On November 20, 2012 the DTCC and the Securities Transfer Association (STA) agreed on a protocol for the replacement of security certificates that were damaged or destroyed due to Hurricane Sandy. Under the agreement, transfer agents will accept damaged certificates for processing if key data is still legible and ownership of the certificates can be determined. In cases where certificates were destroyed, DTCC will provide issuers and their agents with an Affidavit of Unavailable Certificate and Limited Indemnity to replace the certificates. Transfer agents must place a stop on the original certificates to be eligible for indemnity.

For an overview of how shares of common stock of public companies are held and traded through the Depository Trust Company system, see Practice Note, Securities Transfers and Proxy Voting.