MARUSAN

Overview of MARUSAN

Marusan, founded in 1907 in Japan, is regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA), ensuring compliance with industry standards. Offering a range of market instruments including stocks, bonds, and investment trusts, Marusan for various investment needs. With account types like Securities General Account and Specific Account, investors can access various trading options.

However, limited trading platform options and reliance on bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals may pose challenges. Despite this, Marusan's responsive customer support via phone and email assists clients, enhancing overall user experience and reliability.

Is MARUSAN Legit or a Scam？

MARUSAN is regulated by the Financial Services Agency of Japan under a Retail Forex License (License No. 関東財務局長（金商）第167号), with the licensing institution being 丸三証券株式会社.

This regulation ensures that MARUSAN complies with the regulatory standards set by the Japanese financial authority, providing a level of oversight and protection for traders on the platform. The regulated status of MARUSAN instills confidence among traders, as it signifies adherence to industry regulations and standards.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Regulated by FSA: Marusan is regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA), providing users with a sense of security and assurance that the platform operates within the legal framework and adheres to industry standards.

• Wide Range of Investment Options: Marusan offers a selection of investment options, allowing users to choose from various securities, bonds, and other financial instruments to suit their investment preferences and risk tolerance.

• Responsive Customer Support: The platform provides responsive customer support, offering assistance and guidance to users whenever they encounter issues or have inquiries, enhancing the overall user experience and satisfaction.

Cons:

• Limited Payment Methods: Marusan has limited payment methods available for deposits and withdrawals, which may inconvenience some users who prefer more payment options or have specific banking preferences.

• High Commission Fees: The platform imposes high commission fees on transactions, which can significantly impact users' overall returns on investment, especially for frequent traders or those with smaller investment portfolios.

• Lack of Educational Resources: Marusan lacks comprehensive educational resources, such as tutorials, articles, or webinars, to help users enhance their investment knowledge and skills, potentially hindering their ability to make informed investment decisions.

Market Instruments

MARUSAN offers a variety of trading assets, including investment trusts, stocks, and bonds. Investment trusts, also known as mutual funds, pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets managed by professional fund managers. These funds provide investors with exposure to a wide range of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and commodities, offering potential for capital appreciation and income generation.

Stocks represent ownership in publicly traded companies, allowing investors to participate in the company's profits through dividends and capital gains. Investing in stocks provides opportunities for long-term wealth accumulation and portfolio diversification.

Bonds, on the other hand, are debt securities issued by governments, municipalities, or corporations to raise capital. Investors who purchase bonds lend money to the issuer in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of the principal amount at maturity. Bonds are valued for their fixed-income characteristics and serve as a key component of balanced investment portfolios.

Account Types

MARUSAN offers General Account and Specific account.

The Marusan Securities General Account serves as a comprehensive platform for managing and administering funds allocated for purchasing stocks and investment trusts. Funds deposited into this account are managed within the Money Reserve Fund (MRF), which primarily consists of short-term bonds and highly rated public bonds. While the MRF provides a secure investment option, it's important to note that the principal amount is not guaranteed. One of the key benefits of a securities general account is its ability to facilitate comprehensive management of all transactions through a single account.

Specific account offers additional features tailored to meet specific user needs, such as simplified tax procedures with an annual transaction report. Marusan Securities manages trading records and calculates profits and losses for specific accounts, with the results of these calculations presented in the annual transaction report. This report simplifies the tax filing process for account holders, providing them with the necessary information to accurately report their investment activities.

How to Open an Account？

1. Prepare Necessary Documents: Gather the required documents for account opening, including the My Number (Individual Number) Confirmation Document and Identity Verification Documents. Depending on the type of My Number confirmation document, you need additional identity verification documents such as a driver's license or passport.

2. Fill Out Application Form: Complete the Comprehensive Transaction Application Form with your personal details, including name and address. You can also apply for additional services like a Specific Account or MARUSAN-NET at this stage. Ensure all information is accurate and comprehensive.

3. Submission of Application: Submit the completed application form along with the required documents either by mail or in person at the nearest Marusan Securities branch. Be prepared for a review process, which may take several days. Note that the company reserves the right to refuse account opening after the review.

4. Account Opening Confirmation: Once the account opening process is complete, you will receive a “Notification of Account Opening” at your registered address. Verify the information provided and proceed with your transactions as desired.

Spreads & Commissions

Marusan applies a tiered commission fee structure for transactions made through a sales representative. For transactions involving listed securities (excluding bonds with stock acquisition rights), the commission fee is calculated based on the total trading value for each issue and each purchase and sale on the trading day. The commission fee varies depending on the contract price, ranging from 0.00660% of the contract price plus 261,316 yen for amounts exceeding 100 million yen to 1.26500% of the contract price for amounts of 700,000 yen or less.

In addition to brokerage fees for domestic securities, Marusan also charges fees for foreign stock transactions, including local commissions, exchange spreads, and domestic brokerage fees. For example, for US market transactions, the local fee is 0.300%, with a minimum fee depending on the transaction amount, and an exchange spread of 0.0008% per foreign currency.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Deposits and withdrawl at Marusan Securities can be made through various methods, with bank transfer being a primary option. Customers can transfer funds from their local ATM or financial institution to Marusan's bank account at the branch where they conduct business. It's important to note that the specific bank account for the transfer varies depending on the branch, so customers are advised to contact their respective branch for the relevant account details.

Customer Support

Marusan provides comprehensive customer support services to assist users with inquiries, consultations, complaints, and requests. Customers can reach the customer consultation room by phone at 0120-03-1319 during reception hours from 9:00 to 17:00, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Additionally, inquiries can be made via email at toiawase03@marusan-sec.co.jp. For complaints, requests, and other issues, customers can contact the dedicated counter for assistance. The consultation room handles consultations with the company regarding complaints and requests, while disputes regarding securities transactions can be addressed through the Specified Nonprofit Corporation Securities and Financial Products Mediation Consultation Center (FINMAC).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marusan offers a regulated platform with a wide range of investment options and responsive customer support.

However, it faces limitations due to its limited payment methods, high commission fees, and lack of educational resources. While the regulatory oversight by the FSA instills trust among users, the platform could benefit from expanding its payment options to accommodate a broader user base and reconsidering its fee structure to ensure competitiveness in the market.

FAQs

Q: Is Marusan regulated by any financial authority？

A: Yes, Marusan is regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) in Japan.

Q: What are the available payment methods for deposits？

A: Deposits can be made via bank transfer at local ATMs or financial institutions.

Q: How can I contact Marusan's customer support？

A: You can reach Marusan's customer support by phone or email during business hours.

Q: Are there any fees associated with withdrawals？

A: Transfer fees for yen coins are covered by Marusan, but foreign currency transfer fees may apply.