SBI Mutual Fund's history dates back to June 29, 1987, when it was established as a trust under the Trust Act of 1882. The establishment made this company India's second asset management company after the Unit Trust of India. On February 7, 1992, the company incorporated SBI Funds Management Ltd. The primary objective of this incorporation was to offer diverse mutual fund schemes to investors with different risk categories.
In 1999, SBI became India's first company to launch the 'Contra' fund. This scheme invests in undervalued stocks or sectors that are presently out of favour but have the potential to perform well in the long term. Fund managers bet on these assets to normalize and yield returns over time.
In July 2004, SBI divested 37% of its mutual fund arm to Societe Generale Asset Management. However, in May 2011, a French AMC, Amundi, picked up the entire stake held by Societe Generale Asset Management.
2015 was a turning point for the company. This year, SBI launched India's first ESG Fund, which focuses on companies adhering to environmental, social, and governance principles. The Employees' Provident Fund invested Rs 5,000 crore in SBIMF Sensex ETFs in the same year.
Computer Age Management Services Limited (CAMS) is the registrar and transfer agent for SBI Mutual Fund. They are responsible for maintaining investor records, facilitating seamless transactions, and ensuring the integrity and accuracy of investment records.
Regarding management, Mr Vinay M. Tonse is the managing director, and Ms Vinaya Datar is the compliance officer.
Investing in SBI MFs is a decision that requires careful consideration. These funds offer a chance for capital growth by pooling funds from various investors and putting them in a diverse range of securities.
While you can achieve good returns with these funds, it is important to understand that market conditions can have an impact on them. Factors such as economic parameters, interest rates, and market volatility all play a role in the performance of these funds.
For example, if the scheme is equity-oriented and a major economic downturn arises due to global events, the returns might decline, impacting your investment. In such a scenario, debt funds can be a safe haven as the coupon rates are predefined. However, when the market is favorable, equity schemes are noted for delivering aggressive returns.
The approach to investing in mutual funds should be measured and aligned with your financial objectives. It is advisable to consider the time frame for investment and the financial goals you aim to achieve.
Equity funds might be a suitable choice for you if you are looking toward long-term growth, while debt funds could be preferable if you are seeking stability and short-term goals. To get a balance between both, SBI Hybrid Funds can also be a suitable choice. It depends on your goals and risk tolerance level.
Investing in SBI schemes no longer requires visiting a branch in person or undergoing a lengthy paperwork process. Thanks to technological innovations and the emergence of online brokers like Dhan, you can now invest not only in SBI mutual funds but also in other financial instruments from the comfort of your home.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started with Dhan.
- Step 1: Go to the Dhan official website and tap on' Mutual Funds' at the top of the home page.
- Step 2: From the drop-down menu, choose the fund type. Let's say you choose a 'Large Cap Fund.' The new webpage will display the details of schemes in this category along with the minimum investment amount, AUM, and 1-3-year returns.
- Step 3: Now, scroll down, select the SBI scheme in this category, and tap on 'Invest.'
- Step 4: You will be provided with two options: Scan or Share Mobile Number. These options are required to set up a mutual fund investment account.
- Step 5: If you choose the contact number, enter the OTP you receive.
- Step 6: Next, complete the basic KYC formalities.
- Step 7: Once done, invest in the top SBI mutual fund via SBI SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) or a lump sum.
- Step 8: For SIPs, select the investment amount and SIP date. For a lump sum, simply enter the amount you wish to invest.
- Step 9: Complete the investment using your preferred payment method such as UPI, net banking, or NEFT.
- Step 10: The Dhan website provides rich portfolio insights, allowing you to track and manage your investments effectively.
When investing in SBI Mutual Fund, you can choose between SIPs or lump sum payments. SBI SIP plans allow you to invest a definite sum at specific intervals such as every month. They help you benefit from the power of compounding and rupee-cost averaging. For SIP lump sum plans, you allocate a lump sum amount at once, which can be ideal if you have surplus funds ready to be invested.
To get a rough estimate of how your SIP investment will perform in the future, you can use the
SBI SIP Calculator. To use this tool, input your monthly investment, expected return rate, and investment period.