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Showing posts with label SEBI MF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEBI MF. Show all posts

Thursday, August 19, 2010

All investor related documents of MF like PAN, KYC, PoA specimen signature shall be updated by AMC/RTA & get it audited - Mandatory for all new schemes also

Updation of investor related documents
SEBI vide circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.12 /186868 /2009 dated December 11, 2009 has inter alia advised mutual funds to confirm whether all the investor related documents are maintained/ available with them. Further in case the investor related documentation was incomplete, the trustees of the mutual funds were advised not to make further payment to such distributors till full compliance/ completion of the steps enumerated in the said circular and to send a status to SEBI as and when process is completed to satisfaction.

SEBI has not received any confirmation from the trustees of the mutual funds on the completion of the process as mandated in the said circular. Thus it appears that all the investor related documentation is not available with the AMCs. It has been observed that due to such incomplete documentation investors’ rights to approach the AMCs directly are restricted and investors are forced to depend on the distributors for executing any financial or non-financial transactions.

In order to ensure that investors have unrestricted access to AMCs and to enable AMCs to provide prompt investor service including execution of investors’ financial or non-financial transactions, all mutual funds/ AMCs are directed that:
All new folios/ accounts shall be opened only after ensuring that all investor related documents including account opening documents, PAN, KYC, PoA (if applicable), specimen signature are available with AMCs/RTAs and not just with the distributor.
For existing folios, AMCs shall be responsible for updation of the investor related documents including account opening documents, PAN, KYC, PoA (if applicable), specimen signature by November 15, 2010.

The trustees shall submit a confirmation after they receive certification from an Independent auditor on completion of the said process latest by November 22, 2010.

Mutual Funds/Asset Management Companies shall comply with the above requirements in letter and spirit.

Source: SEBI Cir / IMD / DF / 9 / 2010 dated 12th August 2010

SEBI Clarification: AMC Addendum:all mutual fund schemes in demat form shall be freely transferable from 1st October, 2010 (except ELSS)

Transferability of Mutual Fund units

Regulation 37(1) of SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996 states that:

“a unit unless otherwise restricted or prohibited under the scheme, shall be freely transferable by act of parties or by operation of law.”

The spirit and intention of this regulation is not to prohibit transferability of units as a general rule or practice. However, it is noticed that mutual fund schemes prohibit transfer on a regular basis instead of on an exceptional basis.

In order to facilitate transferability of units of mutual funds held in one demat account to another demat account, it has been decided that all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) shall clarify by way of an addendum that units of all mutual fund schemes held in demat form shall be freely transferable from the date of the issue of said addendum which shall be not later than October 1, 2010. However, restrictions on transfer of units of Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) during the lock-in period shall continue to be applicable as per the ELSS Guidelines.

Source: SEBI CIR/IMD/DF/10/2010 dated 18th August 2010

New format of disclosure of derviatives by Mutual Fund & investment/exposure norms amended

Review of norms for investment and disclosure by Mutual Funds in derivatives
Please refer to the circular DNPD/CIR-29/2005 dated September 14 2005, circular MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24 2000, and SEBI circular MFD/CIR/18337/2002 dated September 19, 2002 on investment in derivatives by mutual funds and disclosures thereof in half yearly portfolio statement.

In order to have prudential limits for derivative investments by mutual funds and to bring in transparency and clarity in the disclosure of the same to investors, it has been decided to bring in certain modification in the aforesaid circulars.

Disclosure of derivatives in Half Yearly Portfolios
The manner of disclosure of derivatives position in half yearly portfolio disclosure reports has not been specified in the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 and the disclosures being currently made are not uniform across the industry. Therefore, the following format for the purpose of uniform disclosure of investments in derivative instruments by Mutual Funds in half yearly portfolio disclosure, annual report or in any other disclosures is prescribed.

Effective date: The provisions shall be applicable for all new schemes launched post the issue of the circular. For all existing schemes, compliance with the circular shall be effective from October 01, 2010.

Source:SEBI Cir/ IMD/ DF/ 11/ 2010 dated 18th August 2010

Fund of Fund MF schemes expense structure in offer document & change amounts to fundamental attribute requiring exit option to unit holders

Fund of funds mutual fund schemes shall adopt either of the total expense structures laid out in Regulation 52(6)(a) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996, as amended by SEBI (Mutual Funds) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010, which Asset Management Companies shall clearly indicate in the scheme information documents (SID).  Fund of Fund schemes, existing as on July 29, 2010, shall, with the approval of trustees, adopt either of the total expense structures laid out in Regulation 52(6)(a) and change the total expense structure after giving the unitholders an option to exit in accordance with Regulation 18(15A). [In case of change in fundamental attributes in terms of Regulation 18 (15A), SID shall be revised and updated immediately after completion of duration of exit option.]

