Updated on: Sep 15th, 2022
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2 min read
Everybody who has a bank account is familiar with the long bank account number. The bank assigns this number to customers, like an identification number unique to the account holder. Similarly, fund houses as well allot such a number to every mutual fund investor, and it is called the Folio Number. This article covers everything about folio numbers in detail.
Folio numbers are unique and are issued to mutual fund investors. However, if you hold more than one share of a mutual fund, only one folio number will be issued. It represents your shares in a mutual fund scheme. Therefore, folio numbers ensure systematic storing of mutual fund investment records. It is also easy to settle disputes with the folio number records. It can be quickly obtained from your mutual fund statement or from the fund house or broker.
At the time of application, the column for the folio is left blank. The fund house or the asset management company generates the number only after your first investment. For instance, if you become an investor in Fund A, they assign you a folio different from that assigned by, say, Fund B. Therefore, you may buy different funds under different folios. However, it will be easier if you can get the AMC to combine every holding under one number.
Mutual fund statements are important as it summarises your investment trail in that fund. Similar to how a bank account statement shows every transaction you do on a particular bank account. Hence, the folio number is an integral component of your mutual fund statement. You must make sure that this number is the same every time you invest. Using the same folio number will make it easier for you to manage your investments with the AMC. They must email a statement to you within 2-3 days after investing, and a hard copy in 7-10 days.
Earlier, checking the mutual fund statement was the only way to find folio number. Therefore, if the statement gets lost or damaged, investors went through a lot of hassle in getting a new one. But not anymore. There are multiple ways to find or retrieve your folio number, as shown in the table.
Consolidated Account Statements (CAS) | App or Website of the AMC | Mutual Fund Statements |
Like bank issues passbook for savings or salary accounts | You can make your fund transactions app-based or online | Fund house gives it to investors at the time of purchasing the fund |
They issue it monthly for free. There will be extra charges for other statement requests | Both the app and online portal are commission-free | AMC charges requests for new copies accordingly |
Reflects info about the entire scheme including folio | Folio is available on every e-statement | You will receive the folio number as email and SMS |
Having your folio number saved will always be of great use. This will allow you to check the performance of your mutual fund investments and take informed decisions accordingly. If you haven’t considered mutual funds as a good investment avenue, then now is the time. ClearTax Save is a convenient option as we have hand-picked best-performing funds from India’s top AMCs. Start investing.