The Thai stock market has joined 4 banks and 4 securities companies in launching the “Banker to Broker” Project to expand the investor base. Well-trained bank customer service officials in more than 2,400 bank branches nationwide will help clients to invest prudently and refer them to affiliated securities companies.
Introducing bank clients to the respective bank’s securities company will enable customers to receive comprehensive and complete service, noted Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira, president of The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Also, the bank branch with the largest number of customers who opened investment accounts during April through November will be rewarded. This project should expand the investor base by more than 8,000 accounts, reported Mr. Charamporn.
The banks involved are Bangkok Bank PCL, Kasikornbank PCL, Krung Thai Bank PCL, and Thanachart Bank PCL, while their securities firms are, respectively, Bualuang Securities PCL, Kasikorn Securities PCL, KT Zmico PCL, and Thanachart Securities PCL.
“Commercial banks are an effective channel to help investors access and have a clearer understanding about investment. The SET’s Potential Investor study in 2009 found that 69 % were interested in trading through banks. This ’Banker to Broker’ Project will promote investment and benefit participating banks, securities companies and savers as securities company are not only experts in stocks but also bonds, mutual funds and ETF”, said Mr. Charamporn.
Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Thaweelap Rittapirom said that Bangkok Bank has always encouraged its personnel to be financial planning experts, as shown by the 2,848 Bangkok Bank staff who have passed the Single License course to date and the many new services that have been introduced to fill their customers’ investment needs.
The Krung Thai Bank has emphasized synergy among its affiliated agencies and focused on good relations with its clients in order to maintain its being recognized as a “convenience bank”, Ms. Nongnutch Tienpaitoon, First Senior Executive Vice President – Managing Director, Retail Business & Network Group of Krung Thai Bank PCL, added.
Several Kasikorn Bank services have been launched to bring about stronger collaboration among its group member companies, including assisting clients to process any investment-related transaction with ease through establishing full branches, Business Service Centers “K Investment Corner” mini-branches throughout the country, Mr.Krisada Lamsam, Senior Executive Vice President of Kasikorn Bank PCL, reported.
Both Thanachart Bank and Thanachart Securities have always given importance to educating its personnel, particularly in investment, and these efforts have resulted in the impressive and continuous growth of its investor base from Thanachart Bank to Thanachart Securities by as many as 1,000 new accounts per year . Mr. Nophadon Ruengchinda, Executive Vice President of Thanachart Bank PCL, reported.
The “Banker to Broker” Project will emphasize portfolio management and information on new products available on the capital market. Bank officers who expand the investor base the most during the eight-month program will earn all-expenses-paid overseas field trips, with 200 prizes of SET Corner book collections and the Modern Investment curriculum set for participating branches.