Regulation 52(6)(a): The total expenses of the scheme excluding issue or redemption expenses, whether initially borne by the mutual fund or by the asset management company, but including the investment management and advisory fee shall be subject to the following limits:—

in case of a fund of funds scheme, the total expenses of the scheme including the management fees shall be either:-
(i) not exceeding 0.75% of the daily or weekly average net assets, depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis; or
(ii) it may consist of -
(A)management fees for the scheme not exceeding 0.75% of the daily or weekly average net assets depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis;
(B) other expenses relating to administration of the scheme; and
(C) charges levied by the underlying schemes:
Provided that the sum total of (A), (B) and the weighted average of the total expense ratio of the underlying schemes shall not exceed 2.50% of the daily or weekly average net assets (depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis) of the scheme.

Source: SEBI Cir / IMD / DF / 8 / 2010 dated 6th August 2010

Friday, August 6, 2010

Market Making arrangement by Venture Capital Fund for securities listed on SME exchange: Regulation 12A insertion: VCF Amendment 2010

In the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Venture Capital Funds) Regulations, 1996, through SEBI (Venture Capital Funds) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010 vide Notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2010-11/07/1100 dated 13th April 2010, the following updates are inserted:


(i) after regulation 12, the following regulation shall be inserted, namely:-
“Investment in securities listed on SME exchange.
12A. The venture capital fund may enter into an agreement with merchant banker to subscribe to the unsubscribed portion of the issue or to receive or deliver securities in the process of market making under Chapter XA of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2009 and the provisions of regulation 12 shall not apply in case of acquisition or sale of securities pursuant to such subscription or market making.”

Understand Mutual Fund amendments 2010: offer period 15 days, refund & MF unit certificate 5 w.days & limits on fees/expenses on schemes

In the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, the following amendments were made through SEBI (Mutual Funds) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010 vide Notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2010-11/13/13945 dated 29th July 2010 with immediate effect.

Regulation 34: Offering Period

No scheme of a mutual fund other than the [initial] offering period of any equity linked savings schemes shall be open for subscription for more than 15 days 45 days.

Regulation 35: Allotment of units & refund of moneys

(3) Any amount refundable under sub-regulation (2) shall be refunded within a period of 5 working days six weeks from the date of closure of subscription list, by Registered post with acknowledgement due and by cheque or demand draft marked “A/c payee” to the applicants.
(4) In the event of failure to refund the amounts within the period specified in subregulation (3), the asset management company shall be liable to pay interest to the applicants at a rate of fifteen per cent per annum from the expiry of 5 working days six weeks from the date of closure of the subscription list.

Regulation 36: Statement of accounts or unit certificates
(1) The asset management company shall issue to the applicant whose application has been accepted, a statement of accounts specifying the number of units allotted to the applicant as soon as possible but not later than 5 working days thirty days from the date of closure of the initial subscription list and/or from the date of receipt of the request from the unitholders in any open ended scheme:
Provided that if an applicant so desires, the asset management company shall issue the unit certificates to the applicant within 5 working days thirty days of the receipt of request for the certificate.

(2) An applicant in a close ended scheme whose application has been accepted shall have the option either to receive the statement of accounts or to hold units in dematerialised form and the asset management company shall issue to such applicant, a statement of accounts specifying the number of units allotted to the applicant or issue units in dematerialized form as soon as possible but not later than 5 working days thirty days from the date of closure of the initial subscription list.

Regulation 52: Limitation on fees and expenses on issue of schemes
(3) For schemes launched on a no load basis, the asset management company shall be entitled to collect an additional management fee not exceeding 1% of the weekly average net assets outstanding in each financial year. [Omitted]

(6) The total expenses of the scheme excluding issue or redemption expenses, whether initially borne by the mutual fund or by the asset management company, but including the investment management and advisory fee shall be subject to the following limits :—
(i) On the first Rs.100 crores of the average weekly net assets 2.5%;
(ii) On the next Rs.300 crores of the average weekly net assets 2.25%;
(iii) On the next Rs.300 crores of the average weekly net assets 2.0%;
(iv) On the balance of the assets 1.75% :
Provided that such recurring expenses shall be lesser by at least 0.25% of the weekly average net assets outstanding in each financial year in respect of a scheme investing in bonds :
Provided further that in case of a fund of funds scheme, the total expenses of the scheme including the management fees shall not exceed 0.75% of the daily or weekly average net assets, depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis.
Provided further that in case of an index fund scheme, the total expenses of the scheme including the investment and advisory fees shall not exceed one and one half percent (1.5%) of the weekly average net assets
.

