Transacting In Mutual Funds? Make Sure You Are KYC Compliant
Listen to Transacting In Mutual Funds? Make Sure You Are KYC Compliant
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My neighbour, Mr Shetty, has been religiously investing in mutual funds since many years. As advised by his financial advisor, Mr Shetty linked his mutual fund investment to various life goals such as his retirement, children's education/marriage, etc. as well as for rainy day requirement.
Yesterday when he wanted to start a new investment in mutual fund for a planned foreign vacation next year, he could not proceed with the transaction. This surprised him because having transacted in mutual funds multiple times before, he had never faced any such glitch.
The reason behind the failed transaction was an incomplete `Know Your Customer (KYC)' verification.
With effect from March 02, 2020 only KYC verified investors will be able to transact in mutual funds. This new norm will be applicable to fresh investment, redemption, or switch transactions, along with non-financial requests like change in name, bank, contact details, nominee, and so on.
If you have been a mutual fund investor since the pre-KYC era, like my neighbour, there is a strong likelihood that your KYC is not verified. Hence, from now on you will not be able to transact in mutual funds, until you comply with the KYC norms.
What is KYC and why it needs to be complied with
KYC is a customer identification process which has to be completed while transacting in financial instruments. It is vital compliance on the part of financial product manufacturers to know their investor better and to prevent misuse of funds. KYC compliance for investing in mutual funds (and other financial instruments) is mandatory under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
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KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund, etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.
KYC Registration Agency (KRA) maintains KYC records of the investors centrally, on behalf of capital market intermediaries registered with SEBI, eliminating the need to repeat KYC.
As was the practice earlier, new investors would continue to submit KYC form, identification documents, along with application form for mutual fund investment.
I came across an article in the Financial Express which mentioned that from now on, for cases where the KYC status is 'under process', AMCs may accept the subscription/switch transactions and process the same, but keep the units 'on hold' from any further transactions till KYC status is verified.
The article also stated that in case of redemption transaction where the KYC status is `under process' in the KRA system, AMC may collect the fresh KYC documents before processing the redemption request as a matter of precaution.
If you have invested in close-ended schemes, redemption proceeds will be paid only after completion of verification process.
Likewise, for SIP transactions, investors will have to comply with the KYC norms by March 15, 2020.
What to do if KYC is not verified
If your KYC is not verified, get it done immediately. You can check the status of your KYC by visiting the KRA website. To complete the KYC process, you need fill the KYC form available from various websites. You also need to provide documents for personal identification such as proof of address, proof of identity, photograph, and PAN.
The duly filled form can be submitted to the AMC with which you are transacting or with Registration & Transfer Agents (RTAs) like CAMS, KARVY. Or if you prefer the online route, opt for the Aadhar-based e-KYC. However, if you opt for the e-KYC process, you can invest only up to Rs 50,000 in a financial year.
For mutual fund investment with joint holders, each holder needs to complete the KYC process individually by filling out separate KYC forms. In case of investment in the name of a minor, the parent/guardian who opens the account has to be KYC verified. The minor has to undergo and complete the KYC process on attaining the age of maturity.
Similarly, the holder of Power of Attorney for mutual fund investment, and nominee/legal heir applying for transmission of units, needs to complete the KYC process.
KYC compliance is an important step that needs to be completed before you embark on the journey to wealth creation through mutual funds. Market regulator, SEBI, has simplified the KYC process over the years to make it hassle free for investors.
Moreover, it has taken steps to make investment in mutual funds convenient and easy. You can now bypass intermediaries and invest directly in mutual funds through stock exchange platforms.
But ensure that you carefully select schemes for your portfolio that fare well on both quantitative and qualitative parameters when compared to its benchmark and category peers, so that you don't end up with a non-performing fund.
Warm Regards,
Divya Grover
Research Analyst
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