FINSEC brings capital market closer to investors
The issue of capital markets and what they actually do, is perceived to be complex, confusing and a reserve for the financially muscular and big institutions.
THIS is a myth that has existed in the minds of many individuals in the country. As a result, the Zimbabwe capital market has suffered a domination by the institutional investors at the expense of retail investors.
Both retail and institutional investors however, play a critical role in unlocking the vast opportunities hidden in capital markets all waiting to be exploited. FINSEC has made it possible for anyone, anywhere to trade anytime through various every day mobile gadgets.
Investors can now easily access, trade and get relevant information on the companies they wish to invest in.
This ensures an understanding of the investing public in the rights and obligations of the investors through provision of timely and accurate information regarding the performance of their investments as well as the various opportunities that exist.
FINSEC is focused on reaching the alternative investor segments because, by concept, it is designed to demystify the notion that securities trading is meant for the elite.
It aims for an increased participation of different classes of investors, especially individuals, through the integration of common place tools such as SMS, USSD and mobile money services. FINSEC therefore gives an opportunity to people in marginalised and peripheral areas to save money through investments in securities markets.
Investors worldwide can now trade securities on FINSEC online. FINSEC harnesses and facilitates the electronic trading of a wide variety of securities, thereby bringing all alternative trading activities onto a central and organised market place.
Investors can post their orders which are routed to their nominated brokers who then place the trades on their behalf on the FINSEC platform.
For investors on non- smartphones FINSEC provides wide distribution channels through the incorporation of the SMS and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).
Investors dial a short code which gives them direct access to the market with enhanced efficiency and convenience.
With financial inclusion initiatives and mobile technology penetration progressing at an unprecedented pace, FINSEC has adopted technology solutions which meets the needs of the modern investor.
Investors on smartphones can access the Mobile App for the trading of securities. FINSEC thus, offers various alternatives in the issuance, trading and settlement of a wide array of securities through a new definition of technology that integrates alternative methods of communicating orders and settlement.
FINSEC offers flexibility in that it still accepts the traditional method whereby an investor calls or visits a securities dealers. A securities dealer is an agent who facilitates the buying and selling of shares on FINSEC.
The securities dealer then posts the investor’s order on FINSEC’s Automated Trading System (ATS).
The FINSEC ATS connects all stockbrokers in Zimbabwe and it can integrate with any central depository system developed on standard protocols.
The Financial Securities Exchange (FINSEC) is a Zimbabwe registered securities exchange and a member of the Escrow Group.
The Escrow Group has interests in the financial services and technology sectors. Corpserve Registrars and Escrow Systems are the other members of the group.
For more information contact: 2nd Floor ZB Centre, Cnr Kwame Nkrumah and 1st Street — Harare, Zimbabwe — Tel: +263 4 758193 — Email: info@finsec.co.zw — www.finsec.co.zw — Twitter: @FINSECZim