Deciduous is a designation indicating a plant sheds its foliage at the end of the growing season. The term is used primarily in reference to trees and shrubs, in contrast with those that are evergreen..
Conflict of interest. A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial or otherwise, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation or decision-making of that individual or organization. The presence of a conflict of interest is independent of the occurrence of impropriety.
Investment Company Institute (ICI). The Investment Company Institute is an association of US mutual fund companies. ICI membership is open to all US open- and closed-end investment companies, as well as their investment advisers and underwriters. Each year, ICI publishes the Fact Book, a comprehensive review of the mutual fund industry. ICI's goals are to maintain ethical standards in the fund industry, advance the interests of funds and their shareholders, and educate the public about mutual funds and other investment companies.