[The total expenses of the scheme excluding issue or redemption expenses, whether initially borne by the mutual fund or by the asset management company, but including the investment management and advisory fee shall be subject to the following limits:—
(a) in case of a fund of funds scheme, the total expenses of the scheme including the management fees shall be either:-
(i) not exceeding 0.75% of the daily or weekly average net assets, depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis; or
(ii) it may consist of -
(A)management fees for the scheme not exceeding 0.75% of the daily or weekly average net assets depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis;
(B) other expenses relating to administration of the scheme;
and
(C) charges levied by the underlying schemes:
Provided that the sum total of (A), (B) and the weighted average of the total expense ratio of the underlying schemes shall not exceed 2.50% of the daily
or weekly average net assets (depending upon whether the NAV of the scheme is calculated on daily or weekly basis) of the scheme.
(b) in case of an index fund scheme or exchange traded fund, the total expenses of the scheme including the investment and advisory fees shall not exceed one and one half percent (1.5%) of the weekly average net assets;
(c) in case of any other scheme-
(i) on the first Rs.100 crores of the daily or average weekly net assets 2.5%;
(ii) on the next Rs.300 crores of the daily or average weekly net assets 2.25%;
(iii) on the next Rs.300 crores of the daily or average weekly net assets 2.0%;
(iv) on the balance of the assets 1.75%:
Provided that in respect of a scheme investing in bonds such recurring expenses shall be lesser by at least 0.25% of the daily or weekly average net assets outstanding in each financial year.”]

 

Tenth Schedule (X): Amortisation of Initial Issue Expenses for close ended schemes

(e) For schemes floated on a ‘no-load’ basis, the asset management company may levy an additional management fee not exceeding 1% of the NAV. The asset management company may be entitled to levy a contingent deferred sales charge for redemption during the first four years after purchase, not exceeding 4% of the redemption proceeds in the first year, 3% in the second year, 2% in the third year and 1% in the fourth year. [Omitted]

How to find whether your Investors Complaints are received by Mutual Fund - AMFI website link

Disclosure of investor complaints with respect to Mutual Funds
SEBI has received feedback from investors and Investors’ Associations to improve transparency in the ‘grievance redressal mechanism’. Based on the same, transparency in ‘grievance redressal’ is identified as a key area to augment investor protection. It is envisaged that transparency will also improve the general functioning of the market by providing investors the wherewithal to make an informed choice.

Accordingly, it has been decided that Mutual Funds shall henceforth disclose on

the details of investor complaints received by them from all sources. The said details should be vetted and signed off by the Trustees of the concerned Mutual Fund.

The format for the aforesaid disclosure is given as Annexure to this Circular Cir / IMD / DF / 2 / 2010 dated 13th May 2010.

AMFI Website Link to view Details of Investors Complaints received by Mutual Fund

What exam for distributors, agents or any persons employed or engaged or to be employed or engaged in the sale and/or distribution of mutual fund products by SEBI NISM?

Cir / IMD / DF / 5 / 2010 June 24 , 2010
All Mutual Funds, Asset Management Companies (AMCs)

Sub: Certification Programme for sale and/ or distribution of mutual fund products

In terms of SEBI Circulars dated September 25, 2001, November 28, 2002, April 03, 2003 and February 04, 2004 about, inter alia, the captioned subject, agents/distributors of mutual fund units were required to obtain certification from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) by passing a certification examination, and to obtain registration with AMFI.

In terms of SEBI notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2010-11/09/6422 dated May 31, 2010, under regulation 3 (1) of the (Certification of Associated Persons in the Securities Markets) Regulations, 2007, (Certification Regulations) it has been decided that from June 01, 2010, the certification examination for distributors, agents or any other persons employed or engaged or to be employed or engaged in the sale and/or distribution of mutual fund products, would be conducted by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM).  Accordingly, it was notified that with effect from June 01, 2010, the following category of associated persons, i.e., distributors, agents or any persons employed or engaged or to be employed or engaged in the sale and/or distribution of mutual fund products, shall be required to have a valid certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) by passing the certification examination as mentioned in the NISM communiqué NISM/Certification/Series-V-A: MFD/2010/01 dated May 05, 2010.
Provided that if the said associated person possesses a valid certificate by passing before June 01, 2010, the AMFI Mutual Fund (Advisors) Module, he shall be exempted from the requirement of the aforementioned NISM certification examination.


Under the existing instructions, the agent/ distributor was exempted from the AMFI certification examination if he had completed 50 years of age and had at least 5 years of experience in distribution of mutual fund units. As per regulation 4 (3) of the Certification Regulations, persons who have attained the age of fifty years or who have at least ten years experience in the securities markets in the sale and/ or distribution of mutual fund products as on May 31, 2010, will be given the option of obtaining the certification either by passing the NISM certification examination or qualifying for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) by obtaining such classroom credits as may be specified by NISM from time to time.

The Certification Regulations require the persons referred to in para 2 above to comply with the requirements for CPE as specified by NISM within the validity period of the certificate obtained by passing the certification examination.
However, to facilitate the transition process from AMFI to NISM, it has been decided that a person holding a valid AMFI certification whose validity expires between June 01, 2010 and December 31, 2010, would be required to comply with the CPE requirements as laid down by NISM under the relevant clauses of the Certification Regulations, by December 31, 2010.

