Our Services

On this page
Maximising returns for fixed income investors
Sale and purchase of short-term investments
Sale and purchase of long-term investments
Independent Research
Treasury management
Portfolio valuations
Access to other securitised products

Maximising returns for fixed income investors

FIIG provides a number of services and facilities aimed at giving fixed income investors the best return possible.

• Client focus

  Fixed income is chronically under-serviced in Australia due to the fact that there are very few institutions that provide efficient liquidity in these assets. FIIG Securities Ltd is aware of the need to provide service to many currently under serviced sectors in the Australian market. FIIG is committed to providing direct access to these markets, and obtaining the most suitable investment in the fixed income asset class for our clients. A hands-on, personal relationship sets FIIG apart from the major institutions. The independence of FIIG Securities ensures unbiased recommendations and means our client need only contact one institution to access products from the entire market place.

• Constant market contact

  Our client base is very diverse, requiring many different types of investments and advice. To keep our clients informed, FIIG is in constant daily contact with a broad range of financial institutions and professional market participants, involved in the fixed income asset class throughout Australia. By staying informed FIIG can provide timely advice on fixed income investment decisions to our clients.

• Product awareness

  Due to the flexibility of the fixed income asset class, FIIG Securities can identify products suitable to the client's requirements based on tax implications, risk profile and liquidity, ensuring investors are aware of the choices available to them. FIIG can provide information regarding the potential for capital gain or loss with specific investments and source independent research regarding these products. Investors can use this information to make the appropriate adjustments to their portfolios.

• Market moves

  FIIG Securities monitors daily fluctuations in outright interest rates and also relative investment or credit spreads. FIIG Securities can provide market intelligence with regard to the fixed income asset class from which investors can draw conclusions on other asset classes, for example, the property and equity markets, interest rates being a major determinant of investment decisions in other asset classes.

• Newsletter

  FIIG Securities provides a weekly newsletter in PDF format with information on recent and upcoming economic releases from the Australian Bureau of Statistics along with product recommendations, market news, forecasts, topical articles and information about new issues. The newsletter also contains a list of assets we currently have for sale or are looking to purchase for clients. These securities are classified into government, semi-government, corporate and debenture securities.

• Ongoing relationship with clientele

  FIIG Securities will monitor your investments and keep you in touch with alternatives when the investments mature or are ready for renewal. For more active market participants, FIIG will provide valuations of positions if clients wish to take advantage of market moves.

  The directors of FIIG have a very broad range of valuable contacts and relationships formed over many years and can usually point clients in the right direction with regard to other financial needs or other asset classes outside the fixed income umbrella.

• No transaction fees

  FIIG charges no fees for transacting in the markets.

  FIIG derives its revenue from:

  1. In the case of simple money market deposits and primary issues, the financial institution that provides our client with the most suitable investment will pay FIIG a pre-determined brokerage.
  2. In the case of assets sourced from the secondary market (i.e. assets already issued and trading) FIIG will make a margin on the purchase or sale consideration of the asset from counter party to client.

  The rate or investment yield offered to clients will be net of any of these fees. FIIG is flexible with these margins and will reduce them in order to get the best deal for the client.

Sale and purchase of short-term investments

FIIG Securities has access to many short-term fixed income investment assets from the professional market. These instruments vary in rate of return according to the security of the underlying payee. They include:

• Money Market Deposits
• Repurchase Agreements
• Treasury Notes
• Promissory Notes
• Floating Rate Notes
• Bank Accepted Bills and Negotiable Certificates of Deposit

For more information see our Short-Term Securities page. Investors should be aware of the credit quality of the investment when making their decision to invest in these securities. Please also take the time to familiarise yourself with the Credit Ratings system.

Sale and purchase of long-term investments

Longer dated securities give the investor more to consider. They offer greater potential for capital gain or loss with interest rate movements and changes to the underlying creditworthiness of the issuer. The underlying creditworthiness of an issuer also becomes more of a consideration when making investment decisions in longer-term assets. Long dated securities include:

• Government bonds
• Semi-government bonds
• Corporate bonds
• Debentures
• Infrastructure bonds
• Index linked bonds
• Eurobonds
• International bonds
• Zero coupon bonds
• Floating rate notes
• Collateralised debt obligations

For more information see our Long-Term Securities page. Investors should be aware of the credit quality of the investment when making their decision to invest in these securities. Please also take the time to familiarise yourself with the Credit Ratings system.

