Securities lending
Legally, a securities loan is the transfer of title in shares or bonds, against an irrevocable undertaking to return equivalent securities.
The borrower also gives the lender collateral in the form of shares, bonds or cash.
The borrower pays the lender a fee each month for the loan and is contractually obliged to return the securities on demand within the standard market settlement period (e.g. three days for UK equities).
The borrower will also pass over to the lender any dividends or interest received, and corporate actions that may arise.
In essence, the lender will retain the key rights they would have had if they had not lent the securities, except they will need to make special arrangements if they want to vote on the shares.
Securities lending is also known as stock lending.
