How to Switch Mutual Funds?

Abhinay Dhole
Abhinay Dhole
abhinayd@orowealth.com
how to switch mutual fund

Mutual funds investment can be done in two types of plans – regular and direct. Since the 2013 regulation by SEBI, all fund houses provide both kinds of investment plans to the public. Consequently, one of the most frequently asked questions is how one can switch between these plans. To understand how to switch mutual funds, we need a clear understanding of what is the difference between direct and regular investments, what does switching involve, and most importantly, when to switch.

Let’s lay down some ground rules.

  • It is definitely possible to switch mutual funds.
  • You can switch funds online or offline.
  • You cannot switch mutual funds on a whim. There are certain rules and steps involved.

On that note, let’s discuss how to switch mutual funds.

What is Switching of Mutual Funds?

When you decide to move your whole investment or some part of it from one mutual fund scheme to another, it is called ‘switching’. In this case, you are moving funds within the same fund house.

If you were to switch fund houses, it is known as ‘Switch-in, switch-out’, where you switch out your mutual funds from one fund house and switch into another. In this case, you will need to redeem units from the fund source and then purchase units in the fund target. This also involves exit loads and capital gain payments.

As we have seen previously, switching within the same fund house involves switching between schemes or from a regular to a direct plan. The difference between a regular and direct plan is that the former includes commissions you pay to a certified broker, while the direct plan does not have these costs. Switching from a regular to a direct plan reduces your cost marginally, but you are then responsible for managing your funds independently.

How to Decide Whether You Should Switch Mutual Funds?

There can be several reasons for switching funds – change in investor objectives, low-performance of current fund scheme, or a desire to handle mutual funds by themselves. However, before rushing headlong into any decision about switching mutual funds, it is important to analyze if your concerns are practically valid.

Switching from a regular plan to a direct plan can be generally considered when you have a long-term investment, for say 10+ years. There has to be a significant difference in the return on investment between the regular and direct plans for the given period of time, which would make the decision logical.

Some of the things you need to be aware of while switching to direct funds are:

1. How to Take Care of Your Funds on Your Own

Direct funds have a higher Net Asset Value than regular funds, but they require in-depth market knowledge and tracking. You have to keep in touch with the pulse of the market and study trends in detail to invest wisely. Portfolio tracking is all your responsibility as well, with no investment advice from the fund manager.

2. Exit Loads

Whenever you switch from regular to direct mutual funds, exit loads are inevitable. They are the percentage value charge if you redeem the fund before its investment duration is complete. The charges can be anywhere between 0-2%, depending on the type of fund.

3. Tax Considerations

Switching equity funds before one year of the investment is complete results in 15% taxation on capital gains. However, if you switch after one year of investment, the transfer is tax-free.  Similarly, there are specific rules regarding the switching of debt-oriented funds as well. It is important to go through the relevant tax laws and by-laws to ensure that you do not incur excessive taxes.

4. Documentation and Due Diligence

Direct mutual fund investors have to handle all documentation and due diligence on their own. Timely KYC submissions and study of investment plans are all a part of this profile. The investor is therefore expected to have a thorough knowledge of submission timelines and the relevant documentation.

As you switch mutual funds, make sure that you have an appropriate asset allocation strategy and select a suitable fund plan, which allows you to diversify effectively. Also, analyze fund performance over some period of time before you decide to switch funds.

Steps for Switching Mutual Funds

If you are sure you want to switch from a regular plan to a direct plan, you can easily switch funds both online and offline.

How to Switch Mutual Funds Online 

First, ensure that you have registered with your Asset Management Company for online mutual fund transaction.

  • Step 1:
    Login to your Account. Check the status of your mutual fund.
  • Step 2:
    Go to the ‘Transaction’ Page. Here you can purchase, switch, or redeem funds. Choose the ‘Switch’ option and select the plan you want to transfer to. In case of regular to direct switch, make sure that the plan has ‘Direct’ indicated in the name.
  • Step 3:
    A notification will be sent to your fund house with the change request.
  • Step 4:
    For amounts less than 2 lakhs, units will be transferred the same day, provided you send the request before 3 pm. For amounts greater than 2 lakhs, it takes a day to allot units. It is necessary to understand that although your money starts working immediately, it takes 3 days for the units to be actually transferred from your source scheme to your target scheme.
  • Step 5:
    Login after 4 days to check if the status of your plan has been updated as per your request.

