The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in the UAE, has launched a systematic investment plan which allows investors to better plan their future financial needs by investing into a variety of diversified funds spread across multiple geographies and industries as well as offers them an exclusive access to specialist asset managers. NBAD's Smart Investment Plan (SIP)allows investors to select from among the many investment funds the Bank offers. Investors can make regular contributions from as low as US$250 per fund with a minimum of US$500 per month. SIP investors can also enjoy the flexibility to switchbetween the funds at anytime. “In volatile markets the temptation is to do nothing. History tells us that this is usually a mistake. By setting up a regular savings plan you instantly have a disciplined way of buying every month. It is the ability to buy when markets are low as well as when they are riding high that is the real reason behind the success of regular savings plans," says Alan Durrant, the Group Chief Investment Officer and General Manager of Asset Management Group at NBAD. “The Smart Investment Plan is a unique productwhich will complement the boutique of products we already offer." SIP investors would choosefunds from options of Global Equities Fund, US Equities Fund, India Equities Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Global Debt Fund or Cautious Income fund, NBAD Balanced Allocation Fund, NBAD Conservative Allocation Fund and NBAD Growth Allocation Fund. If an investor is unsure of the choice they can pick a fully managed fund, such as Growth, Balanced or Cautious. This will allow the investor to benefit from a well diversified and professionally managed portfolio covering regional and international equities, bonds and alternative investments. “The Smart Investment plan is the ideal choice for astute investors who want to better plan their future financial needs while enjoying investment flexibility, exclusive banking features and lifestyle benefits," says Saif Al Shehhi, the Senior General Manager of the Domestic Banking Division of NBAD. SIP is an ideal investment vehicle designed to meet and exceed investors' aspiration, whether investing for a dream home, for children's future education, wedding, retirement, or the luxury dream vacation. SIP benefits investors by encouraging savings habit, the power of compounding, cost averaging, flexibility and options to choose from a number of well-managed and proven funds. Smart Investment Plan is being offered throughout NBAD branches where a team of investment specialist can explain to customers the products benefits and features. NBAD's award-winning Asset Management Group, one of the region's largest asset managers, manages seven regional funds, nine offshore funds and numerous portfolios for a range of institutional investors and high net worth individuals. NBAD's Asset management Group was named the UAE Asset Manager of the Year in MENA Fund Manager Performance Awards this year. Moreover, its UAE Distribution Fund (Mizaat) was named the Best Regional Investment Fund in the prestigious Banker Middle East Products Award 2012, which also awarded the Asset Management Group the Best Investment Product award in 2011.
