The year 2023 was not only about finance for the international broker Octa. Here’s how it helped make a difference through a series of CSR initiatives around the world.

In 2023, Octa significantly enhanced its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by carrying out 21 projects that left a lasting impact on local communities worldwide. These projects were designed to address emergency response needs and enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged students. In total, Octa reached out to over 5,700 individuals, making meaningful changes in their lives.

Recognising the importance of education in shaping the future, Octa dedicated a significant part of its CSR efforts to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged students, directly benefiting 100 educational institutions and over 3,300 students. Below are some of the projects Octa carried out in 2023.

In India, Octa helped equip Sita Rajaram Public School and Sita Rajaram Polytechnic College in Tamil Nadu, India, with two interactive panels. This initiative aimed to enhance the quality of education and provide students with an innovative learning experience.

In Malaysia, the broker helped to supply educational centres across Malaysia with complex IT resources and sponsored the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum exam fees for Malaysian students under the guardianship of the educational organisation Ideas Academy.

In Indonesia, Octa supported the humanitarian organisation Yayasan Tunas Aksara (YTA) in training four schools and ten teachers to manage and organise book libraries.

In Nigeria, Chess in Slums Africa (CISA), in collaboration with Octa, organised a Children’s Day celebration for 150 children from marginalised communities and three public schools. The children, aged 5 to 18, had an opportunity to interact and enhance their reasoning skills while playing chess.

In Mexico, Octa joined forces with the charitable organisation Pauta to create two science workshops for 300 girls, boys, and adolescents from different schools.

‘At Octa, we recognise that education is a driving force behind a thriving society. Our commitment to educational projects stems from the belief that knowledge is the most powerful tool to shape a brighter future. By investing in scholarships, learning materials, teacher training, and infrastructure development, we not only empower individual students but also contribute to the overall development of local communities,’ commented the Octa press office.

Emergency response initiatives

Dedicated to the well-being of local communities, Octa assisted more than 2,400 individuals affected by natural disasters in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria. This support included essential supplies such as food and daily necessities, as well as contributing to long-term recovery plans, which ensured that affected people could fully rebuild their lives in the aftermath of severe storms, floods, and earthquakes.

In Indonesia, Octa provided emergency help for the victims of the devastating effects of flooding, landslides, and erosion in Banjar Pebuahan, Jembrana, in Bali on 6 – 7 July 2023.

In Malaysia, Octa provided emergency aid in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia, where over 17,000 people had to be evacuated because of the intense flooding.

In Nigeria, the broker provided emergency support after a severe flood that resulted in over 600 deaths, 2,400 injuries, and the displacement of 1.4 million people. Octa helped renovate and equip Anam New City School’s flood-damaged classrooms, provided 42 small businesses with financial support to either revive or restart their operations, and donated farming supplies, including Yam and Cassava, to 65 local farmers.

‘As a company, we believe in the profound importance of emergency response projects and are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate. In 2023, we helped hundreds of families that experienced devastating environmental conditions. From extreme storms in Bali to flooding in Kelantan, Malaysia, we were there with the people we serve, providing not only immediate relief but also long-term recovery help,’ the Octa press office commented.

About Octa

Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charity and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

New Delhi: SMC Global Securities limited today announced a strategic alliance with Nainital Bank Ltd. for offering online trading services to the bank customers. This tie-up will offer an integrated 3-in-1 account comprising of a Savings, Demat and Trading account providing a hassle free and convenient trading experience to the Nainital Bank Ltd. customers through the portal www.smctradeonline.com apart from mobile trading app (SMC ACE) and desktop-based software.

Under this collaboration, SMC will be offering both full brokerage and discount brokerage services to the bank’s customers in the light of customer’s inclination towards discount broking houses. The trading platform is a high end, integrated application for fast, secure and hassle-free execution of trades.

The partnership will enable SMC Global to expand its client base by tapping into Nainital Bank Ltd.’s extensive 168 branches operating in five states i.e. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan. This tie-up will help the bank provide additional services to its account holders and to generate an additional source of revenue.

On this occasion Shri. Ajay Garg, Director and CEO, SMC Global Securities Ltd. said, “It is prestigious for SMC to tie up with Nainital Bank Ltd. and it will bring in a fast, secure and hassle-free experience to the bank clients for investing and trading in shares from a mobile or desktop. Paper-less eKyc will make the onboarding process quick and easy thus enabling us to drive it at a wider scale digitally.

