The Investors’ Protection Fund (IPF) has decided to fully reimburse investment amounts of up to Tk5 lakh to affected investors of five defaulting brokerage houses in the capital market. This disbursement process will begin on September 28.
As a result, approximately 17,332 investors across these five brokerage houses—representing nearly 97% of all affected investors—will receive a full refund of their invested capital.
Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Chairman Mominul Islam announced these details at a press conference organized by the DSE on Tuesday (September 22).
He stated that 17,925 investors are currently affected across the five defaulting brokerage houses. So far, approximately Tk37.60 crore in compensation has been disbursed through these houses and the Investors’ Protection Fund.
The DSE chairman mentioned that legal action would be taken against the defaulting brokerage houses to recover the remaining investors' funds.
If necessary, initiatives will be taken to recover funds by selling the shares of these institutions, liquidating their holdings in the DSE, and selling the personal assets of their directors.
Furthermore, if required, arrangements will be made to settle the claims of those 593 investors using future contributions to the IPF.
During the press conference, the chairman noted that for over two years, there have been no high-quality IPOs or new listings in the market.
Under these circumstances, a new draft regulation for direct listings has been framed. This will simplify the pathway for blue-chip companies to enter the capital market while ensuring an expedited processing system.
Stating that efforts are underway to simplify IPO regulations, he mentioned that rules are being revised to encourage issuers to join the market. The revised draft may be published for public consultation within the next two to three weeks.
He informed that listing fees for bonds have been significantly reduced. Additionally, institutions applying for direct listing or IPOs by March 2027 will receive a 50% waiver on listing fees.
He added that the DSE aims to bring at least 10 blue-chip companies to the capital market through direct listing or IPOs by 2027. These entities may include state-owned enterprises, multinationals, and domestic blue-chip corporations.
Highlighting the revision of the country's credit rating outlook from negative to stable as an important signal for the economy, he noted that positive reactions have already been mirrored in the capital market. He expressed hope that the macroeconomic pressures experienced earlier will gradually subside.
To make the capital market more efficient and transparent, the DSE chairman emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among three key institutions: the stock exchange, Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL), and Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL).