₦airaland Forum

ytdivine:
Please @Emmasoft, and other financial experts, what are the risks involved in Commercial paper? Is it at low risk level as MMF? What happened if the company or organization involved got into problems and could not pay back?
Why is Pension fund managers restricted from investing in CP?

@yrdivine, as you already know there is no investment without risk, it is just the level of risk that brings us to categorized investment as low, medium or higher risk.

Using that categorization, CP fall under low risk. The only risk associated is the default by the issuing body ie inability to fulfill their obligation to investors, hence before you invest in any CPs you need to look at the credit ratings of the organization the higher the rating the safer or less risky and vice versa.

Generally, CPs are low risk investment instruments. It's a major underlying assets of MMFs second only to TBills.

ugwumichael:
Please is there a way I can move funds from my Stanbic MMF to my wallet in the blunest app so I can use it to buy the Stanbic trust banc commercial paper

You can but the withdrawal limit issue may still apply. Except if that has changed. Withdrawal from the app used to be 1m max and upgradeable to 5m I think.
I've had less involvement with stanbic of recent obviously because of rate, so must of their processes I know might have changed i wouldn't know.

Mixology:
Good morning guys, please I need a solid mmf that is at least 17 percent, good user interface, being able to see daily income, quick deposit and withdrawal, as well as ability to print the statement of account instantly by oneself.
Many thanks

@Mixology, you can click on the second link in my signature to go with Norrenberger or download myinvestar app powered by First Ally from the Play Store, use SA-Emma as your referral code. Your expectations are basic obligations of Fund Managers.

By the way, I hope you have the investment objective that will enable you to be focused and know exactly the type of investment instruments to stick with.

richgang:
Thank you Senior man . Can they transfer all the funds in my mmf to commercial paper? I want to buy the trustbanc CP. Or it must first be deposited into my account.

Based on regulations, redemption only goes to the registered bank account number; moreover, the cash does not come from Stanbic, but rather from the custodian bank. However, I don't know if there has been any flexibility regarding the destination of withdrawn funds.

You can place a call to the customer care to know what is obtainable regarding your intention.

richgang:
Thanks for the clarification. I wanted to redeem from my stanbic . They don't allow you redeem more than 5M per day. Is there any way to redeem more than 5M from stanbic mutual fund ?

To redeem more than 5m, use their redemption form. You can download from their website or ask the customer care to send. Complete and send back to them. With the form you can withdraw any amount.

freeman67:
Most times we don't read the terms and conditions on investment before accepting. When I opened Stanbic IBTC Asset Management account then, I think what was stated on the form I filled as number of days to expect funds after withdrawal was about 3-5 working days.

That said, consistently over time for me, they have been ok. On Monday 16/03/25 I made a withdraw request via the blue nest at about 7:15 AM. The money didn't drop instantly though but it came around 12:45 PM. Even after a message popped up when I submitted the request that it will take about 48 hours to it, I got it after about 5 hours 15 mins.

Meanwhile, United Capital where most times I had to start chatting them and mailing after request, where I always put extra efforts surprised me by sending the funds after 1 hour 30 mins of my request with no effort that same day.

For me, I understand that MMF account is different from a bank account right from the time I joined. However, I enjoy it too when I need money and it is released ontime. So what I do is that I ensured my security question and all what is request is accurately set up. Also, I do my withdraws mostly first thing in the morning. I know that with Stanbic anything done after 12 or done on weekend and public holidays is likely to result in a story and some back and forth. So to ensure smooth sail, that's what I do.

@freeman67, thank you for always offering objective perspectives on matters like this.

As mentioned earlier, there is an industry standard of up to 5 working days for processing withdrawals. This essentially means customers can escalate to regulators only after this period if the request remains unfulfilled. However, with advancements in technology, we all know from experience that, under normal circumstances, withdrawals are often processed the same day, especially when requests are made before the cutoff time.

It is also important to understand that an MMF is not the same as funds held in a money deposit bank (MDB).
While fund managers typically maintain some level of liquidity to meet redemptions, this is usually kept minimal to optimize returns. Holding excessive cash would ultimately reduce yield for investors.

As investors, we should allow for occasional operational hiccups and avoid making withdrawal requests at the last minute where possible.