An associated person holding a valid AMFI/NISM certification whose validity
expires anytime after December 31, 2010, would be required to comply with the CPE requirements as laid down by NISM under the relevant clauses of the Certification Regulations, prior to the expiry of the validity of the certification.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Mutual Fund (MF) ASBA mandatory from 1st October 2010 and not from 1st July

Sub: Additional mode of payment through Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (hereinafter referred to as “ASBA”) in Mutual Funds

ASBA is already available for subscription to public  issue & rights issue of equity and now it is extended to the investors subscribing to New Fund Offers (NFOs) of mutual fund schemes. It shall co-exist with the current process, wherein cheques/ demand drafts are used as a mode of payment. The banks which are in SEBI’s list shall extend the same facility in case of NFOs of mutual fund schemes to all eligible investors in Mutual Fund units. Mutual Funds shall ensure that adequate arrangements are made by Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTA) for the implementation of ASBA. Mutual Funds/AMCs shall make all relevant disclosures in this regard in the SAI. Also read [SEBI-ASBA] Lets Learn the Concept.

Please refer to circular SEBI / IMD / Cir / No 18 / 198647 / 2010 dated March 15, 2010 regarding additional mode of payments through ASBA in Mutual Funds. The circular indicated that the Mutual Funds/AMCs have to compulsorily provide ASBA facility to the investors for all NFOs launched on or after July 01, 2010.

In partial modification of the above circular, it has been decided that Mutual Funds / AMCs shall provide ASBA facility to investors for all NFOs launched on or after October 1, 2010.

 

Source: Cir / IMD / DF / 6 / 2010 dated 28th July 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Understand all about ASBA - in public issues, rights issues, by Mutual Funds, by QIB's - an alternate way of investing, SEBI

Understand what is Application Supported by Blocked Amounts (ASBA)?

Whether ASBA is applicable for Rights Issues?

Can QIB’s apply in a public issue under ASBA mechanism?

Till now only Indian Retail Individual Investors bidding at cut-off Price were entitle to use ASBA facility.

In this regard, Stock Exchanges, Merchant Bankers, Registrar to an Issue and Bankers to an issue acting as Self Certified Syndicate Banks are advised to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made to accept ASBA forms from Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) also in addition to the existing categories of investors on or after 1st May 2010.

Source: SEBI CIR/CFD/DIL/2/2010 dated 6th April 2010

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

ASBA for Mutual Funds, NFO 15 days, Corporate Governance norms, No revenue sharing arangement & No dividend from Unit Premium Reserve

To All Mutual Funds (MFs)/Asset Management Companies (AMCs)

1. Brokerage and commission paid to associates
i. Regulation 25 (8) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 mandates that the payment of brokerage or commission, if any, to the sponsor or any of its associates, employees or their relatives, has to be disclosed in the half–yearly annual accounts of the mutual fund.  Now, in the bridged scheme wise
annual report and the SAI, these disclosures shall henceforth be made in the
format as prescribed in Annexure A.
2. Additional mode of payment through Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) in Mutual Funds and Reduction in New Fund offer (NFO) period

  1. ASBA is already available for subscription to public  issue & rights issue of equity and now it is extended to the investors subscribing to New Fund Offers (NFOs) of mutual fund schemes. It shall co-exist with the current process, wherein cheques/ demand drafts are used as a mode of payment. The banks which are in SEBI’s list shall extend the same facility in case of NFOs of mutual fund schemes to all eligible investors in Mutual Fund units. Mutual Funds shall ensure that adequate arrangements are made by Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTA) for the implementation of ASBA. Mutual Funds/AMCs shall make all relevant disclosures in this regard in the SAI. Also read [SEBI-ASBA] Lets Learn the Concept.
  2. Reduction of NFO Periods to 15 days: It has been decided that the present limit of maximum period of 30 days in case of Open ended schemes and 45 days of close ended scheme shall be reduced to 15 days (except ELSS schemes). Mutual Funds/ AMCs shall use the NFO proceeds only on or after
    the closure of the NFO period. The mutual fund should allot units/refund of money and dispatch statements of accounts within 5 business days from the closure of the NFO and all the schemes (except ELSS) shall be available for ongoing repurchase/sale/trading within five business days of allotment”.
  3. Applicability: For all NFOs launched on or after July 01, 2010.

3. Non availability of Unit Premium Reserve for dividend distribution

The IX and XI Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations provide the accounting policies to be followed for determining distributable surplus and accounting the sale and repurchase of units in the books of the Mutual Fund. The Unit Premium Reserve, which is part of the sales price of units that is not attributable to realized gains, cannot be used to pay dividend.  It is therefore reiterated that:

  • When units of an open-ended scheme are sold, and sale price is higher than face value of the unit, part of sale proceeds that represents unrealised gains shall be credited to a separate account (Unit Premium Reserve) and shall be treated at par with unit capital and the same shall
    not be utilized for the determination of distributable surplus.
  • When units of an open-ended scheme are sold, and sale price is less than face value of the unit, the difference between the sale price and face value shall be debited to distributable reserves and the dividend can be declared only when distributable reserves become positive after
    adjusting the amount debited to reserves as per XI Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations.

