What is the role of the counterparty in your structured investment product?
The safety of your original capital depends on the ability of the counterparty (the institution providing the underlying assets, rather than the product provider) to repay your investment at the end of the term. You can assess the strength of a counterparty, and therefore the relative risk to your investment, by comparing their credit rating score, from AAA to D, using a credit rating agency such as Standard & Poor's (www.standardandpoors.com) or Fitch (www.fitchratings.com).
Like all investment products, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of structured investment products before investing.
Structured products might be right for you if:
- You have a lump sum to invest for up to five years
- You want a product linked to the stock market
- You want some or all of your capital protected
However, structured investment products may not be for you if:
- You may need instant access to your capital
- You do not want an investment with the risk associated with the stock market
- You want to invest regularly
Compare specific structured investment products and apply for more information through our table.