Do my FIN and shareholder number always stay the same?

Wednesday 23rd January 2002

Q: Having recently sold all of my shareholdings in various companies, I would like to know what happens as far as my Shareholder Number and FIN are concerned when I wish to buy shares in other companies. Can I use my last sets of numbers or will I have to apply for new numbers?

A: There are several different registries in NZ and each registry will issue you with separate numbers. If you wish to continue to use the numbers you already have just tell your current numbers to your broker and you can continue to use them.

When a share transaction is sent to a registry for registration, the registrar will look at all the details that have been sent. For example, say I already own 1,000 TEL shares and put in a purchase order for a further 2,000. When I fill out my new purchase order I put my name down as Sarah J. Corkhill, plus all the other details. However the registry has my other holding as Sarah Jane Corkhill. It's a very slight difference, but the registry can't assume that Sarah J. & Sarah Jane are the same person, even if it is at the same address. The registry will therefore issue me with another Shareholder and FIN. That is how it happens and you can end up with 3,000 TEL on two separate numbers!

I hope this explains A. how you get additional numbers and B. yes, you can use the numbers you already have. Shareholder Numbers are unique and as long as you tell any broker before you purchase shares what your number is, then you can use it for as long as you want.

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