If you have tried your hand at stock trading, you may know how a demat account works. When you buy equity shares, these get credited into your demat account. Similarly, when you sell those shares, they get debited from your demat account. The account functions like a savings bank account, except that instead of parking cash it stores your financial security certificates.You can open an account with a depository participant (DP) like a bank or broker. In return for the service, you will incur demat account charges.
Now, you know that an individual can hold multiple bank accounts. Does this option extend to demat accounts as well? The answer is ‘yes’. However, there are some conditions to bear in mind if you are planning to open a second or third demat account. Being aware of these restrictions will ensure a seamless demat account opening process.
Have questions about the implications of opening multiple demat accounts? Here are the answers to some common demat account questions:
1. Is it legal to have more than one demat account in India?
Yes, it is legal to hold more than one demat account. In fact, there are no restrictions on the number of demat accounts a person can have provided you keep paying the demat account charges.
Is there scope for confusion? Not really. That’s because each time you open a demat account, your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card serves as the unique identifier.No matter how many demat accounts you open, they will all be linked to the same PAN. All the security transactions you make through those multiple accounts will be reflected accordingly.
2. Can you open two demat accounts with the same broker?
Unfortunately,that is not possible. You cannot apply for another account with your existing broker. However, you can approach a different broker to openthe second demat account. Just ensure that the broker is registered with one of the central depositories, whether Central Depository Services Ltd(CDSL) or National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL).
3. Isit safe to keep shares in multiple demat accounts?
Your shares are secure in any demat account. Opening multiple demat accounts will not compromise their safety. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that stockbrokers have no control over demat accounts. Your shares in the demat account are held with a central depository—either CDSL or NSDL. The stockbroker is simply a depository participant (DP) acting on behalf of the depository.
4. Do multiple demat accounts need multiple trading accounts?
No, they do not. You can link your subsequent demat accounts with any existing trading account. For instance, if you engage in both trading and investing, you could maintain one demat account for stock trading and another for your investments.This would allow you to segregate your trading and investment portfolios with ease.
5. What pointers should be noted before opening multiple demat accounts?
• You will incur demat account charges for every account you hold. While some DPs waive the account opening fee, you will have to pay an annual maintenance charge (AMC) as well as transaction charges.The AMC would apply even if one of your demat accounts is lying idle.If you don’t really need the extra account, think about whether it is worth the extra demat account charges.
• It may happen that one of your demat accounts remains dormant for a certain period. In this case, the DP will freeze the account. You would have to fulfill the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) formalities all over again to reactivate the account.
• If an account is likely to be idle for a prolonged period, you could submit a freeze request to your DP. This ensures that your account cannot be misused during the dormant phase. However, corporate action benefits like dividend payments will continue to be credited to your account automatically.
• When you have multiple demat accounts, ensure that all the accounts are linked with your PAN card and Aadhaar card.
• A perk of having multiple demat accounts with multiple DPs is that you gain access to different trading platforms, products, and services. You can also gather valuable insights by accessing and comparing their research reports.
The bottom-line
As you can see, it is perfectly legal to have multiple demat accounts in India. However, you should weigh the pros and cons before applying for an additional account. While there are benefits to maintaining more than one account, you do incur extra demat account charges. Plus, you have to stay updated on all transactions across your different demat accounts by going through holdings and transaction statements with a fine-tooth comb.
Are you not happy with your current DP?Rather than open a fresh demat account, you could consider moving to another DP. For instance, to gain access to powerful trading and investment platforms, you could open an account with a tech-forward broker like Kotak Securities. Just make sure to shop around for a demat account and a DP that fits your bill of requirements.
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