal, without
being assessed a surrender charge.
Opportunities at the end of a term
Grace period: When your certificate term ends, you have 14 days before a new
term automatically begins. During this 14-day grace period you can:
change your interest selection;
<PAGE>
add money to your certificate;
change your term start date;
withdraw part or all of your money without a withdrawal penalty or loss of
interest;
or
receive your interest in cash.
Fixed interest only: The grace period does not apply if you made the change from
fixed interest back to participation interest during a term as discussed in
"Fixed interest" under "Interest" above. Instead, your new 12-month term will
begin on the Wednesday following our receipt of your notice of your new interest
selection.
New term: If you do not make changes, your certificate will continue with your
current selections when the new term begins 14 days later. You will earn interim
interest during this 14-day grace period. If you don't want to wait 14 days
before starting your next market participation term, you must phone or send
written instructions before your current term ends. You can tell us to start
your next term on any Wednesday that is during the grace period and immediately
following the date on which we receive your notice. Your notice may also tell us
to change your interest selection, add to your certificate or withdraw part of
your money. The notification that we send you at the end of the term cannot be
sent before the term ends because indexing information and interest (if any) are
included in the notice and are not known until the term ends. Any additional
payments received during the current term will be applied at the end of the
current term. By starting your new term early and waiving the 14-day grace
period, you are choosing to start your next term without knowing the ending
value of your current term.
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your American Express financial advisor will help you fill out and submit an
application to open an account with us and purchase a certificate. We will
process the application at our corporate offices in Minneapolis. When your
application is accepted and we have received your initial investment, we will
send you a confirmation showing the acceptance date, the date your term begins
and the interest selection you have made detailing your market participation
percentage and/or the minimum interest rate for your first term. After your term
begins, we will send you notice of the value of the S&P 500 Index on the day
your term began. The rates in effect on the date we accept your application are
the rates that apply to your certificate. See "Purchase policies" below.
<PAGE>
Important: When opening an account, you must provide IDSC with your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security or Employer Identification
Number).
See "Taxes on your earnings."
Purchase policies:
Investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis headquarters
on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be included in your account
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
If you purchase a certificate with a personal check or other non-guaranteed
funds, AEFC will wait one day for the process of converting your check to
federal funds (e.g., monies of member banks within the Federal Reserve Bank)
before your purchase will be accepted and you begin earning interest.
IDSC has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
A number of special policies apply to purchases, withdrawals and exchanges
within IRAs, 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement plans. See "Retirement
plans: special policies."
Two ways to make investments
1
By mail
Send your check along with your name and account number to:
Regular mail: Express mail:
American Express American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010 Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
2
By wire
For investment into an established account, you may wire money to:
Norwest Bank Minneapolis
Routing No. 091000019
Minneapolis, MN
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept.
<PAGE>
Give these instructions: Credit Account #00-30-015 for personal account # (your
account number) for (your name).
If this information is not included, the order may be rejected and all money
received, less any costs IDSC incurs, will be returned promptly.
Minimum amount you may wire: $1,000.
Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, AEFC, IDSC and
Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for business.
Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received and we accept
the purchase.
Bank wire purchases are not sent until the next business day.
Wire investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be credited
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
IDSC, AEFC and its other subsidiaries are not responsible for any delays
that occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by the bank.
You must pay any fee the bank charges for wiring.
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. However:
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Full and partial withdrawals of principal during a term are subject to
penalties, described below.
You may not make a partial withdrawal if it would reduce your certificate
balance to less than $1,000. If you request such a withdrawal, we will
contact you for revised instructions.
<PAGE>
Penalties for withdrawal during a term: If you withdraw money during a term, you
will pay a penalty of 2% of the principal withdrawn. The 2% penalty is waived
upon death of the certificate owner. We will also waive withdrawal penalties on
withdrawals for IRA certificate accounts for your required distributions. See
"Retirement plans:
special policies" below.
When you request a full or partial withdrawal during a term, we pay you from the
principal of your certificate.
Loss of interest: If you make a withdrawal at any time other than at the end of
the term, you will lose interest, if any, accrued on the withdrawal amount since
minimum and participation interest is credited only at the end of a term.
However, accrued fixed and interim interest will be paid to the date of the
withdrawal.
Following are examples describing a $2,000 withdrawal during a term for
participation and fixed interest:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Participation interest:
<S> <C>
Account balance $ 10,000.00
Interest (interest is credited at the end of the term) 0.00
Withdrawal of principal (2,000.00)
2% withdrawal penalty (40.00)
============
Balance after withdrawal $ 7,960.00
You will forfeit any accrued interest on the withdrawal amount.
Fixed interest:
Account balance $ 10,000.00
Interest credited to date 100.00
Withdrawal of credited interest (100.00)
Withdrawal of principal (1,900.00)
2% withdrawal penalty (on $1,900 principal withdrawn) (38.00)
============
Balance after withdrawal $ 8,062.00
</TABLE>
Retirement plans: In addition, you may be subject to IRS penalties for early
withdrawals if your certificate is in an IRA, 401(k) or other qualified
retirement plan account.
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
<PAGE>
the date of your payment before IDSC mails a check to you. A check may be mailed
earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to any other IDS certificate or
into another new or existing American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account
that has the same ownership (subject to any terms and conditions that may
apply).
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Call the Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back
cover between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. your local time.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
Transfers into an American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with the
same ownership.
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone request believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests.
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
<PAGE>
2
By mail
Send your name, account number and request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000
Pension plans and custodial accounts where the minor has reached the age at
which custodianship should terminate.
Transfers to another American Express Financial Advisors Inc. account with
different ownership. (All current registered owners must sign the request.)
Three ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing.
Payable to name(s) you requested.
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. We will
deduct the fee from your remaining certificate balance, provided that
balance would not be less than $1,000. If the balance would be less than
$1,000, the fee is deducted from the proceeds of the withdrawal.
<PAGE>
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000.
Request that money be wired to your bank.
Bank account must be in same ownership as IDSC account.
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization section in
the application or use a form supplied by your American Express financial
advisor. All registered owners must sign.
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
3
By electronic transfer
Available only for pre-authorized scheduled partial withdrawals and other
full or partial withdrawals.
No charge.
Deposited electronically in your bank account.
Allow two to five business days from request to deposit.
Retirement plans: special policies
If the certificate is purchased for a 401(k) plan or other qualified
retirement plan account, the terms and conditions of the certificate apply
to the plan as the owner of this certificate. However, the terms of the
plan, as interpreted by the plan trustee or administrator, will determine
how a participant's individual account under the plan is administered. These
terms may differ from the terms of the certificate.
If your certificate is held in a Custodial Retirement Plan (or Keogh plan),
special rules may apply at maturity. If no other investment instructions are
provided directing how to handle your certificate at maturity, the full
value of the certificate will automatically transfer to a new or existing
cash management account according to rules outlined in the Custodial
Retirement Plan document.
<PAGE>
The annual custodial fee for IRA or non-401(k) qualified retirement plans
may be deducted from your certificate account. It may reduce the amount
payable at maturity or the amount received upon an early withdrawal.
Retirement plan withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal penalties or loss
of interest even if they are not subject to federal tax penalties.
We will waive withdrawal penalties on withdrawals for IRA certificate
accounts for your required distributions.
If you withdraw all funds from your last account in an IRA at American
Express Trust Company, a termination fee will apply as set out in Your Guide
to IRAs, the IRS disclosure information received when you opened your
account.
The IRA termination fee will be waived if a withdrawal occurs after you
have reached age 70 1/2 or upon the owner's death.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not negotiable, IDSC will transfer ownership upon
written notification to our Client Service Organization. However, if you have
purchased your certificate for an IRA, 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement
plan, you may be unable to transfer or assign the certificate without losing the
account's favorable tax status.
Please consult your tax advisor.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your American Express financial advisor or call the Client
Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Taxes on your earnings
Participation and minimum interest on your certificate is taxable when credited
to your account. Fixed and interim interest are fully taxable as earned. Each
calendar year we provide the certificate account owner and the IRS with reports
of all earnings over $10 (Form 1099). Withdrawals are reported to the
certificate owner and the IRS on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker Transactions.
Revised proposed regulations: The IRS has issued revised proposed regulations
governing the tax treatment of debt instruments which provide for variable rates
of interest, including interest based on the price of property that is actively
traded or on an index of the prices of such property. Under these revised
<PAGE>
proposed regulations, the IDS Stock Market Certificate is likely to constitute a
debt instrument that would be treated as a variable rate debt instrument (VRDI)
rather than a contingent debt instrument (CDI). If the Stock Market Certificate
constitutes a VRDI, then the income earned on the certificate will be treated as
original issue discount and reported when credited to the owner's account. If
the certificate is not treated as a VRDI, but rather is treated as a CDI, then
the owner may have taxable income to report, even though the account owner has
not received any cash distributions. Furthermore, the timing and character of
the income may be different from that of a VRDI. IDSC cannot guarantee whether
the revised proposed regulations will be adopted as final in this present form
or will again be modified. As always, you should consult your tax advisor for
information regarding the tax implications of your certificate.
Retirement accounts
If you are using the certificate as an investment for an IRA, 401(k) plan
account or other qualified retirement plan account, income tax rules for your
IRA or qualified plan apply. Generally, you will pay no income taxes on your
investment's earnings -- and, in many cases, on part or all of the investment
itself -- until you begin to make withdrawals.
IDSC will withhold federal income taxes of 10% on IRA withdrawals unless you
tell us not to. IDSC is required to withhold federal income taxes of 20% on most
other qualified plan distributions, unless the distribution is directly rolled
over to another qualified plan or IRA.
Withdrawals from retirement accounts are generally subject to a penalty tax of
10% by the IRS if you make them before age 59 1/2, unless you are disabled or if
they are made by your beneficiary in the event of your death. Other exceptions
may also apply.
Consult your tax advisor to see how these rules apply to you before you request
a distribution from your plan or IRA.
Gifts to minors
The certificate may be given to a minor under either the Uniform Gifts or
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), whichever applies in your state.
UGMAs/UTMAs are irrevocable. Generally, under federal tax laws, income over
$1,200 on property owned by children under age 14 will be taxed at the parents'
marginal tax rate, while income on property owned by children 14 or older will
be taxed at the child's rate.
