Worth Your Satang

- MFC has announced the launch of the Bt1billion MFC International Enhanced Fund (IEnhance), investing mainly in foreign debt instruments and options on the RICI Enhanced Excess Return Index. The oneandahalfyear fund's initial public offering will be available until September 8. The RICI Enhanced Excess Return Index is a commodity index jointly designed by Jim Rogers and ABN Amro to meet the need for con¬sistent investing in a broadbased international vehicle. The index is made up of 37 commodities subdi¬vided into three indexes: energy, which includes such commodities as crude oil and natural gas; agricul¬ture, such as corn and wheat; and metals, such as platinum, silver and gold.

The initial minimum purchase is Bt10,000.

- Krung Thai Asset Management has rolled out its fixedincome fund and foreigninvestment fund, which is available until August 26. KTST3M41, with threemonth maturity and a size of Bt2 billion, has a policy to invest in local debt instru¬ments and local financial institution deposits. The fund is expected to pro¬vide 3.6percent return per annum.

KTFIF6M15 has a policy to invest in Euro Commercial Paper (ECP) issued by leading financial institu¬tions. Initially the fund will focus on putting money in ECP issued by financial institutions in South Korea, Australia and Europe, as well as other Asian countries. The fund is expected to yield 4.2 per cent per annum.

- ING Funds (Thailand) offers the ING Thai International Income 6M4 (ING II 6M4) until August 25. The fund, with a sixmonth lifetime and a size of Bt5 billion, has a policy to invest in debt instruments issued by overseas governments, state enter¬prises, financial institutions and cor¬porations. The initial minimum pur¬chase is Bt10,000.

Ayudhya Fund Management has unveiled AYFETP6M1, with a poli¬cy to invest in shortterm debentures issued by Standard Chartered Bank, Kasikornbank and bills of exchange issued by Thanachart Bank, Tisco Bank and TSFC Securities. The fund will make auto redemptions when the return reaches at least 3.6 per cent per annum. The initial mini¬mum investment is Bt10,000.

- TMB Asset Management will launch a Bt1.5billion USD Money Market Fund between August 25 and September 4. The fund has a policy to invest in shortterm US dollardenominated debt instruments issued by governments, financial institutions and corporations. The initial minimum purchase is Bt2,000.

- Thanachart Bank has introduced a special threemonth fixeddeposit account offering 3.875-per cent interest per annum. Interested per¬sons are required to deposit at least Bt100,000 in the special threemonth fixeddeposit account and at least Bt10,000 in a savings account at the bank.

The bank has also raised interest by 0.125 to 0.375 of a percentage point for its three, six, nine and 12month bills of exchange (B/E) to 3.875 per cent, 4 per cent, 4.2 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively. The new rates became effective on Tuesday. It has also rolled out five and 10month B/E at 4 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively.

- Siam City Bank has put 2,000 of its nonperforming assets (NPAs) on sale with discounts of up to 35 per cent at the Home Buyer's Expo 2008, which is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until Sunday. Besides, those who buy the bank's NPAs at the fair will be eli¬gible for an additional 5percent discount when they buy a second item of the bank's NPAs.

Those who buy the bank's NPAs at the fair also get a fixed interest rate of 4 per cent for the first year, 5.5 per cent for the second year and 0.50 per cent minus minimum lending rate throughout the remaining term of the loan. Those who want to buy the bank's NPAs at the fair but fail to pass the bank's loanextension criteria can pay a part of the asset value in 36-month instalments as required by the bank and, if they can do so without a late payment, they become eligible for the same privileges as other those who purchase the NPAs.

- First Choice Card has launched "The Happiest! 12 months of free washes and zero interest" promo¬tional package, to allow its card¬holders to purchase a washing machine worth more than Bt20,000 at participating stores with zero interest for 12 months. Those who apply for the right will also get the extra bonus of an uptooneyear free washing package with Breeze Excel Small and Super. New card members will also receive a Bt500 PTT gasoline coupon after spending Bt15,000 within the first two months.

The promotion is available until October 31.