03 FAQ

FAQ

by admin on May.09, 2010, under 03 FAQ

KNOWING YOUR ‘UTC’

PRIOR TO INVESTING

AFTER INVESTING

CHANNELING YOUR CONCERNS

KNOWING YOUR ‘UTC’

1.	Who are ‘Persons Dealing In Unit Trust’ or ‘UTC’?
	They are individuals registered with Federation of Malaysian Unit Trust Managers (FMUTM) to market and distribute unit trust funds. UTC can be attached to a unit trust management company (UTMC) or an Institutional Unit Trust Agent (IUTA). The UTCS are sometimes referred to as Unit Trust Consultants

2.	How do I know whether the UTC is authorised to sell unit trusts?
	A registered UTC is issued with an Authorisation Card by FMUTM which must be produced when approaching a potential client. If not, insist to see the same and ensure its validity.

3.	What kind of information will the UTC expect from me?
	You would be expected to provide the UTC information about yourself including family background, attitude towards risks, your financial goals and such other relevant information. This information is to enable the UTC to assess your needs and recommend a fund that best suits you. However, you need not have to divulge this information, should you decide otherwise. In the end, you are the best person to decide on the information you want to give the UTC.

4.	Will the information that I give to the UTC be kept safe?
	A client’s information is confidential and any disclosure of the same should only be made with the client’s prior written consent (unless disclosure is required by law).

5.	What should I expect from the UTC?
	You should expect the UTC to deal with you in an open, honest and professional manner. The role of a UTC is to actively provide information during his “interview” with you and thereafter, on an ongoing basis to review your portfolio of unit trust investment as and when the economy or your personal circumstance changes. He should recommend portfolios that best suit your needs, personal circumstances and financial goals.

6.	What must I do during the meeting with the UTC?
	You should ask questions about anything on unit trust funds which you do not understand. You should not sign or agree to anything unless you have read and understood it. Do not be pressured into agreeing to or signing a blank form. You are entitled to think over it for as long as you need.

7.	What kind of explanation should I expect from the UTC before purchasing the recommended unit trust fund?
	The UTC must clearly explain to you the following:-
	(a) The investment objectives of the unit trust fund; (b) All the fees and/or charges involved in the purchase and thereafter and their breakdown; (c) The prices of units and how they are worked out; (d) The risks of investing in the unit trust fund and in unit trust funds generally; (e) The minimum investment in the unit trust fund; (f) Any special tax implication of investing in the unit trust fund; (g) Any unique features and/or restrictions of the unit trust fund; (h) The long term nature of most investments in unit trust funds and the risks of early withdrawal from the unit trust funds; and (i) The risks involved if purchasing the unit trust fund using a loan facility.

8.	What should I expect the UTC to do when he recommends a unit trust fund to me?
	The UTC must take all reasonable steps to:-
	(a) Assess your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and investment experience; (b) Ensure that the unit trust fund recommended is suitable for you, taking into account the information you have given; and (c) Explain to you why the unit trust fund recommended is suitable for you.

9.	If I am unsure about any aspect of an investment, what should I do?
	You are entitled to ask questions and/or seek a second opinion. If you are not satisfied with the answers given, ask for more clarifications as this will enable you to become an informed investor. If you are unable to understand the answers or explanation given to your questions, DO NOT invest. Invest only when you are satisfied with the explanation given.

10.	Who regulates the unit trust funds in Malaysia ?
	The Securities Commission (SC) regulates the establishment and operation of unit trust funds in Malaysia under the Securities Commission Act 1993. SC has issued Guidelines on unit trust funds. SC is the primary regulator of the unit trust industry, whilst FMUTM is an association recognized under the securities laws in promoting the orderly development of the unit trust industry in Malaysia .

PRIOR TO INVESTING

11.	How do I invest in a unit trust fund?
	You can make an application for investment in a unit trust fund through UTMC, IUTA and UTC.

12.	Do I need a lot of money to invest in unit trust funds?
	The minimum initial investment amount in most unit trust funds is relatively low, compared to direct investment in securities. You are advice to read the prospectus which stipulates the minimum amount of investment.

13.	What document(s) should I look for before investing in a unit trust fund?
	You should be provided with the most recent prospectus of the unit trust fund which you are interested in. Prospectuses are valid for one year and are to be renewed yearly.

14.	Why must I read the prospectus?
	A prospectus is your information brochure on the unit trust fund. It tells you all you need to know about the fund including how your money will be invested. It also tells you what the unit trust fund managers can and cannot do with your money. You should, therefore, read the prospectus carefully before investing in any unit trust fund.

