Börsenlexikon: Depot

The term is borrowed from the Latin word "depositum" and means something like "the deposited" or "the thing given to someone for safekeeping". Banks, other credit institutions and investment companies offer customers custody accounts, i.e. places where assets such as investment fund units, securities, jewellery, precious metals or valuable paintings can be kept safe. In addition, custody accounts facilitate the management of securities, for example the automatic processing of interest and dividend payments and other distributions, invitations to general meetings or information on custody account holdings.