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and backup withholding: As with any
financial account you open, you must list your current and correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN) -- either your Social Security or Employer
Identification Number. The TIN must be certified under penalties of perjury on
your application when you open an account.
<PAGE>
If you don't provide the TIN, or the TIN you report is incorrect, you could be
subject to backup withholding of 31% of your interest earnings. You could also
be subject to further penalties, such as:
a $50 penalty for each failure to supply your correct TIN;
a civil penalty of $500 if you make a false statement that results in no
backup withholding; and
criminal penalties for falsifying information.
You could also be subject to backup withholding because you failed to report
interest on your tax return as required.
To help you determine the correct TIN to use on various types of accounts,
please use this chart:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
How to determine the correct TIN
For this type of account: Use the Social Security or Employer
Identification Number of:
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Individual or joint account The individual or individuals listed on the
account
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Custodian account of a minor The minor
(Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
A living trust The grantor-trustee
(the person who puts the money
into the trust)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
An irrevocable trust, pension trust or estate The legal entity
(not the personal representative or trustee,
unless no legal entity is designated in the
account title)
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Sole proprietorship The owner
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Partnership The partnership
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Corporate The corporation
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Association, club or tax-exempt The organization
organization
- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For details on TIN requirements, ask your financial advisor or local American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. office for federal Form W-9, "Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification."
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply IDSC
with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your certificate,
and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply both a current
mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if different. IDSC will not
accept purchases of certificates by nonresident aliens without an appropriately
certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute). Also, if you do not supply Form W-8
you will be subject to backup withholding on interest payments and withdrawals.
It is most likely that interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as
defined in U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident
alien. However, if the certificate is treated as a CDI, part of the earned
income may be treated as capital gain instead of portfolio interest. Even though
your interest income or capital gain is not taxed by the U.S. government, it
will be reported at year end to you and to the U.S. government on a Form 1042S,
Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. The United States
participates in various tax treaties with foreign countries, which provide for
sharing of tax information.
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, IDSC generally will not act
on instructions with regard to the certificate unless IDSC first receives, at a
minimum, a statement from persons IDSC believes are knowledgeable about your
estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to IDSC and must tell us
that, on your date of death, your estate did not include any property in the
United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other cases, we generally will
not take action regarding your certificate until we receive a transfer
certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to IDSC that the estate is
being administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and
acting within the United States. In general, a transfer certificate requires the
opening of an estate in the United States and provides assurance that the IRS
will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
<PAGE>
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by IDSC
The IDS Stock Market Certificate is issued and guaranteed by IDSC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of face amount
certificates in the United States, with total assets of more than $4.0 billion
and a net worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
and American Express
Service Corporation (AESC).
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
<PAGE>
Regulated by government
Because the IDS Stock Market Certificate is a security, its offer and sale are
subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It is a
face-amount certificate -not a bank product, an equity investment, a form of
life insurance or an investment trust.) The federal Investment Company Act of
1940 requires us to keep investments on deposit in a segregated custodial
account to protect all of our outstanding certificates. These investments back
the entire value of your certificate account. Their amortized cost must exceed
the required carrying value of the outstanding certificates by at least
$250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the amortized cost of these investments exceeded
the required carrying value of our outstanding certificates by more than $176
million.
Backed by our investments
Our investments are varied and of high quality. This was the composition of our
portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of IDSC use their best judgment,
subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
<PAGE>
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on independent
rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be rated
investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be the
equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks and mortgages) in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
<PAGE>
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in Real Estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of IDSC'S assets.
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest, dividends and other
distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to vote these
securities if a major event affecting our investment is under consideration. We
expect that outstanding securities loans will not exceed 10 percent of IDSC's
assets
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments. When issued
securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may effect IDSC's
investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. IDSC may enter into other
financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the purpose
of managing the interest rate exposures associated with IDSC's assets or
liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance is derived,
at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security or
index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security or index
may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative. We do not
use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number
<PAGE>
of likely buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than
15% of IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid.
In valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
How your money is managed
Relationship between IDSC and American Express Financial Corporation
IDSC was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before IDSC was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial Corporation), our
parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As of Jan. 1, 1995,
IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. IDSC and AEFC have never
failed to meet their certificate payments.
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and Travelers
Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
<PAGE>
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and its
subsidiaries including American Express Bank International).
Capital structure and certificates issued
IDSC has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common stock,
par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
As of the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single payment
certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC had issued (in face amount)
$13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of single
payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or IDSC as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to a
percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included assets).
Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion will be 0.107%.
<PAGE>
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of IDSC except mortgage loans, real estate, and
any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by IDSC: The Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
<PAGE>
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., we
pay for the distribution of this certificate by American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. as described below.
For certificates sold through American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or
through American Express Bank International (AEBI) and Coutts & Co. (USA)
International
(Coutts) we pay distribution fees as follows:
0.70% of the initial investment on the first day of the certificate's term;
and
0.70% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of each subsequent
term.
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through American
Express Financial Direct (AEFD), we pay AESC the following:
1.00% of the initial investment on the first day of the certificate's term;
and
1.00% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of each subsequent
term.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
AEFD is a channel for direct marketing of financial services to American Express
card members and others.
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for all
series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended Dec. 31,
1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc. distribution
fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. pays commissions to its financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and AESC pay other selling
expenses in connection with services to us. Our board of directors, including a
majority of directors who are not interested persons of American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., AESC or IDSC, approved these distribution agreements.
Selling Agent Agreements with AEBI and Coutts: In turn, under Selling Agent
Agreements with AEBI and Coutts, American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
compensates each for their services as Selling Agents of this certificate as
follows:
<PAGE>
AEBI is paid a fee equal to 1.0% per term of the principal amount of each
certificate for which AEBI is the selling agent.
Coutts is paid a fee equal to 0.80% per term of the principal amount of
each certificate for which Coutts is the selling agent.
Coutts is compensated on certificates owned by its clients who are former
clients of AEBI. These clients must have continuously owned a certificate since
Nov. 10, 1994. Coutts is also compensated on additional investments and
exchanges made by such clients to other certificates only to the extent that a
client has the right to make additional investments or exchanges.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. has entered into a consulting agreement
with AEBI under which AEBI provides consulting services related to any selling
agent agreements between American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and other Edge
Act corporations. For these services, American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
pays AEBI a fee for this certificate equal to 0.20% per term of the principal
amount of each certificate for which another Edge Act corporation is the selling
agent.
Such payments will be made quarterly in arrears.
These fees are not assessed to your certificate account.
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
About AEBI and Coutts
AEBI is an Edge Act corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a)
of the Federal Reserve Act. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express
Bank Ltd. (AEBL). As an Edge Act corporation, AEBI is subject to the provisions
of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation K of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). It is supervised
and regulated by the Federal Reserve.
AEBI has an extensive international high net-worth client base that is serviced
by a marketing staff in New York and Florida. The banking and financial products
offered by AEBI include checking, money market and time deposits, credit
services, check collection services, foreign exchange, funds transfer,
investment advisory services and securities brokerage services. As of Dec. 31,
1997, AEBI had total assets of $608 million and total equity of $162 million.
<PAGE>
Coutts is an Edge Act corporation organized under the provisions of Section
25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act. It is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
National Westminster Bank PLC. As an Edge Act corporation, Coutts is subject to
the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation K of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). It
is supervised and regulated by the Federal Reserve.
Although AEBI and Coutts are banking entities, the Stock Market Certificate is
not a bank product, nor is it backed or guaranteed by AEBI or Coutts, by AEBL,
by NatWest PLC or by any other bank, nor is it guaranteed or insured by the FDIC
or any other federal agency. AEBI is registered where necessary as a securities
broker-dealer.
Transfer agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AECSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AECSC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those offered by
qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
Directors and officers
IDSC's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually for a
term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
<PAGE>
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings, Inc. Former vice president and group
executive, Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager -
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
<PAGE>
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Services of AEFC fro July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Trasiry of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
<PAGE>
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
IDSC has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
IDS Certificates
Other certificates issued by IDSC: Your American Express financial advisor can
give you more information on five other certificates issued by IDSC. These
certificates offer a wide range of investment terms and features.
IDS Cash Reserve Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
three-month term.
IDS Flexible Savings Certificate - A single payment certificate that permits
additional investments and on which IDSC guarantees interest in advance for a
term of six, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 months.
IDS Installment Certificate - An installment payment certificate that declares
interest in advance for a three-month period and offers bonuses in the third
through sixth years for regular investments.
<PAGE>
IDS Market Strategy Certificate - A certificate that pays interest at a fixed
rate or linked to one-year stock market performance, as measured by a broad
market index, for a series of one-year terms starting every month or at other
intervals the client selects.
IDS Preferred Investors Certificate - A single payment certificate that combines
a competitive fixed rate of return with IDSC's guarantee of principal for large
investments of $250,000 to $5 million.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back Cover)
Quick telephone reference
Client Service Organization
Withdrawals, transfers, inquiries
National/Minnesota: 800-437-3133
Mpls./St. Paul area: 612-671-3800
TTY Service
For the hearing impaired
800-846-4293
American Express Easy Access Line
Account value, cash transaction information, current rate information (automated
response, Touchtone(R) phones only)
National/Minnesota: 800-862-7919
Mpls./St. Paul area: 800-862-7919
IDS Stock Market Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
American Express Stock Market Certificate
Prospectus
April 29, 1998
Potential for stock market growth with safety of principal.
American Express Stock Market Certificates are issued by IDS Certificate Company
(the Issuer or IDSC). You can purchase this certificate with a single investment
of at least $1,000 but not more than $1 million (unless you receive prior
authorization from the Issuer to invest more). As long as you stay within this
limit, you can make additional investments at the end of a term. Your principal
is guaranteed by the Issuer. You can participate in any increase of the stock
market based on the S&P 500 Index while protecting your principal. In addition,
you decide whether part of your return will be guaranteed by IDSC or whether all
of it will be tied to the market. You can keep your certificate for up to 14
terms.
AS IS THE CASE WITH OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This prospectus describes terms and conditions of your American Express Stock
Market Certificate. It contains facts that can help you decide if the
certificate is the right investment for you. Read the prospectus before you
invest and keep it for future reference. No one has the authority to change the
terms and conditions of the American Express Stock Market Certificate as
described in the prospectus, or to bind the Issuer by any statement not in it.
