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Bank Medallion Guarantee Template for the United States

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What is a Bank Medallion Guarantee?

The Bank Medallion Guarantee system was established to protect investors and financial institutions in securities transactions within the United States. This specialized guarantee is required when transferring or selling securities, particularly in situations involving inheritance, name changes, or other significant ownership transfers. A Bank Medallion Guarantee serves as a warranty from the guaranteeing institution that the signature is genuine and the financial institution accepts liability for any forgery. The document is recognized across U.S. financial institutions and is governed by SEC regulations and the Securities Transfer Association's programs (STAMP, SEMP, and MSP).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Bank Medallion Guarantee legally binding in the United States?

Yes, a Bank Medallion Guarantee is legally binding under U.S. federal securities law, specifically the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 17Ad-15. The guaranteeing institution accepts full legal liability for any forgery and warrants the authenticity of the signature, making it a binding commitment that can result in financial liability if fraudulent.

Can I transfer securities without a Bank Medallion Guarantee?

In most cases, no - you cannot transfer certain securities without a Bank Medallion Guarantee when required by the transfer agent. Missing or incomplete medallion guarantees will result in rejected transfers for transactions involving physical stock certificates, estate transfers, or changes of ownership exceeding specific dollar thresholds set by transfer agents.

Which financial institutions can provide Bank Medallion Guarantees in the United States?

Only financial institutions that participate in one of three Medallion Signature Guarantee Programs can provide these guarantees: STAMP (Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program), SEMP (Stock Exchanges Medallion Program), or MSP (New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program). Most major banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms participate, but you must verify their program membership.

How is a Bank Medallion Guarantee different from a regular notary?

A Bank Medallion Guarantee provides financial liability protection and identity verification specifically for securities transfers, while a notary only verifies that someone signed a document in their presence. The medallion guarantee creates legal and financial responsibility for the guaranteeing institution, whereas notaries have limited liability and cannot guarantee securities transactions.

How long does it take to get a Bank Medallion Guarantee?

Most Bank Medallion Guarantees can be obtained immediately during a bank visit if you bring proper identification and required documents. The actual stamping process takes only a few minutes, but you may need to schedule an appointment since not all bank employees are authorized to provide medallion guarantees.

Why do banks refuse to provide Medallion Guarantees to non-customers?

Banks typically refuse medallion guarantees to non-customers because they assume full financial liability for fraud and must verify your identity and account relationship. Federal regulations require institutions to know their customers and assess risk, making it nearly impossible to guarantee signatures for individuals without an established banking relationship and account history.

Are there dollar limits on Bank Medallion Guarantee transactions?

Yes, different Medallion programs have varying dollar limits - STAMP typically covers up to $250,000, SEMP up to $500,000, and MSP has higher limits for larger transactions. Individual banks may also impose their own lower limits based on their insurance coverage and risk tolerance, so verify limits before initiating large securities transfers.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Jurisdiction

United States

Reviewed by

&

Publisher

GenieAI

Sector

Business

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the Bank Medallion Guarantee

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.

GOVERNING LAW

Applicable law

This Bank Medallion Guarantee is drafted to comply with United States law. Key legislation includes:

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