Depository System: Objectives and Key features of Depository System

When companies are in need of capital they turn towards capital markets to fulfill their needs. This is because capital markets are the flexible, major, responsive source of funds. Thus, there is a need to transfer the shares electronically so that it can reduce the paperwork. This is where the depository system comes into the picture.

Depository System

The depository is nothing but an organization where securities of the shareholders are kept. It is kept there in the form of electronic. It is just like a bank but useful only for securities.

Thus, whenever an investor wishes to avail the service, he/she can opt for the service by opening an account. After the process is done the ownership of securities can be legally transferred to the beneficiary.

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Objectives of the Depository System

It removes the occurrences of forgery, duplicate share certificates, and bad deliveries.
This can increase the liquidity of securities by making a way for easy transfer.
Also, it can avoid the delay caused in the transfer of securities.
Furthermore, it reduces the cost of a transaction for the investors.
It enables withdrawal and surrender from the securities with great ease.
It also maintains a perfect record of the holdings for an investor. This is because all the details are stored in electronic form.
This also provides infrastructure for services in capital markets.
By complying to global standards, it does attract foreign investors.

Key features of the Depository System in India

Securities in dematerialized form

The model adopted in India for depository model helps with the dematerialization of securities. This is similar to the holding of funds in the banks. Also, the transfer of ownership occurs through simple account transfers. Thus, this method reduces all the risks that are associated with the paperwork.

Multidepository System

The depository model which is adopted in India has a competitive multi depository system in it. Also, a depository should have been a company formed under the companies act, 2013.

Furthermore, it should also be granted SEBI registration certificate. Currently, in India, there are two different kinds of depositories. They are NSDL – National securities depository limited and CSDL – Central depository service limited.

Fungibility

Fungibility, in general terms, is good for interchangeability of assets with other similar assets or goods. The assets that have this property simplifies the trade and exchange process. As this is an assumption in interchangeability that all the goods are of the same class.

Thus, many diverse assets are considered to be fungible. For the depository system, the securities that are dematerialized does are not identified using certificate numbers or distinctive numbers. Thus, every security is identified and classified in the same class.

Registered Owner

The ownership for securities us bifurcated between the beneficial owner and registered owner in the depository system. When the securities are dematerialized, the registered owner is the NSDL.

While the liabilities and ownership, rights remain with the beneficial owner. Also, the duties, rights, and liabilities that are underlying the security remain with the beneficial owner of the security.

Practice Questions on Depository System

Q. Depository as a company is formed and registered under which act?

A. Companies act, 2013

B. SEBI Act, 1992

C. Depositories act, 1996

D. Companies act, 1956

Answer: A. Companies act, 2013

Q. Which of the following acts given below does not form a governing body of depositories?

A. Income tax act, 1961

B. Companies act, 2013

C. Money laundering act for prevention, 2002

D. Securities contracts act, 1956

Answer: C. Money laundering act for prevention, 2002

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Depository System

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