Another option to switch funds in a safe and secure manner is through online portals like ORO Wealth, where you can upload your existing portfolio and initiate a switch.

How to Switch Mutual Funds Offline

To switch funds offline, you will have to follow the same process as above, only in person.

  • Step 1:
    Go to your mutual fund office
  • Step 2:
    Request a transaction-switch form and fill in all the details, such as your fund name and folio number, as well as the target scheme you want to change to.
  • Step 3:
    Submit the form
  • Step 4:
    The fund house will send you an email with the changed account details on your registered email address, once your request has been processed.

Conclusion

This covers how you can switch mutual funds from a regular to a direct plan, with ease. Direct plans offer significant benefits in the long-term, over and beyond those of regular plans. A good idea is to invest in direct mutual funds through a zero-commission financial advisor, like Orowealth, which combines the advantage of expert financial guidance with the high-returns of direct mutual fund investments.

Click here to Invest in Direct Mutual Funds with Orowealth!

Abhinay Dhole
Abhinay Dhole
abhinayd@orowealth.com

Abhinay is an IT Engineer turned content writer. He has a keen interest in the mutual funds industry and closely follows the market movements. He has been working in the personal finance domain for over 2 years.

12 Comments
  • Avatar
    kuldip ray
    Posted at 18:41h, 30 July Reply

    I have invested 700000 in ICICI multi assent fund dividend this is going negative too much .I want to secure my money .plz give suggestion

  • Avatar
    Brinda
    Posted at 14:37h, 18 March Reply

    I have invested rs.200000 in SBI life equity fund but now the fund value is going to be very low, I switched my policy to balance fund is it benificial, suggestions pls

    • Gaurav Chakraborty
      Gaurav Chakraborty
      Posted at 08:51h, 23 March Reply

      Hello Sir, Request you to please reach out to our financial advisor on +91-9167451886 or drop a mail on connect@orowealth.com.

    • Avatar
      Shikha
      Posted at 19:51h, 26 March Reply

      I have a same issue.

  • Avatar
    ozer
    Posted at 15:57h, 04 May Reply

    Can I Switch Amt from 1 scheme to another in the same AMC with the same folio but without having the target
    account i e without having an account in the scheme in which the switch is to be made but retaining the same
    folio of the scheme from which the switch is to be made?

    • Gaurav Chakraborty
      Gaurav Chakraborty
      Posted at 08:25h, 08 May Reply

      Hello Sir, Once the switch is done from one scheme to another scheme in the same AMC, the folio number will remain the same as in the switch from the scheme. New folio number will not be generated. You can drop us a mail at connect@orowealth.com in case of any further query.

  • Avatar
    S. Nagarajan
    Posted at 14:40h, 28 May Reply

    I made a switch in 10 a m today. Do they calculate at todays closing value of both
    Also do they deduct any charges sir
    It was a SIP OF 5000 monthly totalling 5 months i.e. 25000. But the value was only 22500. So i switched. Will i get same value in new fund boss

    • Gaurav Chakraborty
      Gaurav Chakraborty
      Posted at 13:08h, 02 June Reply

      Hello Sir, You will get the same-day NAV when the switch is done. The exit load depends on the fund you have switched and when the investment was done in the fund. For eg. Like for equity funds, 1% exit load will be charged by the AMC if the units are switched or redeemed within a year. Also, request you to please drop a mail at connect@orowealth.com from the email id from which you make the investments, so we can look into your portfolio.

  • Avatar
    Mahesh
    Posted at 05:14h, 13 July Reply

    Hello Sir, i want switch form one mutual fund to another. Kindly help me
    From: L&T Emerging Business Fund Growth
    To: L&T Triple Ace Bond Fund – Growth

    • Gaurav Chakraborty
      Gaurav Chakraborty
      Posted at 07:07h, 16 July Reply

      Hello Sir, We tried checking the portfolio associated with email id “maheshreddy.ford@gmail.com” but couldn’t find one. We request you to please drop us a mail at connect@orowealth.com from the email with which you have registered on our platform and we will process your request.

  • Avatar
    Yadagiri
    Posted at 03:19h, 25 August Reply

    Hello sir
    I want to switch from SBI Consumption Opportunity Fund to SBI Magnum Income Fund. Is it adviceable

    • Gaurav Chakraborty
      Gaurav Chakraborty
      Posted at 10:00h, 26 August Reply

      Hello Sir, We request you to drop a mail at connect@orowealth.com with your query. We have to look at your portfolio before giving you any advice.

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