IDS CERTIFICATE COMPANY IS NOT A BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, AND THE
SECURITIES IT OFFERS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR BACKED OR GUARANTEED
OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, NOR ARE THEY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY.
Issuer:
IDS Certificate Company
Unit 557
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributor
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
<PAGE>
Selling Agents:
American Express Bank International
American Express Tower
World Financial Center
New York, NY 10285-2300
Coutts & Co (USA) International
701 Brickell Avenue
23rd Floor
Miami, FL 33131
Where to get information about the Issuer
The Issuer is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. Reports and other information on the Issuer are filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on the SEC Internet
web site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the SEC, 450 5th St., N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. Or you can inspect and copy information in person at the SEC's
Public Reference Section and at the following regional offices:
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison St.
Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
Pacific Regional Office
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Initial interest and participation rates
The Issuer guarantees return of your principal. The interest on your certificate
is linked to stock market performance as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index (S&P 500 Index) as explained under "About the certificate" below.
Here are the interest rates and market participation percentages in effect on
the date of this prospectus, April 29, 1998:
<PAGE>
Maximum Market participation Minimum
return percentage interest
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
10% 100% (full) None
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
10% 25% (partial) Currently 2.50%
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
These rates may or may not be in effect when you apply to purchase your
certificate. For your first term, if you choose the partial participation option
for your certificate, your minimum interest rate will be between 2.00% and
3.00%. Rates for later terms are set at the discretion of the Issuer and may
differ from the rates shown here.
<PAGE>
Contents
Table of contents
About the certificate p
Investment amounts p
Face amount and principal p
Certificate term p
Value at maturity p
Receiving cash before end of term p
Interest p
Promotions and pricing flexibility p
Historical data on the S&P 500 Index p
Calculation of return p
About the S&P 500 Index p
Opportunities at the end of a term p
How to invest and withdraw funds p
Buying your certificate p
How to make investments at term end p
Full and partial withdrawals p
Other full and partial withdrawal policies p
Transfers to other accounts p
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer p
Two ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds p
Transfer of ownership p
For more information p
Taxes on your earnings p
Foreign investors p
Trusts p
How your money is used and protected p
Invested and guaranteed by the Issuer p
Regulated by government p
Backed by our investments p
Investment policies p
<PAGE>
How your money is managed p
Relationship between the Issuer and American
Express Financial Corporation p
Capital structure and certificates issued p
Investment management and services p
Distribution p
Selling Agreement with AEBI and Coutts p
About American Express Bank International and Coutts p
About American Express Service Corporation p
Transfer agent p
Employment of other American Express affiliates p
Directors and officers p
Independent auditors p
Appendix p
Annual financial information p
Summary of selected financial information p
Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations p
Report of independent auditors p
Financial statements p
Notes to financial statements p
<PAGE>
About the certificate
Investment amounts
You may purchase the American Express Stock Market Certificate with a single
investment of at least $1,000 but not more than $1 million (unless you receive
prior authorization from IDSC to invest more) payable in U.S. currency. You may
also make additional lump-sum investments in any amount at the end of any term
as long as your total amount paid in is not more than the $1 million (unless you
receive prior authorization from IDSC to invest more).
Face amount and principal
The face amount of your certificate is the amount of your initial investment.
Your principal is the value of your certificate at the beginning of each
subsequent term. Your principal is guaranteed by the Issuer. It consists of the
amount you actually invest plus interest credited to your account and any
additional investment you make less withdrawals, penalties and any interest paid
to you in cash.
For example: Assume your initial investment (face amount) of $10,000 has earned
a return of 7.25%. Interest is credited to your account at the end of the term.
You have not taken any interest as cash, or made any withdrawals. You have
invested an additional $2,500 prior to the beginning of the next term. Your
principal for the next term will equal:
$10,000.00 Face amount (initial investment)
plus 725.00 Interest credited to your account at the end of the
term
plus 5.00 Interim interest (See "Interim interest")
minus ($0.00) Interest paid to you in cash
plus 2,500.00 Additional investment to your certificate
minus ($0.00) Withdrawals and applicable penalties
$13,230.00 Principal at the beginning of the next term.
Certificate term
Your first certificate term is a 12-month period that begins on the Wednesday
after your application is accepted and ends the Tuesday before the one-year
anniversary of its acceptance. For example, if your application is accepted on a
Wednesday, your first term would begin the next Wednesday. Your certificate will
earn interest at the interim interest rate then in effect until the term begins.
It will not earn any participation interest until the term begins. If you choose
to continue to receive participation interest, subsequent terms
<PAGE>
are 12-month periods that begin on the Wednesday following the 14-day grace
period at the end of the prior 12-month term. You may begin your next term on
any Wednesday during the 14-day period by providing prior written instructions
to the Issuer. If you choose to receive fixed interest, subsequent terms will be
up to 12 months as described in "Fixed interest" under "Interest" below.
Value at maturity
Your certificate matures after 14 terms and you will receive a distribution for
its value. Participation terms are always 12 months. Fixed interest terms may be
less than 12 months if you convert to participation before the 12-month period.
At maturity, the value of your certificate will be the total of your actual
investments, plus credited interest not paid to you in cash, less any
withdrawals and withdrawal penalties. Certain other fees may apply.
Receiving cash before end of term
If you need money before your certificate term ends, you may withdraw part or
all of its value at any time, less any penalties that apply. Procedures for
withdrawing money, as well as conditions under which penalties apply, are
described in "How to invest and withdraw funds."
Interest
You may select from two types of participation interest for your first term. The
two types are 1) full participation, or 2) partial participation together with
minimum interest. Interest earned under both of these options has an upper limit
which is the maximum annual return explained below. After your first term, you
may choose full or partial participation or you may choose not to participate in
any market movement and receive a fixed rate of interest.
Full participation interest: With this option you participate 100% in any
percentage increase in the S&P 500 Index up to the maximum return. You earn
interest only if the value of the S&P 500 Index is higher on the last day of
your term than it was on the first day of your term. Thus, your return is linked
to stock market performance. The S&P 500 Index is frequently used to measure the
relative performance of the stock market. For a more detailed discussion of the
S&P 500 Index, see "About the S&P 500 Index."
Partial participation and minimum interest: This option allows you to
participate in a certain part (market participation rate) of any increase in the
S&P 500 Index together with a rate of interest guaranteed by IDSC in advance for
each term (minimum interest).
Your return is composed of two parts:
<PAGE>
1. A percentage of any increase in the S&P 500 Index, and
2. A rate of interest guaranteed by IDSC in advance for each term.
Together, they cannot exceed the maximum return.
If you choose the partial participation option for your first term, the minimum
interest paid on your certificate will be between 2.00% and 3.00%.
The market participation rate and the minimum interest rate on the date of this
prospectus are listed on the inside cover under "Initial interest and
participation rates."
Fixed interest: After your first term, this fixed interest option allows you to
stop participating in the market entirely for some period of time. A fixed
interest term is 12 months unless you choose to start a new participation term
before your 12 month term ends. You may choose to receive a fixed rate of
interest for any term after the first term. During the term when you are
receiving fixed interest, you can change from your fixed interest selection to
again participate in the market. If you make the change from fixed interest to
participation interest, your next term would begin on the Wednesday following
our receipt of notice of your new selection. In this way, you may have a term
(during which you would earn fixed interest) that is less than 12 months. You
may not change from participation interest to fixed interest during a term.
Maximum annual return: This is the cap, or upper limit, of your return. Your
total return including both participation and minimum interest for a term for
which you have chosen participation interest will be limited to this maximum
return percentage.
Determining the S&P 500 Index value: The stock market closes at 3 p.m. Central
time and the S&P 500 Index value is available at approximately 4:30 p.m. This is
the value we currently use to determine participation interest. Occasionally,
Standard & Poor's (S&P) makes minor adjustments to the closing value after 4:30
p.m., and the value we use may not be exactly the one that is published the next
business day. In the future, we may use a later time cut-off if it becomes
feasible to do so. If the stock market is not open or the S&P 500 Index is
unavailable as of the last day of your term, the preceding business day for
which a value is available will be used instead. Each Tuesday's closing value of
the S&P 500 Index is used for establishing the term start and the term end
values each week.
Interim interest: When we accept your application, we pay interim interest to
your account for the time before your first term begins. We also pay interim
interest for the 14-day period between terms unless you write to ask us to begin
your next term earlier. You may withdraw this interest in cash at any time
before it becomes part of your certificate's principal without a withdrawal
penalty. If it is not withdrawn, the interest will become part of your
certificate's principal at the start of the next succeeding term. For example,
the interest you earn between the end of the first and the beginning of the
second term will become part of the principal at the start of your third term.
<PAGE>
Interim interest rates for the time before your first term begins will be within
a range zero to 100 basis points (0% to 1%) above the average interest rate
published for 12-month certificates of deposit in the BANK RATE MONITOR Top 25
Market AverageTM (the BRM Average), North Palm Beach, FL 33408. If the BRM
Average is no longer publicly available or feasible to use, IDSC may use
another, similar index as a guide for setting rates.
The BANK RATE MONITOR is a weekly magazine published in North Palm Beach, FL
33408, by Advertising News Service Inc., an independent national news
organization that collects and disseminates information about bank products and
interest rates. Advertising News Service has no connection with the Issuer,
American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC) or any of their affiliates.
The BRM Average is an index of rates and annual effective yields offered on
various length certificates of deposit by large banks and thrifts in 25
metropolitan areas. The frequency of compounding varies among the banks and
thrifts. Certificates of deposit in the BRM Average are government insured
fixed-rate time deposits.
The BANK RATE MONITOR may be available in your local library. To obtain
information or current BRM Average rates, call the Client Service Organization
at the telephone numbers listed on the back cover.
Earning interest: Participation interest is calculated, credited and compounded
at the end of your certificate term. Minimum interest accrues daily and is
credited and compounded at the end of your certificate term. Fixed interest
accrues and is credited daily and compounds at the end of your term. Both
minimum and fixed interest are calculated on a 30-day month and 360-day year
basis. Interim interest accrues and is credited daily and compounds at the end
of your term immediately following the period in which interim interest is
credited.
Rates for future periods: After the initial term, the maximum return, market
participation percentage or minimum interest rate on your certificate may be
greater or less than those shown on the front of this prospectus. Rates are
reviewed weekly, and we have complete discretion as to what interest rate will
be declared.