15.	What to look for in a prospectus?
	You should look for the following salient information:-
	(a) Investment Objective, Focus and Approach – Check whether the fund’s investment objective, focus and approach match your own investment goals. (b) Risks – Find out what are the risks of investing in the unit trust and check whether they match your risk profile. (c) Performance – Although the past performance of a fund is not indicative of its future performance, it is useful to compare the fund’s performance to its benchmark and other funds with similar investment objectives. (d) Fees and Charges – Check what you need to pay and compare them with similar funds. (e) Information on the shareholders, board of directors and management of the company. (f) Any specific features and constraints which may conflict with your needs and preferences. (g) Subscription, Redemption and Switching of Units – The procedures for subscribing to the unit trust, redeeming your investment and switching to another unit trust are described in the prospectus.

16.	What are the fees and charges involved?
	Fees and charges to be paid by you :-
	(a) Initial service charges – This is a fee chargeable when you buy a unit trust fund and is usually included in the fund’s selling price. (b) Repurchase fee – This is a fee chargeable whenever you sell or redeem the unit trust fund and is usually included in the unit trust fund’s buying price. (c) Switching fee – This is a fee payable when you switch unit trust funds as some unit trust funds allow investors to switch or change from one unit trust fund to another which is also managed by the same unit trust fund manager.

17.	What are the types of unit trust funds I can invest in?
	These are the more common types of unit trust funds you can choose to invest in:-
	(a) Equity Unit Trust Funds – Major portion of the equity unit trust fund portfolios are shares of listed companies. (b) Money Market Unit Trust Funds – Invest only in short-term money market instruments such as treasury bills, negotiable certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, with a maturity of less than 90 days . (c) Real Estate Investment Trusts – REITS invest in real property, usually prominent commercial (office) properties and provide the investor with an opportunity to participate in property market. (d) Exchange Traded Funds – ETF is akin to a listed index unit trust fund whose investment objective is to exceed or achieve the same return as a particular market index. (e) Balanced Unit Trust Funds – Has a portfolio comprising equities, fixed income securities, cash and property (f) Syariah Unit Trust Funds – Unit Trust Funds that comply with Syariah requirements. (g) Government-Sponsored Unit Trust Funds – Managed by the state development corporations for investors from the respective states.

18.	What should I consider before investing in a unit trust fund?
	The first step towards successful investing is to establish a realistic financial goal. You should also consider the following before investing in a unit trust fund:-
	(a) Risk Profile – Your risk profile is determined by how much risk you are willing to bear. It will differ, depending on your age, financial situation and investment objectives. (b) Investment Objective – Some unit trust funds focus on certain asset classes, geographical regions or industry sectors. (c) Investment Strategy – Even unit trust funds with the same investment objective may use different investment strategies to achieve the same goal. Make sure that the fund’s investment strategies are in line with your own investment objectives. (d) Time Horizon – Your investment time horizon is the time period that you stay invested until your expected withdrawal. The younger you are, the longer would be your investment time horizon. (e) Fund Manager – As the fund manager is the only person looking after your unit trust, you should be comfortable in the knowledge that the firm and its staff have the necessary resources, experience and skill to manage your investment.

19.	What are the payment methods available to me for investing in unit trust fund?
	You can make your investment in the following manner:-
	(a) Lump Sum Purchase – Savings are invested in unit trust fund. (b) Regular Saving – By making regular (e.g. monthly) contributions to the unit trust fund. (c) Borrowing – You can obtain a loan from financial institutions for the purpose of investing in the unit trust fund. However, you are encouraged to invest money from your savings rather than through bank borrowings. (d) EPF Transfers – You can transfer your EPF savings to invest in Unit Trust Funds.

20.	Is there any condition for withdrawal from EPF for the purpose of investing in unit trust funds?
	Withdrawal can be made from Account 1 of your EPF account subject to the following conditions:-
	(a) Account 1 balance is not less than RM50,000; (b) You are less than 55 years of age; and (c) The amount transferred is not more than 20% of the Account 1 balance remaining after deducting the minimum balance of RM50,000.

	Subject to the minimum eligible balance in Account 1, you are allowed to withdraw for the purpose of further investments, three (3) months from the date of the last withdrawal.

21.	Can a non-Muslim invest in Syariah unit trust funds?
	Yes. A non-Muslim may invest in syariah unit trust funds.

AFTER INVESTING

22.	Can I change my mind?
	Yes, you can. A new investor is given a cooling-off period of six business days from the date of purchase to give him an opportunity to reconsider. Should you decide to exercise this right, you should be entitled to a full refund of your application money.

23.	What are my rights as a unitholder?
	A unitholder’s rights are explained in the prospectus of the unit trust fund and they include the right to:-
	(a) Information; (b) Receive a distribution from the unit trust fund(if declared); (c) Call for meetings of unitholders; (d) Vote for the removal of UTMC or trustee through a resolution at unitholders meeting; (e) Exercise the cooling-off right (f) Receive the unit trust fund’s annual and interim reports; and (g) Have units bought back by UTMC.

