Written by The Banking Post
The number of Beneficiary Owner (BO) accounts with investments exceeding Tk 1 crore increased by 2% in the fiscal year ending 30 June 2025, according to data released by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Monday.
A total of 381 new high-value accounts were added during the period, reflecting growing interest from large-scale investors in the capital market.
In contrast, BO accounts with holdings below Tk 1 lakh experienced a steep decline. The number of such accounts fell by 84,409, or 9%, bringing the total down to 831,000.
The BSEC issued the update amid recent reports expressing concern over a declining investor base in the country’s stock market. The regulator acknowledged a contraction in participation among very small investors but highlighted growing involvement from both institutional and mid-tier retail investors.
“Recent reports have suggested a decline in the number of investors in the stock market,” said the BSEC in an official statement.
“However, our review of BO accounts reveals that large investors are increasing their participation. Similarly, investments from small and medium investors have also grown. The decline is primarily seen among very small investors — those with portfolios valued below Tk 1 lakh.”
The data suggests a shift in investor composition, with the market gradually tilting toward more capital-intensive participants, even as casual or low-volume investors pull back amid economic uncertainty and market volatility.
