Step 1: Understanding the Role of a Depository
A depository is a financial institution that holds securities (shares, bonds) in electronic form, facilitating trading and investment.
Step 2: Identifying the Correct Option
- The primary market (A) deals with new securities issuance.
- The stock exchange (B) is a marketplace for buying and selling securities.
- A bank (C) manages financial transactions but does not handle securities in the described manner.
- A depository (D) allows investors to store, sell, and transfer securities electronically.
Conclusion: The correct answer is (mathbf{(D)}), as a depository enables secure storage and management of securities.