24.	How do I keep track of my investment?
	You are entitled to written confirmation of your investment including the amount received, the number of units acquired in the unit trust funds and the selling price of a unit on the date of the allotment of units. In addition, during any particular financial year, as a unitholder, you will receive:-
	(a) An audited annual report for the financial year-end of the unit trust fund, which provides an account of the unit trust fund, including a complete portfolio listing and your annual statement reflecting the transactions for the year. (b) An unaudited six months interim report which provides an account of the unit trust fund, including a complete portfolio listing and your interim statement reflecting the transactions for the period. (c) A tax voucher showing details required for submission to the Inland Revenue Department at every income distribution (if any) of the unit trust fund.

25.	What other ways can I obtain information on the performance of the unit trust fund which I have invested in?
	You can also keep track of the performance of unit trust funds through the following:-
	(a) The financial section of local newspapers; (b) Semi-annual reports, annual reports and performance statements from the fund manager; (c) Monthly or quarterly fund fact-sheets; and (d) The websites of UTMC.

26	Can I change from one unit trust funds to another?
	You may request the proceeds from the sale of your units to be reinvested in another unit trust fund offered by the same UTMC. This transaction is called a switch.

27.	What happens when I sell the unit trust fund I bought with my EPF savings?
	You may sell you unit trust fund at any time in the ordinary manner. The proceeds from the sale will be paid by the UTMC directly to EPF, to be re-credited into your Account 1.

28.	What are the types of returns I can expect from unit trust fund investment?
	The returns on investment for unitholders are usually in the form of capital appreciation & distributions through income generated from the portfolio of the assets held by the unit trust fund.

29.	How soon can I realise my investment?
	By and large unit trust funds are medium to long term in nature. The longer you are prepared to commit your money to an investment in unit trust funds, the better the potential returns will be as the longer period reduces the impact of market volatility on investment.

30.	Are the returns of the unit trust fund guaranteed?
	Similar to other forms of investments, there are risks involved when investing in unit trust fund and returns cannot be guaranteed. Prices can rise or fall and investors have to exercise judgment and make their own decisions.

31.	What happens if I do not claim my distribution money?
	If you leave your distribution cheque uncashed for more than six months (being the cheque’s validity period), the UTMC will reinvest the distribution by purchasing for you additional units in the unit trust fund.

32.	Will my unit trust fund investment income be taxed?
	In general, the dividend income received by the unit trust fund is subject to tax, however capital gains are generally tax-exempted. You should consult an independent tax consultant to enquire details of related matter on taxation for investing in unit trust fund.

33.	What is ‘dollar cost averaging’ and how does it benefit me?
	The concept refers to the systematic and regular investment of a fixed amount of money, irrespective of the price level. Investors are likely to be better off by investing on a regular basis throughout all stages of a market cycle rather than investing all their capital at one time. By using this concept, you can turn fluctuating prices to your advantage; especially if prices are moving down you can purchase more units and reduce the average cost of your entire investment portfolio. By buying more units when prices are low and fewer when they are high, you give yourself an advantage over other investors who try to time their investment decision and get it wrong!

CHANNELING YOUR CONCERNS

34.	If I have a complaint against a UTMC, IUTA or UTC, to whom do I direct the complaint?
	Any complaint of misconduct or non-compliance with any guideline or regulation by any UTMC, IUTA or UTC may be lodged with the Complaints Bureau of FMUTM.

35.	Does the Complaints Bureau handle all types of complaint?
	The Complaints Bureau will not consider complaints, disputes or claims relating to unit trust fund returns, UTMC policies (provided they are not in breach of any guideline issued by the Securities Commission and/or FMUTM), breach of any contract or agreement (e.g. agency, distribution etc) and cases which have been referred to the police, court or for arbitration.

36.	How do I make a complaint to the Complaints Bureau?
	You may call the Complaints Bureau at *03-2093 3800* to make your complaint. However, for purposes of investigation, consideration and record, all complaints MUST be made in writing and the form for complaints is provided at www.fmutm.com.my. Once completed, the complaints form may be sent online or by e-mail; or downloaded and sent by fax or post (where there are supporting documents to be attached).

37.	Does the Complaints Bureau impose any fee for its services?
	No, the services provided by the Complaints Bureau are free of charge.

38.	What happens after I have lodged a complaint with the Complaints Bureau?
	FMUTM will carry out the necessary investigation and you will be informed of the outcome in due course.

39.	What kind of award can I expect to get from the Complaints Bureau?
	The Complaints Bureau has no power to award or order for payment of any compensation or damages to the complainant. If the UTMC, IUTA or UTC is found guilty of any misconduct or non-compliance with any guideline or regulation, the UTMC, IUTA or UTC will face the appropriate disciplinary action.

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