What is a Money Market Fund?

A money market fund is a type of collective investment scheme or mutual fund. In this type of investment, investors entrust their funds to a firm that allocates the money to various revenue-generating assets. Rather than taking a hands-on approach that involves vetting individual companies, money market funds allow you to spread your investment risk across companies while only actively investing in one.

This is best illustrated in the diagram below:

C o m m e r I c n i v a e l s t P o a r p e r M F I u u n t n v u d B e a o s l M n t a d o F n s r u a n g d e r I n v e S s t t o o c r k s

The Origin of Money Market Funds

Money market mutual funds are an innovation of the 1970s. They developed in response to regulatory restrictions in the United States, prohibiting US banks from paying market interest rates on retail deposits. At this time, inflation was very high, leading to high market rate levels, as compared to the ceilings imposed on banks.

Consequently, the idea spread in countries with similarly rigid restrictions on bank deposit rates such as Japan, Greece and France.

Over the past decade, money market funds have seen widespread adoption growth in Kenya. The total assets under management grew from KSh 66.2 billion in FY2019 to KSh 215.05 billion in December 2023, more than a 4x increase in under five years.

Money market funds are popular because of ease of access - deposits can be made via M-PESA, daily returns where users can see the growth of their investments at the end of the day, and quick withdrawal times, where money reaches the user’s account in a matter of seconds, and the magic of compound interest.

Reasons for popularity of money market funds in Kenya
Factor Description
Easy deposits Deposits and withdrawals can be made via M-PESA.
Quick withdrawal Withdrawals can be made in a matter of seconds.
Daily returns Interest is remitted daily
Compound interest Interest is compounded over time.
Source: Kiihela

Why invest in money market funds?

Why Invest in Money Market Funds (MMFs)

  • Good Returns – MMFs offer diversified portfolios managed by professionals, leading to fair returns. With an average return of 8.9%, MMFs outpace inflation (6.5%) and current account interest rates.

  • Security – By pooling funds from many investors, MMFs provide access to a broader range of securities, reducing the risk compared to investing individually in a limited number of securities.

  • Liquidity – MMFs invest in short-term securities that can be quickly converted to cash, allowing investors to easily enter and exit the funds.

  • Regulatory Oversight – Licensed by the CMA, MMFs are closely regulated. The separation of roles between the Fund Manager, Custodian, Trustee, and Auditor ensures security and compliance with regulations, making MMFs a low-risk investment.

  • Professional Management – MMFs are handled by experienced professionals who base investment decisions on thorough research and constant market monitoring. This structured approach contrasts with individual investors who may lack the time or expertise to manage investments effectively.

  • Low Minimum Investment – Many MMFs have low minimum investment thresholds (as low as Ksh. 100), making them accessible to a wide range of people.

Money Market Funds vs. Other Investment Options

MMFs vs Savings Accounts

MMFs offer a higher yield than saving accounts in Kenya. The annual interest rate for money markets ranges from 10% to 16%, in contrast to savings accounts, which offer interest rates of 3% to 8% per annum.

MMFs vs SACCOs

Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) are a popular savings and investment option in Kenya. Their main benefit is access to credit, which is guaranteed by other members.

They differ greatly from MMFs in terms of liquidity and management.

Money Market Funds vs SACCOs
Feature MMFs SACCOs
Dividend/Interest Rates 10-16%+ p.a. 8%-12% p.a
Liquidity High; almost immediate Low; withdrawals require notice
Management Professionally managed Managed by cooperative members
Risk and Returns Diversified, daily returns Dependent on cooperative health and management
Regulatory Oversight Regulated by Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Regulated by Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA)
Source: Kiihela

Conclusion

Money market funds are a critical source of short-term financing for issuers in Kenya’s public markets, providing moderately high returns, and liquidity for investors.

The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second-best time is today.