4. Role of Mutual Funds in Corporate Governance of Public Listed Companies

It has been decided that henceforth, AMCs shall disclose their general policies
and procedures for exercising the voting rights in respect of shares held by them on the website of the respective AMC as well as in the annual report distributed to the unit holders from the financial year 2010-11.

Further, the AMCs are also required to disclose on the website of the respective AMC as well as in the annual report distributed to the unit holders from the financial year 2010-11, the actual exercise of their proxy votes in the AGMs/EGMs of the investee companies in respect of the following matters

  • Corporate governance matters, including changes in the state of
    incorporation, merger and other corporate restructuring, and anti
    takeover provisions.
  • Changes to capital structure, including increases and decreases of
    capital and preferred stock issuances.
  • Stock option plans and other management compensation issues.
  • Social and corporate responsibility issues.
  • Appointment and Removal of Directors.
  • Any other issue that may affect the interest of the shareholders in
    general and interest of the unit-holders in particular.

The format for disclosure of voting by mutual funds in general meetings of listed companies is placed in Annexure B.
5. Provision of charging of additional management fees by the AMC’s in case of schemes launched on no load basis
Consequent to SEBI Circular Empowering investors through transparency in payment of commission and load structure” which stipulated that No entry load for all Mutual Fund (MF) scheme,all expenses out of 1% Exit load & disclosure of all commissions to distributors from 1st August 2009, it is clarified that AMC shall not collect any additional management fees referred to in Regulation 52(3) of SEBI Mutual Funds Regulation, 1996.  This is applicable to MF schemes which are not launched (including those for which observation letter have been issued).

6. Fund of Funds Scheme
i. It has been observed from the disclosures in the scheme information documents (SID) that Asset Management Companies (AMCs) have been entering into revenue sharing arrangements with offshore funds in respect of investments made on behalf of Fund of Fund schemes. These arrangements create conflict of interest.
ii. It has been decided that henceforth AMCs shall not enter into any revenue sharing arrangement with the underlying funds in any manner and shall not receive any revenue by whatever means/head from the underlying fund. Any commission or brokerage received from the underlying fund shall be credited into concerned scheme’s account.


Source: SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated 15th March 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

MF Valuation of Money market & Debt securities revised from 1st July 2010 based on 91 days maturity & others

The valuation method of debt and money market instruments specified in the earlier circulars were discussed in the Advisory Committee of Mutual Funds. With a view to ensure that the value of money market and debt securities in the portfolio of mutual fund schemes reflect the current market scenario, the current provisions regarding valuation of these securities need to be modified, as under:
I. Valuation of money market and debt securities with residual maturity of upto 91 days:
All money market and debt securities, including floating rate securities,
with residual maturity of upto 91 days shall be valued at the weighted
average price
at which they are traded on the particular valuation day.
When such securities are not traded on a particular valuation day they
shall be valued on amortization basis. It is further clarified that in case of
floating rate securities with floor and caps on coupon rate and residual
maturity of upto 91 days then those shall be valued on amortization basis
taking the coupon rate as floor.
II. Valuation of money market and debt securities with residual maturity of over 91 days:
All money market and debt securities, including floating rate securities, with residual maturity of over 91 days shall be valued at weighted average price at which they are traded on the particular valuation day. When such securities are not traded on a particular valuation day they shall be valued at benchmark yield/ matrix of spread over risk free benchmark yield obtained from agency(ies) entrusted for the said purpose by AMFI.
III. Valuation of securities not covered under the current valuation policy:
In case of securities purchased by mutual funds do not fall within the current framework of the valuation of securities then such mutual fund shall report immediately to AMFI regarding the same. Further, at the time of investment AMCs shall ensure that the total exposure in such securities does not exceed 5% of the total AUM of the scheme.
AMFI has been advised that the valuation agencies should ensure that the valuation of such securities gets covered in the valuation framework within 6 weeks from the date of receipt of such intimation from mutual fund.
In the interim period, till AMFI makes provisions to cover such securities in the valuation of securities framework, the mutual funds shall value such securities using their proprietary model which has been approved by their independent trustees and the statutory auditors.
IV. Dissemination of information:
All mutual funds shall provide transaction details, including inter scheme transfers, of money market and debt securities on daily basis to the agency entrusted for providing the benchmark yield/ matrix of spread over risk free benchmark yield. Submission of data would help in daily matrix generation and would improve uniformity and accuracy of valuation in the mutual funds industry. The format in this regard is provided in SEBI Circular No.MFD/CIR/23 /066 / 2003 dated March 7, 2003.
V. Methodology for matrix of spread for marking up the Benchmark yield
In the methodology for pricing the non traded debt securities detailed in para 3(ii)(b) of SEBI Circular. MFD/CIR/ 8 / 92 / 2000 dated September 18, 2000 and para 3 of SEBI circular MFD/CIR/ no 14 / 442 / 2002 dated February 20, 2002, additional duration bucket(s) viz., 0.25- 0.5 yrs shall be provided.
VI. Consistency
All AMC’s shall ensure that similar securities held under its various schemes shall be valued consistently.
The aforesaid valuation would be applicable with effect from July 1, 2010.

