Jharsuguda, June 19, 2014: Franklin Templeton Investments (India), one of the �mutual fund houses launched �Shubh Laabh�- an initiative to help people learn, invest and prosper through mutual funds on Thursday. This Forms part of the fund house�s District Adoption programme; an initiative backed by SEBI and coordinated by AMFI wherein 178 districts in the country will be adopted by various mutual fund houses to improve penetration and awareness about mutual funds.
Under this �Shubh laabh� programme will seek to educate investors and grow the market through a 3-point agenda; building category awareness through various initiative including advertising and activation programs, increasing the distributor network with quality engagement and promoting mutual funds as an investment to consumer.
Franklin Templeton will hire local representatives in Jharsuguda called MF sevaks who would coordinate various educational activities like investor camps and contact programs while working closely with national level distributors such as banks and local independent financial advisors (IFAs). These programmers will be supported by rich content, interactive tools and mass media campaigns; all centered around promoting the concept of investments and increasing awareness about mutual funds. Franklin Templeton will utilize its vast local and global experience of over 65 years in the business to provide both current and prospective investors as well as potential distributors with a platform where they are to learn more about mutual fund investing and transact easily.
Harshendu Bindal ,President, Franklin Templeton investments(India) said, �While the household saving rate is high in india, most of these saving find their way into unproductive physical assets. The main reason for this is lack of awareness about mutual funds and a robust distribution network beyond the big cities and towns. We firmly believe that financial education is must if mutual funds have to widen their acceptance beyond the metros to smaller towns. Investors in these place s are used to parking their money in traditional investment avenues, which might not be sufficient to meet their various financial needs. It is up to fund houses like us to educate investors about the advantages of professional fund management that are being enjoyed by millions of investors about the professional fund managements that are being enjoyed by millions of investors today in India and �the world over.�
Speaking at the launch, Gaurab Parija, Director-Business Development & New Initiatives, Franklin Templeton investments said �Today most of India�s mutual fund assets under management is concentrated in the top 15 cities and we are sure that this program will help mutual funds penetrate beyond these cities into place like Jharsuguda. We realize that the route to the investor is clearly through the distributors. Hence, one of our key objective would also be to enroll a new cadre of distributors who in turn would be adequately trained to proved the right advice and communicate the importance and advantages of mutual fund investing.�
Mr.Parija added, �At �Franklin We have always emphasized on a solution �based approach by linking the investors’ financial goal to mutual funds and helping them monitor progress.We also realize the importance of a healthy distribution channel and are sure that our campaign will help in extending reach. Working with a new cadre of distributors such as fresh graduates, CAs, Lawyers, professionals, retirees, India post Agents, PSU & Regional Rural banks, self-help groups and other entities focused on semi-urban areas will offers an alternate source of incomes to them and also help us in expanding the overall investor base and spread awareness on mutual fund investing.�
