AMFI: Understanding the Importance for Investors

In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, trust and transparency are paramount. Enter AMFI – the guardian of your investments. Discover why and how this institution is your ally in the world of mutual funds.

What is AMFI?

AMFI is a statutory, regulatory, non-profit, self-governing, and government organization in India. It was established on 22nd August 1995 and has since protected the interests of mutual fund investors in India. Although AMFI is a self-governing body, it acts as a regulator under the watch of SEBI. It has imposed several regulations over the years to ensure the transparency of mutual funds. It also helps maintain the ethics among mutual fund investors and Asset Management Companies (AMCs). It is crucial to note that AMFI protects the interests of both investors and AMCs in India.

Over the past few decades, mutual funds have surged in popularity, transforming India’s financial landscape. With this surge, it’s crucial to safeguard investors and maintain a fair playing field. The Indian mutual fund market has become fiercely competitive, attracting large numbers of retail and institutional investors. Yet, amidst this growth, the risk of unfair practices, unethical transactions, and complications looms. This is where AMFI steps in as the guardian of ethical conduct in the mutual fund industry. Its duties encompass educating investors, setting rigorous industry standards, conducting research, advocating for investors’ rights, providing certification, delivering training, and upholding a stringent code of conduct.

Role of AMFI in a Mutual Fund

As discussed above, the primary role of AMFI in the context of mutual funds is to protect the interests of investors and AMCs. Since several mutual fund schemes are available in the market, some AMCs might cheat with investors. However, unfair practices from AMCs are stopped due to the presence of AMFI. Mutual fund investments become more transparent, thus ensuring AMCs do not indulge in unfair practices.

AMFI India also helps AMCs from being manipulated or cheated by investors. When mutual fund investments become transparent, more people are attracted. As a result, the mutual fund industry progresses while benefiting the investors. AMCs, fund houses, intermediaries, brokers, and other entities can register under AMFI. There are 44 registered members (including 42 AMCs registered with SEBI) under AMFI. Besides ensuring transparency, the institution is also involved in spreading financial literacy.

What Are the Objectives of AMFI?

AMFI has certain objectives to achieve. All its operations and activities are focused on achieving the objectives. Knowing the AMFI full form is not sufficient for investors. You must be familiar with the objectives of AMFI, which are as follows:

• Set ethical standards for all mutual fund operations in India.

• To ensure that member AMCs and fund houses adhere to the regulatory and ethical standards. AMFI monitors whether AMCs or fund houses are meeting ethical standards or not.

• Help brokers, advisors, agents, distributors, and other professionals in the mutual fund industry to comply with regulatory and ethical standards.

• Work with SEBI to ensure that mutual fund regulations are followed across the industry.

• Spread awareness regarding the risks associated with mutual funds. It helps investors know the associated risks in advance.

• Work with RBI and the Finance Ministry of India to ensure investment transparency.

• Conduct workshops to make individuals familiar with different kinds of funds and their risks.

• To ensure that the code of conduct is followed by different participants in the mutual fund industry, AMFI is authorised to take disciplinary action against parties violating the code of conduct.

• Allow investors to register complaints/grievances against fund managers, AMCs, or intermediaries.

Committees Under AMFI

AMFI has helped many investors over the years by maintaining transparency in mutual fund operations. As discussed above, AMFI increases financial literacy, sets regulations, advocates, and many other activities. To manage these diverse tasks, it has different committees. These committees have experienced leaders. AMFI mutual fund operations are divided among different committees. Each committee has its chairperson or chairman. The chairman or chairperson of an AMFI committee could be the CEO of an AMC, the MD of a fund house, or any other influential individual. You can visit the official website of AMFI to view different committees, their chairman/chairperson, and their members. Here are the committees under AMFI:

• AMFI Financial Literacy Committee

• AMFI Committee on Certified Distributors (ARN Committee)

• AMFI Operations & Compliance Committee

• AMFI Risk Management Committee

• AMFI Equity CIOs Committee

• AMFI Valuation Committee

• AMFI ETF Committee

AMFI Registration Number

There are two ways to invest in a mutual fund scheme. The first way is to invest directly with the AMC distributing the scheme. Investing through a broker, agent, or intermediary is the second way. Since many people invest in mutual fund schemes through brokers and agents, there needs to be some authenticity. To ensure authenticity, give each broker, agent, or intermediary a unique registration number. Any agent or broker can apply for an ARN (AMFI Registration Number) and get verified.

