Transfer Agents
Transfer agents work for the security issuer to record changes of ownership, maintain the issuer's security holder records, cancel and issue certificates, and distribute dividends. Transfer agents are usually banks or trust companies, but sometimes a company acts as its own transfer agent. Transfer agents are required to be registered with the SEC, or if the transfer agent is a bank, with a bank regulatory agency.
Concept at a glance
Definition and explanation
Transfer agents work for the security issuer to record changes of ownership, maintain the issuer's security holder records, cancel and issue certificates, and distribute dividends. Transfer agents are usually banks or trust companies, but sometimes a company acts as its own transfer agent. Transfer agents are required to be registered with the SEC, or if the transfer agent is a bank, with a bank regulatory agency. [1]
Most issuers identify their transfer agent on their company website under the “Investor Relations” tab. You may need to contact the company directly to obtain the transfer agent’s name and contact information. [1]
Source-supported connections
Frequently asked questions
What does Transfer Agents mean in the cited reference?
Transfer agents work for the security issuer to record changes of ownership, maintain the issuer's security holder records, cancel and issue certificates, and distribute dividends. Transfer agents are usually banks or trust companies, but sometimes a company acts as its own transfer agent. Transfer agents are required to be registered with the SEC, or if the transfer agent is a bank, with a bank regulatory agency. [1]
Transfer Agents connection map
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Sources and review dates
Reviewed 23 October 2026. Historical dates and award-time affiliations retain their original context. A review date is not an event date. Background sources are identified separately from official records.