That said, there has been noticeable improvement across the industry. While there is still room for growth, it is clear that progress has been made; we are not there yet, but we are not where we used to be. Let’s continue to stay informed and well-guided.



Main while make una dey use my links o or get in touch, to help my ministry!
Enjoy the holidays while your money continues to work because your money is not permitted to go on holiday.

Making money without tears remains our goal.

Neurotika:
This issue has been thrashed severally here though. But to reiterate, a money market fund isn't the same as a bank deposit. Drop money in a bank, and it becomes their problem…they lend it out, and if they collapse, your fate is same as any other creditor out there.

A money market fund works quite differently. You're buying units in a pool of financial assets (mostly Treasury bills and other short-term high grade commercial papers).

That pool doesn't sit with the fund manager. It's held separately by a custodian, overseen by a trustee, and the manager just handles the investments. If the fund manager goes under, your assets are still with the custodian.

So the main risk (regarding permanent loss of funds) shifts entirely to what's inside that asset pool. In Nigeria, SEC regulates this area heavily and requires most of it to be Treasury bills. Which means the real question isn't whether the fund manager is solid but whether you trust the government to fulfill its debt obligations.

Safety of funds in MMF and the mention of invested Figures

@Neurotika, @AncestralPowers, @Preator, and others, thanks for your contributions.

As a rule in investing, anyone promising an investment without risk should make you very cautious and be wary of such promises. There is no investment without risk. The proper way to look at investments is by their risk level: low, medium, or high, which is the industry standard. You, as an investor, should determine and recognize your risk tolerance and investment objective to enable you to pick an investment in any or all the categories.

As already mentioned, the issue of the safety of funds in Money Market Funds (MMF) has been addressed by many of my earlier posts and other contributors on this forum.

@sky404, what if I tell you that money in MMF can actually be safer than money in an MDB when you consider what NDIC actually insures? You can read more on MMF from this thread or other reliable sources to guide yourself.

Also, when building an investment culture, seeing others mention big figures should motivate you, not intimidate or discourage you.

I recently introduced a colleague and a Nairaland forum member to stock investing. They were very excited to receive a dividend of less than ₦500. It may sound small, but the joy of seeing your money work for you is priceless.

Yes, some people received millions in dividends from the same stock, but there is no magic or cheating in investing; you earn according to what you put in. The important thing is starting and staying consistent.

Even if someone mentions big figures to intimidate or show off, if you understand what you are doing and your investment objectives are clear, you will interpret it differently and protect your mental health.

Investment is personal, even though we learn together.

To everyone on the path to financial freedom, kudos, and keep it up.
Remember, it’s not the size of the investment that matters most, but the consistency of putting in little by little over time.

Happy weekend, everyone.

elpaso007:
Hi. Good afternoon. Can you confirm if you have you been credited with the bonus shares as well? There was a proposed bonus of 1 for 5 besides the #3 dividend. As anyone else been credited with these? Thanks @Sunrisepebble

@elpaso007, when it comes to bonus, it's not like cash dividend that has a set date for payment; there are many protocols involved from regulators before it can be credited to qualified shareholders. In the NGX, some bonuses declared more than a year ago have still not been credited till now.
For bonus, once you know you are qualified, there's just one thing you should do: be patient it's when you see you get.

mikeapollo:
CBN should respond to Access very soon, probably this March because the banks are ordinarily required to publish their accounts by March 31 or early April unless where there is a request or permission by CBN for an extension.

When it comes to the approval of banks audited accounts, CBN is like small god o. Na when dem finish you see result, they don't care about the NGX rules; at the end of the day the banks will bear any consequences of the delay.

freeman67:
The bolded is not correct. Stanbic does monthly compounding but if you require your interest to be paid to your account, it's done quarterly. At Ieast I use Stanbic and I know that at the end of everything month, my interest is added to my principal unlike FBN Quest and UCap that the addition is quarterly.

Correct!

Preator:
Its the other way. They compound monthly but pay interest quarterly

Correct!

Stockhunter:
Even 1 percent difference will produce better outcome to that of the monthly compunding. Have you done the calculation. Not to even talk of 4 percent difference. The difference will be huge if you have huge capital. Your monthly compunding will not even see the back.

