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Its more than a transaction app – it’s a business enhancement tool

Manesh Thakur

Head – Retail Sales & Investor Services

Axis MF

Manesh says the Axis IFA Connect app goes beyond just a transaction facilitator – it has a host of additional features developed after extensive research, all of which aim to make it a comprehensive business enhancement tool for IFAs

He emphasizes that the launch of IFA Connect is just the beginning of a journey towards digitizing all routine and mundane information related services. On the anvil are a host of new features including brokerage structure availability, extending call center facilities to IFAs, transactions using one-time mandate, advanced analytics and more

WF: What is Axis MF IFA Connect?

Manesh: Axis MF IFA Connect is a comprehensive and smart digital solution for IFAs. The objective of this app and web portal is not only to facilitate seamless digital transactions on the go but also serve as an information and analysis platform, hence going beyond just transactions, it is a Business enhancement tool.

The name “Connect” suggests that we are not only trying to partner with the IFAs purely on a transactional basis but also trying to enhance the engagement between IFAs and their investors. The idea is to get Axis MF connected to the IFAs digitally and ensure a much faster and better experience. We realised that there was a constant need to evolve and come up with smart solutions that make the IFAs life easier while interacting with investors.

WF: In what ways is your new IFA Connect App different from your industry leading open architecture app?

Manesh: Axis MF IFA Connect App is closed architecture and only details pertaining to Axis Mutual Fund schemes will be visible to the independent financial advisors (IFAs). Axis IFA connect is freely available to advisors empanelled with Axis Mutual Fund. The need observed from our advisors was to get a platform for quick transactions, status updates with auto reverse feed without the need to upload them from R&T and analytics or integration with in-house facilities.

Top 5 features of Axis MF IFA Connect App are as follows:

  • Insta Empanelment (enter ARN, fill details and verify your data)
  • Quick and easy login (fingerprint and MPIN on app)
  • 5 easy steps to execute transaction
  • Business and Investors dashboards
  • Real time transaction monitoring
  • Multi device applicability

WF: A number of leading fund houses have launched their own closed architecture distributor apps. In what ways have you tried to build on their experiences when you created your IFA Connect App?

Manesh: Before launching the App, we did our research and found the existing problems faced by an IFA. The problem highlighted was – IFAs are unable to give quality time towards client meeting, client servicing and advisory. This was because of the documentation work pressure that kept them busy all the time.

The research also suggested that lot of platforms in BFSI sector are cluttered with elements on screen. Design thinking approach was applied to make Axis MF IFA connect clutter free and intuitive for the advisors making the platform on par with other consumer apps that are being used on a daily basis. Hence, to address these challenges we decided to work on a dedicated platform.

As a responsible fund house, Axis MF launched “Axis MF IFA Connect” app with additional features. The focus was on features like Easy to transact, Simple to operate, More informative, the app also provides other features like detailed dashboards, monthly cash flow statistics, analytics and performance indicators from business strategy point of view.

WF: How does transaction execution take place in your IFA Connect App?

Manesh: Transaction execution is quick and easy. There are only five steps required for advisors to raise transactions i.e.

  • Login
  • Search for investor
  • Fill details
  • Check summary and
  • Submit the transaction

Investor receives an approval link via email and SMS and within two clicks, the transaction is approved.

WF: What are some of the business analytics that you have built into this app to help IFAs manage client relationships better and to drive business better?

Manesh: There are many features that we have provided in the platform. We understand that our advisors have a dual role to play – one to manage their own business and second to advise investors. We therefore offer two dashboards - Business dashboard to strategize their activities and an Investor dashboard to help with investor’s portfolio. There are statistics pertaining to cash flows, SIP book, SIP details - active and inactive and real time transaction status updates.

WRT investor, there is an asset class bifurcation for balancing the client portfolio, view performance of the investments and monitor the systematic plans. There are many more features that will be introduced on the platform to assist our advisors to make their life easy.

WF: Do you have any industry data on volume trends of distributor initiated transactions using AMC apps? How do you see this space growing in the coming years?

Manesh: There is no ready available data on transaction initiated via AMC apps though we do get substantial business from regular transactions and investments. We have also observed a need from IFA community for dedicated platform from AMCs not only on transaction but also for other non-transactional services, which we will be providing to advisors. We as a country still have a lot of potential when investments are concerned. Currently, investments come majorly from tier 1 cities. A lot can be done to increase the penetration to remote locations of India. This void can only be filled with the help of advisors and digital solutions reaching the last mile.

WF: What are next steps in the journey of your IFA Connect App? What more features are you looking at building into it in future releases?

Manesh: Now, with this App ‘Office in your pocket’ and ‘Information on your finger tips’ is for real. This is only the beginning as we plan to move towards complete digitization and make a platform where mundane tasks can be handled by the platform. This will increase our services to the long tail advisors thereby providing time to RMs for productive interactions.

Besides this, we also have an assorted list of features and functionalities in the pipeline like timely availability of insights and market updates, brokerage structure availability, extending call center facilities to IFAs, transactions using one-time mandate, advanced analytics to be placed to help with more accurate guidance to investors, integration of new secure methods of payment, and many more.

Disclaimers

This document represents the views of Axis Asset Management Co. Ltd. and must not be taken as the basis for an investment decision. Neither Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Mutual Fund Trustee Limited nor Axis Asset Management Company Limited, its Directors or associates shall be liable for any damages including lost revenue or lost profits that may arise from the use of the information contained herein. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information and opinions contained herein. The material is prepared for general communication and should not be treated as research report. The data used in this material is obtained by Axis AMC from the sources which it considers reliable. While utmost care has been exercised while preparing this document, Axis AMC does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Investors are requested to consult their financial, tax and other advisors before taking any investment decision(s). The AMC reserves the right to make modifications and alterations to this statement as may be required from time to time.

Axis Mutual Fund has been established as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, sponsored by Axis Bank Ltd. (liability restricted to Rs. 1 Lakh). Trustee: Axis Mutual Fund Trustee Ltd. Investment Manager: Axis Asset Management Co. Ltd. (the AMC) Risk Factors: Axis Bank Limited is not liable or responsible for any loss or shortfall resulting from the operation of the scheme.

Information set out above is included for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. In view of the individual nature of the tax consequences, each investor is advised to consult his or her own tax consultant with respect to specific tax implications arising out of their participation in the Scheme. Income Tax benefits to the mutual fund & to the unit holder is in accordance with the prevailing tax laws as certified by the mutual funds consultant. Any action taken by you on the basis of the information contained herein is your responsibility alone. Axis Mutual Fund will not be liable in any manner for the consequences of such action taken by you. The information contained herein is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase and sales of any schemes of Axis Mutual Fund.

Stock(s) / Issuer(s)/ Top stocks mentioned above are for illustration purpose and should not be construed as recommendation.

Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

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