How to Make Mutual Fund Investments Using Visa Debit Cards?
Visa and Razorpay have made it easy for people in India to invest in mutual funds using their debit cards. This is happening as the mutual fund industry in India is growing a lot. It’s a big change that helps regular people invest their money more easily.
In a significant development for the Indian investment landscape, Visa has joined forces with Razorpay to introduce a groundbreaking initiative that allows consumers to invest in mutual funds using their Visa debit cards. This innovative service, which recently debuted in partnership with Federal Bank and ICICI Bank, marks a major stride toward simplifying and enhancing the investment experience for retail investors.
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A Booming Mutual Fund Industry
The timing of this initiative couldn’t be better, considering the remarkable growth of the Indian mutual fund industry. As of August 2023, the industry’s average assets under management have surged to an impressive Rs. 46.94 lakh crore, reflecting a remarkable six-fold increase in just a decade. This surge in assets under management underscores the need for accessible and secure investment avenues, which is precisely what the Visa debit card initiative aims to provide.
Benefits of Using Visa Debit Cards for Mutual Fund Investments
One of the key advantages of this service is that consumers can now harness the power of their Visa debit cards to invest in mutual funds. Notably, investors can set and modify their own transaction limits, tailoring their investments to suit their individual financial goals and risk tolerance. This flexibility empowers investors to make investment decisions with greater precision and control.
Additionally, customers can conveniently view all their Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) linked to their debit cards and other recurring payments by simply logging into their bank’s subscription management portals. This feature ensures that investors have a comprehensive overview of their financial commitments and can make informed investment choices.
What do experts have to say?
Arif Khan, Chief Innovation Officer at Razorpay, emphasized the advantages of debit card payments, stating that “With Debit Cards, customers can conveniently initiate investments, significantly improving success rates for TPV-driven payment flows by 60-80 percent.” This underscores how the Visa debit card initiative not only simplifies the investment process but also enhances the likelihood of successful transactions.
Bijith Bhaskar, Head of Cards, Digital Payments & Consumer Finance at ICICI Bank, expressed excitement about the offering, saying, “With this offering, crores of ICICI Bank debit card customers will be able to invest in mutual funds using their debit cards in a secure and simple manner.” This reflects the sentiment that this initiative is set to benefit a wide spectrum of investors.
How to Make Mutual Fund Investments Using Visa Debit Cards?
So, how can you take advantage of this exciting opportunity to invest in mutual funds using your Visa debit card? The process is designed to be user-friendly and secure:
- Select Your Mutual Fund: Begin by visiting the website or app of your chosen mutual fund house. There, you can explore the available mutual funds and select the one that aligns with your investment goals.
- Choose Debit Card Payment: During the investment process, you’ll be presented with various payment options. Opt for debit cards as your preferred payment method.
- Checkout and Confirm: Follow the prompts to complete your investment transaction. This will involve providing necessary details and confirming the investment amount.
- Set Transaction Limits: If you’re using your Visa debit card for mutual fund investments, you have the option to set and adjust your transaction limits according to your preferences.
- Monitor and Manage: Once your investment is made, you can easily monitor it by logging into your bank’s subscription management portal. Here, you’ll be able to track your SIPs and recurring payments alongside other financial commitments.
Security Measures
Visa ensures that the investment process remains secure and compliant with regulatory guidelines. For recurring payments like SIPs, you’ll need to enable this feature. The system then validates your card details against the funding account to ensure they match, guaranteeing that the transaction belongs to you. Additionally, cardholders receive pre-debit notifications before any auto-debit from their accounts.
Expanding Access
While this service initially launched with Federal Bank and ICICI Bank, Visa has plans to make it available to more Visa cardholders across India in the near future. This expansion will extend the convenience and benefits of debit card-based mutual fund investments to a broader audience.
In conclusion, the introduction of mutual fund investments using Visa debit cards represents a significant step forward in simplifying and securing investment opportunities for retail investors in India. With the rapid growth of the mutual fund industry, this initiative provides investors with greater control, security, and convenience in managing their investments, further strengthening India’s position as a hub for financial innovation.
