Partner of Leumi, investor in Hapoalim: The trader holding bank shares worth NIS 4.5 billion

Bank Hapoalim reported that the proprietary trading company Barak Capital, controlled by Eyal Bakshi, became a 'significant controlling interest holder' after purchasing shares worth NIS 35 million. Barak Capital holds 2.46% of Hapoalim's equity (worth NIS 2.4 billion) and 3.7% of Discount Bank (worth NIS 2 billion). The article reveals the activities of Bakshi, a veteran proprietary trader, who is a partner with Leumi in underwriting.

Bank Hapoalim reported that the proprietary trading company Barak Capital, controlled by Eyal Bakshi (97.8%), became a 'significant controlling interest holder' after purchasing shares worth approximately NIS 35 million. The purchase increased its holdings to 2.46% of the bank's equity, with a market value of about NIS 2.4 billion. A few days later, Barak Capital sold shares worth about NIS 28 million and ceased to be a significant controlling interest holder. Barak Capital also holds 3.7% of Discount Bank shares, worth NIS 2 billion, and has a partnership with Bank Leumi in the underwriting company Barak Capital Underwriting. The article explains that the holdings are related to regulatory restrictions on institutional bodies, which seek exposure to bank shares through derivative instruments with Barak Capital. Bakshi, 60, began his career in the US derivatives market, traded commodities, and founded Barak Capital in 1996. The company became the first proprietary trading member of the stock exchange in 2020 and was approved as a market maker in government bonds in June 2026.