Street Name

street name   n.   The name of a street. The name of a broker or brokerage firm as used when registering a security owned by a customer in order to simplify trading. An alternative or slang term for something, especially an illegal drug: "Acid" is a street name for LSD. An alternative name that a person chooses or is given, especially as used in inner city neighborhoods: "[She] wears a gold necklace with the letters F-R-E-S-H—her street name—spelled out in rhinestones" (Ted Gup).

Street Name

When securities are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, as opposed to holding them in the customer's name.

Investopedia Commentary

Shares are held in street name because it makes transferring the securities easier. This is because they are held in the broker's custody, rather than having to register in the customer's name and physically transfer certificates.

See also: Account, Bearer Form, Book Entry Securities, Broker, Holder of Record, In Street Name, Nominee, Security

street name

Used to describe registration of a customer-owned security in the name of the brokerage firm holding the certificate. A security is held in street name to simplify trading because no delivery of or signature on the certificate is required, or because the certificate is being used as collateral in a margin account. See also delivery instructions.

Main Entry: street name
Function: noun
: a brokerage firm's name in which securities owned by another (as an individual investor) are listed (as to expedite transfer at time of sale by avoiding handling of the actual certificates)