Latest news with #SameerMathur
News18
30-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Gold, Equity, Debt: How Multi Asset Funds Help You Diversify And Stay Protected
Hybrid mutual funds are gaining popularity amid market volatility, balancing risk and return. Hybrid Funds: As equity markets remain volatile and fixed-income returns struggle to beat inflation, hybrid mutual funds are emerging as a preferred option for investors seeking a balance of risk and return. Experts say hybrid funds offer stability through debt and commodities while allowing growth via equity exposure. Understanding The Hybrid Landscape According to SEBI's classification, hybrid mutual funds are divided into seven categories: Conservative Hybrid, Aggressive Hybrid, Balanced Hybrid, Balanced Advantage, Multi Asset Allocation, Arbitrage, and Equity Savings Funds. 'Investors usually opt for conservative or aggressive hybrid funds based on their risk appetite and time horizon," says Sameer Mathur, MD and Founder of Roinet Solutions. He adds, 'But Multi Asset Allocation Funds are now catching investor attention, especially with rising gold prices acting as a hedge during market corrections." Multi Asset Allocation Funds require a minimum of 10% allocation in each of three asset classes—equity, debt, and commodities (typically gold or silver). This spread helps reduce volatility while still targeting decent returns. 'Gold's recent performance makes this category particularly attractive for those seeking diversification and inflation protection," Mathur explains. Sanket Prabhu, Director and Head of Wealth, notes, 'Balanced Advantage Funds are the most flexible of all. Fund managers can adjust equity exposure dynamically—buy more when markets are cheap and reduce when they're overvalued." He adds, 'Regardless of category, always assess a fund's track record through different market cycles. Pick what suits your goals and risk tolerance." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Retiring without children? Here's how to plan for a comfortable and secure future
In India, family has always been the backbone of support, especially during old age. Children are often seen as the ones who'll stand by you, manage your medical needs, and take care of your finances when you can't. But what if you don't have children? How do you plan for those later years when you know you'll have to stand strong on your own?advertisementToday, more and more Indians are choosing to remain child-free or find themselves without direct heirs for various reasons. For them, retirement planning isn't just about saving money and building a corpus, it's about securing comfort, care, dignity, and independence in their golden spoke to Ajay Kumar Yadav, Group CEO and CIO, Wise Finserv Private Wealth, and Sameer Mathur, MD and Founder of Roinet Solution, to understand how people can protect their future, health, and peace of mind when they don't have children to lean YOUR OWN SAFETY NET Sameer Mathur sums it up best: 'Without the usual safety net of children to fall back on for support—be it emotional, financial, or in managing health, these individuals need to plan more carefully and independently.'In other words, your savings have to stretch further. He advises building a retirement fund worth at least 20–25 times your expected annual expenses. For instance, if you think you'll need Rs 6 lakh a year to live comfortably, you should aim for a corpus of around Rs 1.0–1.2 crore, at the very Kumar Yadav, Group CEO and CIO at Wise Finserv Private Wealth, adds another layer, 'Ensure that 60–70% of your monthly expenses are covered through guaranteed income asset classes such as annuities, bonds, or other fixed income instruments that generate cash flows regularly.'Sameer Mathur also points to annuity plans from LIC or the National Pension System (NPS) as smart picks for those retiring without children, since they provide steady income for life. Additionally, systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs) from mutual funds can help you handle surprise costs without depleting your main PLAN FOR RISING COSTSMedical costs in India are climbing every year. And when you don't have children to take you to the doctor or manage your medicines, you need to plan advises, 'Start with a comprehensive health insurance policy early in life. It's your first line of defence. Build a separate medical fund for costs like home care, nursing, or treatments insurance may not cover.'Yadav agrees: 'To handle inflation-linked health expenses, make a separate medical and elder care fund, ideally 20–25% of your total corpus.'Also, check out senior-specific insurance plans that include add-ons for critical illness, day-care procedures, and even home healthcare. If you can find it, long-term care insurance or a dedicated elder care fund can go a long way in paying for nursing staff or assisted living expenses that children would usually help CARE: YOUR BACKUP TEAMadvertisementGrowing old alone doesn't have to mean feeling lonely or helpless. Senior living communities are slowly finding acceptance in India. Many offer not just a place to stay but medical facilities, social activities, and a sense of reminds us: 'Consider senior living communities that offer medical support and social connection, they're slowly becoming more accepted in India.'The key is to plan and choose what suits you best, whether that's hiring home help, shifting to a retirement community, or keeping funds ready for assisted living if you ever need MATTERS: PUT IT IN WRITINGOne of the biggest risks for people without direct heirs is not having clear legal instructions. In India, family disputes over property are common, especially when there's no explains,'A clear and updated will is essential, it ensures your assets go exactly where you want them to, whether it's to extended family, close friends, or a cause you care about.''Draft a clear and registered Will that outlines how your assets should be distributed, whether to family members, friends, or charities,' echoes Yadav. He also suggests setting up a private trust if you have