KYC must for MF investors from Jan 1

Mutual fund (MF) investors, irrespective of the amount they invest, will have to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for all purchases, switches and new systematic investment plan registrations from January 1.

Investors have to submit the KYC form, which is available with fund houses, along with necessary documents at the nearest investor services centre. They have to provide a photocopy of the PAN card , proof of address document and a passport size photograph. Earlier, only resident individual investors making investments above Rs 50,000 were required to complete the KYC formalities.

Fund houses have made arrangements with CDSL Ventures for KYC compliance. On submission of KYC application along with the prescribed documents, a KYC acknowledgement letter will be issued. Investors have to provide the letter for carrying out transactions in MF schemes.

The category of investors who need to comply with the KYC norms also include power of attorney (PoA) holders (for investments done through a PoA), each of the applicants in case of investments in joint names and guardian for investments made on behalf of minors.

Non-individual investors (such as corporates, Hindu undivided families [HUFs], partnerships and trusts) that already have an MF Identification Number (MIN—not valid anymore) and have not provided PAN at the time of obtaining MIN should also complete the KYC formalities mentioned above.

Investors who have already completed KYC formalities should submit a copy of the acknowledgement along with a list of folio numbers. After verification, the status will be updated in records and investors would be able to transact as usual. Applications by investors without valid KYC acknowledgement letter are liable to be rejected from January 1, fund houses said.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/personal-finance/mutual-funds/mf-news/kyc-must-for-mf-investors-from-jan-1/articleshow/7188955.cms