mine 2sen
1) must get agent that really can share you information; how the fund performance in the past, and what the fund invested.
    Some agent have such information.
    But Agent also not GOD; they cant predict the future which one better for customer ; UT also can loose money if dont understand well.

thru Bank - may deal different ppl handle your request ; need to go bank to do and follow bank time
Bank staff - also need knowledge of the fund.

2) Yes their service charge higher u need to find Fund House which is cheaper. Im not sure the bank sale charge - but i know BANK sometime come promotion for higher FD rate need to invest certain amount allocated in UT.

3) Best is diversify - but understand what the fund invested ; like geographical area; type of fund; the strategic/objective fund invested.
Like different fund but focus on CHINA only; then this not diversify. Equirty or growth or income; or bond type.
4) Up to you how u want to monitor - ur spirit good can monitor everyday after awhile lazy to see the movement very slow.
When start to topup u may want to decide which one to invest- every month want to toup sure u want to see the monthly fund performance

5) UT dont give divident but distribution - Dividend in stock is very wide - some dividend are special dividen; dividend from their cash flow; dividend % promise to given; cycle dividend ; dividend yield, substainibility divident, divident ex date etc...
U can go thru the stock exchange to read.

5.5%

UT MOSLTY single -Tier..once you receive the distribution automaticall will deduct the tax..therefore u dont need to do anyting.
SUmmary you get nett amount after deduct frm gov tax.