'MFCentral is the most impressive of online platforms'

Shah says though passive funds are growing, there’s a long road ahead

How has online access to mutual funds impacted the interaction between investors and your business? Looking ahead over the next decade, how do you expect this to evolve? 

For quite some time now, online access has been available through the AMC website, and a few distributors also have websites that allow customers to buy and redeem investments. However, the online investment landscape has significantly transformed in the past five years. This can be attributed to the growing awareness of mutual funds through the ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’ industry campaign and the overall increase in digital adoption across various sectors. Further, the emergence of a few DIY platforms has streamlined the investment process, making it as effortless as ordering food online. 

Looking ahead to the next decade, this sector is poised for even more advancements. There is ample room for expanding advisory services, as many investors still base their decisions on past returns, often leading to unfavourable outcomes. This negative experience could be averted with the guidance of a skilled advisor. As a result, the digital advisory field is expected to flourish in the coming years.

How have the above changes impacted distributors of different sizes and types?