Franklin Templeton launches an investor education programme called
“Vazga Valamudan” in Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram Districts of Tamil
Nadu (TN) on July 15, 2014. This programme will educate people learn,
invest and prosper through mutual fund. This forms part of the fund
house's District Adoption Programme, an initiative backed by SEBI and
coordinated by AMFI wherein 188 districts in the country will be adopted
by various mutual fund houses to improve penetration and awareness
about mutual funds. Franklin Templeton will adopt 10 districts
(including Kanchipuram & Tiruvallur in TN) across India in first
phase.
The “Vazhga Valamudan” programme will seek to educate investors and grow the market through a 3-point agenda; building category awareness through various initiatives including advertising and activation programs, increasing the distributor network with quality engagement and promoting mutual funds as an investment option to the consumer.
Franklin Templeton will hire local representatives in Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram called MF Sevaks who would coordinate various educational activities like investor camps and contact programs while working, closely with national level distributors such as banks and local Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs). These programmes will be supported by rich content, interactive tools and mass media campaigns; all centered around promoting the concept of investments and increasing awareness about mutual funds Franklin Templeton will utilize its vast local and global experience of over 65 years in the business to provide both current and prospective investors as well as potential distributors with a platform where they are able to learn more about mutual fund investing and transact easily.
Harshendu Bindal, President, Franklin Templeton Investments (India) said, “While the household savings rate is high in India, most of these savings find their way into unproductive physical assets. The main reason for this is lack of awareness about mutual funds and a robust distribution network beyond the big cities and towns. We firmly believe that financial education is a must if mutual funds have to widen their acceptance beyond the metros to smaller towns. Investors often have a sizeable chunk of their money invested in traditional investment avenues, which might not be sufficient to meet their various financial needs. We believe it is important that the fund industry educates investors about the advantages of professionals fund management that are being enjoyed by millions of investors today in India and the world over.”
Speaking at the launch, Anand Radhakrishnan, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Equity – India, Franklin Templeton Investments said, “Today most of India's mutual fund assets under management is concentrated in the top 15 cities and we sure that this program will help mutual funds penetrate beyond these cities into places like Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram. We realize that the route to the investor is clearly through the distributor. Hence, one of our key objectives would also be to enroll a new cadre of distributors who in turn would be adequately trained to provide the right advice and communicate the importance and advantages of mutual fund investing.”
Further he added, at Franklin Templeton, we have always emphasized on a solution-based approach by linking the investor's financial goal to mutual funds and helping them monitor progress. We also realize the importance of a healthy distribution channel and are sure that our campaign will help in extending reach. Working with a new cadre of distributors such as fresh graduates, CAs, Lawyers, professionals, retirees, India Post Agents, PSU & Regional Rural banks, self-help groups and other entities focused on semi-urban areas will offer an alternate source of income to them and also help us in expanding the overall investor base and spread awareness on mutual fund investing.”
The “Vazhga Valamudan” programme will seek to educate investors and grow the market through a 3-point agenda; building category awareness through various initiatives including advertising and activation programs, increasing the distributor network with quality engagement and promoting mutual funds as an investment option to the consumer.
Franklin Templeton will hire local representatives in Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram called MF Sevaks who would coordinate various educational activities like investor camps and contact programs while working, closely with national level distributors such as banks and local Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs). These programmes will be supported by rich content, interactive tools and mass media campaigns; all centered around promoting the concept of investments and increasing awareness about mutual funds Franklin Templeton will utilize its vast local and global experience of over 65 years in the business to provide both current and prospective investors as well as potential distributors with a platform where they are able to learn more about mutual fund investing and transact easily.
Harshendu Bindal, President, Franklin Templeton Investments (India) said, “While the household savings rate is high in India, most of these savings find their way into unproductive physical assets. The main reason for this is lack of awareness about mutual funds and a robust distribution network beyond the big cities and towns. We firmly believe that financial education is a must if mutual funds have to widen their acceptance beyond the metros to smaller towns. Investors often have a sizeable chunk of their money invested in traditional investment avenues, which might not be sufficient to meet their various financial needs. We believe it is important that the fund industry educates investors about the advantages of professionals fund management that are being enjoyed by millions of investors today in India and the world over.”
Speaking at the launch, Anand Radhakrishnan, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Equity – India, Franklin Templeton Investments said, “Today most of India's mutual fund assets under management is concentrated in the top 15 cities and we sure that this program will help mutual funds penetrate beyond these cities into places like Tiruvallur & Kanchipuram. We realize that the route to the investor is clearly through the distributor. Hence, one of our key objectives would also be to enroll a new cadre of distributors who in turn would be adequately trained to provide the right advice and communicate the importance and advantages of mutual fund investing.”
Further he added, at Franklin Templeton, we have always emphasized on a solution-based approach by linking the investor's financial goal to mutual funds and helping them monitor progress. We also realize the importance of a healthy distribution channel and are sure that our campaign will help in extending reach. Working with a new cadre of distributors such as fresh graduates, CAs, Lawyers, professionals, retirees, India Post Agents, PSU & Regional Rural banks, self-help groups and other entities focused on semi-urban areas will offer an alternate source of income to them and also help us in expanding the overall investor base and spread awareness on mutual fund investing.”
