TMBAM goes mobile

TMB Asset Management has upgraded its Fundlink Online internet trading service, claiming to be the first asset management company to offer mobile trading of mutual fund units on smartphones.

CEO Somjin Sornpaisarn said the service would allow investors to buy or sell units and review the order status through a mobile app.

The service allows trading by debiting from accounts of eight commercial banks.

‘‘The market is now highly volatile and investors sometimes need to move quickly to adjust their trading portfolios to catch up with market movements. Real-time information can help reduce risks of losses and give them more opportunities to make money,’’ said Mr Somjin.

Under the new trading platform, investors can also invest in global securities through global equity funds.

The online trading application also includes long-term equity funds (LTFs) and retirement mutual funds (RMFs).

He said provident fund clients can also choose to adopt the TMBAM Fundlink M Choice online service.

Mr Somjin said TMBAM has seen healthy growth in provident funds, with total assets under management of 13.5 billion baht. Of the total value, 5.5 billion baht is put under M-Choice (employeechoice) where members can select asset classes by themselves.

The company projects its provident fund growth this year will be around 15% after it achieved 10% growth yearto-date. The company has managed assets of clients in around 100,000 accounts, half of which use the online trading service. Around 20,000 to 30,000 of those trading online are active.

Mr Somjin said mutual fund investors have improved their ability to adjust and make higher returns, as the growth of equity funds has expanded gradually to around 15% this year from only 4-5% of total mutual funds’ assets size in 2011.

Previously, most Thai investors preferred to invest in fixed-income funds because of low risk. However, the proportion of equity fund investors is lower than the 50% level in developed markets.