significant from a will, appoint someone you trust as Power of Attorney to handle your finances if you're ever unable to do so. A Living Will or Advance Directive can make sure your medical wishes are respected, especially when you can't speak for WITHOUT CHILDREN: A LIFE BY DESIGNNot having children doesn't have to mean your later years are uncertain. As Ajay Kumar Yadav says, "Planning for retirement without children isn't about what's missing, it's about what's possible. With the right financial discipline, legal foresight, and emotional awareness, you can build a future where your later years are defined not by dependence, but by dignity and choice."Simply put, your retirement should be a time to live life on your terms, secure, comfortable, and free. With some extra planning and the courage to prepare for the unexpected, that dream is entirely possible, even if you're doing it prepared, stay independent, and live the life you've worked so hard for.- Ends advertisement
Mint
16-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
What triggers the ‘credit hunger' flag on your credit report and how to avoid it
Credit bureaus are increasingly vigilant about identifying 'credit-hungry' consumers, signalling this behaviour through frequent loan applications or hard inquiries. This can influence your credit score and lender behaviour significantly. Credit bureaus monitor hard enquiries, applications for loans or credit cards. Multiple hard inquiries within a short duration of time may signal credit hungry or loan‑dependence behaviour to lenders. RBI‑mandated fortnightly reporting since January 2025 has fast‑tracked borrowers' activities into credit files. This heightened frequency means high-risk patterns are detected more rapidly. Not only this, as a responsible borrower you should try to ensure that your credit utilisation ratio is kept in check and you are never in a position to be overly dependent on just credit to meet day to day expenses. Sameer Mathur, MD and Founder of Roinet Solution, says 'Credit bureaus typically flag credit hunger based on the type and frequency of enquiries. A soft enquiry, such as checking loan eligibility, is harmless and doesn't impact your score—it simply shows that you're exploring your options. But a hard inquiry, which happens when you formally apply for credit, indicates a strong intent to borrow. When multiple hard enquiries occur in a short span, it signals to lenders that the borrower might be under financial stress.' It is therefore like walking into five different financial institutions and banks in a week requesting them for personal loans. Eventually they will take note of this and presume that you are in financial trouble. That is how credit bureaus see frequent hard inquiries. Echoing this, Manish Shara, Co-founder & CEO of ZET, says 'Applying for several credit cards or loans back-to-back sets off red flags at credit bureaus. This behaviour is commonly tagged as 'credit hungry', often pointing to financial instability or overdependence on borrowed funds. Each hard inquiry slightly erodes your credit score, so a smarter approach is to space out your credit applications, borrow only when truly needed, and maintain a solid repayment track record.' The RBI has mandated lenders to update credit data every 15 days, replacing the old and outdated monthly cycles. That is why, even the speed of loan applications now plays a role, not just the amount borrowed. This shift benefits focused and disciplined borrowers whose consistent on time repayments reflect quickly but also highlights those applying for multiple credit lines in quick succession. Frequent applications are a clear sign of financial stress, a point echoed across industry channels. RBI's goal is to curb over‑leveraging by detecting such behaviour early. So that defaults and bad practices in lending can be curtailed. Lenders may interpret rapid credit applications as default risk, potentially leading to higher interest rates or declined credit. Space out your loan applications to ensure that you minimise hard enquiries. Focus on only applying when necessary. Seek pre-approved offers, all such offers generally use soft checks and don't hurt your credit score or damage your credit profile in any way. Manage credit utilisation by purposefully capping card use below 30‑40 %. This strict practice helps avoid red flags. Monitor your report on a consistent basis, check for any unauthorised inquiries; quickly report any fraudulent applications promptly. In our nation, a healthy credit score (750+) facilitates better personal loan terms and access to premium credit card products from leading financial institutions. Conversely, being flagged for credit hunger can push one into risky interest categories, higher default probability or trigger denials. With faster credit bureau updates, even short sprees in credit seeking can have long lasting effects. Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fintechs for providing credit; you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit scores. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit, as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
Mint
28-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Worried about identity theft? Here's how a credit freeze can help
