What is Investa Funds? Complete Guide for Filipino Investors

Q: Are there fees for using Investa Funds?

Mutual funds charge professional management fees and expense ratios that vary by fund. These fees are disclosed in each fund's prospectus and automatically deducted from fund performance.

By: Daveril Dabuco

Published: October 16, 2025

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What is Investa Funds - Investa Funds website screenshot

Here’s the truth: most Filipinos keep their money in savings accounts earning less than 1% interest per year. Meanwhile, inflation eats away at that money faster than you can say “paano ba ‘to?“

I get it. Investing sounds scary. You think you need thousands of pesos to start.

But what if I told you that you can start investing with just ₱50? That’s less than a cup of a Starbucks coffee! And you don’t need to be a finance expert or spend hours studying charts.

That’s exactly what Investa Funds offers! It’s a platform where everyday Filipinos — students, parents, young professionals, are growing their money while they sleep.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how Investa Funds works, what you can invest in, and whether it’s right for you.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

What is Investa Funds?

Investa Funds (officially InvestaFunds) is a digital mutual fund distribution platform in the Philippines that enables Filipinos to invest in professionally managed investment funds starting with as little as ₱50.

Operated by InvestaFinancial Inc., a corporation licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a mutual fund distributor, the platform serves as an online intermediary connecting investors with top-performing mutual funds from leading asset management companies in the country.

Investa Funds Platform and Its Purpose

InvestaFunds functions as a passive income application designed to democratize investment access for everyday Filipinos.

The platform is wholly owned by Investagrams Inc., the largest social-financial platform in the Philippines with over 900,000 subscribers.

By partnering with qualified fund managers from institutions such as ATRAM, BPI Investment Management Inc., Sunlife, and Philequity, InvestaFunds distributes mutual fund shares through an intuitive web and mobile application interface.

What are Mutual Funds?

Before diving deeper into InvestaFunds, it’s essential to understand mutual funds themselves.

Mutual funds are open-ended investment companies where funds from multiple investors are pooled together to achieve specific investment objectives. Read more -> top mutual fund companies in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, investors purchase “shares” of mutual funds, making them shareholders entitled to voting rights and dividends. These pooled funds are then managed by professional investment managers who create diversified portfolios consisting of stocks, bonds, and other securities.

The fund generates returns through asset appreciation and dividends or interest received from held securities, which are passed on to investors minus fees and fund expenses.

The price per share is determined using the Net Asset Value per Share (NAVPS), calculated by dividing the Net Asset Value (market prices of assets minus liabilities) by total outstanding shares.

How Investa Funds Works

Simply follow these steps to open your account and start investing with Investa Funds.

Getting Started: Account Setup

Opening an InvestaFunds account is straightforward and fully digital.

Mobile app: Prospective investors can create accounts directly through the InvestaFunds mobile app (available on iOS and Android) or website, eliminating traditional paperwork requirements.

The onboarding process typically takes just a few minutes, allowing users to start investing almost immediately after account verification.
Maya app: For Maya users (the #1 digital banking app in the Philippines), InvestaFunds is also available as an integrated provider within the Maya Funds feature. This integration enables real-time account opening and seamless transfers between Maya wallets and Investa accounts.

How to Invest in Investa Funds: 5-Step Process

Opening your account in Investa Funds is quite easy.

Select funds → Browse through over 29 mutual funds available on the platform. The app provides custom lists and filtering options to help users select funds based on their risk appetite and investment objectives. Fund categories include money market funds, bond funds, balanced funds, equity funds, index funds, dividend-paying funds, and global funds.

Choose investment amount → Decide how much you want to invest, with the minimum investment threshold set at just ₱50. This extraordinarily low barrier to entry makes InvestaFunds accessible to virtually any Filipino, regardless of financial situation

Fund your investment → You can transfer money from your bank account or digital wallets (like Maya) to your InvestaFunds account. Maya users benefit from real-time, instant cash-in capabilities directly from their Maya wallet

Execute the purchase → Once funds are available, the investment is processed quickly, often within minutes. The platform handles all transactions with the respective mutual fund companies, acting as the intermediary

Monitor your portfolio → The InvestaFunds app provides in-app analytics, performance trackers, graphs, and statistics that allow investors to monitor their portfolio’s growth in real-time.

Investa Funds auto-invest feature

InvestaFunds offers an Auto-Invest functionality that automates the investment process. Users can schedule investments in advance, enabling a disciplined, “set-and-forget” approach to wealth building. This feature is particularly valuable for busy professionals who want to invest consistently without manual intervention.

What about withdrawals and liquidity?

Mutual funds and UITFs (Unit Investment Trust Funds) are highly liquid investments, meaning shares can be easily bought or redeemed at any time.

InvestaFunds emphasizes hassle-free withdrawals, allowing investors to cash out when needed. For Maya-integrated accounts, withdrawals can be transferred instantly to Maya wallets for immediate access.

