Personal Finance News & Reviews – Week of July 28 – Aug 3, 2014

In this post we cover the major Personal Finance news that happened in the week of  July 28 – Aug 3, 2014.

The one in quotes are our views!

New KYC for Mutual Fund Investors

Mutual Fund investors have to do a fresh KYC (Know Your Customer) in compliance of SEBI orders in December 2013. The new form has two parts – the first part asks for the common KYC details the second part requires you to fill your income details.

This change in KYC requirements from time to time is quite frustrating for a regular investor. Budget 2014 had talked about bringing unified KYC for all financial products but there are no further details on the same. This frequent change in KYC norms many times discourage investors from investing in Mutual Funds.

IT Department asks taxpayers to white-list its official email ID

Income Tax Department has asked taxpayers to add their official email id ‘DONOTREPLY@incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in‘ to their address book so that it does not land in spam or junk folders. In case you find the mail in your Spam folder you can check the option never to send the email form the above address to spam!

You also need to update your email address and mobile number with the Income tax Website.

DSP BlackRock Global Asset Allocation Fund NFO

DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund has launched DSP BlackRock Global Asset Allocation Fund NFO which is open ended fund of funds scheme and would act as feeder fund in BlackRock Global Funds Global Allocation Fund. This is an international fund which invests across 40 countries including India. The fund is open for subscription and would close on August 14, 2014.

With booming stock market there is a deluge of NFOs. Though the BlackRock Global Funds Global Allocation Fund is one of the biggest funds worldwide with good track record but its not for everyone. It might be suited for someone who is already well diversified in Indian market and looking for further diversification. Remember investing in international funds you are playing on two kind of risks – currency risk and stock market risk. The above fund is funds of funds scheme and hence not very tax efficient in redeemed within 3 years of investment.

Religare Health Insurance launches `Explore’ `Secure’ `Enhance’

Religare Health Insurance Co Ltd (RHICL) has launched three products. `Explore’ for international travel insurance, providing an insurance cover for hospitalization, compensation for trip cancellation, baggage loss delay and loss of passport. It has also launched `Secure’ that offers personal accident coverage and `Enhance’, a high deductible health insurance plan.

Birla Sunlife Capital Protection Fund NFO

Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund has launched Birla Sun Life Capital Protection Oriented Fund – Series 22, a close ended capital protection oriented scheme. The tenure of the scheme is 1100 days from the date of allotment. The investment objective of the scheme is to seek capital protection on maturity by investing in fixed income securities maturing on or before the tenure of the scheme and seeking capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity related instruments. The new fund offer (NFO) be open for subscription from July 25 to August 08, 2014.

I am never a supporter of investing in Capital Protection Oriented Fund because you can yourself design such an investment! So my recommendation is to avoid this NFO.