Street Name
A form of securities ownership in which shares are held in the name of a broker-dealer or nominee on behalf of the beneficial owner, rather than in the investor's own name on the issuer's books.
Full Definition
When securities are held in street name, the broker-dealer or its nominee (commonly Cede & Co., the DTC nominee) appears as the registered holder on the issuer's records, while the actual investor is the beneficial owner. This structure facilitates efficient settlement through the DTC but means the beneficial owner does not appear on the transfer agent's shareholder register. Editors must understand the distinction because regulatory disclosures, proxy voting procedures, and dividend entitlements differ between registered holders and beneficial holders in street name. The term is written as two words ('street name') and hyphenated only when used as a compound modifier ('street-name holding').
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate only as a compound modifier: 'street-name account.' Do not capitalise 'street' or 'name.'
In Context
- "Most retail investors hold their shares in street name through their brokerage accounts." — Proxy statement
- "Shareholders holding in street name must contact their broker to receive the merger consideration." — Merger information letter