Source: SEBI/IMD/CIR No.16/ 193388/2010 dated 2nd February 2010

Friday, January 29, 2010

Clauses in Mutual Fund Advertisement Code to be printed in BOLD, SEBI Circular [MF Cl.10,13,14]

It is essential for the investors to be aware that the investments made in mutual funds are subjects to risk and that the scheme related documents should be read before investing. Hence it was mandated that statements appearing in Clauses 10, 13 and 14 of Schedule VI of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 on Advertisement Code should appear in all advertisements. However, it is noted that the advertisements issued are generally lengthy and hence these disclosures are not bought to the attention of the investors.

In order to make these statements more prominent, it is advised that the disclosures as stated in Clauses 10, 13 and 14 of Schedule VI of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 on Advertisement Code shall be printed in BOLD.

The said Clauses are reproduce for your reference.

Clause 10: All advertisements shall also make a clear statement to the effect that all mutual funds and securities investments are subject to market risks, and there can be no assurance that the fund’s objectives will be achieved.

Clause 13: All advertisements issued by a mutual fund or its sponsor or asset management company, shall state ‘all investments in mutual funds and securities are subject to market risks’ and the NAV of the schemes may go up or down depending upon the factors and forces affecting the securities market.

Clause 14: All advertisement launched in connection with the scheme should also disclose prominently the risk factors as stated in the offer document alongwith the following warning statements :—
(a) ............ is only the name of the scheme and does not in any manner indicate either the quality of the scheme, its future prospects or returns; and
(b) please read the offer document before investing.

All mutual funds shall comply with the above requirements in letter and spirit.

Source: SEBI/IMD/CIR No.15/191378 /2010 dated 18th January 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010

Calendar Quarterly Report by VCF within 7 days as per Regulations in Revised Format w.e.f 31/03/2010

Sub: Quarterly Reporting by Venture Capital Funds (VCF)

Source: SEBI/IMD/DOF-1/VCF/CIR-1/2010 dated 11th January 2010

1. Please refer to SEBI circular No SEBI/MFD/VCF/CIR no 1/7352/03 dated April 29, 2003 regarding submission of quarterly report on venture capital activity in the prescribed format.
2. Format for the quarterly report on venture capital activity to be submitted by Venture Capital Funds has been revised as per enclosed Annexure. In accordance with Regulation 22 of SEBI (Venture Capital Funds) Regulations, 1996, all venture capital funds are directed to submit the report on venture capital activity to SEBI, complete in all respects in the new format with effect from the quarter ended 31st March, 2010.
3. The report is to be uploaded online on SEBI portal within 7 days from the end of each calendar quarter. Physical copies of the report are not required to be submitted.

Click here to download New Quarterly Report Format for VCF

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Download SEBI Master Circular on MFs - a one stop legal reference on Mutual Funds issued by SEBI consolidating all about MF as on January 2010

SEBI / IMD / MC No.1 /189241/ 2010 dated 1st January, 2010

To All Mutual Funds, Asset Management Companies (AMCs)
and Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)

Sub: Master Circular for Mutual Funds

For effective regulation of the Mutual Fund Industry, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been issuing various circulars from time to time. In order to enable the industry and other users to have an access to all the applicable circulars at one place, Master Circular for Mutual Funds has been prepared.  This Master Circular is a compilation of all the circulars issued by SEBI on the above subject, which are operational as on date of this circular.

1. This Master Circular includes circulars issued upto December 31, 2009.
2. In case of any inconsistency between the master circular and the applicable circulars, the contents of the relevant circular shall prevail.
3. Master Circular is a compilation of all the existing/applicable circulars issued by Investment Management Department of SEBI issued to Mutual Funds. Efforts have been made to incorporate certain applicable provisions of existing circulars (as on December 31, 2009) issued by other Department/Division of SEBI relevant to Mutual Funds.

The said Master Circular is divided under the following heads:

ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................. 5
CHAPTER 1..................................................................................... 6
OFFER DOCUMENT FOR SCHEMES ................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2................................................................................... 16
CONVERSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF SCHEMES AND LAUNCH OF
ADDITIONAL PLAN........................................................................ 16
CHAPTER 3................................................................................... 21
NEW PRODUCTS ........................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 4………………………………………………………………………….24
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM........................................................ 24
CHAPTER 5................................................................................... 27
DISCLOSURES & REPORTING NORMS ........................................... 27
CHAPTER 6................................................................................... 35
GOVERNANCE NORMS .................................................................. 35
CHAPTER 7................................................................................... 55
SECONDARY MARKET ISSUES ...................................................... 55
CHAPTER 8................................................................................... 59
NET ASSET VALUE........................................................................ 59
CHAPTER 9................................................................................... 68
VALUATION .................................................................................. 68
CHAPTER 10................................................................................. 89
LOADS, FEES AND EXPENSES ....................................................... 89
CHAPTER 11................................................................................. 94
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURE ....................................... 94
CHAPTER 12................................................................................. 96
INVESTMENT BY SCHEMES........................................................... 96
CHAPTER 13................................................................................110
ADVERTISEMENTS ......................................................................110

CHAPTER 14................................................................................126
INVESTOR RIGHTS & OBLIGATIONS............................................126
CHAPTER 15................................................................................133
CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF INTERMEDIARIES .......133
CHAPTER 16................................................................................135
TRANSACTION IN MUTUAL FUNDS UNITS .....................................135

Formats & Annexures are given as attachments.

