For public mutual, yes, you are suppose to go through an agent/consultant. there is an option for a series of fund called PB which you can go straight to the bank, but no agent, and charge is the same, so you might as well go through an agent. The agent/consultant is suppose to explain to you whatever you need to know and answer your questions and help you with the forms. So this is suppose to make it all easier. You can email/talk with a few agents first before deciding who you want to sign up with. for many people, this is critical, so choose wisely. ask him/her about his/her own investment track record if possible, update frequency with custoner, switching or buy and hold strategy, etc.

Before signing up with the agent, he will provide you the prospectus, which is a good reference to keep and browse through. You may also want to ask for the latest fund review/performance report. Ask him/her to show you how to read the report so that you have some idea of what to expect from the funds perfirmance.