What defines UITFs as collective investment schemes?

Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) are defined as collective investment schemes primarily because they are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This regulation ensures that UITFs operate within a legal framework that provides a level of protection and standardization for investors. By being under the oversight of the BSP, UITFs are subjected to regulations concerning fund management, disclosure requirements, and investor protections, which is crucial for maintaining investor confidence in collective investment schemes.

Moreover, as collective investment schemes, UITFs pool funds from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, which is managed on their behalf. This characteristic highlights the collaborative aspect of UITFs, distinguishing them from individual investment strategies, which are typically under the control of individual investors without shared risk or pooled resources, making regulation an essential aspect of their functioning and credibility in the financial market.