How to Open a BO Account Online in Bangladesh: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you can buy a single share on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, you need a BO account. The good news is that you no longer have to visit an office or sign a stack of paper forms. With Mika Securities, you can open one online from your phone or computer in a single sitting.
This guide explains what a BO account is, who can open one, what you need to have ready, what it costs, and exactly how the online process works. We also cover the small mistakes that most often hold applications up.
What is a BO account?
BO stands for Beneficiary Owner. A BO account is your account with CDBL (Central Depository Bangladesh Limited), the national depository that holds listed shares in electronic form. When you buy shares, they are credited to your BO account, in your own name.
This matters. Your shares are recorded against your own BO ID at the depository, not pooled under the broker’s name. Your broker, such as Mika Securities, opens and services the account as a CDBL depository participant and executes your buy and sell orders on the exchange.
If you are new to how the market works, our guide to the basics of the Bangladesh stock market is a good place to start.
Who can open a BO account?
- Resident Bangladeshis aged 18 or over, with a valid NID.
- Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), usually using a passport and supporting documents for their country of residence.
- Joint holders, where two people own the account together.
- Companies and institutions, which need additional corporate documents.
Mika’s online form lets you choose Single, Joint or Company at the start. NRB and company applications involve extra paperwork, so if that applies to you, it is worth speaking to our team first.
Documents you need
Have these ready as clear photos or scans before you start. It makes the whole process much faster.
- NID (both sides), or a passport if you are an NRB.
- A recent colour photo of yourself.
- Your signature, signed on plain white paper and photographed.
- Bank details: a cheque leaf or bank statement showing your account name, account number and branch routing number.
- Nominee details: your nominee’s photo and NID.
- An active mobile number and email address in your name. Your BO ID and login details are sent here.
- TIN (optional, but useful to have).
What does it cost?
There are two costs to know about: a one-time opening fee, and a yearly maintenance fee set by the regulator.
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Account opening fee | Shown on the online form before you pay | Once, when you apply |
| Annual BO maintenance fee (regulatory) | ৳150 | Every year, before the end of June |
In May 2025, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) decided to cut the annual BO maintenance fee from ৳450 to ৳150. This fee is not a Mika charge. It is collected for the depository and regulator, and every BO account in the country pays it.
Do not skip the annual fee. Accounts with unpaid maintenance fees are typically closed in July, and a closed BO account cannot be reopened. You would have to open a new one.
How to open your BO account online with Mika: step by step
- Go to the online form. Visit onlineboopen.mikasecurities.net and choose your account type: Single or Joint for most people.
- Fill in your details. Enter your name, father’s and mother’s names, date of birth, NID number and address exactly as they appear on your NID.
- Add your bank details. Select your bank and branch, then enter your account number and the branch routing number.
- Add your nominee. Enter your nominee’s details and their share of the account.
- Upload your documents. Upload your photo, signature, NID and cheque leaf, plus your nominee’s photo and NID.
- Complete e-KYC. Your NID details are verified electronically and your live photo is matched against your NID picture. Use good light and face the camera directly.
- Pay the opening fee. The form shows the exact amount before you pay. You can pay online with bKash.
- Receive your BO ID. Once your application is checked and approved, your BO ID is sent to you by email, usually within 1 to 2 working days.
- Download the Amar Biniyog app and log in. Use the login details we send you to sign in.
- Fund your account. Deposit money into your Mika account, and you are ready to place your first order.
Individual vs joint accounts
An individual (single) account belongs to one person. It is the simplest option and the right choice for most first-time investors.
A joint account is held by two people, often spouses or a parent and adult child. Both applicants submit their own documents and photos, and both go through verification.
Under current practice, a person can generally hold one individual and one joint BO account with the same broker. If you want both, they are opened as separate applications.
Nominee rules
A nominee is the person who receives your shares if something happens to you. Naming one saves your family a long legal process later, so treat this section seriously.
- You can name up to two nominees.
- If you name two, you state what share of the account each one should receive.
- If a nominee is under 18, you must also name a guardian for them.
- If your circumstances change, ask us how to update your nominee details.
Linking a bank account for withdrawals
The bank account you enter on the form is where your withdrawals are sent. It should be in your own name.
The routing number is what lets the money reach the right branch. You can find it on your cheque leaf, on your bank statement, or by asking your branch.
Why applications get delayed
Most delays come from a handful of avoidable issues:
- Name mismatch. The name on your bank account does not match your NID. Even a small spelling difference or a missing middle name can stop an application.
- Blurry or cropped photos. Every corner of the NID and cheque leaf should be visible and readable. Avoid glare and shadows.
- Missing routing number. Without it, the bank details cannot be verified.
- Failed face match. Poor lighting or a tilted camera during e-KYC can cause a mismatch with your NID photo.
- Incomplete nominee details. A missing nominee photo or NID is a common gap.
If we find a problem, we will contact you by phone or email so you can fix it quickly.
What to do next
Once your BO ID arrives, log in to the Amar Biniyog app and add funds. Take some time to look around the app before you trade. Check prices, add a few companies to your watchlist, and read their recent disclosures.
For your first trade, start small with a company you understand. Know why you are buying, and decide in advance how much you are willing to put at risk. There is no rush. A good habit at the start is worth more than a quick trade.
Mika Securities has been a DSE member since 1 November 2005 (TREC No. 215), with 26 offices nationwide and more than 100,000 investors served. If you get stuck at any point, contact us and our team will help.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get my BO ID?
Usually 1 to 2 working days after you submit a complete application and pay the fee. Missing or unclear documents can add time.
Can I open more than one BO account?
Generally, you can hold one individual and one joint account with the same broker. You can also hold accounts with different brokers, but each one carries its own annual fee.
What happens if I miss the annual fee?
Accounts with unpaid maintenance fees are typically closed in July, and a closed account cannot be reopened. Keep enough money in your account before the end of June so the fee can be collected.
Are my shares safe if they are bought through a broker?
Your shares are held at CDBL in your own BO account, under your name. You can check your holdings through the app and your statements. Share prices themselves can go up or down, so investing always carries market risk.
I live abroad. Can I open an account online?
NRBs can open BO accounts, but the documents are different from a resident account, typically including a passport and proof of residence abroad. Please contact us before you apply so we can guide you through it.
Ready to start? Open your BO account online with Mika Securities.
This article is for general education only and is not investment advice. Investment carries risk; past performance does not guarantee future returns. Figures cited are from public sources as of October 2026.