History of Sanlam unit trust portfolios: inviting investors to connect

As one of the longest-standing unit trust management companies in South Africa, Sanlam is currently engaged in an effort to locate investors who we lack contact information for. With a considerable number of unreachable investors, this article traces our unit trust journey while also calling for your participation.

The first unit trust was launched in South Africa in June 1965 and in 1967 Sanlamtrust Managers (now Sanlam Collective Investments) received approval from the Financial Services Board to operate as a unit trust management company. Subsequently, Sanlam launched its first unit trust in 1967 called Sanlamtrust, which has since become the Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) General Equity Fund.

In late 1971, Sanlam took over the administration of two existing unit trusts, namely the National Growth Fund (NGF) and South African Trust Selections (SATS), previously managed by Fund Advisors. NGF later changed to Sanlam Index Trust and in 2015 this fund was amalgamated with the SIM General Equity Fund.  SATS is now managed as an industrial unit trust called Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) Industrial Fund.

In 1978, Sanlam took over the administration of a unit trust in the Trust Bank stable called the Trust Bank Growth Fund or Trustgo.  Over time, this fund underwent a transformation and is now a specialist fund focusing on the mining sector, hence the name Sanlam Investment Management (SIM) Resources Fund.  In May 1978, Sanlam took over a fund from Santambank called the Sanlam Growth Fund or Santamgro.  This fund ceased to exist in April 2011 when all assets were merged with the SIM General Equity Fund.

During its initial years, Sanlam launched an endowment policy that earned an annual cash bonus.  Policyholders were offered the choice to transfer the cash bonus or a portion thereof, towards the purchase of units within the Sanlam General Equity Fund. This product was designed to create a distinct investment that the investor could use for unforeseen circumstances.  The unit trust was the optimal vehicle for this purpose due to its flexibility, transparency and liquidity.

Consequently,  all the funds previously mentioned either amalgamated with another unit trust within the Sanlam stable, or in the instance of SATS and Trustgo, they continue to operate under a new name and investment mandate.  It’s important to highlight that any alterations, whether amalgamations or changes to the mandates (investment policies), were approved by the regulatory authorities. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority is a successor agency to the Financial Services Board and since 2018 regulates the market conduct of South African financial institutions.

As we have a significant amount of investors we cannot reach, we urge those who think they have invested in any of the previously mentioned funds to get in touch with our client service centre at 0860 100 266 or email us at  service@sanlaminvestments.com. Alternatively, contact Juanita Rossouw at 021 9166685 or email her at juanitar@sanlaminvestments.com