To find out what your certificate's new maximum return, market participation
percentage and minimum interest rate will be for your next term, please consult:
Your American Express Bank International (AEBI) relationship manager.
Your Coutts & Co (USA) International (Coutts) relationship officer.
<PAGE>
The Issuer's Client Service Organization at the telephone numbers listed on
the back cover.
Promotions and pricing flexibility
From time to time, the Issuer may sponsor or participate in promotions involving
one or more of the certificates and their respective terms. For example, we may
offer different rates to new clients, to existing clients, or to individuals who
purchase or use products or services offered by American Express Company, Coutts
& Co. (USA) International or their affiliates. These promotions will generally
be for a specified period of time. We also may offer different rates based on
your amount invested.
Historical Data on the S&P 500 Index
The following chart illustrates the month-end closing values of the index from
Dec. 31, 1983 through Feb. 28, 1998. The values of the S&P 500 Index are
reprinted with the permission of S&P.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P 500 Index values -- December 1983 to February 1998
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1000
900
800 Chart shows closing values of the S&P from above 100 in Dec.
1984 to near 800 in Feb. 1998.
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
`84 `85 `86 `87 `88 `89 `90 `91 `92 `93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
S&P 500 Index Average Annual Return
Beginning date Period held Average annual
Dec. 31, in Years return
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
1987 10 14.66%
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
1992 5 17.37
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
1996 1 31.01
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
The next chart illustrates, on a moving 12-month basis, the price return of the
S&P 500 Index measured for every 12-month period beginning with the period ended
Dec. 31, 1984. The price return is the percentage return for each period using
month-end closing prices of the S&P 500 Index. Dividends and other distributions
on the securities comprising the S&P 500 Index are not included in calculating
the price return.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P 500 Index - December 1984 to February 1998
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
50%
40% Chart shows 12-month Moving Price Return of the S&P from
a high of 40% to a low of -20%
30%
Label of "Y" axis reads: 12-month return
20%
10%
0%
- -10%
- -20%
`85 `86 `87 `88 `89 `90 `91 `92 `93 `94 `95 `96 `97 `98
</TABLE>
Using the same data on price returns described above, the next graph expands on
the information in the preceding chart by illustrating the distribution of all
the 12-month price returns of the S&P 500 Index beginning with the 12-month
period ending Dec. 31, 1984. The graph also shows the number of times these
price returns fell within certain ranges.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S&P 500 Index - December 1985 to February 1998
25 Chart shows the distribution of all of the 12-month price returns of
the S&P 500 from 1/1/84 through 2/28/97 with a high of just over
20 and a low between 0 and 5.
20
15 Label of "Y" axis reads: Observations
10
5
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 29.9 >=30
</TABLE>
The last chart illustrates, on a moving weekly basis, the actual 12-month return
of the American Express Stock Market Certificate at full and partial
participation compared to the price return of the NYSE Composite Index(R)
through October 1992 and the S&P 500 Index after October 1992. For
non-guaranteed funds received before Nov. 3, 1992, and guaranteed funds received
before Nov. 4, 1992, American Express Stock Market Certificate participation
interest was based on the NYSE Composite Index(R) rather than the S&P 500 Index.
The chart reflects the returns payable each week by IDSC on any participation
terms ending that week. There may be weeks in which no investor actually ends a
participation term.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Actual 12-month return 1/22/91 to 2/17/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
40%
30% Chart shows actual returns of the certificate at full and 25%
participation with the full participation generally tracking the
market indexes over the 30% period and 25% level of participation
tracking at the 25% level of return.
20%
10%
0%
1/92 7/92 1/93 1/94 1/95 7/95 1/96 7/96 1/97 7/97 1/98
</TABLE>
Your interest earnings are tied to the movement of the Index. They will be based
on any increase in the Index as measured on the beginning and ending date of
each 12-month term. Of course, if the Index is not higher on the last day of
your term than it was on the first day, your principal will be secure but you
will earn no participation interest.
<PAGE>
The NYSE Composite Index(R) is a registered service mark of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) and is a composite covering price movements of all common
stocks listed on the NYSE. Because the American Express Stock Market Certificate
was first available on Jan. 24, 1990, the performance reflects the returns on
the one-year anniversary date, falling on a Wednesday, of each of the weeks
shown.
The recent historical experience of an index should not be taken as an
indication of future performance of the stock market or the certificate. No
assurance can be given that an index will not decline or that certificate owners
will receive interest on their accounts beyond any minimum interest or fixed
interest selected.
Calculation of return
The increase or decrease in the S&P 500 Index, as well as the actual return paid
to you, is calculated as follows:
Rate of return on S&P 500 Index
Term ending value of S&P 500 Index minus Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
divided by Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index equals Rate of return on S&P
500 Index
The actual return paid to you will depend on your interest participation
selection.
For example, assume:
Term ending value of S&P 500 Index 968
Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index 890
Maximum return 10%
Minimum return 2.50%
Partial participation rate 25%
968 Term ending value of S&P 500 Index
minus 890 Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
---
equals 78 Difference between beginning and ending values
78 Difference between beginning and ending values
divided by 890 Term beginning value of S&P 500 Index
equals 8.76% Percent increase - full participation return
<PAGE>
8.76% Percent increase or decrease
times 25.00% Partial participation rate
equals 2.19%
plus 2.50% 3.00% minimum interest rate
equals 4.69% Partial participation return
In both cases in the example, the return would be less than the 10% maximum.
Maximum Return and Partial Participation Minimum Rate History - The following
table illustrates the maximum annual returns and partial participation minimum
rates that have been in effect since the Stock Market Certificate was
introduced.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Partial participation
Start of Term Maximum annual return minimum rate
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Jan. 24, 1990 18.00% 5.00%
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Feb. 5, 1992 18.00 4.00
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
May 13, 1992 15.00 4.00
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Sept. 9, 1992 12.00 3.00
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Nov. 11, 1992 10.00 2.50
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Nov. 2, 1994 10.00 2.75
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
April 26, 1995 12.00 3.75
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Jan. 17, 1996 10.00 3.25
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Feb. 26, 1997 10.00 3.00
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
May 7, 1997 10.00 2.75
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Oct. 8, 1997 10.00 2.50
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
</TABLE>
Examples:
To help you understand the way this certificate works, here are some
hypothetical examples. The following are three different examples of market
scenarios and how they affect the certificate's return. Assume for all examples
that you purchased the certificate with a $10,000 original investment. Also
assume that the partial participation rate is 25%, the minimum interest rate for
partial participation is 2.50%, and the maximum total return for full and
partial participation is 10%.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
1. If the S&P 500 Index value rises
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 8% increase in the S&P 500 Index Index 459
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 800 8% x $10,000 + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
Participation interest + 200 25% x 8% x $10,000 Participation interest
- -------- --------
$10,800 Ending balance $10,450 Ending balance
(8% Total return) (4.50% Total return)
2. If the Market and the S&P 500 Index value fall
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 4% decrease in the S&P 500 Index Index 408
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 0 Participation interest + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
- --------
$10,000 Ending balance + 0 Participation interest
- - --------
(0% Total return) $10,250 Ending balance
(2.50% Total return)
3. If the Market and the S&P 500 Index value rise above the maximum return
Week 1/Wed Week 52/Tues
S&P 500 S&P 500
Index 425 16% increase in the S&P 500 Index Index 493
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full participation interest Partial participation interest and minimum interest
$10,000 Original investment $10,000 Original investment
+ 1,000 10% x $10,000 + 250 2.50% (Minimum interest rate) x $10,000
Maximum interest + 400 25% x 16% x $10,000 Participation interest
- -------- --------
$11,000 Ending balance $10,650 Ending balance
(10% Total return) (6.50% Total return)
</TABLE>
About the S&P 500 Index
The description in this prospectus of the S&P 500 Index including its make-up,
method of calculation and changes in its components are derived from publicly
available information regarding the S&P 500 Index. The Issuer does not assume
any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.
<PAGE>
The S&P 500 Index is composed of 500 common stocks, most of which are listed on
the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 Index is published by S&P and is
intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock movement.
Standard & Poor's (S&P) chooses the 500 stocks to be included in the S&P 500
Index with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that
approximates the distribution of these groupings in the U.S. common stock
population. Changes in the S&P 500 Index are reported daily in the financial
pages of many major newspapers. The index used for American Express Stock Market
Certificate excludes dividends on the 500 stocks.
"Standard & Poor's(R)", "S&P(R)", "S&P 500(R)", "Standard & Poor's 500" and
"500" are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. and have been licensed
for use by the Issuer. The certificate is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or
promoted by S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to
the owners of the certificate or any member of the public regarding the
advisability of investing in securities generally or in the certificate
particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market
performance. S&P's only relationship to the Issuer is the licensing of certain
trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index, which is determined,
composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the Issuer or the certificate.
S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Issuer or the owners of the
certificate into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P
500 Index. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the
determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the certificate to
be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the
certificate is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the certificate.
S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index
or any data included therein and S&P shall have no liability for any errors,
omissions, or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied,
as to the results to be obtained by the Issuer, owners of the certificate, or
any person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included
therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with
respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any
of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special,
punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if
notified of the possibility of such damages.
If for any reason the S&P 500 Index were to become unavailable or not reasonably
feasible to use, we would use a comparable stock market index for determining
participation interest. If this were to occur, you would be sent a notice
indicating the comparable index that will be used and be given the option to
surrender your certificate, if desired, and receive your principal, without
being assessed a surrender charge.
<PAGE>
Opportunities at the end of a term
Grace period: When your certificate term ends, you have 14 days before a new
term automatically begins. During this 14-day grace period you can:
change your interest selection;
add money to your certificate;
change your term start date;
withdraw part or all of your money without a withdrawal penalty or loss of
interest;
or
receive your interest in cash.
Fixed interest only: The grace period does not apply if you made the change from
fixed interest back to participation interest during a term as discussed in
"Fixed interest" under "Interest" above. Instead, your new 12-month term will
begin on the Wednesday following our receipt of your notice of your new interest
selection.
