COCHIN STOCK EXCHANGE LTD. is one of the premier Stock Exchanges in India, established in the year 1978. The exchange had a humble beginning with just 5 companies listed in 1978 -79, and had only 14 members. Today the Exchange has more than 508 members and 240 listed companies. In 1980 the Exchange computerized its offices. In order to keep pace with the changing scenario in the capital market, CSE took various steps including trading in dematerialized shares. CSE introduced the facility for computerized trading - "Cochin Online Trading (COLT)" on March 17, 1997. CSE was one of the promoters of the "Interconnected Stock Exchange of India (ISE)". The objective was to consolidate the small, fragmented and less liquid markets into a national level integrated liquid market. With the enforcement of efficient margin system and surveillance, CSE has successfully prevented defaults. Introduction of fast track system made CSE the stock exchange with the shortest settlement cycle in the country at that time. By the dawn of the new century, the regional exchanges faced a serious challenge from the NSE & BSE. To face this challenge CSE promoted a 100% subsidiary called the "Cochin Stock Brokers Ltd. (CSBL)" and started trading in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
CSBL is the first subsidiary of a stock exchange to get membership in both NSE & BSE.