Paytm to sell insurance and mutual fund

Paytm is planning a major thrust in the financial services sector. In coming months, the company is planning to launch services including mutual funds, general insurance, life insurance and a number of banking services via its payments bank. It shall also provide option to transact offline with a physical debit card. “There is a lot of interest among consumers for physical debit cards. Within a time period, we have received orders from 850 towns. We are in the process of setting up banking outlets that will provide deposit, cash withdrawal, money transfer and other permitted banking services to the segment of customers who require assistance,” said Renu Satti, managing director and chief executive officer, Paytm Payments Bank, said. The company is set to add more than 100,000 Paytm banking outlets to expand the reach of its banking services. It has committed $400 million over the next three years to expand offline distribution network by allowing trusted local partners to act as potential cash-in and cash-out points.”Some of the services, especially wealth management, lending and insurance, will be provided in partnership with other banks and financial institutions after due regulatory approvals,” Satti said. Paytm Money, the company set up recently to deal in money market fund, is in discussions with asset management companies to offer direct mutual fund investments.