Bank Medallion Guarantee Template for the United States

When you need to transfer securities ownership in the United States, you'll likely require a Bank Medallion Guarantee to complete the transaction. This specialized document serves as a powerful form of signature verification that goes beyond simple notarization, providing a warranty from a qualified financial institution that protects all parties involved in securities transfers.

When do you need this document?

You'll need a Bank Medallion Guarantee whenever you're transferring securities valued above certain thresholds, typically $50,000 or more, though requirements vary by transfer agent. Common situations include inheriting stocks or bonds, transferring securities due to divorce settlements, changing account ownership after marriage or name changes, moving securities between brokerage accounts, or liquidating investment accounts. Estate executors frequently require these guarantees when distributing inherited securities to beneficiaries, and individuals changing their legal names must often obtain medallion guarantees to update their investment account registrations.

Key legal considerations

The medallion guarantee creates significant legal liability for the guaranteeing institution, which must verify your identity, signature authenticity, and legal authority to transfer the securities. The guarantee institution becomes financially responsible for any losses resulting from fraudulent signatures or unauthorized transfers, making banks extremely cautious about issuing these guarantees. You must be an established customer of the guaranteeing institution, and they will require extensive documentation including government-issued identification, account statements, and supporting legal documents. The guarantee covers specific dollar amounts and particular securities, so any changes to the transaction may require a new guarantee. Transfer agents rely on these guarantees to process securities transfers without requiring additional verification, streamlining the transfer process while maintaining security.

Legal requirements in United States

Bank Medallion Guarantees are governed by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 17Ad-15, which establish federal requirements for securities transfer procedures. The Securities Transfer Association operates three primary guarantee programs: STAMP (Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program), SEMP (Stock Exchanges Medallion Program), and MSP (New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program), each with specific participation requirements and coverage limits. Only qualified financial institutions can provide medallion guarantees, including commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, and broker-dealers that are members of these programs. The Uniform Commercial Code Articles 8 and 3 provide the state law framework governing investment securities and negotiable instruments, while the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act require institutions to implement anti-money laundering procedures and customer identification programs when issuing guarantees.