The Union Bank Limited has launched its product Margin Finance, which is targeted towards the stock brokerage client. The Union Bank President and Chief Executive Officer, Shaukat Tarin said this product would allow brokers to approach the Union Bank for financing on behalf of their clients, who were interested in investing in the stock market, statement issued here, on Thursday said.
The State Bank of Pakistan has instructed Banks and DFI's to introduce Margin Financing in order to promote prudent lending using Risk Management techniques to avoid eventualities in the stock market, the statement added.
Margin Finance meets an important need of this industry as the phase out of Carry Over Trade (COT) or "Badla" has already begun and by August 26, 2005, Badla will be completely eliminated from the market.
Shaukat Tarin, giving comments said the launch of a product for this important segment of the market is a continuation of our strategy and commitment to be an innovative bank. The bank had been at the forefront of this change in the industry and was one of the early banks committing to offer the Margin Financing to the brokerage industry, the CEO added.
Margin Finance would result in increased liquidity, which was expected to reduce volatility in this market. Arif Habib Securities Ltd Chairman and CEO, Arif Habib, said: "We like the product being offered by the Union Bank as it has been thought through from our point of view and provides us the funding we need on behalf of our clients in an operationally practical way."
With 55 branches in 19 cities and a correspondent banking network of over 500 Banks in 89 countries, the Union Bank now stands among the leading private banks in the country and plans to continue the momentum of growth, innovation and superior customer service in the years to come, the statement added.-PR