#Japan #Financial Services #Shibuya #Funds #Professional Fund

Funds Company Updates

Funds, an asset management service specializing in fixed-rate investments, is set to undergo significant changes to its exclusive fund offerings. This update includes a new name for its previously known "Funds Advanced," which will now be called the "Professional Fund." This strategic shift, effective from August 18, 2025, is designed to better align with future service expansions and to clearly define options for investors willing to accept higher risks in pursuit of higher returns.

Overview of the Changes

The decision to rename and create new standards for investors follows the company’s intention to streamline its product offerings. The key changes are outlined below:
1. Name Change of Exclusive Fund: The fund previously known as "Funds Advanced" will be rebranded as the "Professional Fund."
- Previous Name: Funds Advanced
- New Name: Professional Fund
2. Introduction of Standard Fund: Non-professional funds will now be classified as "Standard Funds."
- Previous Name: None
- New Name: Standard Fund
3. Investor Criteria Disclosure: The criteria for investing in the Professional Fund, previously undisclosed, will now be defined and made public. This will enable potential investors to easily ascertain their eligibility.
- Previous Criteria: Not disclosed
- New Criteria: Minimum investment balance in Standard Fund of 1 million yen.

Starting from August 18, 2025, changes will be reflected in the services available via user accounts, allowing investors to track their investment balances in both the Standard and Professional Funds.
Customized notices will be sent to eligible investors via email and other communication methods.
It should be noted that some Professional Funds may have additional, stricter criteria due to risk factors associated with each fund.

About the Professional Fund

The Professional Fund is positioned as a higher risk option that offers the potential for greater returns when compared to Standard Funds. To ensure that investors can make informed decisions, the company will outline the specific risk characteristics associated with different fund types. Here are some examples:

• - Overseas Corporate Loan Fund: This fund primarily finances companies located abroad. However, funds that issue loans to companies listed in Japanese financial markets may be classified as Standard Funds.
• - Funds’ Mezzanine Loan Fund: These loans are lower in priority for repayment than Standard Funds, thus offering relatively higher interest rates.
• - Real Estate Secured Loan Fund: This fund emphasizes the value of real estate provided as collateral and anticipates recovering debt through the exercise of collateral rights in case of default.

A Commitment to Diverse Investor Needs

These changes represent a significant step toward addressing the varied preferences of investors. In addition, Funds plans to introduce a loyalty program designed to reward investors based on their engagement with the service and risk tolerance, aiming to diversify the options available and enhance customer benefits later this year.

Funds continues to prioritize providing a reliable and trustworthy investment atmosphere while expanding its services and offerings.

About Funds

Funds offers a platform that allows individuals to lend from as little as 1 yen to publicly listed companies. Up until now, it has successfully raised funds for 540 different offerings from 109 companies, with zero cases of payment delays or defaults as of the end of July 2025. For more details on how Funds operates, viewers can watch a video produced for a taxi advertisement here.

Key Features of Fixed-Rate Investment "Funds"

• - Stability with Fixed Returns: Funds enable stable asset development without direct market impact, reducing psychological burden and management hassles. Moreover, fixed returns mean that while earnings are set at the time of offering, there is a chance that payments may not be fulfilled if the borrowing companies face insolvency.
• - Investing from One Yen: Newly introduced structure allows novice investors to partake without feeling intimidated—something unprecedented in the industry.
• - Eligibility Criteria Compliance for Borrowing Companies: Only businesses that meet specific financial and operational tests established by Funds may engage in fundraising.
• - Exclusive Investor Rewards: Some funds offer "Funds Benefits" to investors, including discount services and invitations to tasting events, aiming to foster deeper connections between individual investors and companies.

Funds Company aims to create a new platform for mutual understanding and value creation between investors and businesses through its innovative approaches.