If you have been searching for “best bond investment platforms in India” or researching on how to invest in bonds online, you have probably come across the name Aspero. It is one of the newly launched fixed income investment platforms in India that lets common retail investors put their money into bonds- an investment option that was previously mostly reserved for large institutions and HNIs.
In this Aspero review, we will cover what Aspero is, the products it offers, how it works, its connection to Yubi Group, its pros and cons, and also have a look at some of the best Aspero alternatives. By the end, you should have a clear, simple picture of whether this online bond investing platform fits your financial goals.
What is Aspero?
Aspero is an online fixed income investment platform that focuses primarily on bonds. Apart from bonds, it also has fixed deposits listed on its platform. The platform is available on web as well as mobile applications on Android & iOS stores.
For people who are new to bond investing, in simple words, a bond is like a loan. When you buy a bond, you are lending money to a company or institution, and in return, they promise to pay you back with interest over a fixed period.
Traditionally, buying corporate bonds directly was complicated. It involved paperwork, high minimum investment amounts, and access mostly limited to banks, large investors, or wealth management firms.
Aspero fits into a growing category of Indian fintech platforms sometimes called “bond investment platforms”. These platforms list bonds on their platform where individual investors can browse curated options and invest with just a few clicks. Bonds listed on Aspero have minimum investment starting from as low as Rs.1000.
They claim on their platform to have sold bonds worth 17000 Crores + with 15000+ investors on board. At the time of publishing this article, they have close to 50 live bonds on their platform.
Some Features of Aspero Features
Aspero comes with a few standout features that set it apart from other fixed income investment platforms in India. Here is a closer look at what makes Aspero worth considering.
- Strong backing of Yubi Group: Aspero is backed by Yubi Group (formerly CredAvenue), a well-established Indian fintech in the debt and credit marketplace space, adding credibility and expertise.
- Fixed deposits as an additional option: Alongside bonds, Aspero offers FDs through 5 partners -Suryoday SFB, Unity SFB, Mahindra Finance, Sundaram Finance, and Bajaj Finance.
- Bonds directory (16,000+ bonds, 8,000+ issuers): A searchable repository of bonds filterable by type, rating, tenure, and coupon- note that not all listed bonds are available for direct investment on the platform.
- Easy-to-use tech platform: Simple, intuitive app and website, making it easy to sign up, browse, invest, and track- even for first-time investors.
- Transparency in bond details: Clear info on each bond’s rating, tenure, coupon, and issuer, helping investors decide with full information.
- Digital, paperless investing: The entire process, from KYC to tracking returns, happens online with no physical paperwork.
- Low minimum investment: Minimum investment in bonds listed on Aspero starts from as low as Rs.1000.
Aspero & Yubi Group
Aspero is associated with Yubi Group (previously known as CredAvenue), one of India’s popular fintech companies operating in the debt and credit marketplace space.
Aspero is positioned as Yubi Group’s retail-facing arm, designed to bring fixed income and bond investment opportunities that were previously available mainly to institutional investors to retail investors.
This backing by an established fintech group can act as a point of reassurance for new investors, since it suggests Aspero benefits from the risk assessment, underwriting experience, and network that Yubi Group has built over the years in the debt markets.
Is Aspero Safe?
This is probably the most important question for anyone reading this Aspero review. It’s registered as Aspero Markets Private Limited (Formerly known as Credavenue Securities Private Limited) & all the relevant registration details with regulatory authorities are displayed on the website as a part of their compliance. The platform is also a part of Yubi Group – a popular name in the debt & credit industry. All this makes the platform safe.
However, the investment product risk still remains. Bonds carry risk mainly because they depend on the issuer’s ability to repay. If the company faces financial trouble, it can delay or default on interest and principal payments, and unlike bank deposits, that money isn’t insured or guaranteed. So do proper research & asset allocation before finalising on investing in bonds.
Best Aspero Alternatives in India
If you are exploring fixed income investment platforms in India, Aspero is not the only option available. Here are some of the best Aspero alternatives which can be considered by people looking for platforms to invest in bonds:
- Grip Invest
- The Fixed Income
- Altifi
- Jiraaf
- Golden Pi
- Stable Bonds
Conclusion
Aspero is among the growing trend of fintech platforms making fixed income investing more accessible to everyday investors in India. One of the advantages of this platform is the experience and network of Yubi Group in the debt and credit marketplace.
That said, no investment is without risk, and bonds are no exception. Before investing through Aspero or any similar platform, take the time to understand the specific product you are considering, check the issuing company’s credit rating, read the terms carefully, and consider how the investment fits into your overall financial plan.
Also, compare a few platforms, read verified user reviews and compare yields across the platforms. Consult a financial advisor to make sure your choices align with your personal goals and risk tolerance.
