Finances

Published on newspaper recently, it was reported that sources said NAMLIFA had highlighted the need to have a minimum guaranteed sum to protect policy holders of  ILPs. Is it work-able? If yes, how to work it out? Everyone knows what is Investment-Linked Plan (ILP)? Basically, an ILP have both protection and investment element inside one plan. It gives the flexibility to policy holders to adjust the benefits and investment part. Unlike traditional life policies, how much policy value in an ILPs depends on the performance of the underlying funds being chosen. Since policy holder is the one who shoulder the risk, the ILPs premium tends to be cheaper. The key disadvantage of ILPs was the return was not guaranteed. How about a Minimum Guaranteed Returns? To eliminate the investment risk associated of an ILP, NAMLIFA has proposed to the central bank to have such minimum guaranteed return. And, the minimum guaranteed return they're looking at is between current fixed deposit and EPF rat...

Can you recognize the billboard girl of HSBC credit card and various commercial advertisement? Yes. She is here with Finance Malaysia Blog. In this special Merdeka posting, we are glad to have a chance to conduct an exclusive interview with another upcoming and proud Malaysian. She is Venice Min , an ordinary girl who eventually became one of the most wanted girl-next-door. Let's explore more... Name                             : Venice Min Hometown                     : Penang, Malaysia but I'm based in KL currently Hobby                            : Reading, Singing, Spa/Massage therapy session, Traveling  Favorite Sports             : Swimming & Running Favorite Singer             : Rihanna & Whitney Houston  Favorite Fo...

It's been a hot discussions ever since many years back. Which one is better? Benefiting developers or house buyers? To be announced during Budget 2015 ? When comes to housing, current practice by various developers were the STB method. The key advantage for developer is the 10% deposit (placed by house buyers) can be used to offset a portion of interest being charged by banks for the construction costs. Moreover, it can helps developers to minimize the cash flow problem during construction period, and better still channel the funds to other housing projects. In return, the selling price during launching date might be lower to attract buyers. However, house buyers are subject to higher risks such as untimely delivery of house, defect issues, and worst still abandoned project. These are the price that house buyers of STB method need to bear. Anyway, given the current good economy environment and favorable  interest rate, very few abandoned projects being...

While most of us already know what is Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), how about the RM500 PRS Youth Incentive? If you never heard of, you should understand it before regretting. If you already heard of, have you grab it? If no action taken yet, why? Unveiling the BEST investment in Malaysia... Announced during the 2014 National Budget by our Prime Minister last year, in order to encourage more youngsters to kick start their retirement savings via PRS, a one-off RM500 incentive will be given to them. We have compiled some questions posted to us and get the answers from Alex Yeoh, a licensed financial planner and corporate PRS adviser : What is PRS youth incentive? It's a one-off RM500 incentive if you fulfilled the following criteria:- ~ Malaysian ~ Participating in the PRS Scheme from 2014 to 2018 ~  Minimum RM1,000 is made within a calendar year ~ Aged between 20 to 30 years old when contribution is made Who can qualify for this PRS youth incentive? Malaysians who are aged...

While most of us already know what is Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), how about the RM500 PRS Youth Incentive? If you never heard of, you should understand it before regretting. If you already heard of, have you grab it? If no action taken yet, why? Unveiling the BEST investment in Malaysia... Announced during the 2014 National Budget by our Prime Minister last year, in order to encourage more youngsters to kick start their retirement savings via PRS, a one-off RM500 incentive will be given to them. We have compiled some questions posted to us and get the answers from Alex Yeoh, a licensed financial planner and corporate PRS adviser: What is PRS youth incentive? It's a one-off RM500 incentive if you fulfilled the following criteria:- ~ Malaysian ~ Participating in the PRS Scheme from 2014 to 2018 ~  Minimum RM1,000 is made within a calendar year ~ Aged between 20 to 30 years old when contribution is made Who can qualify for this PRS youth incentive? Malaysians who are aged ...

After almost 3 years since the listing of Malaysia's first special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) on Bursa Malaysia, many investors still don't know what's that and many investors skeptical about its existence. Let's us explore here... What's SPAC ? It's another product of Bursa Malaysia, which is very different from other trading companies or products on the stock exchange. Before investing into a company, what do we consider first? Company profits track record? Business model? Earnings growth projections? P/E ratio?... All of these info is  UNAVAILABLE   for SPACs during initial public offering (IPO). In fact, a SPAC is floated without any business. It's up to the management to identify a suitable acquisition or merger (or more), and to secure shareholder approval to use IPO proceeds to pay for that deal. In Malaysia, a SPAC must complete at least a deal within 3 years after listing. Without all those info, what could investors relying to? Obviously,...

Once again, we came back to this topic again. The Fixed Deposit promotion offered by various banks lately. Since FD seems to be a form of liability to banks (because banks need to pay depositors interest rate no matter rainy or shiny days), why they still launching FD promotions? What's the rationale behind? Exposing the mystery ... Implementation of Basel series: The main objective of these series was to strengthen the existing capital and liquidity standard of banks as set and governed by Bank Negara Malaysia. With these series, banks would need to have more capital and liquidity to continue their main business in disbursing loans. So, they need our money being locked for a longer period via FD. In anticipation of higher interest rate: Yes. This is another main reason why banks offering attractive FD rate to tie up your money. Because they foresee that BNM will raise the OPR rate, hence FD rate in the future will rise in tandem. What's wrong if I offer you effective 9 month...