New term: If you do not make changes, your certificate will continue with your
current selections when the new term begins 14 days later. You will earn interim
interest during this 14-day grace period. If you don't want to wait 14 days
before starting your next market participation term, you must phone or send
written instructions before your current term ends. You can tell us to start
your next term on any Wednesday that is during the grace period and immediately
following the date on which we receive your notice. Your notice may also tell us
to change your interest selection, add to your certificate or withdraw part of
your money. The notification that we send you at the end of the term cannot be
sent before the term ends because indexing information and interest (if any) are
included in the notice and are not known until the term ends. Any additional
payments received during the current term will be applied at the end of the
current term. By starting your new term early and waiving the 14-day grace
period, you are choosing to start your next term without knowing the ending
value of your current term.
How to invest and withdraw funds
Buying your certificate
Your AEBI relationship manager or Coutts client relationship officer will help
you fill out and submit an application to open an account with us and purchase a
certificate. We will process the application at our corporate offices in
Minneapolis. When your application is accepted and we have received your initial
<PAGE>
investment, we will send you a confirmation showing the acceptance date, the
date your term begins and the interest selection you have made detailing your
market participation percentage and/or the minimum interest rate for your first
term. After your term begins, we will send you notice of the value of the S&P
500 Index on the day your term began. The rates in effect on the date we accept
your application are the rates that apply to your certificate. See "Purchase
policies" below.
Important: When opening an account, you must provide a Form W-8 or approved
substitute. See "Taxes on your earnings."
Purchase policies:
The Issuer has complete discretion to determine whether to accept an application
and sell a certificate.
How to make investments at term end
By wire
If you have an established account, you may wire money to:
Norwest Bank Minneapolis
Routing No. 091000019
Minneapolis, MN
Attn: Domestic Wire Dept.
Give these instructions: Credit IDS Account #00-29-882 for personal account #
(your account number) for (your name).
If this information is not included, the order may be rejected and all money
received less any costs IDSC incurs will be returned promptly.
Minimum amount you may wire: $1,000.
Wire orders can be accepted only on days when your bank, AEFC, IDSC and
Norwest Bank Minneapolis are open for business.
Purchases made by wire are accepted by AEFC only from banks located in the
United States.
<PAGE>
Wire purchases are completed when wired payment is received and we accept
the purchase.
Wire investments must be received and accepted in the Minneapolis
headquarters on a business day before 3 p.m. Central time to be credited
that day. Otherwise your purchase will be processed the next business day.
The Issuer, AEFC, its subsidiaries, AEBI, and Coutts are not responsible
for any delays that occur in wiring funds, including delays in processing by
the bank.
You must pay any fee the bank charges for wiring.
Full and partial withdrawals
You may withdraw your certificate for its full value or make a partial
withdrawal of $100 or more at any time. However:
If your withdrawal request is received in the Minneapolis headquarters on a
business day before 3 p.m. Central time, it will be processed that day and
payment will be sent the next business day. Otherwise, your request will be
processed one business day later.
Full and partial withdrawals of principal during a term are subject to
penalties, described below.
You may not make a partial withdrawal if it would reduce your certificate
balance to less than $1,000. If you request such a withdrawal, we will
contact you for revised instructions.
Penalties for withdrawal during a term: If you withdraw money during a term, you
will pay a penalty of 2% of the principal withdrawn. The 2% penalty is waived
upon death of the certificate owner. We will also waive withdrawal penalties on
withdrawals for IRA certificate accounts for your required distributions.
When you request a full or partial withdrawal during a term, we pay you from the
principal of your certificate.
Loss of interest: If you make a withdrawal at any time other than at the end of
the term, you will lose interest, if any, accrued on the withdrawal amount since
minimum and participation interest is credited only at the end of a term.
However, accrued fixed and interim interest will be paid to the date of the
withdrawal.
<PAGE>
Following are examples describing a $2,000 withdrawal during a term for
participation and fixed interest:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Participation interest:
Account balance $ 10,000.00
Interest (interest is credited at the end of the term) 0.00
Withdrawal of principal (2,000.00)
2% withdrawal penalty (40.00)
============
Balance after withdrawal $ 7,960.00
You will forfeit any accrued interest on the withdrawal amount.
Fixed interest:
Account balance $ 10,000.00
Interest credited to date 100.00
Withdrawal of credited interest (100.00)
Withdrawal of principal (1,900.00)
2% withdrawal penalty (on $1,900 principal withdrawn) (38.00)
============
Balance after withdrawal $ 8,062.00
</TABLE>
Other full and partial withdrawal policies:
If you request a partial or full withdrawal of a certificate recently
purchased or added to by a check or money order that is not guaranteed, we
will wait for your check to clear. Please expect a minimum of 10 days from
the date of your payment before the Issuer mails a check to you. A check may
be mailed earlier if the bank provides evidence that your check has cleared.
If your certificate is pledged as collateral, any withdrawal will be
delayed until we get approval from the secured party.
Any payments to you may be delayed under applicable rules, regulations or
orders of the SEC.
Transfers to other accounts
You may transfer part or all of your certificate to other IDS certificates
available through AEBI or Coutts.
<PAGE>
Two ways to request a withdrawal or transfer
1
By phone
Your AEBI relationship manager or Coutts client relationship officer will handle
this transaction for you. You may also call the Client Service Organization
between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Minneapolis time at the telephone numbers listed on
the back cover.
Maximum phone request: $50,000.
A telephone withdrawal request will not be allowed within 30 days of a
phoned-in address change.
We will honor any telephone requests believed to be authentic and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is. This includes asking
identifying questions and tape recording telephone calls. If reasonable
procedures are followed, IDSC or AEFC will not be liable for any loss
resulting from fraudulent requests. We can decline the telephone request if
we do not have enough information to confirm the request is authentic.
You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing the Client Service Organization.
2
By mail
Your AEBI relationship manager or Coutts client relationship officer will handle
this transaction for you. You may also send your name, account number and
request for a withdrawal or transfer to:
Regular mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
Unit 557
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
<PAGE>
Express mail:
American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
Client Service Organization
Unit 557
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Written requests are required for:
Transactions over $50,000.
Transfers to another certificate with different ownership and marketed
through AEBI or Coutts (all current registered owners must sign the
request).
Two ways to receive payment when you withdraw funds
1
By regular or express mail
Mailed to address on record; please allow seven days for mailing
Payable to name(s) you requested
You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery. For a
partial withdrawal leaving a remaining balance of more than $1,000, the fee
will be deducted from the remaining balance. If the remaining balance is
less than $1,000, or if it is a full withdrawal, the fee is deducted from
proceeds of the withdrawal.
2
By wire
Minimum wire withdrawal: $1,000
Request that money be wired to your bank
Bank account must be in same ownership as the Issuer's account
<PAGE>
Pre-authorization required. Complete the bank wire authorization section in
the application or use a form supplied by your AEBI relationship manager or
Coutts client relationship officer. All registered owners must sign.
A service fee, if any, may be deducted from your balance (for partial
withdrawals) or from the proceeds of a full withdrawal.
Transfer of ownership
While this certificate is not a negotiable instrument, it may be transferred or
assigned on the Issuer's records if proper written notice is received by the
Issuer. Ownership may be assigned or transferred to individuals or an entity
who, for U.S. tax purposes, is considered to be neither a citizen nor resident
of the United States. You may also pledge the certificate to AEBI or another
American Express Company affiliate or to Coutts as collateral security. Your
AEBI or Coutts representative can help you transfer ownership.
For more information
For information on purchases, withdrawals, exchanges, transfers of ownership,
proper instructions and other service questions regarding your certificate,
please consult your AEBI relationship manager or Coutts client relationship
officer, or call the Issuer's toll free client service number listed on the back
cover.
Taxes on your earnings
Foreign investors
If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you must supply the
Issuer with Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status when you purchase your
certificate, and you must resupply it every three years. You must also supply
both a current mailing address and an address of foreign residency, if
different. The Issuer will not accept purchases of certificates by nonresident
aliens without an appropriately certified Form W-8 (or approved substitute).
Also, if you do not supply Form W-8 you will be subject to backup withholding on
interest payments and withdrawals.
It is most likely that interest on the certificate is "portfolio interest" as
defined in U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 871(h) if earned by a nonresident
alien. However, if the certificate is treated as a contingent debt instrument
(CDI), part of the earned income may be treated as capital gain instead of
portfolio interest. Even though your interest income or capital gain is not
taxed by the U.S. government, it will be reported at year end to you and to the
U.S. government on a Form 1042S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to
Withholding. The United States participates in various tax treaties with foreign
countries, which provide for sharing of tax information.
<PAGE>
Estate tax: If you are a nonresident alien and you die while owning a
certificate, then, depending on the circumstances, the Issuer generally will not
act on instructions with regard to the certificate unless the Issuer first
receives, at a minimum, a statement from persons the Issuer believes are
knowledgeable about your estate. The statement must be in a form satisfactory to
the Issuer and must tell us that, on your date of death, your estate did not
include any property in the United States for U.S. estate tax purposes. In other
cases, we generally will not take action regarding your certificate until we
receive a transfer certificate from the IRS or evidence satisfactory to the
Issuer that the estate is being administered by an executor or administrator
appointed, qualified and acting within the United States. In general, a transfer
certificate requires the opening of an estate in the United States and provides
assurance that the IRS will not claim your certificate to satisfy estate taxes.
Important: The information in this prospectus is a brief and selective summary
of certain federal tax rules that apply to this certificate and is given on the
basis of current law and practice. Tax matters are highly individual and
complex. Investors should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their own
position.
Trusts
If the investor is a trust, the policies and procedures described above will
apply with regard to each grantor who is a nonresident alien.
How your money is used and protected
Invested and guaranteed by the Issuer
The American Express Stock Market Certificate is issued and guaranteed by the
Issuer, a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC. We are by far the largest issuer of
face amount certificates in the United States, with total assets of more than
$4.0 billion and a net worth in excess of $239 million on Dec. 31, 1997.
We back our certificates by investing the money received and keeping the
invested assets on deposit. Our investments generate interest and dividends, out
of which we pay:
interest to certificate owners; and
various expenses, including taxes, fees to AEFC for advisory and other
services and distribution fees to American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
and American Express Service Corporation (AESC).
<PAGE>
For a review of significant events relating to our business, see "Management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations." Our
certificates are not rated by a national rating agency.
Most banks and thrifts offer investments known as certificates of deposit (CDs)
that are similar to our certificates in many ways. Early withdrawals of bank CDs
often result in penalties. Banks and thrifts generally have federal deposit
insurance for their deposits and lend much of the money deposited to
individuals, businesses and other enterprises. Other financial institutions and
some insurance companies may offer investments with comparable combinations of
safety and return on investment.
