The spelling of the word "Scripholder" is pronounced as /ˈskrɪphəʊldər/. This word is composed of two parts "Scrip" and "holder". "Scrip" comes from the Old French "scrippe" meaning a small bag or wallet, while "holder" means one who holds something. Therefore, a "Scripholder" is someone who holds a small bag or wallet. The spelling of this word uses the combination of letters "sc" to represent the /sk/ sound, which is characteristic of many words in the English language.
A Scripholder refers to an individual or entity that possesses ownership or holds a stock certificate or scrip, which represents shares or ownership in a company. As the term suggests, a Scripholder holds a written document, known as a scrip or stock certificate, that serves as proof of their ownership or investment in a particular corporation.
The primary responsibility of a Scripholder is to safeguard and maintain their stock certificates or scrip, as these documents are crucial evidence of their legal entitlement to the shares they hold. Scripholders often keep their certificates in safe custody or deposit them with a financial institution, such as a bank, for safekeeping.
Apart from possessing the physical proof of ownership, Scripholders may also enjoy certain privileges or benefits associated with the shares they hold, such as the rights to participate in company meetings, receive dividends, or vote on matters that impact the corporation. These entitlements are typically outlined in the corporate bylaws or regulations and are applicable to all Scripholders. In many cases, Scripholders are also eligible to receive periodic financial statements or reports, keeping them informed about the corporation's financial performance and any significant developments or announcements.
With the increasing trend of electronic securities and dematerialization, the concept of Scripholder is becoming less prevalent as more investors opt for holding their shares in electronic form through a brokerage account. Nonetheless, for certain companies or specific circumstances, Scripholders may still exist, preserving the importance of physical ownership documents.
The word "scripholder" is a compound of two terms: "scrip" and "holder".
The term "scrip" originated from the Old English word "scripen" or "scrypen", which referred to a piece of paper or a scrap. Over time, "scrip" also came to be used to denote a written document, especially one that represented a financial or legal obligation. In the context of corporations, "scrip" refers to certificates or documents that represent shares or stock ownership.
The term "holder" is derived from the Old English word "gehealdan" or "haldan", which means "to retain" or "to possess". In the context of ownership or possession, a "holder" is someone who has the legal right to own or possess something.