- InvestNow offers investors an online platform for KiwiSaver, managed funds, or term deposits.
- InvestNow is the only platform with no account or transaction fees.
- Low account minimums makes InvestNow an attractive option for new investors.
InvestNow is a New Zealand-based online investment platform. It is tailored for Kiwis who wish to invest small amounts (you can start investing with as little as $50). InvestNow provides customers with a simple and secure way to manage their KiwiSaver, managed funds, or term deposit investments online.
See how it stacks up against the competition with this comprehensive review.
Inside this review
Who owns them and are they safe?
Anthony Edmonds is the Managing Director of IIS and the founder of InvestNow, a Wellington-based online investment platform. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Implemented Investment Solutions. (IIS).
They have partnered with 26 fund managers and 6 leading banks in New Zealand. IIS and InvestNow currently manage over $600 million on behalf of more than 30,000 investors.
Any investments you make in InvestNow are held on your behalf in the name of a custodian. The custodian is run and operated by Adminis, so your money cannot be taken by creditors.
For online security, they use two-factor authentication for enhanced security when you log in to your InvestNow account. They use encryption for sensitive information. They also carry out regular cyber security assessments and have the latest firewalls in place.
How InvestNow works
The InvestNow platform has been designed specifically to give New Zealanders the ability to invest without needing to go through a broker or a financial advisor.
You will need to register for an account and verify your details to get started with InvestNow. Once registered, you gain access to your KiwiSaver, managed funds and term deposits.
They partner with award winning fund managers to provide a wide range of investment options so that you can pick the investments that are best for you.
What can you invest in with InvestNow?
When you use InvestNow you can invest in over 140 different investment options.
Managed funds and fund managers
With InvestNow managed funds, more than 150 managed funds (including ETFs) managed by 26 expert fund managers are on offer. These funds have a variety of asset classes and different levels of risk.
InvestNow KiwiSaver
The KiwiSaver Scheme is considered a flexible option and an alternative to traditional KiwiSaver Schemes. With this account, you can pick and choose from a range of 33 managed domestic and international funds from 12 expert fund managers. You can either pick one or a combination of funds.
Term deposits
InvestNow has partnered with 6 leading banks, including ANZ, Bank of China, BNZ, China Construction Bank, Heartland Bank and SBS Bank, to offer you flexible term deposits with minimal risk. The terms range from 1 month to 5 years with different conditions based on the bank. Importantly, you don’t have to have an account with the bank you want to invest in.
How are dividends handled?
Not all funds issue dividends. With the ones that do offer dividends, you have the option of either having distributions paid to you as cash into your transaction account with InvestNow or reinvested to purchase additional units in the relevant fund.
Dividends are paid at different times. They may pay monthly, quarterly, or annually, so check each individual fund for further information.
Fees
InvestNow does not charge any transaction or admin fees apart from the fees charged by the managed funds.
The investment managers on InvestNow have different fees which may include management fees, administrative costs, and any performance fees.
Management fees start from around 0.27% p.a., including GST.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large variety of NZ and international investment options.
- Access to funds which traditionally require a high initial investment.
- Self-manage your account 24/7.
- No hidden fees or annual subscription fees.
- Strong compliance and online cyber security protocols.
Cons
- InvestNow does not offer a mobile app.
- Novice investors may not feel comfortable with the online portal and investment details.
Alternatives
SuperLife, Sharesies, Simplicity, Smartshares, and Hatch are all alternatives to InvestNow. However, InvestNow offers the largest selection of investment funds among these names and also does not charge an annual platform fee.
FAQs
How old do you need to be to sign up for InvestNow?
You can use InvestNow at any age, however they require a specific account for children under 18. They state that ‘due to the specific requirements around setting up these accounts, we recommend that customers contact us during the set up process and we will help them through it.’ You will be required to show ID relating to the child.
How do I deposit funds into my account?
You can deposit funds into your account online using the bank account details for the custodian and the unique identifier for your account. Once you have logged into your account, you click on ‘quick actions’, and then click ‘deposit funds’. The instructions will guide you from there.
What is the minimum deposit required?
The minimum investment amount for Managed Funds purchases is $50, when part of a regular investment plan. You will need to invest $250 for one-off investments.
How long does it take to withdraw funds?
Usually you’ll receive the funds within 24 hours. InvestNow states that, ‘for withdrawals from your transaction account to your nominated bank account, the cut-off is 12pm for the withdrawal to be paid on the same day – otherwise the withdrawal will be processed on the afternoon of the following business day.’ The withdrawal may take an additional business day to be paid to you, when you sell units in a PIE fund.
How does InvestNow make money?
The parent company of InvestNow, known as Implemented Investment Solutions (IIS), receives fees from the funds that it manages. Other fund managers also pay InvestNow to have their funds on the InvestNow platform.
Does InvestNow have an app?
At this stage there is not a dedicated app, however you can access your accounts online on any device. There is an app with a similar name called InvestNow by United Capital Plc however, this is unrelated.
Verdict
InvestNow is the only online investment platform with no fees and extremely low account minimums of $50 for regular monthly investments or $250 for a one-off transaction. InvestNow offers one of the largest variety of managed funds for their KiwiSaver and Managed Fund investors. For those not yet ready to invest, InvestNow also offers term deposits at 6 different banks so you can generate interest on your money.
Although the wide variety of funds means you will have to do a bit of research to get started, if you are ready to commit some upfront time, InvestNow is an excellent platform for online investors.
