Accredited investors to rock the heaven
“Gerald, do you know anything about accredited investors? If not, why don’t you research and craft an article about it? But please do not ever reveal my name”.
It was 2013 when a former wealth manager-turned-entrepreneur made this request to me during a meet-up. He had come across my blog and knew that my mission is helping investors to make better investment decisions. Through the years, my research on accredited investors make me realize how warped the game is being played against investors.
Be very sure, don’t ever be blur
2019 will be a defining year for accredited investors as Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) effect major changes to the regulatory framework concerning accredited investors. These changes probably came on the back of many investment casualties.
And it’s happening all over again and again. From Hyflux perpetual bonds of 2018, to the Swiber bonds of 2016, to the Lehman Brother’s Minibond, numerous Singapore accredited investors had suffered significant losses after being exposed to risky investments. No thanks to the work of wealth managers and private bankers.
The latest case involving Hyflux perpetual bond is not the first nor will it be the last. But why should you care or bother about it?
Well, you should. This is because many people are not even aware that they are being classified as accredited investors. The worst thing is that you may have elderly parents or unwitty relatives who are being deemed as accredited investors, making them extremely vulnerable of being misled into buying risky investment products. Many accredited investors may not be sophisticated investors at all. For example, they might have thought that perpetual bonds are low risk fixed income assets when it may not necessary be the case.
Many of you would presume that you would not suffer the same fate …
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