By investing your money, you are getting your money to generate more money by earning interest on what you put away or by buying and selling assets that increase in value

Investing your money can allow you to grow it. Most investment vehicles, such as stocks, certificates of deposit, or bonds, offer returns on your money over the long term. This return allows your money to build, creating wealth over time.

Here is all you need to know about the golden investment opportunity of Ecobank.

What is the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund?

The Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC) Ghana Fixed Income Fund is a unit trust that pools money from unit holders and invests in fixed income securities like Treasury Bills and Bonds, Corporate Bonds, Fixed Deposits among others, on behalf of the unit holders.

Who are the fund managers?

The EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund is managed by EDC Investments Limited, the asset management subsidiary of Ecobank Capital.

What is the fund structure?

The fund invests in fixed income securities such as corporate bonds, fixed deposits and Government debt instruments among others.

How much can I invest?

Minimum initial investment amount – GH¢ 50 Minimum top up investment amount – GH¢ 20

What are the modes of payment?

• Cash and cheque payment at EDC or any Ecobank branch.

• Standing order from investor’s bank account to EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund.

• Funds Transfer.

• Post-dated cheques for periodic payments.

How do I start investing in the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund?

• Pick and complete an application form from EDC or any Ecobank branch.

• Add one passport picture and a photocopy of any valid national ID.

• Pay in full on subscription - minimum startup of GH¢ 50 and minimum top up of GH¢ 20.

• Submit document to officer in charge.

How long should I be in the Fund?

An individual can invest in the fund for as long as he / she wishes. Withdrawals can be made in part or full with no penalty. However, there is a front load charge of 0.5% on all deposits.

What can I invest towards?

• Home Purchase / Mortgage / Vehicle acquisition.

• Financing of children’s education.

• Retirement plan.

• Starting a business.

• Others.

Frequently asked questions Why invest in the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund?

• Diversification Investing in the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund, reduces the risk of investing. When the investor buys a unit in the Fund, he / she automatically buys an interest in a portfolio of Fixed Income Securities from different issuers, giving him / her instant diversification.

• Security Your investment is safer and better secured, because it is managed by EDC Investments Ltd, a leading fund manager in Ghana with an excellent track record of investing pooled funds for investors.

• Liquidity With the EDC Fixed Income Fund, you get your money in a maximum of just 5 working days upon request.

• Affordability You need a minimum of GH¢50 to be a unit holder and a minimum of GH¢20 for subsequent top-ups.

• Convenience Investors can add to their investment at any Ecobank Branch or have a standing order for regular top ups.

• Preservation of capital With the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund being a low risk investment vehicle, your capital is far more likely to be preserved.

What return will the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund investment attract?

The EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund, does not have fixed interest because the funds are invested in various fixed income securities. The fund seeks to outperform the returns on Government of Ghana Treasury note. Below is the return of the fund for 2013 as compared to Treasury note returns.

What are the risks of investing in the Fund?

• The possibility that the issuer of a fixed income security, may not be able to make interest payments and / or repay the principal on maturity.

• With the imposition of a front load charge, an investor who redeems his / her units after a short period of time may not realize the amount originally invested.

Who can invest in the EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund?

Any individual adult, any institution, organization or group of people who want to take advantage of the good investment opportunity offered by the EDC Ghana Fixed Income fund. An adult could also invest in the fund In Trust For (ITF) a child.

How can an investor monitor the progress of his / her EDC Ghana Fixed Income Fund?

• A contract note showing the number of shares purchased, amount deposited and the purchase price will be sent to clients by email.

• Half year and annual statements will be sent by email to all clients.

• Statements can also be printed or emailed upon request.

• Unit price of the fund can be obtained from the Ecobank website.

How can money be withdrawn (Units be redeemed) from the investment?

Money can be withdrawn by making an application to the fund manager either directly or through any Ecobank branch and redemption is processed within a maximum of 5 working days.