Regulated by government
Because the American Express Stock Market Certificate is a security, its offer
and sale are subject to regulation under federal and state securities laws. (It
is a face-amount certificate -- not a bank product, an equity investment, a form
of life insurance or an investment trust.)
The federal Investment Company Act of 1940 requires us to keep investments on
deposit in a segregated custodial account to protect all of our outstanding
certificates. These investments back the entire value of your certificate
account. Their amortized cost must exceed the required carrying value of the
outstanding certificates by at least $250,000. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the
amortized cost of these investments exceeded the required carrying value of our
outstanding certificates by more than $176 million.
Backed by our investments
The Issuer's investments are varied and of high quality. This was the
composition of our portfolio as of Dec. 31, 1997:
Type of investment Net amount invested
Corporate and other bonds 43%
Government agency bonds 34
Preferred stocks 17
Mortgages 5
Municipal bonds 1
As of Dec. 31, 1997 about 91% of our securities portfolio (including bonds and
preferred stocks) is rated investment grade. For additional information
regarding securities ratings, please refer to Note 3B in the financial
statements.
<PAGE>
Most of our investments are on deposit with American Express Trust Company,
Minneapolis, although we also maintain separate deposits as required by certain
states. American Express Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC.
Copies of our Dec. 31, 1997 schedule of Investments in Securities of
Unaffiliated Issuers are available upon request. For comments regarding the
valuation, carrying values and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investment securities, see Notes 1, 2 and 3 to the financial statements.
Investment policies
In deciding how to diversify the portfolio -- among what types of investments in
what amounts -- the officers and directors of the Issuer use their best
judgment, subject to applicable law. The following policies currently govern our
investment decisions:
Debt securities-
Most of our investments are in debt securities as referenced in the table in
"Backed by our investments" under "How your money is used and protected."
The price of bonds generally falls as interest rates increase, and rises as
interest rates decrease. The price of a bond also fluctuates if its credit
rating is upgraded or downgraded. The price of bonds below investment grade may
react more to the ability of a company to pay interest and principal when due
than to changes in interest rates. They have greater price fluctuations, are
more likely to experience a default, and sometimes are referred to as junk
bonds. Reduced market liquidity for these bonds may occasionally make it more
difficult to value them. In valuing bonds, IDSC relies both on independent
rating agencies and the investment manager's credit analysis. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the securities in IDSC's portfolio will be rated
investment grade, or in the opinion of IDSC's investment advisor will be the
equivalent of investment grade. Under normal circumstances, IDSC will not
purchase any security rated below B- by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Securities that are subsequently downgraded in
quality may continue to be held by IDSC and will be sold only when IDSC believes
it is advantageous to do so.
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDSC held about 9% of its investment portfolio (including
bonds, preferred stocks, and mortgages) in investments rated below investment
grade.
Purchasing securities on margin -
We will not purchase any securities on margin or participate on a joint basis or
a joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities.
<PAGE>
Commodities -
We have not and do not intend to purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts except to the extent that transactions described in "Financial
transactions including hedges" in this section may be considered commodity
contracts.
Underwriting -
We do not intend to engage in the public distribution of securities issued by
others. However, if we purchase unregistered securities and later resell them,
we may be considered an underwriter under federal securities laws.
Borrowing money -
From time to time we have established a line of credit if management believed
borrowing was necessary or desirable. We may pledge some of our assets as
security. We may occasionally use repurchase agreements as a way to borrow
money. Under these agreements, we sell debt securities to our lender, and
repurchase them at the sales price plus an agreed-upon interest rate within a
specified period of time.
Real estate -
We may invest in limited partnership interests in limited partnerships that
either directly, or indirectly through other limited partnerships, invest in
real estate. We may invest directly in real estate. We also invest in mortgage
loans. We expect that investments in real estate, either directly or through a
subsidiary of IDSC, will be less than five percent of IDSC's assets.
Lending securities -
We may lend some of our securities to broker-dealers and receive cash equal to
the market value of the securities as collateral. We invest this cash in
short-term securities. If the market value of the securities goes up, the
borrower pays us additional cash. During the course of the loan, the borrower
makes cash payments to us equal to all interest, dividends and other
distributions paid on the loaned securities. We will try to vote these
securities if a major event affecting our investment is under consideration. We
expect that outstanding securities loans will not exceed 10 percent of IDSC's
assets.
When-issued securities-
Some of our investments in debt securities are purchased on a when-issued or
similar basis. It may take as long as 45 days or more before these securities
are issued and delivered to us. We generally do not pay for these securities or
start earning on them until delivery. We have established procedures to ensure
that sufficient cash is available to meet when-issued commitments. When-issued
securities are subject to market fluctuations and they may affect IDSC's
investment portfolio the same as owned securities.
<PAGE>
Financial transactions including hedges-
We buy or sell various types of options contracts for hedging purposes or as a
trading technique to facilitate securities purchases or sales. We may buy
interest rate caps for hedging purposes. These pay us a return if interest rates
rise above a specified level. If interest rates do not rise above a specified
level, the interest rate caps do not pay us a return. The Issuer may enter into
other financial transactions, including futures and other derivatives, for the
purpose of managing the interest rate exposures associated with the Issuer's
assets or liabilities. Derivatives are financial instruments whose performance
is derived, at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset,
security or index. A small change in the value of the underlying asset, security
or index may cause a sizable gain or loss in the fair value of the derivative.
We do not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
Illiquid securities -
A security is illiquid if it cannot be sold in the normal course of business
within seven days at approximately its current market value. Some investments
cannot be resold to the U.S. public because of their terms or government
regulations. All securities, however can be sold in private sales, and many may
be sold to other institutions and qualified buyers or on foreign markets. IDSC's
investment advisor will follow guidelines established by the board and consider
relevant factors such as the nature of the security and the number of likely
buyers when determining whether a security is illiquid. No more than 15% of
IDSC's investment portfolio will be held in securities that are illiquid. In
valuing its investment portfolio to determine this 15% limit, IDSC will use
statutory accounting under an SEC order. This means that, for this purpose, the
portfolio will be valued in accordance with applicable Minnesota law governing
investments of life insurance companies, rather than generally accepted
accounting principles.
Restrictions -
There are no restrictions on concentration of investments in any particular
industry or group of industries or on rates of portfolio turnover.
How your money is managed
Relationship between the Issuer and American Express Financial Corporation
The Issuer was originally organized as Investors Syndicate of America, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation, on Oct. 15, 1940, and began business as an issuer of face
amount investment certificates on Jan. 1, 1941. The company became a Delaware
corporation on Dec. 31, 1977, and changed its name to IDS Certificate Company on
April 2, 1984.
Before the Issuer was created, AEFC (formerly known as IDS Financial
Corporation), our parent company, had issued similar certificates since 1894. As
of Jan. 1, 1995, IDS Financial Corporation changed its name to AEFC. The Issuer
and AEFC have never failed to meet their certificate payments.
<PAGE>
During its many years in operation, AEFC has become a leading manager of
investments in mortgages and securities. As of Dec. 31, 1997, AEFC managed
investments, including its own, of more than $173 billion. American Express
Financial Advisors Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AEFC, provides a broad
range of financial planning services for individuals and businesses through its
nationwide network of more than 175 offices and more than 8,500 financial
advisors. American Express Financial Advisors' financial planning services are
comprehensive, beginning with a detailed written analysis that's tailored to
your needs. Your analysis may address one or all of these six essential areas:
financial position, protection planning, investment planning, income tax
planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
AEFC itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company, a
financial services company with executive offices at American Express Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285. American Express Company is a
financial services company engaged through subsidiaries in other businesses
including:
travel related services (including American Express(R) Card and Travelers
Cheque operations through American Express Travel Related Services Company,
Inc. and its subsidiaries); and
international banking services (through American Express Bank Ltd. and its
subsidiaries including American Express Bank International).
Capital structure and certificates issued
The Issuer has authorized, issued and has outstanding 150,000 shares of common
stock, par value of $10 per share. AEFC owns all of the outstanding shares.
As of the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1997, the Issuer had issued (in face
amount) $165,818,152 of installment certificates and $1,470,915,530 of single
payment certificates. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the Issuer had issued (in face
amount) $13,493,767,867 of installment certificates and $17,259,360,607 of
single payment certificates since its inception in 1941.
Investment management and services
Under an Investment Advisory and Services Agreement, AEFC acts as our investment
advisor and is responsible for:
providing investment research;
<PAGE>
making specific investment recommendations; and
executing purchase and sale orders according to our policy of obtaining the
best price and execution.
All these activities are subject to direction and control by our board of
directors and officers. Our agreement with AEFC requires annual renewal by our
board, including a majority of directors who are not interested persons of AEFC
or the Issuer as defined in the federal Investment Company Act of 1940.
For its services, we pay AEFC a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to a
percentage of the total book value of certain assets (included assets).
Effective Jan. 1, 1998, the fee on any amount over $1 billion will be 0.107%.
Advisory and services fee computation:
Included assets Percentage of total book value
First $250 million 0.750%
Next 250 million 0.650
Next 250 million 0.550
Next 250 million 0.500
Any amount over 1 billion 0.107
Included assets are all assets of the Issuer except mortgage loans, real estate,
and any other asset on which we pay an outside advisory or service fee.
Advisory and services fee for the past three years:
Percentage of
Year Total fees included assets
1997 $17,232,602 0.50%
1996 16,989,093 0.50
1995 16,472,458 0.50
Estimated advisory and services fees for 1998 are $9,361,000.
Other expenses payable by the Issuer: The Investment Advisory and Services
Agreement provides that we will pay:
costs incurred by us in connection with real estate and mortgages;
taxes;
<PAGE>
depository and custodian fees;
brokerage commissions;
fees and expenses for services not covered by other agreements and provided
to us at our request, or by requirement, by attorneys, auditors, examiners
and professional consultants who are not officers or employees of AEFC;
fees and expenses of our directors who are not officers or employees of
AEFC;
provision for certificate reserves (interest accrued on certificate owner
accounts);
and
expenses of customer settlements not attributable to sales function.
