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TOWER MortgagePlus Fund Q and A's 

MortgagePlus Fund expand this category
MortgagePlus Fund expand this product
When can we expect to receive the next distribution? view answer close
Economic conditions make it difficult for MortgagePlus to sell down its mortgages and this impacts on the ability of mortgagees to repay their loans. As a result TOWER will continue to make repayments as and when there is sufficient money in the Fund’s bank account to make a capital repayment of a suitable size.
 
In order to determine what money is available for the next distribution of capital, the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 will first need to be completed.  This will enable us to determine what income distribution, if any, needs to be made for the year ending 31 March 2012.  Once this is finalised we will also determine if there is sufficient liquidity to also make  a capital distribution at that time.  The draft financial statements are expected to be completed in June 2012 with audited financial statements finalised and printed for distribution by 31 August 2012.
What happens to investor's money in the Fund? view answer close

New contributions to and withdrawals from the Fund ceased in April 2008 and the Fund is in the process of being wound up. Capital is being returned to investors in instalments as the Fund’s assets are liquidated. To date there have been pro-rata payments of capital on 16 May 2008, 15 August 2008, 14 November 2008, 6 March 2009, 5 August 2009, 18 December 2009, 4 March 2010, 2 June 2010, 20 October 2010, 1 July 2011 and 13 October 2011.

The July 2011 capital repayment also included income generated by the Fund for the year ended 31 March 2011 and was 2.47% per annum of the average balance of unitholder investment for the period. The Fund continues to earn interest, and this interest, net of expenses, will be paid out at the direction of the Trustee. The timing and the amount of the next income distribution will be determined by the Trustee after the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2012 have been issued.

Will investors get their money back? view answer close

The amount returned to investors depends on the ability of the mortgagees to refinance or repay their loans, or the Fund's ability to sell loans to other lenders. Every effort is being made to preserve investor’s capital during the wind up process.

At 31 March 2011, the mortgage portfolio was comprised of 67 mortgages with a value of $23.9 million (net of $0.1m loan provisioning). Total arrears in MortgagePlus have decreased from $1.0m at 30 September 2010 to $0.45m at 31 March 2011.

When will investors get their money? view answer close

Capital will continue to be repaid to the Fund’s investors as the mortgages are repaid, refinanced or sold. The last payment of capital paid on 13 October 2011 brought the total capital repaid to investors to 92%.

The current economic conditions and the nature of the Fund’s assets make it extremely difficult to predict the timing of future capital repayments.

Will interest be paid and at what rate? view answer close

MortgagePlus is in the process of being wound-up in an orderly manner and as it does so, it continues to earn income on its assets. The last distribution of income was made in respect of the 12 months to 31 March 2011 and was paid in July 2011. This amount was equivalent to 2.47% per annum of the average balance of unitholder investment for the period.

The Fund continues to earn interest, and this interest, net of expenses, will be paid out at the direction of the Trustee.  The timing and amount of the next income distribution will be determined by the Trustee after the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2012 have been issued.

Can you guarantee full repayment of my money? view answer close

TOWER cannot guarantee full repayment, and the amount returned depends on the ability of the mortgagees to refinance or repay the loans, or the Fund’s ability to sell loans to other lenders.

Of the $24m total mortgages (as at 31 March 2011) what percentage is in commercial mortgages? view answer close
Approximately 11%.
What is the maturity profile of mortgages within the Fund? view answer close

The audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011 show 6.1% of mortgages having a maturity profile greater than 5 years.

Can you provide further specific and detailed information regarding the financial situation of the Fund? view answer close
All unitholders are entitled to request a copy of the most recent Prospectus, Investment Statement, current Financial Statements and the Trust Deed. No one unitholder can be put in a more informed position than any other unitholder. The financial statements can be downloaded hereOpens in a new window.
How will I find out what happens from here? view answer close

The next payment may not take place until after the completion of the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2012, when we intend to next make an income distribution.

Can I be repaid my investment in MortgagePlus if I face hardship or terminal illness? view answer close
Unfortunately early repayments cannot be made under any circumstances, because all investors must be treated equally. Capital Repayments are made as and when there is sufficient money in the Fund’s bank account to make a capital repayment of a suitable size. Income Distributions are made in respect of income earned in each financial year.
My investments are held as part of Trustees Executors Funeral Trust, can my estate claim these if I pass away? view answer close
The pro-rata capital repayments and income distributions made from MortgagePlus in relation to a Trustees Executors Funeral Trust (that was established prior to April 2008) are reinvested by the Trustee of each Funeral Trust in the TEL Cash PIE Fund. These accumulated funds will be available immediately to the funeral director involved upon receipt of the funeral account and a certified copy of the death certificate.
What will not be immediately available is the value of the units still remaining in the closed MortgagePlus Fund. Subsequent pro-rata payments from MortgagePlus will go to the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
Please click hereOpens in a new window to view the Annual Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2011.
 
Please call our Customer Contact Centre with any questions on 0800 379 372 or email investments@tower.co.nz.