What to ask when buying an investment product

What to ask before buying

Investment products such as shares, bonds, structured deposits, unit trusts and investment-linked insurance carry risks. Knowing what you are buying is the best way to navigate the risks. Here are a few things you should ask before investing in them.

Use this list when you meet your FA representative.

Ask yourself

1. Is the FA representative regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)? Check the MAS Financial Institutions Directory.

2. What are my investment goals? Am I looking to protect or grow my savings? How much do I need and when do I need this?

3. How much can I afford to invest? Do I have enough after setting aside money for my daily needs and for emergencies?

4. What is my appetite for risk? How much can I afford to lose without overly impacting my financial situation and my financial plans?

Tip: Understand yourself better with this Risk Tolerance Questionnaire.

5. Does the recommended product meet my needs? Which benefits and features are guaranteed and which are not? Under what conditions might the benefits or features be withdrawn?

6. What is the potential return? Is it realistic? What is the maximum I could lose?
   Be careful of verbal promises and guarantees of high returns. Insist on written confirmation of any guaranteed returns or benefits.

7. Should I invest with my CPF savings? If so, how does the return offered by the product compare with interest rates earned in my CPF accounts?

Tip: Money in your CPF Ordinary Account and Special Account currently earn a minimum interest of 2.5% and 4% per annum, respectively. This is both guaranteed and risk-free.

8. When does the investment pay out? Can I afford to stay invested for that duration? Do I need the money earlier?

9. Have I read all the documents? Do I understand the prospectus, product summary or product highlight sheet, contracts, warnings, exclusions and disclaimers, and terms and conditions?

10. Are there other products that offer similar benefits and risks? How does the product compare with these alternative products?

Ask your FA representative

1. Why is this product suitable for me? What type of product is this? Is it a life insurance policy, unit trust, or structured deposit? Is it primarily for savings, investment or insurance protection?

2. What benefits does this product offer? Which benefits are guaranteed and which are not? Are there alternative products that offer similar benefits? How do they compare?

3. What instruments does the product invest in? How risky are these underlying instruments

4. What is your risk profiling method and basis for the eventual risk profile? Is the product suitable for my risk profile? Is this product low, medium or high risk?

5. How much do I need to commit? Does it require a one-time payment or regular payments? What will happen if I find that I am unable to make the payment? What are the fees and charges?

6. If the FA representative recommends investing with CPF monies, ask "How do the returns compare with interest rates earned by monies in your CPF accounts?"

Tip: CPF monies currently earn a minimum interest of 2.5% and 4% per annum, respectively. This is both guaranteed and risk-free.

7. How long must I stay invested? What are the fees and charges? What are the penalties if I decide to liquidate some or all of my investments earlier?

8. Are you regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)? Check if he/ she is listed on the Financial Institution Representatives Register.

9. How is my investment monitored? What reports and updates will I receive? How often will I receive these reports and updates?

10. What if I find that the investment product is not suitable after purchasing it? Can I return the product and get my money back? If so, how soon must I inform my FA representative of my decision to return the product? Are there any fees and charges?