Types of funds and products available on Investa Funds

InvestaFunds offers 29 fund products from 6 investment companies, across 7 multiple categories (Money Market Funds, Bond Funds, Balanced Funds, Equity Funds, Index Funds, Dividend-Paying Funds, Feeder Funds & Global Funds), allowing investors to build diversified portfolios tailored to their risk tolerance and financial goals.

Money Market Funds

Money market funds invest primarily in short-term debt instruments and cash equivalents. These are suitable for conservative investors seeking capital preservation with minimal risk exposure.

Bond Funds

Bond funds invest in government and corporate bonds, offering moderate returns with lower volatility than equity funds. These funds generate income through interest payments and are appropriate for investors with low to moderate risk tolerance.

Balanced Funds

Balanced funds combine stocks and bonds in a single portfolio, aiming to balance growth potential with income generation. This hybrid approach provides diversification within a single fund, making it suitable for investors seeking moderate growth with reduced volatility.

Equity Funds

Equity funds invest primarily in stocks and offer the highest growth potential among mutual fund types. However, they also carry higher risk due to stock market volatility.

Index Funds

Index funds track specific market indices, providing broad market exposure through passive management. These funds typically have lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds.

Dividend-paying Funds

Dividend-paying funds focus on stocks that regularly distribute dividends to shareholders. Investors in these funds can receive cash dividends directly to their InvestaFunds accounts, which can then be withdrawn or reinvested.

Feeder and Global Funds

Feeder and Global funds provide exposure to international markets, allowing Filipino investors to diversify beyond Philippine assets. These funds invest in foreign securities, offering geographical diversification.

ALFM

ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund (PHP)
ALFM Growth Fund
ALFM Money Market Fund (Unitized)
ALFM Peso Bond Fund

ATRAM

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc.
ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.
ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc.
ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc.
ATRAM Unicapital Diversified Growth Fund, Inc.

BPI

BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund (PHP)

Manulife

Manulife Dragon Growth Equity Feeder Fund (PHP)
Manulife Global REIT Feeder Fund (PHP)
Manulife Global Multi-Asset Diversified Income Feeder Fund (PHP)
Manulife Money Market Fund (Class A)

PhilEquity

PhilEquity Alpha One Fund, Inc.
PhilEquity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc.
PhilEquity Fund, Inc.
PhilEquity MSCI Philippines Index Fund, Inc.
PhilEquity Peso Bond Fund, Inc.
PhilEquity PSE Index Fund, Inc.

PSE

Philippine Stock Index Fund (Unitized)

Sun Life

Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund
Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund
Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund
Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund
Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund
Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund
Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund
Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund

Benefits of Using Investa Funds

Accessibility and low barriers to entry -> The ₱50 minimum investment requirement makes InvestaFunds one of the most accessible investment platforms in the Philippines. Traditional mutual funds often require initial investments of ₱5,000 or more, while UITFs typically start at ₱10,000.
Professional fund management -> Investors benefit from the expertise of full-time professional fund managers who handle asset selection, portfolio monitoring, and investment decisions. This removes the burden of active trading and market analysis from individual investors.
Diversification -> Mutual funds inherently provide diversification by spreading investments across multiple securities. This risk distribution means the negative performance of one asset can be offset by positive performance in others.
Economies of scale -> Individual investors purchasing multiple securities independently incur substantial transaction costs. In mutual funds, these costs are shared among all investors, dramatically reducing individual transaction expenses.
User-friendly technology -> InvestaFunds leverages technology from its parent company, Investagrams Inc., to deliver a smart, intuitive interface.
Fast processing -> The digital nature of InvestaFunds enables rapid transactions. From account creation to first investment and profit realization, the entire process can occur within minutes.
Maya integration -> For Maya users, the seamless integration creates a unified financial ecosystem where users can invest, borrow, spend, and save within a single platform.
Regulatory compliance and security -> InvestaFunds is regulated and licensed by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission as a mutual fund distributor. The platform maintains a dedicated cybersecurity and auditing team to protect user assets and data, with regular updates ensuring compliance with security standards.

Risks and Considerations of Investa Funds

Market risk -> Mutual fund values fluctuate based on underlying asset performance. During market downturns, investors may experience losses as the Net Asset Value per Share (NAVPS) declines.
No guaranteed returns -> Unlike savings accounts or time deposits, mutual funds do not offer guaranteed returns. The value reflected in the NAVPS fluctuates daily, and a decline after investment translates to a loss on the principal amount.
Fees and expenses -> While InvestaFunds itself provides a convenient distribution channel, mutual funds charge various fees including management fees, expense ratios, and potentially redemption fees. These fees reduce overall returns and can significantly impact profitability, especially for funds with lower yields.
Limited control -> Investors have no direct say in which specific securities fund managers purchase. While disclosure documents provide transparency, ultimate investment decisions rest with the fund manager.
No PDIC insurance -> Unlike bank deposits, mutual funds are not covered by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). If a mutual fund company faces financial difficulties, investors may lose some or all of their investment.
Fund manager risk -> Investment performance depends heavily on fund manager expertise and decision-making. Poor management choices, short-term speculation, or the departure of a skilled fund manager can negatively impact returns.
Inflation risk -> If a fund generates returns lower than the inflation rate, investors effectively lose purchasing power over time. For example, earning 3% annually while inflation runs at 4% results in a real loss.

