The same shall be applicable with effect from 1 April 2014
In order to enhance transparency and increase the quality of the disclosures for the investors, Mutual Funds shall disclose the following on monthly basis on their website and also share the same with Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI):
a. AUM from different categories of schemes such as equity schemes, debt schemes, etc.
b. Contribution to AUM from B-15 cities (i.e. other than top 15 cities as identified by AMFI) and T-15 cities (Top 15 cities).
c. Contribution to AUM from sponsor and its associates.
d. Contribution to AUM from entities other than sponsor and its associates.
e. Contribution to AUM from investors type (retail, corporate, etc.) in different scheme type (equity, debt, ETF, etc.).
f. AUM garnered through sponsor group/ non-sponsor group distributors.
g. State-wise/Union Territory-wise contribution to AUM.
In order to improve transparency as well as encourage Mutual Funds/AMCs to diligently exercise their voting rights in best interest of the unitholders, it has been decided that:
a. AMCs shall be required to record and disclose specific rationale supporting their voting decision (for, against or abstain) with respect to each vote proposal stated.
b. AMCs shall additionally be required to publish summary of the votes cast across all its investee company and its break-up in terms of total number of votes cast in favor, against or abstained from.
c. AMCs shall be required to make disclosure of votes cast on their website (in spreadsheet format) on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days from the end of the quarter. Further, AMCs shall continue disclosing voting details in their annual report.
d. Further, on an annual basis, AMCs shall be required to obtain Auditor's certification on the voting reports being disclosed by them. Such auditor's certification shall be submitted to trustees and also disclosed in the relevant portion of the Mutual Funds' annual report & website.
e. Board of AMCs and Trustees of Mutual Funds shall be required to review and ensure that AMCs have voted on important decisions that may affect the interest of investors and the rationale recorded for vote decision is prudent and adequate. The confirmation to the same, along with any adverse comments made by auditors, shall have to be reported to SEBI in the half yearly trustee reports.
For making mutual fund literature more accessible to layman investor, Mutual Funds shall mandatory also make available printed literature on mutual funds in regional languages for investor awareness and education. Mutual Funds are also expected to introduce investor awareness campaign in regional languages both in print and electronic media. This will be a part of financial inclusion.
In context of Mutual Funds, financial inclusion implies that the concept of Mutual Fund products is understood by all and is accessible to anyone who wishes to make an investment in them. Also, investors should be capable of figuring out which Mutual Fund scheme is appropriate for their financial objectives.
In order to increase penetration of Mutual Fund products and to energize the distribution network while protecting the interest of investors, SEBI had permitted additional expense ratio of 30 bps for garnering funds from B-15 cities. This development would lead to setting up of distribution infrastructure by AMCs. However, in order to achieve participation from all parts of the country in Mutual Funds there is greater need for developing additional distribution channels. Therefore, it has been decided that:
a. Distribution through PSU banks: PSU banks which have wide bank branches network and have distribution reach in the nook and corner of the country, could play a key role in Mutual Funds distribution. In order to leverage the PSU banks infrastructure, Mutual Funds/ AMCs need to develop a system for active support to PSU banks to distribute Mutual Fund products through them. Such active support would also encourage PSU banks to distribute products of all Mutual Funds.
b. Online distribution: Online distribution not only increases customer convenience, but also significantly improves distributor economics. The online phenomenon is increasing rapidly and it is observed that more and more people especially younger generation prefers online transactions. Therefore, it has been decided that all Mutual Funds should enhance the online investment facility and tap the internet savvy users to invest in Mutual Funds by providing an online investment facility on their websites. Mutual Funds also need to tap the burgeoning mobile-only internet users for direct distribution of Mutual Fund products.
Since the investments in short term deposits of scheduled commercial banks is allowed pending deployment of funds of a scheme the same shall also be excluded while calculating sector exposure along with investment in Bank CDs, CBLO, G-Secs, T-Bills and AAA rated securities issued by Public Financial Institutions and Public Sector Banks while calculating total exposure of debt schemes of mutual funds in a particular sector.