Distribution
Under a Distribution Agreement with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., we
pay for the distribution of this certificate by American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. as described below:
For certificates sold through American Express Financial Advisors Inc. or
through AEBI and Coutts & Co. (USA) International (Coutts) we pay distribution
fees as follows:
0.70% of the initial investment on the first day of the certificate's term;
and
0.70% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of each subsequent
term, for certificates sold through American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
or through AEBI or Coutts.
Under a Distribution Agreement with AESC, for certificates sold through American
Express Financial Direct, we pay AESC the following:
1.00% of the initial investment on the first day of the certificate's term;
and
1.00% of the certificate's reserve at the beginning of each subsequent
term.
This fee is not assessed to your certificate account.
American Express Financial Direct is a channel for direct marketing of financial
services to American Express card members and others.
<PAGE>
Total distribution fees paid to American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for all
series of certificates amounted to $30,072,811 during the year ended Dec. 31,
1997. We expect to pay American Express Financial Advisors Inc. distribution
fees amounting to $27,916,000 during 1998.
See Note 1 to Financial statements regarding deferral of distribution fee
expense.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and AESC pay selling expenses in
connection with services to us. Our board of directors, including a majority of
directors who are not interested persons of American Express Financial Advisors
Inc., AESC or the Issuer, approved these distribution agreements.
Selling Agent Agreements with AEBI and Coutts
In turn, under Selling Agent Agreements with AEBI and Coutts, American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. compensates each for their services as Selling Agents of
this certificate as follows:
AEBI is paid a fee equal to 1.0% per term of the principal amount of each
certificate for which AEBI is the selling agent.
Coutts is paid a fee equal to 0.80% per term of the principal amount of
each certificate for which Coutts is the selling agent.
Coutts is compensated on certificates owned by its clients who are former
clients of AEBI. These clients must have continuously owned a certificate since
Nov. 10, 1994. Coutts is also compensated on additional investments and
exchanges made by such clients to other certificates only to the extent that a
client has the right to make additional investments or exchanges.
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. has entered into a consulting agreement
with AEBI under which AEBI provides consulting services related to any selling
agent agreements between American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and other Edge
Act corporations. For these services, American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
pays AEBI a fee for this certificate equal to 0.20% per term of the principal
amount of each certificate for which another Edge Act corporation is the selling
agent.
Such payments will be made quarterly in arrears.
These fees are not assessed to your certificate account.
<PAGE>
About AEBI and Coutts
AEBI is an Edge Act corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a)
of the Federal Reserve Act. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express
Bank Ltd. (AEBL). As an Edge Act corporation, AEBI is subject to the provisions
of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation K of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). It is supervised
and regulated by the Federal Reserve.
AEBI has an extensive international high net-worth client base that is serviced
by a marketing staff in New York and Florida. The banking and financial products
offered by AEBI include checking, money market and time deposits, credit
services, check collection services, foreign exchange, funds transfer,
investment advisory services and securities brokerage services. As of Dec. 31,
1997, AEBI had total assets of $608 million and total equity of $162 million.
Coutts is an Edge Act corporation organized under the provisions of Section
25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act. It is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
National Westminster Bank PLC. As an Edge Act corporation, Coutts is subject to
the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation K of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). It
is supervised and regulated by the Federal Reserve.
Although AEBI and Coutts are banking entities, the American Express Stock Market
Certificate is not a bank product, nor is it backed or guaranteed by AEBI or
Coutts, by AEBL, by NatWest PLC or by any other bank, nor is it guaranteed or
insured by the FDIC or any other federal agency. AEBI is registered where
necessary as a securities broker-dealer.
About AESC
AESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services
Inc., which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company.
Transfer agent
Under a Transfer Agency Agreement, American Express Client Service Corporation
(AECSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, maintains certificate owner accounts
and records. IDSC pays AECSC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of $10.353 per
certificate owner account for this service.
<PAGE>
Employment of other American Express affiliates
AEFC may employ an affiliate of American Express Company as executing broker for
our portfolio transactions only if:
we receive prices and executions at least as favorable as those offered by
qualified independent brokers performing similar services;
the affiliate charges us commissions consistent with those charged to
comparable unaffiliated customers for similar transactions; and
the affiliate's employment is consistent with the terms of the current
Investment Advisory and Services Agreement and federal securities laws.
Directors and officers
The Issuer's directors, chairman, president and controller are elected annually
for a term of one year. The other executive officers are appointed by the
president.
We paid a total of $38,000 during 1997 to directors not employed by AEFC.
Board of directors
David R. Hubers*
Born in 1943. Director since 1987.
President and chief executive officer of AEFC since 1993. Senior vice president
and chief financial officer of AEFC from 1984 to 1993.
Charles W. Johnson
Born in 1929. Director since 1989.
Director, Communications Holdings, Inc. Former vice president and group
executive, Industrial Systems, with Honeywell, Inc. Retired 1989.
Richard W. Kling*
Born in 1940. Director since 1996.
Chairman of the board of directors since 1996. Director of IDS Life Insurance
Company since 1984; president since 1994. Executive vice president of Marketing
and Products of AEFC from 1988 to 1994. Senior vice president of AEFC since
1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and member of the board of managers
of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B.
<PAGE>
Edward Landes
Born in 1919. Director since 1984.
Development consultant. Director of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.
Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. Vice
president for Financial Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985
through 1995. Former sales manager - Supplies Division and district manager -
Data Processing Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
John V. Luck, Ph.D.
Born in 1926. Director since 1987.
Former senior vice president - Science and Technology with General Mills, Inc.
Employed with General Mills, Inc. since 1968. Retired 1988.
James A. Mitchell*
Born in 1941. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996. Executive vice president
Marketing and Products of AEFC since 1994. Senior vice president - Insurance
Operations of AEFC and president and chief executive officer of IDS Life
Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Harrison Randolph
Born in 1916. Director since 1968.
Engineering, manufacturing and management consultant since 1978.
Gordon H. Ritz
Born in 1926. Director since 1968.
Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc. Former president,
Com Rad Broadcasting Corp. Former director, Sunstar Foods.
Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Born in 1957. Director since 1994.
President since 1994. Vice president - Assured Assets of AEFC since 1994. Vice
president and portfolio manager from 1988 to 1993. Executive vice president -
Assured Assets of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1994.
*"Interested Person" of IDSC as that term is defined in Investment Company Act
of 1940.
<PAGE>
Executive officers
Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957. President since 1994.
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961. Vice president and treasurer since December 1997. Vice president
and corporate treasurer of AEFC since December 1997. Controller, American
Express Technologies - Financial Servies of AEFC from July 1997 to December
1997. Controller, Risk Management Products of AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997.
Director of finance and analysis, Corporate Treasury of AEFC from June 1990 to
May 1994.
Timothy S. Meehan
Born in 1957. Secretary since 1995.
Secretary of AEFC and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. since 1995.
Senior counsel to AEFC since 1995. Counsel from 1990 to 1995.
Lorraine R. Hart
Born in 1951. Vice president - Investments since 1994.
Vice president - Insurance Investments of AEFC since 1989. Vice president
Investments of IDS Life Insurance Company since 1992.
Jay C. Hatlestad
Born in 1957. Vice president and controller of IDSC since 1994. Manager of
Investment Accounting of IDS Life Insurance Company from 1986 to 1994.
Bruce A. Kohn
Born in 1951. Vice president and general counsel since 1993. Senior counsel to
AEFC since 1996. Counsel to AEFC from 1992 to 1996. Associate counsel from 1987
to 1992.
F. Dale Simmons
Born in 1937. Vice president - Real Estate Loan Management since 1993. Vice
president of AEFC since 1992. Senior portfolio manager of AEFC since 1989.
Assistant vice president from 1987 to 1992.
The officers and directors as a group beneficially own less than 1% of the
common stock of American Express Company.
The Issuer has provisions in its bylaws relating to the indemnification of its
officers and directors against liability, as permitted by law. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
<PAGE>
Independent auditors
A firm of independent auditors audits our financial statements at the close of
each fiscal year (Dec. 31). Copies of our annual financial statements (audited)
and semiannual financial statements (unaudited) are available to any certificate
owner upon request.
Ernst & Young LLP, Minneapolis, has audited the financial statements for each of
the years in the three-year period ended Dec. 31, 1997. These statements are
included in this prospectus. Ernst & Young LLP is also the auditor for American
Express Company, the parent company of AEFC and IDSC.
<PAGE>
Appendix
Description of corporate bond ratings
Bond ratings concern the quality of the issuing corporation. They are not an
opinion of the market value of the security. Such ratings are opinions on
whether the principal and interest will be repaid when due. A security's rating
may change which could affect its price. Ratings by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. are Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Ratings by Standard & Poor's
Corporation are AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D.
Aaa/AAA - Judged to be of the best quality and carry the smallest degree of
investment risk. Interest and principal are secure.
Aa/AA - Judged to be high-grade although margins of protection for interest and
principal may not be quite as good as Aaa or AAA rated securities.
A - Considered upper-medium grade. Protection for interest and principal is
deemed adequate but may be susceptible to future impairment.
Baa/BBB - Considered medium-grade obligations. Protection for interest and
principal is adequate over the short-term; however, these obligations may have
certain speculative characteristics.
Ba/BB - Considered to have speculative elements. The protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate.
B - Lack characteristics of more desirable investments. There may be small
assurance over any long period of time of the payment of interest and principal.
Caa/CCC - Are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
risk with respect to principal or interest.
Ca/CC - Represent obligations that are highly speculative. Such issues are often
in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C - Are obligations with a higher degree of speculation. These securities have
major risk exposures to default.
D - Are in payment default. The D rating is used when interest payments or
principal payments are not made on the due date.
Non-rated securities will be considered for investment. When assessing each
non-rated security, IDSC will consider the financial condition of the issuer or
the protection afforded by the terms of the security.
<PAGE>
(Back cover)
Quick telephone reference
Selling Agent
American Express Bank International
Region Offices
101 East 52nd Street
29th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 415-9500
1221 Brickell Avenue
8th Floor
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 350-2502
Selling Agent
Coutts & Co. (USA) International
701 Brickell Avenue
23rd Floor
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 789-3700
American Express Stock Market Certificate
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Distributed by American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
<PAGE>
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item
Number
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the securities being registered are to be borne
by the registrant.
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The By-Laws of IDS Certificate Company provide that it
shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party, by reason of the fact that he was or is a
director, officer, employee or agent of the company, or is or was
serving at the direction of the company, or any predecessor
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, wherever brought, to the fullest extent permitted
by the laws of the state of Delaware, as now existing or
hereafter amended.
