ICICIdirect.com launches online derivatives trading facility for NRIs

Mumbai, September 15, 2008: ICICIdirect.com, the largest online trading platform in India, today announced the launch of its online Futures and Options (F&O) trading facility for NRIs.

This first-of-its-kind online facility offers safe and secure transactions through its fully integrated trading site. This launch provides an exciting opportunity for NRI customers to create short term trading positions and benefit from market volatility. F&O would act as an effective tool for risk management & hedging by reducing potential downside. Apart from online trading, customers can also avail convenient CallNTrade? facility. Customers would be supported through timely trading strategies from an award winning research team. The firm is embarking on massive educational campaigns & customer empowerment for its NRI customers at various overseas locations with special emphasis on F&O trading.

Mr Anup Bagchi, Executive Director ? ICICI Securities Ltd said, ?There is close to 5 million expatriate Indian community across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. ICICIdirect.com has a unique distinction of catering to wide NRI customer base from over 100 countries ranging from GCC, Europe, South East Asia, and Africa. The new online F&O trading facility coupled with the CallNTrade? will equip NRIs in maximizing the returns on their investments.?

Mr Vishal Gulechha , Head Product Equity ? ICICI Securities Ltd said, ?F&O are critical financial instruments for risk management as they allow risks to be separated and more precisely controlled from volatile and uncertain situations. This provides NRI?s unique opportunity to capitalise even in falling markets and other volatile situations. Premium NRI customers can take special advantage of our expert advisory services from our Equity Advisory Group (EAG) in trading in F&O and implement beneficial strategies?

ICICIdirect.com is the leader in the online share trading space with over 1.6 million customers. The firm has been consistently winning the prestigious awards for a brokerage firm among which to name a few are Outlook Money - India?s Best e-Brokerage and CNBC AWAAZ Consumer Award for the Most Preferred Brand of Financial Advisory Services.