On this occasion Mr. Nikhil Mohan, Managing Director & CEO, Nainital Bank Ltd. said that “It is our pleasure to tie up with SMC. With this tie up, we aspire for the unstoppable growth of both entities, blending the traditions with technology and our clients to have easy and smooth investing and trading experience with SMC.”

About SMC Global Securities Limited:

Estd. In 1994, SMC Global Securities Ltd. (SMC) is primarily engaged as a stock broking company along with other lines of business activities such as trading, arbitrage, whole sale and retail debt market, depository activities, distribution of financial services, research support services. Along with its subsidiaries, it has a well-diversified financial services business model reflecting a significant presence in almost all important segments of the financial services section such as Broking, Distribution of Mutual Funds, IPOs & other third party services, Debt Securities (Bonds), Discount Broking, Insurance Broking, Financing (NBFC), Real Estate Advisory, Wealth Management, Mortgage & Loan Advisory, Loan Advisory, Investment Banking, Clearing Services, Depository Participant Services, NRI and FPI Services, etc.

SMC caters to over 2.0 million customer base and has presence across 450+ major cities/towns in India. It has a strong network of approximately 2550 authorized persons and sub brokers. SMC group employs over 4,600 employees (as on Sept 15, 2023), leveraging a strong partnership and ownership culture.

About Nainital Bank Ltd:

The Nainital Bank Ltd. was established in the year 1922 with the objective to cater banking needs of the people of the region. In the year 1973, Reserve Bank of India directed Bank of Baroda, a premier nationalized bank, to manage the affairs of the Nainital Bank Ltd. Limited. At Present, The Bank is having 168 branches operating in five states i.e. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.

All the branches of the Bank are operating in CBS platform. Bank is also providing RTGS, NEFT, SMS Alerts, RuPay ATM cum Debit Card, NainiNet Internet Banking and Mobile Banking facilities to its customers.

SMC Global Securities Limited today announced a strategic partnership with Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB) to offer online trading services to the Bank’s customers. This association will offer services comprising Savings, Demat, and Trading accounts, providing a hassle-free and convenient trading experience to Ujjivan SFB’s customers.

The collaboration will enable SMC Global to expand its client base by tapping into Ujjivan SFB’s extensive pan-India presence, serving over 76 lakh customers. In this arrangement, SMC Global will handle the relationship of Trading and Demat Accounts of Ujjivan SFB customers. SMC will offer full and discount brokerage services to the Bank’s customers.

Existing Ujjivan SFB customers can open a Demat Account through the Ujjivan SFB mobile banking app.

On this occasion, Shri. Ajay Garg, Director, and CEO, SMC Global Securities Ltd., said, “It is prestigious for SMC to tie up with Ujjivan Small Finance Bank as it promises to deliver swift, secure, and hassle-free trading and investment experiences to the Bank’s customers on both mobile and desktop. This partnership will help SMC Global strengthen and solidify its presence and client base across India.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Ittira Davis, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with SMC Global to offer our customers an added avenue for wealth creation. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing our valued customers with enhanced investment opportunities, to enable them to achieve their financial goals.”

 About SMC Global Securities Limited:

Estd. In 1994, SMC Global Securities Ltd. (SMC) is primarily engaged as a stock broking company along with other lines of business activities such as trading, arbitrage, wholesale and retail debt market, depository activities, distribution of financial services, and research support services. Along with its subsidiaries, it has a well-diversified financial services business model reflecting a significant presence in almost all important segments of the financial services section such as Broking, Distribution of Mutual Funds, IPOs & other third-party services, Debt Securities (Bonds), Discount Broking, Insurance Broking, Financing (NBFC), Real Estate Advisory, Wealth Management, Mortgage & Loan Advisory, Loan Advisory, Investment Banking, Clearing Services, Depository Participant Services, NRI and FPI Services, etc.

SMC caters to over 2.0 million customer base and has a presence across 550+ major cities/towns in India. It has a strong network of approximately 2550 authorized persons and sub-brokers. SMC group employs over 4,600 employees (as on Sept 15, 2023), leveraging a strong partnership and ownership culture.

About Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited is one of the leading small finance banks. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank began operations in February 2017 and currently serves 76+ lakh customers through its 686 branches and 20,000+ employees spread 25 states and union territories in India. The gross loan book stands at ₹25,326 crore with a deposit base of ₹26,660 crore as of June 30, 2023. The bank remains committed to serving unserved and underserved segments through financial and digital inclusion, as a mass-market bank. The strengthened digital interfaces across regions and languages have empowered Ujjivan SFB customers to seek timely and easy access to finance at all times.