Meritz Securities, 114% Surge in Account Openings in Q1

Strengthening Competitiveness in the Retail Sector

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji-hwan Park] Meritz Securities' number of stock account openings in the first quarter of this year has increased by more than 100% compared to last year. It is evaluated that the retail sector is showing remarkable growth following the corporate finance (IB) division.

Meritz Securities announced on the 10th that the number of stock account openings in the first quarter of this year increased by 114% compared to the first quarter of last year, due to the recent influx of individual investors into the stock market.

A Meritz Securities official explained, "The number of active stock trading accounts surged as individual investors seeking bargain purchases flocked in, and non-face-to-face account openings using PCs or smartphones also increased significantly." The number of overseas stock and overseas derivatives trading accounts also surged by 384% compared to the first quarter of last year, and related revenue skyrocketed by 479%.

Meritz Securities newly designed a system through its mobile trading system (MTS), the Meritz Smart application (app), allowing trading of domestic and international stocks and derivatives without switching apps. Investors are provided with stock analysis for three countries: the United States, China, and Hong Kong. The preferential interest rate event (3.90%) for credit loan interest rates conducted over the past two years is also planned to be extended.

On the 7th, Meritz Securities successfully completed the first issuance of 101.7 billion KRW worth of electronic short-term bonds with an interest rate in the 2% range, targeting retail customers. Following the first issuance, the second issuance is underway on the same day. The interest rates vary by maturity: 1 month (2.2%), 2 months (2.3%), and 3 months (2.4%). As the interest rates of major deposit products have fallen to the 0% range, this is regarded as a high-interest product in the low-interest era.

A Meritz Securities official emphasized, "This special product was launched as a token of appreciation for customers using the comprehensive asset management account (CMA) type 종금형CMA," adding, "We will take the lead in creating customer value by strengthening competitiveness in the retail sector."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.