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L – R: Moses Rutahigwa (Head, Consumer, Private & Business Banking – Standard Chartered Bank), Urvi Shah (Manager, Managed Investment & Wealth Management Proposition – Standard Chartered Bank), Keith Kalyegira (Chief Executive Officer – Capital Markets Authority), Sanjay Rughani (Chief Executive Officer – Standard Chartered Bank), Matthias Nalyanya (Independent Non-Executive Director – Standard Chartered Bank), Kelvin Musana (Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer – Standard Chartered Bank) and Lydia Nakamya (General Manager, Affluent Banking & Wealth Management – Standard Chartered Bank).
Kampala, Monday, 23rd January 2023: Standard Chartered Bank Uganda has today launched an offshore Mutual Funds product for their clients during a press conference held at Kampala Serena Hotel and presided over by the Bank’s CEO, Sanjay Rughani and Keith Kalyegira, the CEO, Capital Markets Authority among other executives.
With this proposition, the Bank’s clients will enjoy access to hundreds of underlying equities or bonds from Blue-chip companies in the US, Europe, UK, Asia and emerging markets in different sectors like healthcare, technology, real estate and ESG or green investments.
This proposition is a 1st of its kind in Uganda and will provide the Bank’s clients with an affordable and diverse way to put their money to work in some of the world’s most promising markets. What differentiates this product is its affordability as any individual client can start investing from as low as USD 100 (approx. UGX 370,000) with a simple monthly plan and they can invest in USD, EUR and GBP.
Furthermore, clients will easily and conveniently invest in these offshore Mutual Funds as well as cash out their investment at any time at market value.
While unveiling the offshore mutual funds proposition, the Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank – Mr. Sanjay Rughani said;
“The launch of this offshore mutual fund proposition is a significant milestone for Standard Chartered Bank and a testament to our commitment to providing our clients with a diverse range of investment options. With these new funds, we will be able to offer our clients access to a broader range of markets and industries, and the potential for higher returns. Our experienced Relationship Managers will also provide any client with objective, relevant wealth advisory and solutions they need to achieve their ambitions. All investors can take comfort in knowing that this offshore mutual fund proposition has been carefully designed and will be managed by our team of experienced professionals, and we are confident that it will perform excellently well.”
Speaking at the product launch Moses Rutahigwa, the Head Consumer Private and Business Banking, Standard Chartered Bank said;
“At Standard Chartered Bank we pride ourselves on being the #1 Wealth Management advisory bank in the market and are proud to announce the launch of International Mutual Funds, an alternative investment vehicle that is affordable and offers a diverse way to put one’s money to work. As a Bank, we are also in a strong position to help any client build a secure future for themselves and their families as we have a unique combination to offer: an open architecture platform which means we access insights and solutions from the best providers in the industry as well as strong investment advisory capabilities and strategic partnerships with insurers and asset managers.”
While articulating the technicalities of the newly launched offshore mutual funds offering, Lydia Nakamya the General Manager, Affluent Banking and Wealth Management – Standard Chartered Bank had this to say;
“With the offshore mutual funds, our clients will gain access to global investment, have an opportunity to diversify their portfolios by adding exposure to different markets, sectors, and currencies, access higher returns than what’s currently available locally as well as reduce their risk due to diversification of their portfolios. We therefore welcome all potential clients to contact us so by professional Relationship Managers can talk through the product’s proposition and the rest of our investment opportunities, help them get their profiling done online to assess their risk-taking appetite then assist them with their investments.”
Speaking on behalf of Capital Markets Authority, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Keith Kalyegira said;
“As Capital Markets Authority our role is to protect investors’ interests and ensure the integrity and stability of the capital markets in Uganda. This includes setting and enforcing regulations related to the registration, operation, and reporting of mutual funds, as well as conducting inspections and investigations to ensure compliance. We are proud to have worked closely with the team at Standard Chartered Bank to support Ugandans with an inclusive investment option that is flexible, affordable and relatively conservative in terms of risk.”
He added: “Schemes like the one Standard Chartered are launching are highly regulated and CMA also has the power to take disciplinary action for any violations of regulations or for engaging in fraudulent or unethical practices. Additionally, the CMA may also provide guidance and education to mutual funds.”
Mutual funds is a general term for funds that allow investors to pull their money with that of other investors and are managed by a team of investment professionals. The term may vary across countries but mutual funds may also be referred to as collective investment schemes, unit trusts or simply as funds. The pooling of money generally creates greater buying power so investors are able to invest in a wider range of investments than would be possible for most individual investors. Each investor in a fund owns units or shares which represent a part of a funds portfolio holdings. Mutual funds can be categorised by the type of assets they invest in (such as shares, bonds, cash or other securities.)