Meanwhile sometime ago emmasoft said even Stanbic only pays interest monthly but does not compound until quarterly. I stand to be corrected anyway.

Abeg no compare monthly 15 percent compounding with 19percent quarterly compounding. They are not mates. Even 16 percent quarterly compounding will beat 15 percent monthly compounding by about .90 percent per annum.

@Stockhunter, the bolded is the other way round. Both payouts and reinvestments are quarterly for others, except Stanbic, which reinvests monthly and payout quarterly. In fact, Stanbic has done some different schemes when it comes to interest utilization; there was even a time when the interest would be reinvested within a few days or even a day.
They started, like others, with quarterly reinvestment or payment depending on the interest utilization an investor opt for.
The current one is monthy reinvestment and a quarterly payout.

Actually, fund managers are free to adopt different interest utilization schemes different from the norms, so far SEC doesn't frown at it.

To all the women in the House

Today, I celebrate all the incredible women who inspire progress every day
I know you have given so much, and you will surely gain even more.

Happy International Women's Day.

To all the women in the House

Today, I celebrate all the incredible women who inspire progress every day
I know you have given so much, and you will surely gain even more.

Happy International Women's Day.

To all the women in the House

Today, I celebrate all the incredible women who inspire progress every day
I know you have given so much, and you will surely gain even more.

Happy International Women's Day.

emmasoft:
Guide to opening an investment account with different Fund managers

Norrenbeger
- click the second link on my signature
- click Individual if you are opening personal MMF account or corporate if a company account
- complete the four sections of the form- personal info, Next of Kin, Bank Details and ID verification
- click submit.
You don't need to do any other thing after submitting irrespective of whatever is displayed, you are to wait, within 24hrs a mail containing your account details and the collection account will be sent to you.
To get the best and seamless onboarding experience, let the downloading of the app come after you have made your first deposit. It's always best to first set up your account on the web portal following the steps I just outlined.

First Ally- owner of Myinvestar app
Download Myinvestar app from play store or ios. See the attached so you know how the app look like
- click install
click create an account
- pick new customer? click here option
- fill your name and email address
- use SA-Emma as referral code
- click continue
once your account is created and your bvn is verified you will be given a virtual account through which you can fund your MMF account.
- as you deposit, your funds reflect immediately irrespective of the time or day of the week

Stanbic
- click the first link on my signature
- fill your email and phone number
- complete the three fields of the form - Account details , personal setup profile and verify confirm OTP
- once you login, to your account it's automatically basic, then click on UPGRADE and submit your kyc to have a premium account that has unlimited features.
- get your personalized Stanbic wallet account through which you will fund your MMF account.

Investment One (for stock, fixed income, TBills, and target savings)

- click the 3rd link in my signature
- pick individual as type of account
- select fixed income and stockbroking as products
- Click continue and complete the other parts of the form.
- Once you submit, check your email for a confirmation that your details got to their server.

SFS -Fixed income Fund

For the SFS fixed income fund, click this link https://sfsfund.com/register?referral=4GJ0I3Q21G and complete the form.

For Chapel Hill MMF, or if you need any support or clarification on the above guide, call or chat with me. The number is in my signature
You will be well guided.

Please note, following the the guide above doesn't make me your fund manager but rather you are a direct customer with any of the fund manager you decide to go with.

But be sure if you sign up with any of the above mentioned firms, you are sure of maximum support from me and another officer will also be attached to you to satisfy you on any request.

Thank you.

Particularly for the newbies or those who wish to engage other fund managers, I have to quote this post. Please note that all the fund managers represented are SEC-registered and regulated.
Let's continue to invest with knowledge and the right information for good returns.

You are free to reach out to me on stocks and mutual funds matters.

david4mex:
I started doing Stanbic MMF last month and from the onset, the medium to fund my account is a Stanbic Ibtc account and Zest payment

@davidmex, note that fund managers must inform investors of a change in collection account and collection or custodian bank must not be related to the fund manager.

You used the word medium which is correct.
Method or medium of funding account is different from collection account. Let's be well guided.

With technology, it is common to see fund managers create a more convenient method of account funding that doesn't mean a change of collection account.

Stanbic collection account remains UBA
Norrenberger UBA
GTB Citibank
First Asset Citibank
Ucap Stanbic etc.

