For individuals looking to take control of their financial future in Australia, St. George Bank provides a comprehensive online trading platform known as Directshares. Powered by a strategic partnership with CMC Markets Stockbroking, this service empowers retail investors to buy and sell Australian shares, international equities, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and options directly from their broader digital banking ecosystem.
By linking an eligible St. George transaction account or margin loan, investors can seamlessly fund their trades, receive dividend payouts, and monitor their portfolio's performance in one centralized location. Whether you are a beginner looking for the intuitive Standard platform or an active day trader seeking the advanced charting tools of Directshares Pro, St. George offers scalable solutions to match your individual investing strategy.
Directshares Platform Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Trading Platform | Directshares (Powered by CMC Markets Stockbroking). |
| Available Markets | Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and selected international markets. |
| Standard Brokerage | Brokerage typically starts from around $19.95 or a percentage of trade value. |
| Investment Options | Domestic and international shares, ETFs, Warrants, Options, and mFunds. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing Directshares
- Navigate to the official St. George Bank website and select the Log On button situated in the top right corner.
- Select Directshares platform from the available drop-down menu to be redirected to the dedicated trading portal.
- Choose Standard platform or Pro platform
- Enter your Username and your secure Password, then click to log in.
- Once inside the dashboard, select the Trade tab to search for specific stock tickers or review live market depth charts.
- Select Buy or Sell, configure your order type (such as At Market or At Limit), review the estimated brokerage fee, and officially execute your trade.
Efficiency Hack for Seamless Trading
Pro-Tip: If you monitor markets and trade frequently, download the official Directshares Mobile App and enable biometric login (Face ID or Fingerprint). This allows you to securely bypass manual password entry, letting you execute time-sensitive market orders on your smartphone the exact moment breaking financial news hits.
Troubleshooting Common Trading Access Issues
- MFA Delays: If your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) code is delayed during a volatile market session, check your mobile provider's network status. High market traffic can occasionally delay SMS delivery. You can register your primary mobile device within the app to utilize push-notification alerts instead of relying solely on SMS protocols.
- Browser Errors: The Directshares Pro platform relies on dynamic streaming data to update live prices. If your charts freeze or display a timeout error, clear your browser cache and ensure that your ad-blocker or strict anti-tracking extensions are completely disabled for the Directshares domain.
- Locked ID: Entering your password incorrectly three consecutive times will automatically lock your trading account to prevent the unauthorized liquidation of your assets. Because this platform is hosted externally via CMC Markets, you cannot unlock it through standard St. George banking; you must use the Forgot Password link on the Directshares portal or contact the Directshares support desk (e.g., 1300 133 500) or check the official website for current details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a St. George bank account to use Directshares?
Yes. To seamlessly fund and settle your share market trades (which typically operate on a T+2 settlement cycle), you must link an eligible St. George, BankSA, or Bank of Melbourne transaction account or an approved margin loan.
Are my shares CHESS sponsored with Directshares?
Yes. When you open an individual share trading account with Directshares, your Australian shares are CHESS sponsored. This means the individual shares are registered directly under your own legal name and a unique Holder Identification Number (HIN) at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