Download SEBI Master Circular on Mutual Funds (MF)

Monday, December 21, 2009

No NOC while changing MF Distributor, additional open ended plans as addendum or scheme, revised timelines, investor documents to be maintained by AMC – SEBI Circular

I. Sub: AMFI Guidelines for change of mutual fund distributor vide SEBI/IMD/CIR No./ 13/187052 /2009 dated 11th December 2009

It has come to the notice of SEBI that unwarranted hardship (like mandating No Objection Certificate - NOC) is being caused to investors in mutual fund schemes who wish to switch from an existing mutual fund distributor to
either another mutual fund distributor or opt to deal direct.

 

Now, Mutual Funds (MFs) and Asset Management Companies (AMCs) are advised to ensure compliance with the instruction of the investor informing his desire to change his distributor and / or go direct, without compelling that investor to obtain an NoC from the existing distributor.

 

II. Sub: Modifications in the existing SEBI circulars for Mutual Funds vide SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated 15th December 2009

Over the years, certain circulars/ guidelines have been revised in line with the requirements of investor protection, market development or effective regulation. In continuation of the effort and in consultation with AMFI, modifications in following existing circulars have been carried out (For modification(s), please refer Annexure I):

The modifications are highlighted hereunder,

  1. Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to dispatch dividend warrants within 30 days of the declaration of the dividend.It is clarified that, in the event of failure of dispatch of dividend within the stipulated 30 day period, the AMC(s) shall be liable to pay interest @ 15% per annum to the unit holders.  Further, a STATEMENT OF INTEREST PAID TO THE INVESTORS FOR DELAYS IN DESPATCH OF DIVIDEND shall be sent to SEBI with Compliance Test Reports.
  2. Valuation of collateral securities under Participation by MF in Stock lending scheme will be prescribed by SEBI.
  3. The AMCs shall maintain records of dispatch of the letters to the unitholders giving them the option to exit at prevailing NAVs without exit loads and the responses received from them and shall be filed with SEBI within 21 days from the closure of Exit Option.
  4. Additional plans sought to be launched under existing open ended scheme can be issued as an ADDENDUM, but if it has a substantially different characteristic, it shall be issued as a separate SCHEME.
  5. Time periods are shortened.
  6. All other provisions of the aforesaid SEBI circulars remain unchanged, where applicable. These modifications shall be applicable from the date of issue of this circular.

III. Sub: Transactions through some mutual fund distributors and compliance with the SEBI circular on AML vide SEBI/IMD/CIR No.12 /186868 /2009 dated 11th December 2o09

It has recently come to our attention that all documentation related to the investor including Know your Client, Power of Attorney (PoA) in respect of transactions/requests made through some mutual fund distributors is not available with the AMC/RTA of the AMC and that the same is stated to be maintained by the respective distributors.

In view of the above, we reiterate that the requirements as mentioned in the master circular ISD/AML/CIR-1/2008 dated December 19, 2008 issued by SEBI is applicable to the Mutual Funds/ AMCs and hence maintaining all the documentation pertaining to the unitholders/investor is the responsibility of the AMC.


Thus, all MF and AMCs are advised to confirm whether all the investor related documents are maintained/ available with them. If not, and to the extent of and relating to such investor accounts/folios where investor related documentation is incomplete/inadequate/not available, then the trustees of the mutual funds are advised to ensure the following:
a. No further payment of any commissions, fees and / or payments in any other mode should be made to such distributors till full compliance/ completion of the steps enumerated herein.
b. Take immediate steps to obtain all investor/ unit holders documents in terms of the AML/ CFT, including KYC documents / PoA as applicable
c. Take immediate steps to obtain all supporting documents in respect of the
past transactions.
d. On a one time basis, send statement of holdings and all transactions since
inception of that folio in duplicate to the investor and seek confirmation from
the unit holders on the duplicate copy.
e. Set up a separate customer services mechanism to handle/ address queries and grievance of the above mentioned unitholders.

Pending completion of documentation, exercise great care and be satisfied of
investor bonafides before authorizing any transaction, including redemption, on such accounts / folios.

The trustees shall forthwith confirm to SEBI that the steps have been taken to address the above and also send a status to SEBI as and when process is
completed to satisfaction.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Same exit loads for all Mutual Fund (MF) holders irrespective of Subscription amounts, SEBI says

SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 6 /172445/ 2009 dated August 7, 2009 & SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 7 /173650 / 2009 dated August 17, 2009

It is observed that the mutual funds are making distinction between the unit
holders by charging differential exit loads based on the amount of subscription. In order to have parity among all classes of unit holders, it has now been decided that no distinction among unit holders should be made based on the amount of subscription while charging exit loads.