Independent Research

FIIG Securities is committed to providing up to date, informative and constructive research. This applies at the broader macro level but also caters for individual requirements. There are various aspects to fixed income markets - outright yields, credit, different products and geographies etc. Our objective is to help our customers make informed decisions about their fixed income investments.

• Portfolio Reviews

  Each fixed income portfolio is different. FIIG Securities provides an independent assessment of individual fixed income investment portfolios. The review includes reports for board and investment committee members, independent revaluations, product assessment, ongoing surveillance and market updates. The service provides a thorough examination of the risks inherent in fixed income portfolios. The reports are written in 'plain English' to ensure a broader understanding.

• Market Updates

  Financial markets are constantly changing and the fixed income markets are no different. FIIG Securities aims to deliver immediate and accurate information ensuring our client base is kept up to date with the latest developments and key events that occur locally and on the global stage. Delivery of this information is important and preferences vary - email, internet, verbal etc. We can cater for most requirements.

• Product Previews

  New issues and products are coming onto the market all the time. FIIG Securities provides an assessment on most of these securities. This will involve in-depth product descriptions, risk/reward analysis and important information about the issuing entity.

• Bespoke

  FIIG Securities is pleased to offer tailored solutions that meet individual requirements. A number of our clients seek information and solutions unique to their circumstance. We work closely with them so as to provide independent advice and recommendations. This has been even more pertinent given recent volatility in credit markets as investors seek solutions and sound advice.

• Thematic Research

  Occasionally there are significant events or market developments that require comprehensive in depth analysis and understanding. Our team will deliver this big-picture research in an easy to understand format that clearly outlines the implications of the developments for the market and for individual portfolios.

If you would like further information about the services offered by our Research team, please contact Andrew Hicks on 03 9614 8844 or via email at ahicks@fiig.com.au

Treasury management

• Risk management

  FIIG Securities can manage or enhance the treasury operations of smaller corporations, identify currency or interest rate exposures and facilitate the necessary hedging tools or trades. FIIG will advise on debt structures, internal controls, software and information packages, even down to advice on staff.

• Debt management

  As well as organising mortgages, corporate finance, project finance and leasing, FIIG will act as an intermediary for clients seeking structures and tailor debt to suit individual cash flows or other requirements of clients.

• Derivatives

  FIIG Securities has access to the derivatives market through its relationships with the product providers. Products include Forward Rate Agreements, options, swaptions and swaps. Through this market, underlying structures can be manipulated and risk profiles can be altered to suit the client's needs without necessarily transacting with the original facility provider. Traders can also use derivatives to achieve leverage and tailored investments.

• Yield curve trading

  For the speculator or active trader, FIIG Securities can facilitate yield curve trades and leveraged trades.

Portfolio valuations

• Mark to market

  It is very important to be aware of the current market value of a fixed income asset. FIIG Securities can revalue your fixed income investments at the current market rates. This is particularly helpful when dealing outside the parameters of benchmark issuance.

• Duration

  FIIG Securities can recommend portfolio duration to suit the investors risk profiles and income needs.

• Portfolio recommendations

  Individual stock selections will be recommended to take advantage of moves in the credit curves or yield curve shifts. Portfolio structuring is based on the underlying goals set by the investment vehicle.

• Index

  FIIG Securities can set up portfolios to mirror the index (depending on the size of portfolio). FIIG can also place funds with the appropriate fixed income fund managers on behalf of investors depending on what the investor is trying to achieve with their fixed income allocation. It is important to select the appropriate style of manager or fund when choosing this path.

Access to other securitised products

• Mortgages

  FIIG Securities can access the securitised mortgage market both on the professional market scale and the one off type packages from mortgage providers. It is also possible as with the benchmark bond issuers to leverage these securitised mortgages through the repo market and thereby reduce capital allocation. At the same time this will naturally increase the risk involved.

• Individual asset securitisation

  Larger assets can be securitised by use of special purpose vehicles, particularly property. There are also many debt instruments that can be securitised into more suitable investments.