Investa Funds vs. Traditional Banking Products

Mutual Funds vs. Savings Accounts

Traditional bank savings accounts offer guaranteed interest (typically 0.25% to 1% annually in the Philippines) with PDIC insurance up to ₱500,000. In contrast, mutual funds provide potentially higher returns but without guarantees or insurance protection.

Mutual Funds vs. UITFs

Both mutual funds and UITFs pool investor money for professional management, but differ in structure and regulation.

Investment companies offer mutual funds (regulated by the SEC), while banks offer UITFs (regulated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas).

Mutual fund investors become shareholders with voting rights and dividend entitlements, while UITF investors purchase units without shareholder status.

Traditional minimum investments differ significantly: ₱5,000 for mutual funds versus ₱10,000 for UITFs. However, InvestaFunds dramatically lowers the mutual fund barrier to ₱50.

Mutual Funds vs. Time Deposits

Time deposits guarantee principal and interest (typically 1% to 3% annually) with PDIC coverage, but require locking in funds for fixed periods.

Mutual funds offer potentially higher returns, greater liquidity, and no lock-in requirements (for most fund types), but carry market risk and no capital guarantees.

Common use cases of Investa Funds

Who and why should someone consider investing in Investa Funds? Let’s find out.

1. Building an emergency fund (conservative approach)

If you’re a risk-averse investor, you can use money market funds as a slightly higher-yielding alternative to traditional savings accounts while maintaining relatively quick access to funds. Though not PDIC-insured, money market funds invest in low-risk, short-term instruments.

2. Long-term wealth building

Investors with 5 to 10-year or longer time horizons can maximize equity fund exposure to capitalize on compound growth. The Auto-Invest feature enables consistent, disciplined investing regardless of market conditions, a strategy known as peso-cost averaging.

3. Retirement planning

Balanced funds offer a middle ground for retirement savers, providing growth potential through equities while moderating volatility with bonds. As retirement approaches, investors can gradually shift toward more conservative bond and money market funds.

4. Passive income generation

Dividend-paying funds distribute cash dividends periodically, providing regular income streams. These dividends arrive directly in Investa accounts and can be withdrawn to Maya wallets or reinvested for compound growth.

5. Diversification strategy

Active traders and stock investors use InvestaFunds to diversify beyond direct stock holdings. Global funds provide international diversification, reducing concentration risk in the Philippine market.

6. Perfect for first-time investors

The ₱50 minimum investment and user-friendly interface make InvestaFunds ideal for investment beginners. New investors can start small, learn how mutual funds work, and gradually increase investments as confidence grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Investa Funds safe?

Yes, Investa Funds is safe. It is licensed and regulated by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission as a mutual fund distributor. The platform implements cybersecurity measures and partners with established fund management companies.

How do I withdraw money from Investa Funds?

You can withdraw funds anytime by redeeming mutual fund shares through the Investa Funds app. For Maya-integrated accounts, withdrawn amounts transfer instantly to Maya wallets. Processing times depend on the specific fund but are generally hassle-free.

What happens if I need emergency money?

Most mutual funds on InvestaFunds are highly liquid and can be redeemed at any time. However, funds may take 1-5 business days to settle depending on fund type.

How are dividends handled?

For dividend-paying funds, cash dividends are deposited directly into Investa accounts. Investors can then withdraw these dividends to their bank accounts or Maya wallets, or reinvest them into fund.

Are there fees for using Investa Funds?

Mutual funds charge professional management fees and expense ratios that vary by fund. These fees are disclosed in each fund’s prospectus and automatically deducted from fund performance.

Final Thoughts

Investa Funds represents a significant advancement in democratizing investment access for Filipinos by combining extremely low minimum investments (₱50), professional fund management, diverse fund options, and user-friendly technology.

The platform eliminates traditional barriers that prevented many Filipinos from participating in wealth-building opportunities through mutual funds.

The integration with Maya further streamlines the investing process for millions of digital banking users. For Filipinos seeking to take control of their financial futures — whether building emergency funds, planning for retirement, generating passive income, or simply learning to invest, InvestaFunds provides an accessible, regulated, and convenient entry point into the world of mutual fund investing.

Investa Funds, Mutual Funds, UITF

About the Author

Daveril Dabuco

Daveril Dabuco is the founder and author of Juan Investor. He started investing in stocks since 2013 and currently holds a portfolio of stocks, crypto and index fund investments. When he’s not blogging he’s either tinkering on Facebook ads or exploring white sand beaches across the globe.