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Westpac launches new margin lending product

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Westpac has launched a new margin lending product through which customers can borrow money for investing in Australia's 20 largest companies.

 The product, called BlueChip20, is aimed at all types of investors with an annual income of more than $50,000.

 It requires an initial investment of $2500, which will be combined with the same amount using a margin loan.

Despite current scepticism surrounding equity gearing strategies, Westpac head of equity derivative sales Craig Keary said it was a good time to launch a margin lending product.

"We always advocate sensible gearing," Keary said.

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The product should also be seen as a long-term investment, and he suggested an investment horizon of at least five years.

Investors can increase their investment by monthly contributions of at least $250 a month, which will be combined with a similar increase of the loan amount.

This method of slowly increasing the invested capital protects the portfolio against market volatility.

Fees attached to the product include a standard loan fee, which currently stands at 7.99 per cent, an administration fee of 0.6 per cent and a services fee of up to 1.1 per cent, depending on planner involvement.