For stanbic if you transfer to the stanbic wallet given to you, that doesn't mean you have invested you have to move the money into any of the product you which to invest in except they have changed that process.

My Observations

I have taken time to read through different posts, and I’ve noticed that many of us assume certain things and treat them as logical conclusions.
Here are some important facts we should understand, regardless of personal opinions or assumptions.

I have said this many times and will repeat it: the safety of your funds is determined by the underlying assets, not the fund manager. All fund managers go through the same screening process and operate under the same SEC regulations. A Money Market Fund (MMF) is regarded as a low-risk investment not because of the manager’s name, brand, or history, but because the underlying assets are primarily government instruments, particularly T-Bills, and by regulation, fund managers cannot invest outside approved instruments.

In the structure and operation of a Money Market Fund, the parent company of a fund manager is not involved in managing investors’ money. The system strictly revolves around four key parties:
•The Fund Manager
•The Custodian
•The Trustees
•The SEC

Each has a clearly defined and independent role in safeguarding investors’ funds, and they are paid for the services rendered.

I once invested in a fund (not an MMF) where the fund manager encountered issues. Investors were transferred to another SEC-qualified manager. During that period, only fund administration was affected; the investments themselves remained intact. Once the new manager took over, dividend arrears were paid accordingly. That is the worst-case scenario I have personally witnessed.
In another instance (also not an MMF), the fund was sold, and investors’ money was returned.
Let’s not confuse personal perspectives with corporate regulations and the actual structure of the business.

Growing up, I used to believe only First Bank and Union Bank were truly safe because they were the most established and popular at the time. We referred to banks like GTB as “new generation banks” and questioned whether they would survive. Today, we know better.
So let’s not equate customer service quality, technology, brand popularity, or Assets Under Management (AUM) with the nature or safety of the fund itself.

There are many types of mutual funds, each with a different risk profile. Depending on your risk appetite, you can choose what suits you.
Regardless of interest rate or AUM size, all fund managers operate under the same SEC regulations. The SEC audits asset managers consistently, without discrimination based on size or structure. Whether a firm is independent or a subsidiary, it must meet strict regulatory requirements before being licensed.
A parent company has no obligation to customers of an asset management firm. In many cases, the parent company is simply another investor. Using the same resources as allowed by the SEC with a parent company doesn't make them answerable if anything goes wrong with the asset manager.

Additionally, custodians must meet strict regulatory criteria and must have no affiliation with the fund manager. This independence is intentional and serves to safeguard investors’ funds. Moreover, not all banks can serve as a custodian.

Let’s focus on facts, regulatory structure, and the nature of the underlying assets, not assumptions, and not just headline interest rates taken out of context.
If a fund manager offers a higher rate, that does not automatically make the MMF riskier. It may simply reflect how the underlying assets are positioned at a particular time within SEC guidelines. Investors can always review fund fact sheets to understand asset allocation and compliance.

By the way, managers that are considered “low rate” today were once the highest-paying in the industry, and that had nothing to do with whether they are subsidiaries of banks.

If you are uncomfortable with fund managers offering higher rates, that is perfectly fine; your decision may reflect your personal risk tolerance. If you are comfortable with higher rates, that is also valid, provided you have done your due diligence.
One thing is certain: MMFs are classified as low-risk investments because of their structure and regulatory framework, not because of the name behind them. If the extreme scenarios some people imagine were easily possible, MMFs would not be categorized as low-risk investments.

If this is a stocks/equity thread, it will be understandable when we focus on risk, but it’s not the case here. If MMF has this kind of wahala, then we should not refer to it as low risk, and then we'd better just go into stocks and face the risk at once with the attendant returns.

In summary, everyone should invest in what they are comfortable with. Going from Lagos to Abuja, one can decide to trek, take a bike, a vehicle, or fly; each will eventually get there, but...

Remember, making money without tears is our goal!

Gabriel411:
Run from stocks, invest in equity or mutual funds instead

Running from Stocks may be like running from Fortune

@Gabriel411, I'm very sure your advice is because of your perspective on stocks/equities.
Please understand that categorising investments into low, medium, or high risk does not mean one is better than the other. The purpose of these categories is simply to help investors understand what is involved before committing their money to any investment instrument.
All investments are good in their own way. Choosing where to invest depends on several factors, such as your age, risk appetite, investment objective, available capital, and level of knowledge.

