Business
BSE, Department Of Posts Enter Agreement To Expand Mutual Fund Access Across India
New Delhi: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Posts to enable distribution of mutual fund products through India Post’s extensive postal network. Under the three‑year agreement, selected employees and agents of the Department of Posts will be trained and onboarded as certified mutual fund distributors to offer products and investor services via the BSE’s StAR Mutual Fund platform, the statement said.
The StAR MF platform handles more than 85 per cent of exchange‑based mutual fund transactions and records over 7 crore transactions monthly — to extend investor access into rural and semi‑urban areas. The Department of Posts, with over 1.64 lakh post offices across the country, can enable last-mile access, investor education, and trust-driven mutual fund distribution nationwide.
This strategic partnership aims to deepen financial inclusion by leveraging India Post’s physical reach, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, and BSE’s StAR MF platform, India’s largest online mutual fund distribution ecosystem, the statement said.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of India for their vision in reimagining the role of India Post as a catalyst for inclusive growth,” BSE MD &CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy said, adding that the collaboration aims to democratise access to financial products and empower millions with investment opportunities and financial literacy.
Department of Posts’ GM, CCS & RB, Manisha Bansal Badal, said the vision aligns with the BSE’s vision of nurturing a professional, transparent, and investor-friendly mutual fund ecosystem in India. “India Post has always been a trusted institution for the common man, offering a wide range of savings and financial services,” she said.
This initiative is expected to accelerate mutual fund penetration in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, strengthen investor confidence, and contribute to India’s vision of a financially empowered society. The government had earlier announced plans for India Post to evolve into a technology-driven logistics provider and achieve 80 per cent private-sector contribution in business revenues with Rs 25,000 crore in parcel business revenue over the next five years.
Heineken has announced a substantial investment exceeding £44 million into hundreds of its pubs across the UK, a move expected to create approximately 850 jobs.
The Dutch brewing giant’s Star Pubs operation, which manages 2,350 sites nationwide, is undertaking this significant financial commitment despite a challenging period for the pub sector.
The industry has faced considerable pressure over the past year, grappling with escalating labour costs and increases in national insurance contributions.
Concurrently, consumer spending has been constrained by concerns over inflation and rising unemployment, further impacting pub revenues. However, pubs did receive additional business rates support from the government last month, aimed at alleviating some of these financial burdens.
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, indicated that the investment strategy is partly designed to bolster revenues and help the group navigate the recent “sustained increases in running costs”.
This year, £44.5 million will be allocated to upgrades for 647 pubs. A notable 108 of these venues are earmarked for particularly significant cash injections, with each transformation costing at least £145,000.
Heineken clarified that while the majority of its pubs are group-owned, they are independently operated by local licensees. A key focus for this investment, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 football World Cup, will be on sports-focused venues.
The pub firm and brewer has a history of significant investment in British pubs, having pumped £328 million into the sector since 2018. Work has already commenced at 52 locations, including eight projects dedicated to reopening boarded-up pubs that have endured lengthy closures.
Mr Mountstevens also urged the government to reduce the tax burden on pubs, arguing it would ease cost pressures and foster further job creation within the industry.
He stated: “We can only do so much; the root-and-branch reform of business rates that the industry has been calling for over many years is urgently required, as well as a lowering of the burden of taxation on pubs, including VAT and beer duty.”
He concluded with a direct appeal: “We are calling on the Government to support us in bringing out the best in the Great British pub.”
GameStop’s boss Ryan Cohen says he sees potential to make eBay a much bigger rival to Amazon.
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It comes as the US said on Monday it will begin to help “guide” vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz.
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