'BUILD WEALTH THAT LASTS' THE ROAD TO FORTUNE

In the latest episode of the Simple Hai! podcast, finance journalist Vivek Law, along with Vikas Satija, Managing Director and CEO of Shriram Wealth, discussed the evolving wealth management industry. Satija, a seasoned professional who has been part of the mutual fund sector since its early days in India, shared sharp insights on investor behaviour, the role of technology, and Shriram Wealth’s ambitious roadmap.

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Wealth Management in Modern India

Reflecting on the early years of his career in 1998-99, Satija recalled how discussions about money were often considered inappropriate. Parents even discouraged their children from being part of financial conversations in banks. Wealth management was seen as a privilege of the elite, with little relevance to the middle class.

That perception transformed dramatically. Today, India counts nearly 30 lakh households with a financial surplus of Rs 2 crore or more, excluding gold and real estate. Central to this shift has been the rise of SIPs. Initially met with scepticism, SIPs have fueled unprecedented growth in the mutual fund industry from Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 27,000 crore over the last five years alone.

The true marker of maturity, Satija noted, was evident during the Covid-19 crisis. Unlike the 2008-09 crash, when panicked investors exited en masse, Indian investors continued investing through SIPs during the pandemic. This resilience demonstrated an evolved understanding: wealth creation is a long-term process, not a short-term gamble.

As India’s financial sector matures, Satija believes, the balance between technology and trusted advice, the shift from product to solutions, and the democratization of expertise will be central themes shaping its future

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