Meritz Securities stock gets approval for short term notes

Meritz Securities stock gets a new funding route after the company won approval to issue short-term notes on September 23, 2026. The license gives Meritz Securities access to a potential funding capacity of up to KRW 16.7 trillion, based on equity capital of KRW 8.35 trillion at the end of June. The development strengthens the firm's corporate finance platform while raising the pressure to deploy capital profitably.

License expands funding capacity

According to Seoul Economic Daily on September 23, 2026, South Korea's Financial Services Commission approved Meritz Securities' short-term financing business application and designated the firm as a comprehensive financial investment business entity. The authorization allows the company to issue, discount and trade bills with maturities of less than one year.

The source reported that Meritz Securities held KRW 8.35 trillion in equity capital on a separate basis at the end of the first half. Because licensed firms can issue notes worth up to 200 percent of equity capital, the approval creates a funding ceiling of KRW 16.7 trillion, compared with the KRW 4 trillion equity threshold for the designation.

Venture capital requirement adds risk

The new capacity is not unrestricted. Seoul Economic Daily reported that comprehensive financial investment firms must direct at least 10 percent of funds raised through short-term notes into venture capital in 2026. That ratio is scheduled to rise to 20 percent in 2027 and 25 percent in 2028.

The requirement creates a measurable test for Meritz Securities. The company has built capabilities in real estate project finance and corporate finance, but the new rule also demands experience with unlisted startup investments and mezzanine investments in KOSDAQ-listed companies. Seoul Economic Daily identified venture capital capability and asset selection as key challenges after the approval.

Meritz enters a nine firm market

The approval makes Meritz Securities the ninth Korean brokerage licensed to issue short-term notes, according to Seoul Economic Daily. Competition for customer deposits therefore rises alongside the firm's new funding capacity. For investors, the key variable is the conversion of KRW 16.7 trillion in potential issuance capacity into profitable corporate finance assets.

Funding capacity sets the next test

Meritz Securities had equity capital of KRW 8.35 trillion at the end of June, and the September 23, 2026 approval permits short-term note issuance linked to that capital base. The required venture capital allocation means execution, risk control and returns will determine how much of the new capacity becomes earnings.

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