For clarity, stocks and equities mean the same thing — the terms are used interchangeably. Apart from Money Market Funds (MMF), every other type of mutual fund carries varying levels of risk.

Globally, investment in good stocks has proven to be one of the most reliable and rewarding long-term strategies. Why do you think Forbes evaluates the world’s billionaires based largely on the value of their equity holdings?

That said, I always advise beginners to start with MMFs, build confidence, and then gradually move into stocks if their risk tolerance allows it.

When we say stocks are risky, it doesn’t mean your money disappears overnight. For example, someone who invested ₦45,000 in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in 2025 and now has about ₦120,000 in less than a year would strongly disagree that stocks should be avoided. At the same time, it’s also possible for ₦45,000 invested in 2025 to drop to ₦10,000 in 2026 — that’s the nature of equities. Patience and a long-term approach are key.

I know an investor who bought Okomu Oil Palm Company shares many years ago at ₦38 per share. The stock later dropped to ₦12 per share, but he didn’t sell. Today, the price is over ₦1,000 per share — not to mention all the dividends he has received over the years.

One thing I’ve observed is that people who don’t fully understand how stocks work often condemn them outright without proper knowledge.

If many of us here truly understood how the stock market works, we might shift more attention there.

That said, always do what you are comfortable with — but also understand that what feels comfortable is not always what is best for long-term growth.

As Warren Buffett famously says:

Rule No. 1: Don’t lose money.
Rule No. 2: Don’t forget Rule No. 1.

Long-term investing, discipline, and knowledge make the difference.

Making money without tears is our goal!

nickae:
our pple dey fear Trustbanc oooo

@nickae, why the fear?

Is it about the safety of funds? I have said repeatedly here that investments in Money Market Funds (MMFs) carry the same level of risk and safety irrespective of the firm you invest with, as long as the fund is properly registered and regulated.

Let’s not confuse service quality or rate with the nature of the mutual fund.

The nature of MMFs is the same across board. What differs is service delivery, technology, responsiveness, assets under management, rate, and operational efficiency.

It’s like saying one Pension Fund Administrator is “safer” than another simply because of brand perception. That would be misinformation. All PFAs operate under the same regulatory framework.

Many people seem to underrate the work of the SEC in regulating the capital market. No serious operator toys with the SEC. Non-compliance attracts serious sanctions.

Now, the only time concern is valid is when:

A firm is selling a product that is NOT truly an MMF,

Or an investor mistakes another type of product for an MMF.

Outside of that, an MMF from a newly licensed SEC-regulated firm carries the same structural safety framework as one from a long-established, popular, or perceived bank-backed firm.

Due diligence is always important. But in terms of regulatory safety of funds, licensed fund managers operate under the same rules.

Differences may exist in:
Customer service
Technology platforms
Speed of execution
Assets under management
Quality of personnel
Rate

Though I represent some firms, my decision is based on engagement terms and service efficiency — not because one MMF is “safer” than another.

Let’s continue to invest wisely and stay informed.

Don't forget to use the links in my signature and codes in my posts to open accounts with Norrenberger, First Ally, SFS, Stanbic, and Investment One for MMF and stock investments.

And remember making money without tears remains our goal!

Creditalerts:
I know they are separate entities ,my point is knowledge based on financial management/matters.

Regards✌🏾.

Of course, that matters, but the basis of the engagement/discussion here was just on ownership and status of the entity in relation to First Bank.

Creditalerts:
@emmasoft the brain behind FirstAlly is one of the brain behind first bank ,I don't just invest I go deep to know more about the fund manager.
Investors should consider the following factors: Regulation: Ensure the Mutual Fund is registered and authorized by the SEC. Transparency: Check for publicly available information and regular updates from the Fund Manager. Fund Manager’s Pedigree: Research the Fund Manager’s experience and accessibility. Returns: Determine if the expected returns (fixed or variable) align with your investment goals. Features: Understand the specific features of the Mutual Fund, such as income distribution frequency, to ensure they meet your needs.

