YTL Power International executive director Hann Yeoh says the hesitation is often rooted in uncertainty rather than a lack of access to investment products.
YTL Power International executive director Hann Yeoh said this hesitation is often rooted in uncertainty rather than a lack of access to investment products.
“A very small proportion of people actually understand investments or dare to even look at them,” he told FMT.
Yeoh said many first-time investors remain uncertain about which products suit their financial goals and risk appetite, often finding the process intimidating without professional guidance.
He said some assume that investing is only for the wealthy, while others worry about making mistakes because they do not fully understand how investment products work.
“It can be quite intimidating when you’re on your own and wondering, ‘How do I do this?'” he said.
Rather than encouraging people to take on large risks from the outset, he said the focus should be on helping first-time investors start small, learn how investment products work and build confidence over time.
Recognising these challenges, Yeoh said Ryt Bank uses artificial intelligence and technology to democratise investing in much the same way it had done for banking.
Ryt Bank recently introduced Ryt Invest, a digital investment platform designed to make investing more accessible and easier to understand, particularly for first-time investors.
Developed in partnership with Opus Asset Management, which has over RM10 billion in assets under management and 25 years of investment experience, Ryt Invest provides access to professionally managed investment solutions through the convenience of a digital banking app.
Rather than focusing solely on experienced investors, Yeoh said the platform was built around the needs of everyday Malaysians who may be exploring investments for the first time.
One of the key barriers the platform aims to address is the perception that investing requires a large upfront commitment.
“We wanted to make the entry point low and understandable so that people can start investing from as little as RM1. That way, it doesn’t become intimidating and is easy for people to give investing a try,” he said.
Ryt Invest offers three investment options designed to cater to different financial goals and risk appetites.
SavePlus is a shariah-compliant option focused on investment-grade bonds for users seeking a lower-risk approach.
Income offers diversified exposure across asset classes for those pursuing potentially higher long-term returns, and Gold provides exposure to one of the world’s most widely recognised store-of-value assets.
Beyond lowering the entry barrier, Yeoh said education plays an equally important role in helping people become more comfortable with investing.
To support this, Ryt Bank has integrated Ryt AI into the customer experience, allowing users to ask questions about investment options, understand key features and risk levels, as well as access educational information.
“With Ryt AI, users can ask questions such as, ‘What’s the difference between the Ryt Invest investment options?’ or ‘Tell me more about the Ryt Invest Income Fund’. It helps explain the available information in a simple and conversational way, making it easier for people to grasp and make their own investment decisions.
He stressed, however, that investment decisions and fund management remain under the oversight of professional fund managers, while AI serves as an educational tool. It does not make investment decisions on behalf of users.
For Yeoh, the broader objective extends beyond encouraging more people to invest. It is about helping Malaysians build healthier financial habits and become more confident about managing their financial future.
“The biggest advice is just to get started in the smallest way possible, and then learn about it. It’s quite an exciting journey, but the most important thing is to get started,” he said. - FMT
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