Markets regulator SEBI has decided to impose deadlines for utilization of funds raised by asset management companies (AMCs) through new fund offers (NFOs) and ease the regulatory framework to align the interests of AMC employees with unitholders.
Additionally, the regulator has mandated disclosure of stress testing for all mutual fund schemes to provide more transparency to investors.
The proposals, approved by SEBI’s board on Wednesday, aim to increase operational flexibility for mutual funds while ensuring more accountability and confidence among investors.
Regarding the deployment timeline, SEBI said fund managers should deploy the funds raised during the NFO as per the scheme’s specified asset allocation, generally within 30 days.
If the funds are not mobilized within the stipulated time frame, investors will have the option to exit the scheme without paying the exit load, said a statement through the regulator.
The framework discourages AMCs from raising additional funds during NFOs, as investors can later invest in open-ended schemes at prevailing net asset value (NAV).
“The new framework is intended to encourage AMCs to deposit more funds in NFOs that can be deployed at a reasonable time (ie generally 30 days) as investors in open-end funds always have the option to enter the scheme at a later date at the prevailing NAV,” SEBI said. said
“The framework provides an option for investors to exit the scheme without any exit load if the fund manager is unable to mobilize the funds within the stipulated time frame,” it added.
To address the problem of possible mis-selling in NFOs, for switch transactions, the distributor will be entitled to the lower of the two commissions offered under the two schemes of switch transactions, SEBI said.
To make it easier for employees of asset management companies to do business, SEBI has decided to relax the regulatory framework regarding ‘alignment of interests of AMC employees’ with unit holders.
Under this, the regulator has decided to reduce the minimum investment amount required for designated employees, reduce the frequency of disclosures related to employees managing liquid funds and ease requirements to comply with simplified redemption norms.
Additionally, Sebi said that the resigning employees will now have a reduced lock-in period for their investments.
The regulator has authorized the committee to conduct compliance inspections by designated personnel.
Trust MF CEO Sandeep Bagla said Sebi’s reconsideration of ‘skin in the game’ regulation is a welcome step in the right direction. The MF industry is expanding rapidly and there is a need to hire quality professionals to serve and protect the interests of unit holders.
The relevance, context and effectiveness of the rules need to be checked regularly,” he added.