Investor education key to counter get-rich-quick culture: Sunil Subramaniam

A recent survey showing that 62% of retail investors follow advice from financial influencers has sparked a wider debate on the future of investment culture in India. Sunil Subramaniam, MD and CEO of Sundaram Mutual Fund in an interview to ET Now, shared his perspective on the findings and their implications for both investors and the financial industry.

“It is a mix of both,” he said when asked whether the trend signals democratisation or herd-driven risk. “Post-Covid, equity markets have done phenomenally well, with SIP penetration growing from about ₹10,000 crore a month to nearly ₹30,000 crore now. Campaigns like ‘Mutual Fund Sahi Hai’ have created huge awareness. But, the same success has attracted people looking to gamble—through F&O options, smallcaps, and IPOs. For them, finfluencers’ get-rich-quick schemes are very appealing.”

Subramaniam stressed the need for investor education and responsible distribution. “Equities are a good wealth creation and inflation-beating asset class, but not like a lottery. Distribution is key because a lack of trust in financial institutions was surprising to me, despite big names like SBI and HDFC being in the space.”

On the survey’s insight that 79% of Gen Z investors are risk-averse, he explained: “Risk aversion is not related to literacy, it comes from upbringing. Financial literacy cannot turn a risk-averse person into a risk-taker. But the industry can create safer, simpler products like hybrid or liquid funds and market them better, instead of only pushing high-risk sectoral funds.”

The findings also reflect India’s income divide. “Ten percent of the population controls 60% of income, while 1% controls 40% of wealth. SEBI is promoting ₹250 SIPs, so even low earners can participate. But we must design the right risk-based products and educate investors that not all equity exposure is high-risk.”

He also highlighted barriers to rural penetration. “Many want communication in their local language, not just Hindi or Tamil. Trust in banks should be leveraged to expand reach. Moreover, 65% of household savings are in real estate and gold. Products like REITs or gold mutual funds can bridge comfort with physical assets and financial markets.” On derivatives trading, he was cautious. “Only 1% of Indians participate in F&O, but that still means a large number. SEBI’s study shows 90% make losses. This is gambling behaviour, amplified by social media and finfluencers. With cheap data and high mobile penetration, F&O access has widened. The regulator and industry must step in to protect investors.” The survey, he noted, is a signal for the industry to rethink. “Investors are talking to us. We have to listen.”