Mayban Life Assurance Berhad, today, launched a unique investment-linked plan that is flexible, dependable and absolutely affordable. Named PremierInvest, this 2-in-1 investment cum protection policy offers the potential investor who wants to start investing on a smaller scale with a choice of smart investments, yet enjoy the benefits of guaranteed life protection.

PremierInvest was designed to be flexible, to accommodate the various age groups. It is especially appealing to the younger aged group as it offers a low entry cost, at a minimum of only RM100 per month. Featuring regular premium payments, there is no need to fork out a lump sum investment. Plus, its flexibility offers the customer the opportunity to increase his premiums or sum assured at any point of time. This makes PremierInvest a dynamic plan that allows the customer to address his varying commitments at the various stages of his life, thus, allowing him to be in control.

On the investment end, PremierInvest is dependable as it allows for you to make both medium and long term investments simultaneously. Where exactly does your money go? There are three attractive funds featured here, namely the Index Tracker Fund, the Mawar Income Fund and the Dahlia Syariah Income Fund. The Index Tracker Fund is a Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI)-based index fund, which invests mainly in the 100 stocks that make up the benchmark of the KLCI. This fund is probably the most exciting of the three as it has more potential for a higher return of investment at a faster rate, making it a higher risk fund.

For those who want a more steady flow of investment returns, invest in the Mawar Income Fund or the Dahlia Syariah Income Fund. These funds are low risk investments as they invest in government and corporate fixed income securities such as bonds and money market instruments, to provide for consistent and steady returns. However, these funds do not invest in companies whose core activities involve alcohol, tobacco and gambling. The key to the Dahlia Syariah Income Fund is that its investments are made in accordance to the Syariah principles. And that's not all, the various funds are managed by professional and experienced fund managers, specially selected by Mayban Life for their skill and expertise. Plus, you are allowed to switch between funds as your needs and priorities change at the various stages of your life.

Mix and match the funds or allocate your investments over all three funds. Any combination you select, it must be ideal for you at that stage of your life. For example, at 25 years of age, you may have a higher tolerance to risk, and will look towards aiming for higher and faster returns, so you might want to weigh more on investments with higher risk/higher returns. However, as you gradually move on in life, your needs begin to change and you need more security and stability, at this point, you might want to switch and invest in the lower risk, steady return funds. This flexibility of selecting your investment fund keeps you in total control of your investments. You are allowed two free switches per year.

PremierInvest also advocates retirement planning. This policy encourages the customer to plan ahead for their retirement through regular and disciplined investments, allowing the customer to ultimately enjoy the fruits of their investments.

Working on dollar cost averaging is another highlight of PremierInvest as it smoothens the volatility of the equity market by taking advantage of any temporary downturn, resulting in a reduction of average costs in the long run. This makes PremierInvest more appealing in comparison to a plan with a lump sum investment where time is most critical.

As for the protection coverage, PremierInvest offers guaranteed whole life protection for death and comprehensive coverage on total and permanent disability. One of the highlights again is the flexibility of the sum assured. You take reign of your policy by determining the sum assured that you are most comfortable with. And, you have the freedom to change the sum assured, based on your needs at the different stages of your life. Furthermore, customers between 18 and 30 years old enjoy a maximum sum assured of 100 times its yearly premium

The death/disability benefit will consist of the basic sum assured plus the value of units at bid price. On top of all this, for those who want more comprehensive coverage, two optional riders are available at competitively priced premiums to cover critical illness and accidental death and dismemberment.

Another benefit is the freedom to make partial withdrawals and without any hidden charges, as long as it is subject to the minimum amount withdrawal and you maintain the minimum balance after withdrawal.

Additional privileges include :-

• Free Autodebit facility from Maybank and Mayban Finance
• A choice of four premium payment modes either monthly, quarterly , half yearly or yearly.
• Convenience of the one-stop financial centres at all Maybank and Mayban Finance branches throughout the country.
• Freedom to make partial/full withdrawal of funds with no hidden charges, after one year.
• Free financial planning is available at all Maybank and Mayban Finance branches as we operate through the concept of bankassurans where trained and professional financial executives advise and provide you with customised financial solutions in all aspects of financial planning.

To sum it up, the key to PremierInvest is its flexibility, in terms of premium amount, sum assured and investment allocations; the low entry cost of a minimum of only RM 100; working on dollar cost averaging and the market timing is just right for such a plan.

For more information on PremierInvest, please see a Financial Executive at any Maybank or Mayban Finance branch near you or call Mayban Life Assurance Berhad on our toll-free number at 1 800 88 3117.

For more information pertaining to this press release, please contact, Ms Vivienne Beh, Marketing Communications Manager at tel:(03) 2297 1645, fax:(03) 2283 2937 or e-mail: vivienne@maybanlife.com.my.