With identity theft and data breaches becoming more frequent, it has never been more important to protect your credit profile. One of the best ways to protect your financial identity from unwanted access is through a credit freeze. A credit freeze is one tool that can take away access to your credit report. Once a credit freeze is in place, it prevents any credit card issuer, lender, or even a fraudster, from accessing your credit report. Also, the credit freeze will stop new accounts from being created in your name. If you choose, a credit freeze can be temporarily lifted or permanently removed, and it does not affect your credit score. A credit freeze is helpful in all of the following situations: You have been a victim of identity theft. Your personal documents are missing. You are not applying for new credit any time soon. You would like to protect your financial health. 'A credit freeze, or security freeze, is a proactive step to protect yourself from identity theft by restricting access to your credit report. It's a great way to safeguard your financial identity without affecting your credit score. There are four main credit bureaus in India: CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark. To start one, you must contact all four, provide proof of who you are, and get a unique PIN for future use. It is a good way to protect your financial identity that usually doesn't cost anything and won't hurt your credit score or existing loans,' stated Sameer Mathur MD and Founder of Roinet Solution. When you freeze your credit: Your credit file becomes inaccessible to credit reporting agencies Lenders will not be able to process applications submitted in your name However, in very limited circumstances your current creditors and a few government agencies may still access your report. 1. Contact each of the credit bureaus: You will have to go to the official websites of CRIF High Mark, Experian, Equifax, CIBIL. Each bureau must be handled separately. 2. Provide your identification: You will need to provide documentation such as, PAN or Aadhaar, proof of address, your most recent credit report, which is helpful but not mandatory. 3. Create a password: You may need to create a PIN. You will need that in the future when you will want to remove the frozen. Temporarily lifted when you apply for a credit card or loan Permanently removed when you no longer need it A freeze can be removed by using your PIN either online, over the phone or in writing. A credit freeze does not prevent the use of existing accounts. If you do not remove it ahead of time, there might be a slight delay before loans are approved. Make sure to unfreeze a credit freeze when applying for new credit. In conclusion, freezing your credit is a smart, proactive way, not just poison control, to protect yourself financially. While it may not feel like much, freezing your credit is a solid defence against identity theft and credit fraud. For those concerned about the state of their credit, it's a safeguard worth consideration. Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fin-techs for providing credit, you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit score. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
What comes after UPI? Can BBPS and voice-led payments replicate its success
In a country of 1.4 billion people, developing the worldwide normalcy of digital banking through India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been nothing less than transformational. UPI processed an unprecedented 19.78 billion transactions in March of 2025 for a total value of ₹ 24.77 trillion. The digital payment narrative in India is shifting radically, as the 'new normal' sets in. The direction of the future of India includes voice-led payment solutions and the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). This is not just the next chapter. It's a rewrite of the playbook. When UPI launched in 2016, only a few had anticipated the kind of financial democratization it eventually unleashed. Today, with 11.5 billion transactions which take place in a single month (April 2024), UPI is undoubtedly the heartbeat of India's cashless economy. But while UPI simplifies peer-to-peer and merchant payments, BBPS is quietly transforming how India pays its bills. 'While UPI continues to break records, the future of digital payments in India lies in two parallel shifts—BBPS and voice-led interfaces,' says Sameer Mathur, Managing Director and Founder of Roinet Solution. 'BBPS has seen a 60% year-on-year surge in transaction value in FY24, now processing over 28 crore monthly bill payments across utilities, education, and taxes.' That scale isn't just impressive—it's foundational. BBPS brings structure and interoperability to recurring payments, covering the long tail of Indian households who want their electricity, water, broadband, and school fees paid with a single tap. Its API-first, regulator-backed framework ensures that these payments are secure, standardized, and widely accessible. But the most exciting innovation may not involve screens at all—it's the rise of voice-led payments, a game-changer for India's 700 million feature phone users. Voice AI, now achieving up to 95% accuracy in regional languages, is turning spoken instructions into financial actions. Picture this: a farmer in rural Odisha pays his electricity bill using a simple voice command. A street vendor in Uttar Pradesh checks his BBPS payment status through a missed call. The digital divide begins to dissolve. 'With digital payments deeply ingrained in India's financial ecosystem, forward-thinking companies know the next wave of opportunity lies in accessible, inclusive platforms like Bharat BillPay—especially when combined with voice-led processing,' says Rohit Mahajan, Managing Partner and Founder of plutos ONE. 'New players like NPCI's Conversational Voice Payments and BBPS's BillPay Connect are empowering users to transact via voice commands or even missed calls, breaking digital barriers to inclusion.' A tech-agnostic ecosystem is emerging and you can pay offline or pay with a QR code, a feature phone, a smart phone or a voice. This ecosystem, which is responsive to India's vast variety in connectivity, literacy, and access to devices, sees innovation as a necessity rather than an option. This convergence of platform and interface is a mission and not a roadmap. Digital payments, according to some industry figures, will encompass every facet of society by 2029, from high-rises in Mumbai to tribal hamlets in Chhattisgarh. BBPS and voice, as part of India's payment system, are extensions, multiples and reinforcements of UPI, and not replacements or alternatives. They see the world, collectively, as a future where all Indians can join the digital economy no matter their literacy level, language and device you are using. UPI may have sparked the revolution—but BBPS and voice are building the republic.
