Sateesh Balani is currently working with Ismail Iqbal Securities as Director Research and possesses a decade of diversified finance and investment related experience. Prior to Ismail Iqbal Securities, he has worked with HBL Asset Management as Head of Research where he was part of investment committee managing fixed income, equity and asset allocation portfolios. Prior to HBL AML, he has worked with Engro Corporation (and its energy holding company) where he was responsible for making feasibility & analyzing potential business ventures. He has also worked with Elixir Securities for four years in equity research and covered energy and industrial sectors. He has done Bachelors & Masters in Business Administration from Institute of Business Management, Karachi and is a CFA Charterholder. He is also a Director of CFA Society Pakistan.
PAGE: For how long your company has been operating in Pakistan?
Sateesh Balani: Ismail Iqbal Securities (Private) Limited (IISPL), with its inception in the year 2004, became a Corporate Member of the Karachi Stock Exchange.
PAGE: What major milestones have been achieved?
Sateesh Balani: IISPL is counted in the top 10 brokerage houses of the country and is responsible for 3.5%- 4% of the average daily volume of the ready and 10%-15% of the future equity market within short span of time. On the corporate finance front, we have completed 23 transactions and we have been bookrunner for largest IPO held in Pakistan up to 2019. Company has won two CFA Society Pakistan awards namely Best Equity Trader (Runner up) in 2019 and Best Equity Research Report (Runner Up) recently in 2020.
PAGE: How has the advertising tagline changed over the years?
Sateesh Balani: We have maintained single tagline since inception and we believe in it to date “Excellence in everything we do”.
PAGE: Does the company name come in the top five brands of Pakistan?
Sateesh Balani: Financial services sector is at nascent stage in Pakistan particularly equities while increased awareness over the next decade can help us get there.
PAGE: How have you achieved the name rating by advertising or quality assurance?
Sateesh Balani: Our quality service offering has helped us in achieving brand recognition. Our wide range of services including Equities Brokerage, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Economic Research Consultancy and Commodities has been the key contributor of success.
PAGE: Has deployment of technology provided an edge?
Sateesh Balani: Definitely technology is essential for any business. Our business has evolved over the years with increased demand of investment in technology.
PAGE: Where do you see your brand over the next five years?
Sateesh Balani: We foresee our brand to be recognized as the best brokerage house with excellence in all three major areas Research, Corporate Finance and Equity Broking.