@Creditalerts, your findings are noted, and it's correct. However, that does not make First Ally a subsidiary of First Bank or part of its HoldCo structure. “First” is simply a brand name in this context.

Investors can certainly have confidence in a firm based on the pedigree, experience, and track record of its promoters and management team. That said, First Ally operates as a completely separate and independent asset management firm.

In the financial services industry, it is common to see historical or professional connections among key individuals across different institutions. However, such relationships do not translate into operational, ownership, or contractual obligations between the companies involved.

As you rightly know, registration and regulation by the SEC remain the fundamental requirements for operating in the fund management space.

We have seen similar scenarios in the industry—for example, historical professional links between GTB and Investment One—but that does not mean they are connected in terms of ownership or operational commitment. Likewise, the founders of Access Bank previously worked at GTB, yet both institutions operate independently.

In summary, First Ally is entirely separate from First Bank in terms of ownership, operations, and contractual commitments.

Smattrader:
Yes, it's general. Experiencing the same- telling me my network needs to be checked bla bla. Glad you pointed this out.

Perhaps , they are doing some background update.

@Smarttrade, notice was sent to that effect that the app is experiencing some downtime. It will be fixed shortly

Hemarnuael1:
How do I start this first ally and are they related to first bank

Download the app called Myinvestar and register. Please use SA-Emma as my referral code. You can also be in touch to get you to meet with my go-to person there in First Ally. First Ally is not related to First bank in any way, it's just their own brand name.

If you are in Lagos and you wish to visit their physical office, it's at 287, Ajose Adeogun VI, very close to Zenith Bank headquarters.

squad1:
How do i contact you please?

I have an old account with them but not in use. So, i deleted it an opened a new one with you as a referrer.

Check my signature my number is there.
I will also send you a PM now check your email and reply.

NorrenbergerLagos Group Office comes Alive!
We are right there at 2, Bayo Kuku, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Click on the second link in my signature to open investment account in any of the mutual funds in our basket.

Niiade:
Do they offer equity funds too?

First Ally offers MMF but doesn't offer an equity fund; rather, they have savings products like Vault that pay interest upfront and savings plans you can create yourself for a specific project/goal. Stanbic has an equity fund and many more.

squad1:
I have s8gned up with First Ally. For now, i am enjoying their service. Their customer care rep even called me to ask how far.

I have not received any message from invesOne. I don check ny mail and spam tire.

Btw, why is nobody talkijg about ARM MMF?

For investment one, please get in touch to know what the issue is, and I will be able to escalate appropriately. Normally, if there are no kyc issues, within a week account is ready.
By the way, when did you register for a stock account with them?

freeman67:
Please for those using Cardinalstone and First Ally which of the MMF do you want think is better? My better is not necessarily higher rate. My better is ease of navigating the website and app, ease of redemption of proceed when required, easy of depositing funds and good customer service.

Although I have not personally used Cardinastone, compared to other firms, First Ally app (myinvestar) stands out in addressing your concerns. In addition, the app offers other investment products beyond the Money Market Fund (MMF) that you may find beneficial.

Kindly use my code, SA-Emma if you decide to go with them.
Please note that my recommendation is purely based on an objective review, not necessarily because I'm their Rep.

Morounofolu:
Hello My Ogas,

Please ooo, I have been following this thread for some time now as a newbie, now I have managed to put aside 10M to invest. I am am seeking your expert opinion on how to distribute this fun to make at least 200% by December 2026.

@Agbalowomeri, megawealth01:

@Morounofolu, are you sure you are a newbie? With this type of ambition or goal, I doubt it.
Take it easy o. Though nothing is impossible, we have to be realistic given the current economic and market conditions of listed equities.

david4mex:
Please guys i need your opinion. Opened accounts and funded to test run the following MMF platforms. Please which is advisable to stick to;
(1) Stanbic Ibtc
(2) Coronation (On Access Bank App)
(3) ARM One
(4) United Capital (UBA) via Investng app
(5) FBN Asset Management
(6) GTB Fund Manager
Your opinions are needed please

Stick with the one that help you meet your investment objective after your due diligence.

Since you already funded them, continue the test run, in a short while your choice will be obvious from experience.

I will also advise you to read some of my earlier posts and from others on this thread to learn more about mutual funds particularly MMF.
You will be fine.