Hoping to lure prospective online investors who
are novice PC users, Matsui
Securities has teamed up with Dell
Computer Japan to offer personal computers especially customized for
use with the brokerage’s Internet stock-trading service.
Under the deal, Tokyo-based Matsui Securities is recommending Dell computers
to prospective users of its online Netstock service.
For its part, Dell Japan on April 22 released desktop and laptop models of a
personal computer, known as the NetstockPC, designed for novice PC users
seeking a simple solution to getting started in online investing.
The Dell NetstockPC
comes with pre-installed Internet connectivity software
and customized applications for opening and using a Matsui Securities’
Netstock online trading account.
The partners also offering a NetstockDirect service that includes everything
from setup of the user’s Internet access, e-mail, and Netstock accounts and
in-home PC installation by Dell service personnel to lessons on basic
operation of a personal computer and a demonstration of how to use the
Netstock Web site.
“The result,” said Matsui Securities, “is that in addition to starting
normal computer usage, even individual investors who have never used a
personal computer can quickly and easily access [the Internet] and begin
online stock trading through our Netstock service.”
NetstockPC purchasers with problems or questions can call a 24-hour, “no
holiday” telephone technical support line. Dell is offering this support
service to Netstock users free for an indefinite period.
Matsui Securities launched its Netstock Internet brokerage service in May
1998.
The number of Netstock online trading accounts had grown to more than 3,600
at the end of March, with monthly transactions amounting to some 10 billion
yen (US$83 million).
To attract more individual investors to Netstock, Matsui Securities plans to
significantly cut its Internet transaction fees when stock commission
regulations are fully liberalized by the Japanese government in October.
The brokerage expects the low cost, convenience, and real-time capability of
Internet-based dealing to fuel an explosive growth in online stock trading
by individual investors, similar to the trading boom seen in the US in
recent years.
“Through this tie-up, both Matsui Securities and Dell Computer will benefit
from the growing interest among individual investors in the allure and
benefits of Internet stock trading,” said Matsui Securities. “It will also
help to spur the shift to greater Internet-based business dealings.”
Release of the Dell NetstockPC marks the first time that a Japanese
brokerage and computer manufacturer have worked together directly to market
a PC designed for online trading.
The NetstockPC can be purchased online through the Dell Japan Web site or
from the manufacturer’s telephone order center.
