Asset Management Companies

Subscribe to Asset Management Companies via RSS
SEBI’s Mutual Funds Lite Framework: A Regulatory Inflection Point For Passive Funds In India

Introduction

The capital markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”), released a consultation paper in July 2024 (“Consultation Paper”), seeking public comments on the much awaited liberalised mutual funds (“MF”) framework, designed specifically to govern and streamline operations for passive funds like index funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) (the “MF Lite Framework”.)[1]Continue Reading SEBI’s Mutual Funds Lite Framework: A Regulatory Inflection Point For Passive Funds In India

FIG Paper No 29 – Data Law Series 3: (Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, on Asset Management Companies)

Background:

  • Asset Management Companies (“AMCs”) act as fiduciaries of unitholders (i.e. investors who hold units in funds managed by an AMC), due to which the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has mandated various data privacy obligations for AMCs, either directly or through the Association of Mutual Funds of India (“AMFI”).
  • SEBI, in a private letter to AMCs, AMFI and registrar and transfer agents (“RTAs”) dated July 10, 2020 (“SEBI Letter”), required that digital platforms involved in distribution/ advisory and AMCs/ RTAs must respect unitholder’s data privacy. The letter included the following two mandates:
    • unitholder data should not be shared with group entities having multiple business/ products; and
    • products and services of group companies cannot be cross marketed.

Continue Reading FIG Paper No 29 – Data Law Series 3: (Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, on Asset Management Companies)

SEBI’s MUTUAL FUND EXPENSE RATIO CONSULTATION PAPER

BACKGROUND

On May 18, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India [“SEBI”] had placed a consultation paper related to the total expense ratio charged by Asset Management Companies [“AMC”] to unitholders of mutual funds. June 8, 2023 was set as the deadline for submission of public comments. The due date, however, was extended to June 8, 2023.

The proposal is aimed at curbing distributor practices such as unnecessary switching of schemes and pushing new fund offerings for higher commissions. SEBI in its consultation paper proposed to introduce performance fees for funds. It proposed two approaches, but also suggested testing the models under the Regulatory Sandbox.Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 21 – Series 1): SEBI’s Mutual Fund Expense Ratio Consultation Paper: Impact Analysis