Recommended Read: Understand Mutual Funds & its Basics

ARN is provided when a broker or agent clears the certification exam. Similarly, AMFI has certain conditions for granting ARNs to intermediaries or mutual fund distributors. When someone has an ARN, you can know that the individual or entity has been vetted by AMFI. Mutual fund investors tend to trust mutual fund distributors when they have an ARN. Investors must habitually check the ARN when investing in mutual funds through intermediaries or brokers.

Why is ARN Important to the Investor?

ARN is essential for investors in the following ways:

• Only those clearing certification under NISM are offered ARN. Senior citizens must clear the CPE (Continuing Professional Education) to get an ARN. When investors choose a distributor with an ARN, they know that the individual is knowledgeable.

• Investors can ensure that the distributor or agent is vetted by AMFI when they have an ARN.

• Investors will choose only authentic mutual fund distributors with an ARN.

• ARN is also compliant as per AMFI and SEBI. By choosing distributors with a unique ARN, investors can protect their interests.

• Investors will be safe from fraudulent mutual fund schemes, as they will choose distributors with a unique ARN.

How Do You Register or Renew ARN?

Mutual fund houses must register for an ARN. They can prove their legitimacy to investors by having an ARN. Also, an ARN is valid for three years in India. Distributors and agents must renew their ARNs timely. Here’s how to apply for a new ARN or renew it online:

• Visit the official website of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (

  https://www.amfiindia.com/
  
  ).

• On the home page, click on the ‘Distributor Corner’.

• Click on ‘Online Registration & Renewal of ARN & EUIN’.

• You must choose whether to register for ARN or EUIN. Click on ARN and proceed.

• You must provide your PAN and mobile number to register for a new ARN.

• Pay the required fee for registering or renewing or ARN.

• You don’t have to upload your NISM certification , as it will be fetched automatically based on your details.

Your documents are verified by AMFI. Once vetted completely, you will receive an ARN from AMFI. It is crucial to renew your ARN after every three years.

Other Services of the AMFI

AMFI offers a wide range of services to improve the mutual funds market in India. For instance, investors can check a mutual fund scheme’s current NAV ( Net Asset Value) on AMFIs website. They also showcase historical NAV information to help investors make the right decisions. The institution focuses on enhancing investor awareness and financial literacy. It has launched several campaigns and workshops to spread awareness among mutual fund investors.

AMFI also plays its role in advocacy. It often conveys the interests of the mutual funds industry to SEBI, RBI, and other regulatory bodies. They speak up for policies and regulations that can improve the standards of the mutual funds industry. AMFI also dedicated researchers who collect data related to mutual funds. These researchers develop new policies, regulations, and standards to improve the industry’s overall performance.

Training and certification programs are offered by AMFI for mutual fund distributors, agents, and brokers. Investors can also visit the official website of AMFI and find the Knowledge Centre. The Knowledge Centre for investors on AMFI website covers several topics, like types of mutual fund schemes, NAV, direct plans, and risks in mutual funds.

Conclusion

AMFI has proved its importance over the years by protecting the interests of investors and AMCs. It also offers certification programs for mutual fund distributors to achieve an ARN. An AMFI Registration Number is a unique number that represents the authenticity of the mutual fund distributor. AMFI is also involved in advocacy, spreading financial literacy, and other tasks. Check the AMFI website now for more information!