Banking Terms - Set 31 (Unlisted, Underlying Option, Cabinet & Underlying Security)

Unlisted Security

A financial instrument that is not traded on an exchange, but through the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Unlisted securities are also called OTC securities. Market makers facilitate the buying and selling of unlisted securities in the OTC market. Because they are not exchange traded, unlisted securities can be less liquid than listed securities.

Securities must meet a number of requirements to be listed on an exchange. For example, to be listed on an exchange such as the NYSE or AMEX, a publicly traded stock must represent a company that surpasses an annual income or market capitalization threshold. The company also must have issued a specific number of shares and be able to afford the exchange's listing fee, which often exceeds $100,000. These requirements ensure that only the highest quality companies trade on exchanges. Thus, unlisted securities may be of lower quality and present a greater risk to investors.

Underlying Option Security

An underlying option security is the financial instrument on which a derivative's (i.e., an option's) value is based – it provides the price that is used to determine the value of the derivative. An option is classified as a derivative because its value is derived from the underlying security.

An option holder has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a particular instrument at a specified price and date in the future.

Cabinet Security

A security that is listed under a major financial exchange, such as the NYSE, but is not actively traded. A cabinet security is traded by an inactive investment crowd, and is more likely to be a bond than a stock. 

The cabinets would typically hold limit orders, and the orders were kept on hand until they expired or were executed.

Underlying Security

The security on which a derivative derives its value. For example, a call option on Company X stock gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase Company X’s stock at the price specified in the option contract. In this case, Company X’s stock is the underlying security.

Generally, an underlying security's value should be independently observable by both parties, so that there is no potential for confusion regarding the value of the derivative. Investors dealing in derivatives must closely research the underlying security in order to ensure that they fully understand the factors affecting the value of the derivative.

Banking Terms - Set 30 (IDS, Security Deposit, Tax-Exempt Security, Authentication vs Authorization)

Income Deposit Security - IDS

A security that combines common stock and notes of the issuer to provide regular income payments to the holder of the security. The holder of the income deposit security receives dividends from the common stock, and fixed income from the debt instrument in the IDS.

These types of securities are traded on stock exchanges and can be purchased by any type of investor. The companies that use this form of security are usually very stable and mature businesses.

Security Deposit

A monetary deposit given to a lender, seller or landlord as proof of intent. Security deposits can be either refundable or nonrefundable, depending on the terms of the transaction. As the name implies, the deposit is intended as a measure of security for the recipient. 

Security deposits are not considered taxable income. Local laws often treat security deposits as trust funds. Security deposits that are used as final rent payments must be claimed as advance rent and are taxable when paid.

Tax-Exempt Security

A security in which the income produced is free from federal, state and local taxes. Most tax-exempt securities come in the form of municipal bonds, which represent obligations of a state, territory or municipality. For some investors, U.S. savings bond interest may also be free from federal income taxes.

A tax-exempt security will carry a tax-equivalent yield that is often higher than the current yield, as determined by the investor's tax bracket. The higher the tax bracket, the more beneficial tax-exempt securities can become in a taxable investment account. 

Authentication vs Authorization

Authentication is a process where a cardholder proves that they are the genuine cardholder.   Examples of authentication are - The credit card holder fills up his credit card details on a site where he is a payer and then the bank sends him a 'one time password (OTP)' on his registered mobile phone. The transaction is completed when the OTP is entered. OTP is valid for that one transaction and expires after the use. Every new transaction made on the credit card generates a new OTP. Alternatively the credit card holder is prompted to a 'Visa or Master verified' site and then he is expected to insert his password, which is known to him only. This ensures that even if one gets to know the credit card details of an individual one cannot misuse the credit card online. This is called double factor authentication.

While Authorizations are provided by card issuers and confirm that the card number is valid, that the funds are available at the time the transaction takes place and the card had not been reported as lost or stolen at the time of the transaction.  Authorizations are not a guarantee of payment.