Principles for outsourcing activities by market intermediaries
SEBI released a circular on ‘Guidelines on outsourcing of activities by intermediaries’. In the document, it has defined outsourcing as ‘the use of one or more than one third party - either within or outside the group - by a registered intermediary to perform the activities associated with services which the intermediary offers.’
The regulator had highlighted various risks associated with the outsourcing of activities, viz, operational risk, reputational risk, legal risk, country risk, strategic risk, exit-strategy risk, counter party risk, concentration and systemic risk. Present regulations require intermediaries to render high standards of service and exercise due diligence and ensure proper care in their operations, and under this light, SEBI had issued a concept paper on outsourcing. Now, post discussions with various intermediaries, it has issued principles for the same.
The paper clearly states that intermediaries cannot outsource their core business activities and compliance functions like investment related activities in case of Mutual Funds and Portfolio Managers. SEBI has emphasized on a comprehensive risk management process for outsourced activities and the relationship with the third party. Importantly, the regulator has made the intermediary fully liable and accountable for the activities that are being outsourced, for the loss incurred by them due to the failure of the third party and for redressal of the investor grievances arising out of activities rendered by the third party.
Outsourcing relationships will have to be governed by ‘written contracts/ agreements/ terms and conditions that clearly describe the rights, responsibilities and expectations of the parties under contract, client confidentiality issues, termination procedures, among other material aspects of the arrangement.
The full document, which discusses all pertinent issues in detail, is available on the regulator’s website.
Natixis buys stake in IDFC MF
French company Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) has picked up 25% stake in IDFC Mutual Fund for an undisclosed amount. NGAM is part of Natixis, the corporate investment and financial services arm of BPCE.
New fund launches, re-openings and facilities introduced
Axis Mutual Fund has launched Axis Capital Protection Oriented Fund – Series 3, a close ended capital protection oriented fund with the investment objective ‘to protect the capital by investing in a portfolio of debt & money market instruments that are maturing on or before the maturity of the scheme.’ The NFO period is from December 9 to December 23, 2011. The performance of the scheme will be benchmarked against CRISIL MIP Blended Index and will be managed by Mr R. Sivakumar and Mr Sudhanshu Asthana.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has reopened ICICI Prudential Blended Plan - Plan B for fresh/additional purchases/switch-ins from December 13, 2011.
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has introduced the trading of units of Templeton India Corporate Bond Opportunities Fund on the NSE and BSE from December 15, 2011 with the condition that the investment amount cannot be more than Rs 1 crore.
Scheme name change
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has changed name of ICICI Prudential Sweep Plan to ICICI Prudential Money Market Fund from December 14, 2011.
Changes in scheme structure and plans
Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund extended the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) facility in Birla Sun Life Monthly Income which shall serve as an add-on, optional feature with from December 13, 2011.
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has set the maturity date of Franklin Templeton Capital Safety Fund - 5 Years Plan as December 29, 2011. The record date will be December 21, 2011 while trading on the NSE will be suspended from December 20, 2011.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has revised the maximum investment amount in ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund to Rs 15 crores on a cumulative cost basis from December 14, 2011.
Exit loads and dividends declared
HSBC Mutual Fund has declared dividend under quarterly dividend option of HSBC Income Fund - Investment Plan, HSBC Flexi Debt Fund - Regular Plan, HSBC Flexi Debt Fund - Institutional Plus, HSBC Monthly Income Plan - Regular Plan, and HSBC Monthly Income Plan - Savings plan. The quantum of dividend will be 0.15 per unit with December 16, 2011 set as the record date.
Axis Mutual Fund will charge an exit load of 0.25 % under Axis Short Term Fund from December 14, 2011, if units are redeemed/switched out within 1 month from the date of allotment. Up till then, a load of 0.50% was applicable if units were redeemed/switched out within 6 months from allotment.
Reliance Mutual Fund has declared dividend for Reliance Medium Term Fund and Reliance Monthly Income Plan under the quarterly dividend option. The quantum of dividend is Rs 0.2375 per unit for Reliance Medium Term Fund and Rs 0.2000 for Reliance MIP with December 20, 2011 set as the record date. The fund house has also declared dividend under the quarterly dividend option of Reliance Regular Savings Debt Fund. The quantum of dividend will be Rs 0.2200 per unit for retail plan and Rs 0.2418 for the institutional plan with December 21, 2011 set as the record date.