The By-Laws further provide that indemnification
questions applicable to a corporation which has been merged into
the company relating to causes of action arising prior to the
date of such merger shall be governed exclusively by the
applicable laws of the state of incorporation and by the by-laws
of such merged corporation then in effect. See also Item 17.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(a) Securities Sold
<S> <C> <C>
1995 IDS Special Deposits 56,855,953.53
1996 IDS Special Deposits* 41,064,486.74
1997 American Express Special Deposits 182,788,631.00
1998 through March 31** American Express Special Deposits 42,363,194.00
*Renamed American Express Special Deposits in April, 1996.
**Most recent practicable date through which to provide information.
</TABLE>
(b) Underwriters and other purchasers
American Express Special Deposits are marketed by American Express Bank Ltd.
(AEB), an affiliate of IDS Certificate Company, to private banking clients of
AEB in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
(c) Consideration
All American Express Special Deposits were sold for cash. The aggregate offering
price was the same as the amount sold in the table above. Aggregate marketing
fees to AEB were $172,633.41 in 1995, $301,946.44 in 1996 and $182,788,631.00 in
1997 and $272,219.30 in 1998 through March 31.
<PAGE>
(d) Exemption from registration claimed
American Express Special Deposits are marketed, pursuant to the exemption in
Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, by AEB in the United Kingdom and
Hong Kong to persons who are not U.S. persons, as defined in Regulation S.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits
1. (a) Copy of Distribution Agreement dated November 18,
1988, between Registrant and IDS Financial Services
Inc., filed electronically as Exhibit 1(a) to the
Registration Statement for the American Express
International Investment Certificate (now called, the
IDS Investors Certificate), is incorporated herein by
reference.
(b) Copy of Distribution Agreement dated March 29, 1996
between Registrant and American Express Service
Corporation filed electronically as Exhibit 1(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registration
Statement No.2-95577 is incorporated herein by
reference.
2. Not Applicable.
3. (a) Certificate of Incorporation, dated December 31,
1977, filed electronically as Exhibit 3(a) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration
Statement No. 2-95577, is incorporated herein by
reference.
(b) Certificate of Amendment, dated February 9,
l984, filed electronically as Exhibit 3(b) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No.
2-95577, is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) By-Laws, dated December 31, 1977, filed
electronically as Exhibit 3(c) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 2-95577,
are incorporated herein by reference.
4. Not Applicable.
5. An opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality
of the securities being registered is filed
electronically herewith.
6. through 9. -- None.
10. (a) Investment Advisory and Services Agreement
between Registrant and IDS/American Express Inc., dated
January 12, 1984, filed electronically as Exhibit 10(a)
to Post- Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration
Statement No. 2-95577, is incorporated herein by
reference.
<PAGE>
(b) Depository and Custodial Agreement, between IDS
Certificate Company and IDS Trust Company dated September
30, 1985, filed electronically as Exhibit 10(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement
No. 2-95577, is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Foreign Deposit Agreement dated November 21, 1990,
between Registrant and IDS Bank & Trust, filed
electronically as Exhibit 10(h) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 33-26844,
is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Selling Agent Agreement dated June 1, 1990,
between American Express Bank International and IDS
Financial Services Inc. for the American Express
Investors and American Express Stock Market Certificates,
filed electronically as Exhibit 1(c) to the
Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement
No. 33-26844, is incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Marketing Agreement dated October 10, 1991, between
Registrant and American Express Bank Ltd., filed
electronically as Exhibit 1(d) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement 2-55252, is
incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Amendment to the Selling Agent Agreement dated December
12, 1994 between IDS Financial Services Inc. and
American Express Bank International, filed electronically
as Exhibit 1(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
Registration Statement No. 2-95577, is incorporated
herein by reference.
(g) Selling Agent Agreement dated December 12, 1994
between IDS Financial Services Inc. and Coutts & Co.
(USA) International filed electronically as Exhibit 1(e)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Registration
Statement No. 2-95577, is incorporated herein by
reference.
(h) Consulting Agreement dated December 12, 1994 between IDS
Financial Services Inc. and Coutts & Co. (USA) filed
electronically as Exhibit 1(f) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to Registration Statement No.2-95577,
is incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Letter amendment dated January 9, 1997 to the Marketing
Agreement dated October 10, 1991, between Registrant
and American Express Bank Ltd., filed
electronically as Exhibit 10(j) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 40 to Registration Statement 2-55252, is
incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>
(j) Form of Letter amendment dated April 7, 1997
to the Selling Agent Agreement dated June 1, 1990,
between American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and
American Express Bank International, filed electronically
as Exhibit 10(j) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to
Registration Statement 33-26844, is incorporated herein
by reference.
11. through 22. -- None.
23. Consent of Independent Auditors Report is filed
electronically herewith.
24. (a) Officers' Power of Attorney, dated May 17, 1994 filed
electronically as Exhibit 25(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to Registration Statement No. 2-95577,
is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Directors' Power of Attorney, dated February 29, 1996
filed electronically as Exhibit 25(b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17 to Registration Statement No. 2-95577 is
incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Officer's Power of Attorney, dated February 17, 1998
filed electronically as Exhibit 24(c) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registration Statement No.
2-55252 is incorporated herein by reference.
25. through 27. None.
(b) The financial statement schedules for IDS Certificate Company filed
electronically as Exhibit 16(b) in Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to
Registration Statement No. 2-55252 for Series D-1 Investment
Certificate, are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
Without limiting or restricting any liability on the part
of the other, American Express Financial Advisors Inc., (formerly
IDS Financial Services Inc.) as underwriter, will assume any
actionable civil liability which may arise under the Federal
Securities Act of 1933, the Federal Securities Exchange Act of
1934 or the Federal Investment Company Act of 1940, in addition
to any such liability arising at law or in equity, out of any
untrue statement of a material fact made by its agents in the due
course of their business in selling or offering for sale, or
soliciting applications for, securities issued by the Company or
any omission on the part of its agents to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements so made, in the light
of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading (no
such untrue statements or omissions, however, being admitted or
contemplated), but such liability shall be subject to the
conditions and limitations described in said Acts. American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. will also assume any liability of
the Company for any amount or amounts which the Company legally
may be compelled to pay to any purchaser under said Acts because
of any untrue statements of a material fact, or any omission to
state a material fact, on the part of the agents of American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. to the extent of any
<PAGE>
actual loss to, or expense of, the Company in connection
therewith. The By-Laws of the Registrant contain a
provision relating to Indemnification of Officers and
Directors as permitted by applicable law.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has
duly caused this amendment to this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis
and State of Minnesota, on the 22nd day of April, 1998.
IDS CERTIFICATE COMPANY
By /s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek*
Stuart A. Sedlacek, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment has
been signed below by the following persons in the following capacities on 17th
day of April, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Signature Capacity
/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek* ** President and Director
Stuart A. Sedlacek (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Jeffrey S. Horton* ** Vice President and Treasurer
Jeffrey S. Horton (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Jay C. Hatlestad* Vice President and Controller
Jay C. Hatlestad (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ David R. Hubers** Director
David R. Hubers
/s/ Charles W. Johnson** Director
Charles W. Johnson
/s/ Richard W. Kling** Chairman of the Board of Directors
Richard W. Kling and Director
/s/ Edward Landes** Director
Edward Landes
/s/ John V. Luck** Director
John V. Luck
/s/ James A. Mitchell** Director
James A. Mitchell
<PAGE>
/s/ Harrison Randolph** Director
Harrison Randolph
/s/ Gordon H. Ritz** Director
Gordon H. Ritz
</TABLE>
*Signed pursuant to Officers' Power of Attorney dated May 17, 1994 filed
electronically as Exhibit 25(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to
Registration Statement No. 2-95577, incorporated herein by reference.
- ----------------------
Bruce A. Kohn
**Signed pursuant to Directors' Power of Attorney dated February 29, 1996 filed
electronically as Exhibit 25(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to
Registration Statement No. 2-95577, incorporated herein by reference.
- -------------------------
Bruce A. Kohn
***Signed pursuant to Officer's Power of Attorney dated February 17,1998 filed
electronically as Exhibit 24(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to
Registration Statement No. 2-55252, incorporated herin by reference.
- -------------------------
Bruce A. Kohn
<PAGE>
CONTENTS OF THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 21 TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT No. 2-95577
Cover Page
Explanatory Note
Prospectus
Part II Information
Signatures
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 5: Opinion and Consent of Counsel
Exhibit 23: Consent of Independent Auditors
<PAGE>
April 22, 1998
IDS Certificate Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to your Registration Statement, No. 2-95577, Form S-1 under
the Securities Act of 1933, registering an indefinite number of face-amount
certificates pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Securities Act of 1933.
I have examined the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of IDS
Certificate Company (the "Company") and all necessary certificates, permits,
minute books, documents and records of the Company, and the applicable statutes
of the State of Delaware and such other matters of fact and law as I have deemed
necessary, and it is my opinion:
(a) That the Company is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) That the face-amount certificates issued by the Company since Dec. 31, 1996,
were legal and non-assessable when sold in accordance with applicable federal
and state securities laws and except for face-amount certificates of the
installment type, were fully paid face-amount certificates as that term is used
in section 2(a)(15) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that such
face-amount certificates were binding obligations of the Company.
I hereby consent that the foregoing opinion may be used in connection with this
Post-Effective Amendment.
Very truly yours,
Bruce A. Kohn
Vice President and General Counsel
IDS Certificate Company
(612) 671-2221
BAK/lal
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent auditors"
and to the use of our report dated February 5, 1998 in the Post-Effective
Amendment Number 21 to Registration Statement Number 2-95577 on Form S-1 and
related prospectuses of IDS Certificate Company for the registration of its IDS
Flexible Savings Certificate, IDS Cash Reserve Certificate, IDS Installment
Certificate, IDS Preferred Investors Certificate, IDS Stock Market Certificate
and Amerian Express Stock Market Certificate.
Our audits also included the financial statements schedules of IDS Certificate
Company listed in Item 16(b) of this Registration Statement. These schedules are
the responsibility of the management of the IDS Certificate Company. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the
financial statement schedules referred to above, when considered in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material
respects the information set forth therein.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 20, 1998