While complying with the aforesaid circular, it shall be ensured that:

  1. The principle laid down in the SEBI circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008 (clause 16 of the standard observations) that “any imposition or enhancement in the load shall be applicable on prospective investments only” shall be followed.
  2. The parity among all classes of unit holders in terms of charging exit load shall be made applicable at the portfolio level.

Further, you are aware that SEBI vide circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008 has simplified the formats for Offer Document and Key Information Memorandum of Mutual Funds Scheme [SEBI-Simplification of Offer Document and Key Information Memorandum of Mutual Funds Scheme]. The simplified Scheme Information Document format provides that “Wherever quantitative discounts are involved the following shall be disclosed – The Mutual Fund may charge the load within the stipulated limit of 7% and without any discrimination to any specific group of unit holders. However, any change at a later stage shall not affect the existing unit holders adversely”.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

FII,FVCI,MF,Brokers & Custodians revised fee structure SEBI regulations w.e.f 1st July 2009

SEBI hereby makes the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Payment of Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 to further amend the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Custodian of Securities) Regulations, 1996, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Institutional Investors) Regulations, 1995, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2000, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Stock Brokers and Sub-Brokers) Regulations, 1992.

 

Click here for the amended fees structure:

No. LAD-NRO/GN/2009-10/11/167759 dated 29th June 2009

No entry load for all Mutual Fund (MF) scheme,all expenses out of 1% Exit load & disclosure of all commissions to distributors from 1st August 2009

SEBI Mutual Fund amendments

a) There shall be no entry load for all mutual fund schemes.
b) The scheme application forms shall carry a suitable disclosure to the effect that the upfront commission to distributors will be paid by the investor directly to the distributor, based on his assessment of various factors including the service rendered by the distributor.
c) Of the exit load or Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) charged to the investor, a maximum of 1% of the redemption proceeds shall be maintained in a separate account which can be used by the Asset Management Company (AMC) to pay commissions to the distributor and to take care of other marketing and selling expenses. Any balance shall be credited to the scheme immediately.
d) The distributors should disclose all the commissions (in the form of trail commission or any other mode) payable to them for the different competing schemes of various mutual funds from amongst which the scheme is being recommended to the investor. [Regulation 77 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996]

AMCs shall follow the provisions pertaining in clause 5(2)(b) of SEBI Circular SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008 regarding updation of Scheme Information Document (SID) and Key Information Memorandum (KIM) in this respect.

Applicability
This circular shall be applicable for
a. Investments in mutual fund schemes (including additional purchases and switch-in to a scheme from other schemes) with effect from August 1, 2009 ;
b. Redemptions from mutual fund schemes (including switch-out from other schemes) with effect from August 1, 2009 ;
c. New mutual fund schemes launched on and after August 1, 2009; and
d. Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) registered on or after August 1, 2009.

Source: Mutual Funds - Empowering investors through transparency in payment of commission and load structure

Relevant Existing provisions

1. SEBI had earlier abolished initial issue expenses and mutual fund schemes were allowed to recover expenses connected with sales and distribution through entry load only. Further, investors making direct applications to the mutual funds were exempted
from entry load.
2. In terms of existing arrangement, though the investor pays for the services rendered by the mutual fund distributors, distributors are remunerated by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) from loads deducted from the invested amounts or the redemption proceeds. SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 also permit AMCs to charge the scheme (under the annual recurring expense) for marketing and selling expenses including distributor’s commission.
3. Further, all loads including Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) for the scheme are maintained in a separate account and this amount is used by the AMCs to pay commissions to the distributors and to take care of other marketing and selling expenses. It has been left to the AMCs to credit any surplus in this
account to the scheme, whenever felt appropriate. In order to incentivise long term investors it is considered necessary that exit loads/CDSCs which are beyond reasonable levels are credited to the scheme immediately.

SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/ 168230/09 dated 30th June 2009

 

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USD 1 million for Foreign Venture Capitals (FVCI) as firm commitment to apply for SEBI registration now

IMD/DOF-1/FVCI/CIR. No. 1/2009 dated 3rd July 2009

All applicants desirous of registering with SEBI as the Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCI), henceforth, shall obtain firm commitment from their investors for contribution of an amount of at least USD 1 million [1,000,000 $] at the time of submission of applications seeking registration as FVCIs as per SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2000.

 

Kindly note, existing Regulation 11(3) of the SEBI (Venture Capital Funds) Regulations, 1996 [Domestic VCF Regulations] requires firm commitment from the investors for contribution of an amount of at least rupees five crores before the start of operations by the venture capital fund.

 

Source: Firm commitment requirement for registration as Foreign Venture Capital Investors

 

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See Yes -> Yes, ACS

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