Subject: Re: Are Berkshire Shares Safe?
rationalwalk wrote: "One issue with EQ that I've heard about (probably true for all transfer agents) is that the direct registration systems are kind of a pain to deal with. You'll likely need medallion signature guarantees (not just notary guarantees) and medallion signature guarantee is only offered by certain financial institutions. I do not maintain local banking relationships and I have found it next to impossible to obtain a medallion signature guarantee in the past."

I had to deal with Computershare to transfer some stock while settling an estate not long ago, and I couldn't find anyone locally to do it. I think JD Edwards could do them but didn't for non-customers. Wells Fargo stopped offering them. So I ended up using eSignature Guarantee, an online outfit that provides them, recommended by Computershare. They were pretty easy to work with, but it's kinda expensive: $149 per medallion.

The whole medallion thing seems kinda antiquated and crazy.