Benefits of Depository Settlement

1. A depository ensures that only pre-verified assets with good title are traded. Therefore, an investor is always assured of assets with good title. Moreover, the problems of bad deliveries and all the risks associated with physical certificates, such as loss, theft, mutilation etc. are avoided.
2. Electronic transaction of securities saves time. Time spent on preparation of share certificates and transfer deed are avoided.
3. Electronic transactions reduces the settlement time.
4. Instant transfer of securities enables the investor to get dividend, right and bonus without delay.
5. Transaction costs are reduced as transfers in electronic form are exempt from stamp duty.
6. There is no problem of odd lots as the marketable lot in depository is fixed as one share.
7. The interest rate on loan against pledge of dematerialised shares is comparatively lower.
8. As a security measure, the account holder can totally freeze his account for any desired period.
9. Depositories enable the investors to deliver shares in any part of the country without exposing themselves to the risk and cost of transportation.

Features of Depository System:

A depository system has the following features:

(a) Day-to-day basis of reconciliation is made by NSDL;

(b) Securities are divisible and, as such, can be transacted by any quantity;

(c) Securities are allotted International Security Identification Number (ISIN) by SEBI;

(d) The benefit of depository system is enjoyed by the investor/owner of securities; and

(e) CDSL and NSDL are the Depository Participants to act as agent.

Advantages of Depository System:

Enjoyed by Investors:

1. It eliminates bad deliveries;
2. It computes the settlement cycle very fast;
3. It makes immediate transfer and registration of securities;
4. It eliminates all risks associated with physical certificate;
5. It also provides nomination facility to the investors;
6. It reduces trading cost;
7. Since it is paperless trading, no share certificate and deed etc. are required.

Enjoyed by the Capital Market:

(i) Dues are settled in a very short time;

(ii) It also eliminates bad delivering;

(iii) It also eliminates the problems arising from odd lots of securities;

(iv) It eliminates the physical handling of paperwork’s;

(v) It reduces errors;

(vi) Questions of loss, mutilation of securities does not arise.

(vii) Huge number of transactions can be settled at a very short time.

Enjoyed by the Company:

(a) It reduces the risk of loss of securities and, at the same time, reduces the fraudulent activities;

(b) It avoids the checking of shares, deeds and various papers,

(e) No share certificate is issued as the securities are divisible;

(d) It reduces the various costs which require secretarial help;

(e) It supplies better communication facilities

(f) Easy availability of data and information (i.e. issue of bonus share, right share, dividend declaration, etc.) are available which helps the shareholder to take decisions.

Disadvantages of Depository System:

The Depository System is not free from snags. Some of them are:

(a) Number of frauds may be increased as there is no physical checking;

(b) Practically, to set up a single depository is not possible;

(c) MDS (Multiple Depository System) invites the problems of coordination.

Although the Depository System is not free from snags, even then it is a boom to the world of capital market. It, no doubt, proves an efficient transfer system and helps the investors and the company in various forms. It overcomes the problems from bad delivery, counterfeit certificates, etc. It also reduces various cost and expenses (i.e. Registration cost).