Open FREE trading and demat account with ICICldirect

A demat account or dematerialized account is an account which allows investors to hold shares in an electronic form. A depository is similar to a bank. A demat account holds the certificates of financial instruments like shares, bonds, government securities, mutual funds etc. It involves the process of converting physical shares into electronic form for easy access and trading. It enables you to electronically buy and sell shares on the stock market, without having to exchange physical share certificates and paperwork. As per SEBI guidelines, the Transfer of shares in physical form stopped from April 1, 2019.

Ease of investing in equity market without hassle of holding shares in physical form is one of the main feature of Demat account. As stocks are held in electronic format there is no fear of physical damage to share certificates or theft. A demat account is a safe, convenient, and an efficient way of holding your valuable investment certificates/securities.

Advantages/Benefits of Demat account

• Elimination of costs such as handling expenses, stamp duty, safety etc. which is involved in physical securities
• No paperwork since securities held in electronic form
• Electronic credit of all corporate action of the respective company directly to your Demat Account (Bonus/splits/mergers) or to the linked bank account (Dividends, etc.)
• Account can be opened under BSDA Facility (Basic Service Demat Account)
• Zero risk as it is the Secure and convenient way to keep track of shares
• Quick Settlement
• Time-Saving as electronic format is instant
• No Storage Risk –It eliminates the threat of theft, forgery, fake certificates, non-delivery, etc.

Along with a demat account, you need to open a trading account which is a platform provided by stock broker to invest/trade in the stock exchanges (NSE / BSE). To invest / trade you need to have a bank balance in your linked savings account. ICICIdirect 3 in 1 account integrates trading, demat and savings account, so that you can trade seamlessly in the stock market.

The key difference between a Demat and a Trading account is that a Demat account is used to hold your securities such as your share certificates and other documents in electronic format whereas a Trading account is used for buying and selling these securities in the stock market. The combination of Trading, Demat and savings account is known as a 3-in-1 account in the stock market.

ICICIdirect offers you a Unique 3-in-1 On-line Trading Account which integrates your demat, savings and trading account to have secure and seamless investment experience. View live share price, do share trading on NSE and BSE, trade in Futures & Options, Currencies, invest in Mutual Funds, IPOs and Life Insurance through our seamless and secure 3-in-1 online trading account.

Advantages of 3-in-1 account:

The 3-in-1 trading account gives you the convenience of opening a demat, trading & bank account. Trade in Shares, Futures & Options, Currencies, invest in Mutual Funds, IPOs and Life Insurance through our seamless and secure 3-in-1 online trading account.

• Integrates your banking, trading and demat account
• Single window for all your investment needs
• Live streaming quotes with Trade Racer
• Accessibility on multiple platforms for trading like web, mobile and call-n-trade(Place order over the phone)
• Distinguished Brokerage Plans for various Products

The Account opening fee varies from 0 to 975 rupees. There are multiple schemes available, for more details on the scheme, please call on 1860 123 1122.
There is no AMC (Annual Maintenance charge) for Demat Account for the 1st Year. However charge of 700 (excluding taxes) is levied from 2nd year onwards.
If the Demat account is under BSDA, no AMC is levied for holding value upto 50000. For more details refer https://www.icicibank.com/managed-assets/docs/personal/demat/NSDL-rate-card.pdf

Documents required:

• Address proof
• Permanent Account Number (PAN) card
• Passport-sized colour photographs

To Transfer shares from another Depository Participant you have to submit a request letter along with a Client Master List (CML) of your ICICI Bank Demat Account to the SOURCE Depository Participant so that your investments are transferred here without any charges.