(Money Market Fund) A Comprehensive Comparison of Money Market Fund Investments with StashAway Simple, Versa Cash & Cash-i, and KDI Save
The products under comparison today all achieve returns that are on par with or higher than Fixed Deposits (FDs) by strategically investing in Money Market Funds (MMF). Money market funds are diversified portfolios that typically include three main components: (i) Fixed Deposits, (ii) bonds, and (iii) Money Market Instruments—highly liquid, short-term cash equivalent instruments.
Money Market Instruments, a crucial element of MMFs, are essentially short-term debts issued by banks to bolster their short-term cash reserves, compensating for daily deposit shortfalls. These instruments carry relatively low risk, given their backing by banks, and they boast high liquidity with short maturity periods. The systematic redemption of matured Money Market Instruments enables MMFs to offer rates similar to FDs without the necessity of locking up users' capital.
In essence, platforms such as StashAway Simple, Versa Cash & Cash-i, and KDI Save empower users to earn competitive rates comparable to FDs through low-risk MMF investments while maintaining the flexibility to access their funds without the constraints associated with traditional Fixed Deposits. This makes them appealing options for those seeking a flexible and competitive alternative to FDs.
Executive Summary
This article aims to outline and elucidate the commonalities, crucial details, and key information pertaining to three investment advisor applications: StashAway Simple, Versa Cash & Cash-I, and KDI Save. Detailed information for each platform is provided below, and a comprehensive summary table has been included for quick reference. Feel free to utilize the referral link provided for registration, ensuring both parties enjoy the welcome benefits. If there are any inaccuracies in the information presented, please bring it to our attention by commenting below.
Summary table (updated by Dec 2023)
| KDI Save | StashAway simple | Versa Cash/ Versa Cash - i |
Annual Charges/ Fees | None | 0.115% | 0.35%/ 0.52% |
Minimum investment amount | RM 100 (Subsequent RM10) | None | RM10 |
Projected returns per annum | Tier 1: First RM 50k (4%) Tier 2: > RM 50k – RM 200k (3.5%) Tier 3: >RM 200k (3%) | 4.1% p.a. | 4.3% p.a. promotional rate for the first RM30k + maintain RM1,000 in Versa Cash and/or Cash-i |
Withdrawal processing time | 1 to 2 business days | 3 to 4 business days | Within 1 business day if request is submitted before 2.30pm |
Interest Payout Frequency | Daily | Monthly | Monthly |
Shariah Compliant | No | Yes | Yes |
Referral link
KDI Save: https://app.digitalinvesting.com.my/registration/signup?referral_code=122207
StashAway: https://www.stashaway.my/referrals/jiahel3x
Similarities
1) Regulatory Compliance
When you deposit funds into these platforms, your money isn't directly held by the platform itself. Instead, it is securely stored in a trustee account managed by a third-party firm. This setup ensures that in the event of platform closure, you retain access to your funds. Notably, StashAway, Versa, KDI, and GOinvest operate under the regulatory oversight of the Securities Commission (SC) of Malaysia. This regulatory adherence ensures that these services consistently operate in accordance with local guidelines.
2) Flexibility and Accessibility
Unlike many Fixed Deposits (FDs) that demand a substantial minimum deposit and impose penalties for early withdrawals, the highlighted apps offer a low barrier to entry. With minimum deposits ranging from RM0 (Simple) to RM10 (Versa, KDI Save, GOinvest), these platforms enable users to start saving with minimal capital. Additionally, unlike FDs, these apps don't lock in your funds, allowing you to deposit and withdraw at your convenience without incurring penalties.
3) Competitive Returns Compared to FDs
All the featured apps provide returns that are comparable or competitive with traditional Fixed Deposits (FDs). While a detailed comparison is covered in the subsequent section, these platforms present attractive alternatives to FDs. It's important to note, however, that none of these apps guarantee returns, as their investments in low-risk Money Market Funds (MMF) are still subject to market fluctuations.
4) Lack of PIDM Protection
A notable consideration is that none of the highlighted apps fall under the protection of Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM). PIDM safeguards deposits held in banks and financial institutions that are PIDM members. In contrast, conventional FDs typically benefit from PIDM protection. Users should be mindful of this distinction while evaluating the risk associated with their chosen savings or investment platform.
Robo Advisor Applications
1) KDI Savings
KDI Save recently entered the cash management solution arena, debuting alongside the investment tool KDI Invest in mid-February 2022. Despite its relatively recent introduction, the platform experienced a remarkable response, surpassing RM100 million in assets under management (AUM) in just two months post-launch.
The widespread appeal of KDI Save can be attributed to its provision of one of the most competitive returns among existing cash management solutions. Its popularity is further bolstered by the absence of any associated fees, making KDI Save a highly favorable choice for many.
It's essential to note that accessing KDI Save requires initial registration for a KDI account, which also grants access to KDI Invest. Additionally, KDI Save is not compliant with Shariah principles.
Key information | Details |
Indicative interest rate | Tiered up to 4.00% p.a. EAR |
Minimum investment amount | RM100 (subsequent minimum investment amount RM10) |
Withdrawal period | Within one to two business days |
Charges/fees | – No management fees |
2) StashAway Simple
StashAway Simple, in contrast, stands out as one of the initial cash management solutions introduced to the Malaysian market, making its debut as far back as June 2020. Notably, the underlying fund has transitioned from AmIncome Fund to Eastspring Investments Islamic Income Fund, marking a pivotal shift that renders this cash management solution compliant with Shariah principles.
The anticipated rate of StashAway Simple is influenced by the returns generated from its underlying investments, factoring in all associated costs and rebates. The platform openly communicates that the AmIncome Fund imposes an annual management fee of 0.25% and a trustee fee of 0.04%. However, StashAway Simple benefits from a rebate of 0.175%, effectively returned to the user. This culminates in a net expense ratio of 0.115%, already factored into the indicative interest rate, as detailed on the platform's website.
Key information | Details |
Indicative interest rate | 4.1% p.a. |
Minimum investment amount | No minimum deposit or balance requirement |
Withdrawal period | Within three to four business days |
Charges/fees | – No platform management fees |
Versa Cash
Versa Cash made its debut announcement in August 2020 and was officially launched in early 2021. In contrast, the more recent introduction, Versa Cash-i, was rolled out in April 2023. Notably, the underlying funds for these options are the Affin Hwang Enhanced Deposit Fund for Versa Cash and the Affin Hwang Aiiman Enhanced i-Profit Fund for Versa Cash-i. This allows users the flexibility to choose between the conventional or Shariah-compliant alternative based on their preferences.
Both Versa Cash and Versa Cash-i underline their performance, asserting equivalence with Fixed Deposits (FDs). They achieve this through daily compounding of interest and monthly payout structures, providing users with a reliable and competitive choice for managing their funds.
Key information | Details |
Indicative interest rate | – Versa Cash: 3.84% per annum |
Minimum investment amount | RM10 |
Withdrawal period | – Versa Cash: One business day (requests made before 3.30pm) |
Charges/fees | – No sales charge |
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