I get this question almost every week from clients, usually right when they are rushing to submit an IPO application or answer a query from a company registrar. This guide is for anyone in Malaysia who trades shares through a broker – whether you are with M+ Online, M+ Global, or another house – and needs to locate this number quickly and correctly.
What Is a CDS Account Number and When You’ll Need It
CDS stands for Central Depository System. It is run by Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd, and every investor who holds Bursa-listed shares has a CDS account. You open one CDS account with each stockbroker (an Authorised Depository Agent) you trade with, so if you use two brokers you have two CDS accounts, each with its own number.
Think of the CDS account as the vault where your shares actually sit. Your broker account is simply the door you use to buy and sell into that vault.
You will be asked for your CDS account number in a few common situations. IPO applications almost always require it, because the shares you are balloted for get credited straight into this account.
Share transfers between accounts or between family members also need it, as does any query you raise with a company’s share registrar about dividends, entitlements, or bonus issues. If you call up asking about a missing dividend payment, this is the first number I will ask you for.
Where to Find Your CDS Account Number
There are four reliable places to look. Try them in this order, starting with whichever is fastest for you.
1. Your broker’s app or website account profile
Most brokers display your CDS account number directly in your account profile once you log in. For M+ clients, this is where you will see it – and it will start with 012-001, the code that identifies Malacca Securities as the broker holding the account.
2. Your account-opening confirmation email
When your trading account was first opened, you should have received a confirmation email or welcome letter. This usually states your CDS account number alongside your new broker account details. It is worth saving this email somewhere you can find it again.
3. Contract notes and monthly statements
Every time you buy or sell shares, your broker issues a contract note. Your CDS account number appears on this document, and it also appears on your monthly statement if you have any holdings or activity that month.
This is the method I tell most clients to use, because almost everyone has at least one contract note sitting in their email inbox somewhere.
4. The Bursa Anywhere app
Bursa Malaysia’s own Bursa Anywhere app lets you log in and see all your CDS holdings in one place, even across different brokers. This is particularly useful if you are not sure which broker’s app to check, or if you have accounts you rarely use.
CDS Account Number vs Broker Client Code
This is where a lot of confusion happens, so let me be direct about it. Your CDS account number and your broker client code are two completely different things, even though both look like strings of digits on your statements.
| Feature | CDS Account Number | Broker Client Code |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Bursa Malaysia Depository | Your individual broker |
| One per broker? | Yes, each broker account has its own CDS number | Yes, each broker issues its own code |
| Used for | IPO applications, share transfers, dividend and registrar queries | Logging in, trading, broker-side identification |
| Where to find it | Account profile, contract notes, Bursa Anywhere | Broker’s app or website account profile |
If you open a trading account with a second broker, you get a new client code and a new CDS account number from that broker. Always use the CDS number that belongs to the broker account you are applying or transferring through.
If You Have Multiple CDS Accounts or Can’t Find Yours
Having more than one CDS account is normal if you have traded through more than one broker over the years. Many clients forget about an old account opened years ago that still holds shares.
Here is what I recommend if this applies to you or if you simply cannot locate your number:
- Check the Bursa Anywhere app first, since it can show the CDS accounts linked to your identity card, across different brokers.
- Contact your broker’s back office or your remisier directly and ask them to confirm the CDS account number tied to your trading account.
- If you want to bring shares from an old broker account into your main one, ask your broker about a share transfer between your own CDS accounts, and whether the old account should then be closed.
- Keep a copy of your CDS account number somewhere safe once you have confirmed it, so you are not searching for it again under time pressure during an IPO window.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not confuse your CDS account number with your broker client code when filling in IPO or transfer forms – this is the single most common error I see, and it can delay your application.
Do not assume every broker’s app displays the number in the same place or format. Take a moment to actually locate it in your account profile rather than guessing from memory.
Do not ignore old contract notes and statements from brokers you no longer actively use. If you opened an account years ago and forgot about it, you may still have a CDS account sitting there with unclaimed shares or dividends.
Key Takeaways
- Your CDS account number identifies the CDS account that holds your shares; you have one for each broker you use.
- You need it for IPO applications, share transfers, and dividend or registrar queries.
- Find it in your broker’s account profile, your account-opening email, contract notes, monthly statements, or the Bursa Anywhere app.
- M+ clients will see a 15-digit CDS account number starting with 012-001.
- Your CDS account number is not the same as your broker client code – one is issued by Bursa Depository, the other by your broker.
- If you have multiple CDS accounts or cannot find yours, check Bursa Anywhere first, then contact your broker directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my CDS account number the same across all my brokers?
No. You open a separate CDS account with each broker, so each has its own CDS account number, along with a different client code. Use the number that matches the broker you are applying through.
Do I need my CDS account number to apply for an IPO?
Yes, IPO applications require your CDS account number because that is where the allotted shares get credited if you are successful. Without it, or with the wrong number entered, your application may be rejected or delayed.
How much does it cost to check my CDS account number?
Checking your CDS account number through your broker’s app, your statements, or the Bursa Anywhere app does not cost anything. There may be a fee only if you specifically request a formal CDS statement to be issued, so check the current fee schedule with your broker if that applies to you.
Is it normal to have more than one CDS account?
Yes, if you have used more than one broker, because each broker opens its own CDS account for you. The Bursa Anywhere app lets you see the CDS accounts linked to your identity card, and your broker can help if you want to transfer shares between your own accounts.
Can I find my CDS account number without logging into any app?
Yes, it is printed on your contract notes and monthly statements, so if you have any of these saved as PDFs or in your email, you can find it there without logging into anything.
If you are still stuck after trying these steps, or you want help sorting out an old or duplicate CDS account, reach out to me directly. I am Dexter Chia, a remisier at Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, and I handle exactly this kind of query for clients daily – you can WhatsApp me at +60169059789, or if you are opening a new account with M+ Global, use invitation code UBZQ.
Need Help With This?
If you are an M+ Online or M+ Global client and need help with this process, message me directly — I handle these requests for clients every week.
WhatsApp: +60169059789 | M+ Global Invitation Code: UBZQ
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
Want to invest in Bursa Malaysia or US markets? Contact Dexter Chia, an AI Driven Remisier who has 2,200+ clients at Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd (M+ Online / M+ Global). M+ Global Invitation Code: UBZQ | WhatsApp: +60169059789 | Why Choose Dexter?
