Investors and bank customers may soon be able to view their bank deposits and dematerialised securities through a single account statement, as financial regulators move toward simplifying the way investors access information about their holdings. The proposed framework is aimed at making it easier for individuals to obtain a consolidated view of their financial assets without having to manage separate statements from different institutions.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve investor convenience and strengthen the digital infrastructure connecting India’s banking and securities markets. A unified statement could bring information on deposits, shares and other dematerialised securities closer together, reducing the need for investors to track multiple documents and platforms.
What Is a Single Account Statement?
A single account statement would provide investors with information about different financial assets through one consolidated document or digital interface.
At present, a person who holds money in a bank account and securities in a demat account generally receives information through separate channels. Banks provide deposit statements, while depositories and brokers provide information about securities holdings and transactions.
The proposed approach would make it possible to access these details together.
| Financial information | Current arrangement | Proposed approach |
|---|---|---|
| Bank deposits | Bank statement | Included in consolidated view |
| Shares | Demat statement | Included |
| Bonds and securities | Demat/depository statement | Included |
| Other eligible investments | Separate statements | Greater consolidation |
| Investor access | Multiple sources | Single statement/interface |
The objective is primarily convenience rather than creating a new type of investment account.
Why Is the Change Being Considered?
Investors increasingly hold multiple financial products across different institutions.
A single individual may have savings accounts and fixed deposits with a bank, shares through a demat account, mutual fund investments through an investment platform and bonds through another intermediary.
Managing information across these accounts can make it difficult to obtain a complete picture of an individual’s financial assets.
A consolidated statement could address this problem by bringing information from different regulated entities into one place.
The move is also consistent with India’s broader shift toward digital financial infrastructure, where different parts of the financial system can communicate through standardised data and account frameworks.
Bank Deposits and Demat Holdings Could Be Viewed Together
One of the most useful aspects of the proposed system would be the ability to see cash deposits alongside securities holdings.
For example, an investor could potentially see bank deposits alongside listed shares, bonds and other dematerialised securities rather than receiving separate statements.
This could make it easier to understand the overall composition of a financial portfolio.
A consolidated statement could potentially show:
- Bank savings and current-account balances
- Fixed deposits and other eligible deposits
- Equity shares
- Bonds and debentures
- Government securities
- Other eligible dematerialised securities
The exact assets and information included will depend on the final regulatory framework.
It Could Make Record-Keeping Easier
A major benefit would be simpler record-keeping.
Currently, investors may receive statements from banks, depositories, brokers and other financial intermediaries. These documents can have different formats and reporting periods.
A consolidated statement could reduce this fragmentation.
For tax planning, financial planning or simply reviewing personal wealth, having information in one place could make it easier to identify holdings and track changes over time.
However, a consolidated statement would not necessarily replace the detailed transaction statements issued by individual institutions.
Demat Accounts Have Become More Important
The move comes as demat ownership has expanded rapidly in India.
Retail participation in the stock market has increased significantly over the past few years, driven by digital investment platforms, easier account opening and greater awareness of equities.
Millions of investors now hold shares and other securities electronically.
As the number of demat accounts has increased, the need for simpler ways to manage investment information has also grown.
A single statement could therefore become particularly useful for first-time investors who may otherwise find it difficult to understand how their different financial accounts fit together.
What Would the Statement Look Like?
The final format has not been established, but the basic idea is to create a consolidated view of financial assets.
A digital statement could potentially display information in categories such as:
Banking
- Savings accounts
- Current accounts
- Fixed deposits
- Other eligible deposits
Securities
- Equity shares
- Bonds
- Government securities
- Other dematerialised holdings
Account information
- Institution name
- Account or folio details
- Holdings
- Relevant balances
- Statement date
The aim would be to present the information in a standardised and easy-to-understand format.
It Could Help With Financial Planning
A consolidated financial statement could also improve personal financial planning.
Instead of calculating total assets by opening multiple banking and investment applications, an investor could potentially obtain a consolidated picture of their financial position.
For example, someone planning to buy a house could see their bank deposits and market investments together when assessing available financial resources.
Similarly, families could use consolidated information when organising financial records or preparing for succession and estate planning.
Privacy and Consent Will Be Important
Combining financial information from multiple institutions also raises questions about privacy and data security.
Bank deposits and securities holdings are sensitive financial information. Any system that brings these details together would need strong authentication, data protection and access controls.
Consent mechanisms will also be important.
Investors should be able to understand which institutions are sharing information, what information is being displayed and who can access the consolidated statement.
The final regulatory framework will therefore need to balance convenience with privacy and security.
The Bigger Picture
The proposed single account statement reflects the increasing integration of India’s financial infrastructure. Banking and securities markets have traditionally operated through separate systems, but digital infrastructure is making it possible to present information from multiple regulated institutions in a more unified manner.
For investors, the biggest benefit would be simplicity. Instead of tracking separate statements for deposits and investments, individuals could potentially obtain a consolidated picture of their financial assets through one statement. This could be particularly useful as more Indians participate in equities and other market-linked investments.
Looking Ahead
The success of the initiative will depend on how widely financial institutions participate and how easily investors can access the consolidated information. Standardised reporting, secure data exchange and clear consent mechanisms will be important for building trust in the system.
If implemented effectively, a single account statement could become a useful piece of India’s digital financial infrastructure. It would not eliminate the need for detailed bank, broker or depository records, but it could give investors a simpler top-level view of where their money and investments are held.
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