Q and A's on Transfer Agents....
8. What is the difference between Registered and "Street" share certificates?
When you purchase shares of a public company through a stockbroker, the broker typically keeps your certificates and registers them in "street" name. That means your stockbroker has the only record of your securities holdings and you must do any re-registration of your certificates through your stockbroker.
If you don't like that arrangement, you can request your stockbroker to register your shares with the corporation. The actual certificates will then be mailed to you or kept in "safekeeping" at your broker.
A stock certificate is evidence of your ownership in a public corporation. It is a valuable document that deserves careful protection. If you take possession of your certificates, keep them in a secure place such as a safety deposit box. Replacing certificates is costly and inconvenient.
9. When do I receive information on annual meetings and proxy voting?
Thirty to forty-five days before the company's annual meeting, the transfer agent or your broker will mail you an annual report with a notice of the annual meeting and proxy statement. At the meeting, shareholders elect directors and act on matters such as management and shareholder proposals. If you can't attend, you can vote by proxy with the cards included in the meeting announcement.
