Signature Guarantee Medallion Bond

Signature Guarantee Medallion Bond  

OVERVIEW

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) makes the Transfer Agent liable for improper securities registration. When securities are sold or transferred, the Transfer Agent or issuer relies upon the warranties made by a Medallion Guarantor. A Medallion Guarantee Stamp on a security is a warranty that the signature is genuine, the signer is an appropriate person to endorse, and the signer had the legal capacity to sign. Signature guarantee bonds limit the liability of Transfer Agents if a signature turns out to be forged.

 

SEC Rule 17ad-15 requires that Transfer Agents adopt an equitable methodology for acceptance of signature guarantees. To comply with the SEC Rule, Transfer Agents approved three Medallion Signature Guarantee Programs, STAMP, SEMP and MSP.

 

Financial Institutions (broker-dealer firms, banks and credit unions) who want to guarantee signatures involving securities sales or transfers must enroll in one of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Programs. To enroll in Signature Guarantee Program, the financial institution must provide the appropriate surety bond and the corresponding indemnity agreement.

 

STAMP — Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program and Indemnity Agreement For Financial Institution Enrollees

 

SEMP — Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and Indemnity Agreement For Financial Institution Enrollees

 

MSP — Medallion Signature Program (NYSE) and Indemnity Agreement NYSE MSP -- lowest limit is $1,000,000

 

To enroll in the signature guarantee programs, the financial institutions must complete other paperwork which can be obtained from the Medallion Signature Program administrator — Kemark Financial Services, Inc. (1) Program Application & Subscription Agreement; (2) Equipment Order Form; (3) Supplement to Program Application & Subscription Agreement. Kemark manages the enrollment process and monitors the records to make sure that each guarantor maintains a current surety bond with the appropriate limit and the appropriate equipment. KFS Technologies, LLC administers MSP.

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEES

When securities are sold, the certificates or securities powers must be signed. The seller will need to get his/her signature “guaranteed” before a transfer agent will accept the transaction. The signature guarantee process protects the seller by making it harder for someone to forge another’s signature on securities certificates or related documents.

 

Transfer Agents maintain records of the individuals and entities that own stocks and bonds. Transfer Agents issue and cancel certificates to reflect changes in ownership. Transfer Agents keep records of who owns a company’s stock and bonds and how those stocks and bonds are held — whether by the owner in certificate form, by the company in book entry form, or by the investor’s brokerage firm in street name. They also keep records of how many shares or bonds each investor owns.

 

More information is available on The Securities Transfer Associations website: www.stai.org.

 

Signature Guarantee Surety Bonds
A STAMP, SEMP, or MSP Surety Bond is a financial guarantee to the Obligee that if there is a loss due to a “signature guarantee” by the Principal (broker-dealer firm) that the surety will pay a claim made by the obligee for the amount of the loss up to the bond limit. The principal signs an indemnity agreement stating that the principal will reimburse the surety for all claims and associated costs.

  1. The guarantor (broker-dealer, bank or credit union) is the Principal
  2. The Surety is the insurance/surety company
  3. The Obligee is the beneficiary of the surety bond

 

 

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Signature Guarantee Medallion Surety Bond Program Highlights:

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To Apply

Please call the number below to speak with a Client Representative.

 

Call 1-800-978-6273 Today

 

 

Contact Us

We're here to help! Please contact us in whatever manner is most convenient for you.

We're here to help! Please contact us in whatever manner is most convenient for you.

 Regular Mailing Address
Attn: Surety Bonds,
AMBA,
PO BOX 850293,
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55485-0293
 Overnight Mailing Address
Attn: Lockbox Services #0310293,
AMBA,
1801 Parkview Dr. 1st Floor,
Shoreview, MN 55126
 Phone
1-800-978-6273
 Hours
M-F 8a-4:30p (CT)
 Email
[email protected]

FAQs

Answers about the plan, including eligibility, options, enrollment, customer service and more.
  • Does my firm need a Signature Guarantee Medallion Bond?

    Financial Institutions (broker-dealer firms, banks and credit unions) that want to guarantee signatures involving securities sales or transfers must enroll in one of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Programs. In the current environment where a large percentage of securities transactions processed online / electronic, the need for a signature guarantee bond is less frequent. However, many transactions still involve paper stock certificates. By providing signature guarantee to your client who does need to sell or transfer a security, you save the client time and money. More importantly, you solidify the relationship with a client who would otherwise go to another broker-dealer providing signature guarantee service.

  • What STAMP or SEMP Bond Limit does my firm need?

    STAMP Bond or SEMP Bond limit needs to equal and exceed the largest single security transaction for which your firm will provide a signature guarantee.

  • What is the difference between a STAMP, SEMP and MSP Surety Bonds?

    If your firm is a member of a particular stock exchange, your Signature Guarantee Medallion would identify the name of that stock exchange, and you would be required to carry a SEMP Surety Bond. However, if your firm is not a member of a stock exchange, you can apply for the STAMP program and would need to secure a STAMP Surety Bond. Only members of the New York Stock Exchange can enroll in the Medallion Signature Program (MSP).

  • Am I required to purchase Medallion Bond from the company that provides signature guarantee equipment/hardware?

    No. While AMBA has been providing SEMP, STAMP or MSP Bonds for over 20 years, AMBA does not provide the stamping equipment.  The latter is handled by Kemark Financial Services, Inc. 

    After placing your signature guarantee bond, AMBA provides the proof to Kemark. Kenmark informs your firm directly about its requirements so they can issue the hardware needed for you to guarantee your clients' signatures.

  • What are the benefits of purchasing this Signature Guarantee Medallion Bond from AMBA?

    AMBA works with three surety companies. Each surety has differing requirements and premium rates. AMBA will work with you to find the surety that is most appropriate for your company.

  • What other insurance products are available for broker-dealer firms?

    AMBA offers a variety of insurance products including Cyber Security Liability Insurance, Fidelity Bonds, Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Property & Casualty Insurance, Mail Insurance, 1st and 3rd Party ERISA Bonds and many more products. Please feel free to browse our site in its entirety for more information, or you may contact us directly at 1-800-978-6273.

  • How can I learn more about the insurance products offered by AMBA and how they can best serve my firm?

    For more information or to speak with a Client Representative, please contact our office at 1-800-978-6273 or send us an email to: [email protected].