Published : 8 years ago, on 22/06/2016

Source:  FE CREDIT

In the pre-internet age investors formed an elite: a small, quiet bunch, reluctant to talk about their investments. They gave the impression they knew the secret formula to make money with money.  In the investors’ world strategic information was vital, sources were carefully hidden. The internet rapidly changed everything. Information that used to be known to a few is now shared by many across the planet. In the 21st century everyone can become an investor. But: are all these new investors successful? When did they master the art of investing? How did they keep up their mastery?

Investors or Gamblers?

Not so long ago investing was done by the very wealthy. They would buy stocks or put money in a promising start-up or project. Nowadays you don’t have to be a US$ millionaire. Those fortunate to have more money than they need for their living, can also play the investor’s game. Some confuse investing with gambling. Most investors look down on gamblers. Why? A true investor doesn’t go for the adrenaline rush of taking a crazy risk. You carefully study the potential investment object and outweigh the risk. Professional investors like you don’t lose money. You make money by being money-smart. There is no School for Investors. When you qualify you know it. Your bank statement is like a Master’s certificate. You are a self-made Master of Investments.

Investment Mastery

This may be your story. When you were around 20 years old, you had a talk with a family member, or a friend’s uncle. He raised your interest in making money with money. This ignited your passion for the investment world, from stock markets to venture capital. You studied finance and financial markets. You made a career in a bank or an investment company. Other investors you know didn’t study. They explored the world of investments by themselves. They invest fulltime, or as a side-job. Warren Buffet is their role model – like he is yours. You know the stories of older investors like your uncle who talk about the huge effort it took to find the right information. Young self-made investors talk about the time when they started following financial news sites, reading blogs, and discovering a site like Investopedia. They learn about risk management, the need for transparency and how to access statistical information. They know the international agreements made to protect both the banks and the investors, “Basel II” and “Basel III”.

They can’t wait to explain them to you. They have their own ideas about managing risk, and where to draw the line. If you insist, they’ll tell you about their personal learning experiences. When you ask if they are now a Master of Investments, they may say: “Every day I’m getting closer.”

Gut feeling vs. data analysis

In the world of investors one question keeps popping up: “When do you trust your gut feeling? When not?” The past years the trend is to put more faith in cold facts and fresh data. Gut feeling is seen as old-school. Still, investors don’t like to share their personal “operating system”. When they have a reliable source, even if this is an internet source, they prefer to keep it hidden. They call this source “gut feeling”. Behind it may be an as-yet-undiscovered blogger, or a friend with “inside knowledge”. Or a formula inherited from their uncle. It’s safe to say that in 2016 like never before you have so much access to so much information. Your big issue: how to identify relevant data and verify them. The biggest trap: making sure no vital data are omitted. In 2008, 98% of the world’s economists failed to predict the financial crisis[i]. Investors lost huge amounts of money. They were unable to read the signs on the wall^[ii]. As a modern investor you know today’s issues. You avoid tomorrow’s traps. You are risk-conscious. You apply critical thinking. Your approach in making money is an almost scientific way, without altogether dismissing your gut feeling.

How you keep up your mastery

We live in an age of constant learning. Successful investors learn from experience. Ask Mr. Buffet. You don’t want to make the fatal mistakes of 2008. No more following of smooth-talking self-proclaimed experts. The business world depends on investors. In this new investors’ age you expect the object of your investment to enable you to do a proper analysis. You want to spot promising trends and potentially profitable and sustainable investment opportunities. Businesses are becoming more transparent. FE CREDIT, as a young consumer credit company, is an example. Meanwhile, in 2015 FE CREDIT has far exceeded the expectation of its business plan with 331% growth in consumer durables loans, 121% in two-wheeler loans, and 185% in cash loans compared to 2014.

FE CREDIT provides its investors and potential investors with up-to-date, relevant and reliable data. That’s best practice in today’s dynamic investment world. That’s how FE CREDIT creates and maintains a sound win-win situation with its investors. If you are or want to become one, we will help you keeping up your mastery.

About FE CREDIT

Over the past 5 years FE CREDIT has served nearly 3 million Vietnamese customers across Vietnam who despite earning a decent income, are often neglected by banks. FE CREDIT has achieved its market leading position thanks to pioneering in providing the most advanced products and services from personal loans, two-wheeler loans, consumer durables loans, credit cards.

FE CREDIT was awarded by the Global Banking & Finance Review (GBAF – the United Kingdom) the title of “Best Consumer Finance Company Vietnam 2015”. The company is expanding its distribution channels, smarter infrastructure and continuously developing its risk management practices by benchmarking with the world’s best practices.

Seize the sound win-win growth opportunities with FE CREDIT. Visit our website at: www.fecredit.com.vn or call (08) 39 115 212 or email: [email protected] for further enquiries.

[i] http://www.businessinsider.com/mauldin-economists-are-still-clueless-2013-6

[ii] Read: The Black Swan, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (revised second edition, 2010)