ExpertGlossary

Street name is a way to identify stock that is registered in a broker-dealer's name rather than in the name of the actual, or beneficial, owner.

Stock registered in street name is also said to be held in nominee name. The advantage of having your stocks registered in street name is that the shares are secure and at the same time can be traded more easily. That's because you don't have to sign and deliver the stock certificates before a sale can be completed.

There's an advantage from the broker-dealer's perspective as well, since stocks held in street name can be used to complete a trade or in other transactions, subject to regulatory limits.