Kemper Fund guarantees return of principal at maturity.

Kemper Financial Services has launched an international mutual fund that guarantees the return of principal at maturity.

The Kemper Worldwide 2004 Fund is the only fund tracked by Lipper Analytical Services that invests around the globe and ensures the return of the original investment at maturity.

To take advantage of Kemper's guarantee, investors must reinvest all dividends and hold shares until Nov. 15, 2004, the maturity date.

By investing part of the portfolio in U.S. Government Zero Coupon Bonds and the remainder in international securities, the company can provide diversification and protect principal.

The fund is an excellent investment for risk averse bank customers who want to diversify internationally, said Henry Schulthesz, National Sales Manager at Kemper.

"It gives bank clients that are apprehensive about investing internationally the confidence to invest," he said in an interview.

Among fund families sold by banks, Kemper Mutual Funds rank fourth, according to a 1993 study by Alliance Capital Management, a New York-based fund company.

The company, which is headquartered in Chicago, manages more than $67 billion of assets.

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