Benefits of investing in FirstChoice Investments

FirstChoice Investments is designed to help you achieve your investment goals and provides access to a wide range of managed funds from some of the world's most respected investment managers. FirstChoice Investments provides you with exceptional value, service and choice.

Value

FirstChoice Investments is a leader in providing value for money. We provide what you want - a great platform at a competitive price.

Service

Our brand is synonymous with service excellence. You will receive fast and personal service.

Choice

Over 130 investment options and over 70 investment managers give you real choice and diversity, across specialist boutiques and leading brands.

Investment options

With FirstChoice Investments, you can access a vast range of investment opportunities from well-respected Australian and international investment managers, including specialist boutique investment managers, across different asset classes such as shares, fixed interest, property and cash, all in the one place.

More than 130 ways to achieve your specific investment goals

FirstChoice Investments has more than 130 investment options across different asset classes and investment managers so that you can tailor an investment portfolio to meet your needs.

You can choose from:

• multi-manager portfolios which are pre-mixed for you, and/or

• single manager options allowing you to tailor-make your portfolio.

You can choose one option or a combination of different options. You can transfer your money into other options at any time.

Each investment option has a different level of risk and potential level of returns.

Personal customer service every time

We understand that our success depends on our ability to provide you with great service - every time. We have some of the most dedicated and highly trained people in the market, and we constantly aim for exceptional service.

No waiting for reports and statements

Instead of you waiting weeks for annual reports and tax statements, FirstChoice provides you with consolidated reporting at least twice a year, which will give you a complete picture of all your investments and a summary of all your transactions.

FirstNet makes it easy

You can also access up-to-date information on your investments at any time via our secure internet site, FirstNet. FirstNet e-Post is the fast and secure way to submit original forms and requests via FirstNet, our secure online service. You no longer need to post the originals, saving you time and effort. You will receive an instant email confirmation when you submit your request and a reference number. You must only submit original forms.

Receive informative material

As an investor in FirstChoice, you can look forward to receiving:

• iQ magazine

• regular statements

• confirmation letters.

Risk level

Very High

How FirstChoice Investments work

When you invest in FirstChoice Investments, your money is combined with other investors' money in a managed investment scheme. Each FirstChoice investment option is a separate managed investment scheme except for FirstRate products, which are deposit products of the Bank. We may invest directly or indirectly in other managed investment schemes managed by us to gain exposure and administrative efficiencies.

How your account works

When you make an investment into FirstChoice Investments, you are issued units in the investment option(s) you select.

The unit price you receive is the unit price which applies on the day we receive a transaction request, provided the request is received before 3pm, Sydney time, on any NSW business day.

The value of units fluctuates as a result of changes in the value of the underlying assets or as a result of costs reflected in the unit price (except for FirstRate products, where the value changes as a result of the payment of interest). This means that your account balance can fluctuate on a daily basis depending on the value of the units which you hold in your account.

Depending on the investment option(s) you select, you may receive income in the form of distributions.

There may be tax consequences as a result of your investment.

Receiving income

Any income that you receive from your investment, may include income such as interest, dividends and realised capital gains.

FirstRate products will pay interest only. The payment of interest will follow the distribution choices you make on your FirstChoice Investments account.

Income attributed and distributions are based on the number of units you hold in a particular option, in proportion to the number of units held by all unitholders, at the distribution date. Income attributed and distributions are not pro-rated for investors who were not unitholders for the whole period. The type of income you receive depends on the asset classes in which each option invests.

How we invest your money

Investment strategy

The option primarily invests in listed securities. The portfolio will ideally consist of 70-140 securities that the manager believes to be undervalued by the market. Cash may be held when undervalued securities cannot be found. The manager may short sell securities that are considered to be overvalued. The portfolio will typically have 50% or more net equity exposure. The manager may also invest in unlisted securities, but in aggregate such investments will not exceed 20% of the net asset value of the option. Derivatives (options, swaps and futures) may be used for risk management and for opportunities to increase returns; however, the effective exposure of derivative positions (excluding forward foreign exchange contracts and stock borrowing covering short equity positions) stocks and participatory notes will not exceed 150% of the portfolio's net asset value. The manager may also use foreign exchange contracts and derivatives on foreign exchange contracts to take currency positions.

Investment ranges

(Asset class: Range / Benchmark)

• Global shares: 0%-100% / N/A

• Cash: 0%-100% / N/A

Please note: The principal investments in the option are global shares. Cash and cash equivalents typically represents less than 40% of the portfolio's net asset value.