TD Waterhouse introduces online shareholder voting
TD Waterhouse, one of the UK's largest execution-only online brokers, has introduced a new service to customers that will not only provide nominee shareholders with easier access to company information but also give them the option to vote online on decisions relating to their UK-listed nominee shareholdings. TD Waterhouse is the first execution-only broker to offer these combined services to customers in the UK.
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The TD Waterhouse Shareholder Voting and Information Service is an opt-in service that is available for free to all TD Waterhouse nominee customers and is provided in association with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a leading global provider of investor communication solutions.
Jason Robinson, Director of Operations, TD Waterhouse comments: "At TD Waterhouse we appreciate that not being recognised on the share register has long been an issue for UK investors when holding shares electronically with a broker. For this reason we have worked with Broadridge to find a solution that will alleviate this problem for our nominee customers.
"The TD Waterhouse Shareholder Voting and Information Service is the first of its kind available from a non advisory broker in the UK. It is a free service that will make it easier for our nominee customers to exercise their rights as shareholders. All they have to do is sign-up and
TD Waterhouse will keep them informed on voting rights and shareholder information relating to their UK listed shares."
The new service has been welcomed by the UK Shareholders Association (UKSA), which has long been an advocate of holding shares in Personal Crest accounts but recognise that some shareholders prefer to use their brokers' nominee accounts.
Roger Lawson, Communications Director, UKSA said: "The UK Shareholders Association welcomes the new service from TD Waterhouse because we consider it essential that shareholders are given voting and information rights in the companies in which they invest."
Once TD Waterhouse customers have signed-up to the service, they will automatically receive information and voting rights on their UK listed shares held in nominee, which includes companies listed on the LSE and PLUS Markets, as well as providing access to equivalent services from Investment Trusts, AIM listed companies and OEICs. Customers can enroll online and receive information by email, or enroll over the phone and opt to receive information by email or post. A valid email address will be required for customers to receive notification of a right to vote and all voting can be carried out online by simply logging on to the secure TD Waterhouse site.