When you’ve decided to invest in a mutual fund, the next step is determining how to do so. SEBI regulates mutual funds, so you must follow some basic procedures before investing. There are several ways to invest in a mutual fund nowadays.
Mutual fund investing may appear complex to first-time investors because it can be perplexing. The first process in your investment journey is understanding how mutual funds work.
SIP allows you to invest as little as Rs 500 in a mutual fund, which is impossible with other investment options. There are numerous mutual funds available, and you can invest in funds whose financial goals and risk levels match your risk tolerance.
How to invest in mutual funds online?
Investing in mutual funds through the internet is now available from most fund houses. You have to follow the directions on the fund house’s official website, fill out the information needed, and submit it. You can also complete the KYC process online (e-KYC), which requires you to input your Aadhar number and PAN.
The data will be checked in the backend, and once that is complete, you can begin investing. Most investors prefer the online procedure of mutual fund investment since it is simple, quick, and hassle-free.
Determine Your Investment Goal – This is the first step in investing in a mutual fund. You must define your investment objectives, including purchasing a home, funding a child’s education, planning a wedding, retiring, and so on. If you don’t have a particular goal, you should at least know how much wealth you want to accumulate and when you want to earn it. Defining an investment objective allows the investor to narrow down the investment options based on the level of risk, lock-in period, payment method, and so on.
Complete Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements – In order to finance a mutual fund, investors must follow the KYC guidelines. The investor must submit copies of their Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, age proof, proof of residence, and other documents as specified by the fund house.
Know Your Schemes – There are a plethora of mutual fund options available. Some programs meet practically any investor’s requirements. Before you invest, make sure you’ve done your homework by researching the market and learning about the many sorts of schemes accessible. After that, match it to your investment objective, risk appetite, and affordability to find what works best for you. If you’re not sure which program to invest in, seek the advice of a financial expert. It is, after all, your money. You must make sure that it is put to the best possible use.
Consider Your Risk Factors – Keep in mind that investing in mutual funds has several dangers. Substantial-return schemes are frequently associated with great dangers. You can invest in equity programs if you have a strong appetite for risk and want to achieve significant returns. On the other hand, Debt schemes are a good option if you don’t want to risk your money and are OK with moderate returns.
You can begin investing in mutual funds once you’ve determined your financial goals, completed the KYC procedures, and researched the various schemes. A bank account is also required when investing in mutual funds. Most mutual fund companies would want a physical or electronic copy of a cancelled cheque leaf with the bank’s MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) and IFSC (Indian Financial System Code).
How is online investing different from regular mutual fund investing?
There isn’t much of a difference. The only thing that changes when you buy mutual funds online is the front-end interface and the storing method. You now have mutual fund units in your Demat account rather than holding them in the form of a mutual fund statement.
When you acquire mutual fund units online, the brokerage platform will verify that you have enabled your investment capability and completed your KYC.
The mutual fund is handled in the trading system once the check is done. Once the extra units are created, the registrant delivers them immediately to your Demat account. The process is reversed when you sell units, as your Demat account is debited and your bank account is credited.
Final Thoughts
You can then carefully select and invest in mutual funds that suit your investing objectives. However, once you’ve finished investing, your work isn’t done. It’s crucial to keep an eye on your assets and ensure they’re performing in line with your investing goals. If you find a fund that performs better in the market, you can transfer your investment to that fund.
