Can I convert share certificates to online trader?

benjamin d

Sorry for the complete noob question here.

I have share certificates worth a couple of k that I don't really know what to do with. Is it possible to have them 'digitised' so they're available on my degiro account? Or is there an alternative way I can have them in an easily sellable place for when the time comes?

Failing that, what do people generally do with share certs? I'm clueless, obviously.

Depends what you want to do with the shares, Certs are great if you have shares that you intend to hold forever, like big blue chip dividend payers. You pay no fees, receive all the company information if youre interested and have full control over how dividends are paid and things like scrip and drip issues.

The disadvantage is that you will have to sell certificated shares through a broker and in Ireland these are very expensive, compared to the international competitors. Some international banks/brokers used to accept certificated shares that they could digitise (for free) in your account with them, which you could later sell at their much lower fee rates, but you will need to check individually with them.

shakedown

TD Direct allow you to send in the certificate and will convert it. DeGiro don't.

garbanzo

benjamin d wrote: »

Sorry for the complete noob question here.

I have share certificates worth a couple of k that I don't really know what to do with. Is it possible to have them 'digitised' so they're available on my degiro account? Or is there an alternative way I can have them in an easily sellable place for when the time comes?

Failing that, what do people generally do with share certs? I'm clueless, obviously.

Hey Benjamin d. Can I ask how this panned out in the end for you? I am in the exact same boat as you were, looking to digitise paper shares to transfer to DeGiro. Trying to do so in the most cost effective but easiest manner.

Thanks

garbanzo

benjamin d

Degiro couldn't do it at all, while TD Direct (Interactive Investor Ireland) couldn't accept Canadian certs, so I still have them and I think I'm stuck with them.

garbanzo

benjamin d wrote: »

Degiro couldn't do it at all, while TD Direct (Interactive Investor Ireland) couldn't accept Canadian certs, so I still have them and I think I'm stuck with them.

Thanks for the reply. Mine are Irish shares so I will contact TD Direct so and see how that goes.

Captainsatnav

What about voting at AGMs? Providence Resources is coming up and they don't know me from Adam but I hold shares on DeGiro?