Banking executive Colin Robertson, who has operated in Chicago for most of his career, began his long association with Northern Trust in 1999, when he joined the firm as a senior vice president. Prior to that, he worked for other financial services firms, including Mellon Financial Corporation and Continental Bank. Now an executive vice president for Northern Trust Asset Management, Colin Robertson is Managing Director of Fixed Income for the Chicago-based firm.

1. WHAT IS
FIXED
INCOME
INVESTING?
Colin Robertson

2. INTRODUCTION
Banking executive Colin Robertson, who has operated in
Chicago for most of his career, began his long
association with Northern Trust in 1999, when he joined
the firm as a senior vice president. Prior to that, he
worked for other financial services firms, including
Mellon Financial Corporation and Continental Bank. Now
an executive vice president for Northern Trust Asset
Management, Colin Robertson is Managing Director of
Fixed Income for the Chicago-based firm.
In the investing environment, “fixed income” is a specific
strategy characterized by the purchase of a security such
as a bond or certificate of deposit (CD) for a fixed period.
During that time, the issuer of the security regularly pays
the investor a set amount as dividends or interest. These
payments, expressed as a percentage of the purchase
price, are usually annual, but in some cases may be
quarterly or monthly.

3. FIXED INCOME INVESTING
When the period expires, the investment matures, and
the entire amount originally invested is returned to the
purchaser.
Fixed income strategies are often recommended for the
risk-averse, because if the issuer of the security is a
good risk, such as a government, bank, or stable
corporation, the investor is guaranteed a certain return
as well as complete recovery of the initial investment.
Many investors dedicate a portion of their portfolios to
fixed income securities. The details and nuances of fixed
income investing can be quite complex, and any investor
considering adopting such a strategy should consult with
a credentialed professional.