1. What is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR)?
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An American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is a US dollar denominated negotiable certificate that represents ownership of shares in a non-US company.
Each ADR is issued by a U.S. depositary bank (which is a bank in the US which oversees all the stock transfer and agency services in connection with a depository receipt program) and represents one or more shares of a foreign stock or a fraction of a share.. The price of an ADR is often close to the price of the foreign stock in its home market, adjusted for the ratio of the foreign company’s shares to ADRs. ADRs were specifically designed to facilitate the purchase, holding and sale of non-U.S. securities by US investors.
BB Seguridade’s ADRs represent BB Seguridade’s ordinary shares deposited with the depositary bank (Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas), to underlie such certificates and carry the rights attached to them as detailed in the Deposit Agreement.
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2. What are the benefits of ADRs to US investors?
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U.S. investors may prefer to purchase ADRs rather than ordinary shares in the issuer’s home market because ADRs trade, clear and settle in US Dollars and according to U.S. market conventions. ADRs allow easy comparison to securities of similar companies as well as access to price and trading information. Holders of ADRs also receive dividends in US dollars (if applicable)
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3. What types of companies issue ADRs?
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ADR issuers are typically large corporations. Any non-U.S. company seeking to raise capital in the U.S. or increase their base of U.S. investor can issue ADRs.
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4. What is the difference between a Registered ADR holder and a Beneficial ADR holder?
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A registered holder is one whose name appears on the books of the depositary. The registered holder is considered the owner of record. A beneficial holder is one whose holdings are registered in a name other than their own, such as in the name of a broker, bank or nominee.
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5. What is an ADR ratio?
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This is the relation between the number of ADRs and the number of ordinary shares of the Company. For BB Seguridade, each ADR represents 1 ordinary share.
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6. What is the difference between an ADR and an ADS?
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An ADR (American Depositary Receipt) is a negotiable certificate issued by a depositary bank representing a specific number of shares of a non-U.S. company traded on a U.S. stock exchange. An ADS (American Depositary Share) is the share issued under the ADR agreement which is actually traded.
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7. Is there incidence of IOF on ADRs?
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No, there is no incidence of IOF. As of December 24, 2013, the Brazilian federal government eliminated the aliquot of 1.5% which was in force from 2009.
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8. What is a sponsored Level 1 ADR program?
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In a Level 1 ADR program, the ADRs are not listed on a US stock exchange, but are traded in the US Over-the-Counter (OTC) market, mainly on the OTC Markets Group electronic market platform (see: http://www.otcmarkets.com/home).
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9. Who is BB Seguridade’s depositary for ADRs?
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Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. The depositary bank plays a key role in issuance as well as cancellation of ADRs. It also maintains the ADR holder register, distributes the dividends in US dollars (if applicable) and facilitates the exercise by the ADRs holders of their voting rights (if applicable).
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10. Where are BB Seguridade ADRs traded?
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BB Seguridade sponsored Level 1 ADRs are traded in the OTC (over the counter) market. You can refer to http://www.otcmarkets.com and http://www.adr.db.com
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11. What is BB Seguridade´s ADR ticker symbol, CUSIP code and ISIN code?
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BB Seguridade Participações S.A.
Ticker: BBSEY
Ratio (ADR:ORD) : 1 ADR : 1 ORD
DR ISIN: US05541J1034
CUSIP: 05541J103 |
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12. How do I convert my ordinary shares into ADRs?
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Individual Shareholders:
Converting ordinary shares into ADRs or ADRs into ordinary shares must be done through your broker or investment advisor.
Institutional brokers and custodians:
Brokers wishing to convert Bovespa Listed ordinary shares in BB Seguridade into American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) should, or vice versa, contact the Deutsche Bank broker desk:
USA
Tel: +1 212 250 9100
Fax: +1 732 544 6346
E-mail: adr@db.com
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7547 6500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7547 9995
E-mail: adr@db.com |
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13. How may I check how many ADRs I hold?
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If you hold your ADRs through a broker, investment advisor or custodian in a “streetname”, please contact your broker, investment advisor or custodian.
If you do not hold your ADRs via a broker, bank or nominee and/or you hold a share certificate of BB Seguridade ADRs, please contact our transfer agent:
Deutsche Bank Shareholder Services
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Peck Slip Station
P.O. Box 2050
New York, NY 10272-2050
Email: DB@amstock.com
Toll-free number: +1 866 706 0509
Direct Dial: +1 718 921 8124
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7547 6500
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7547 9995
E-mail: adr@db.com |
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14. What if I lose my ADR certificate, dividend check or tax voucher?
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If you do not hold via a broker, bank or nominee, please contact our transfer agent:
Deutsche Bank Shareholder Services
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Peck Slip Station
P.O. Box 2050
New York, NY 10272-2050
Email: DB@amstock.com
Toll-free number: +1 866 706 0509
Direct Dial: +1 718 921 8124 |
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15. Is it easy to get information and updates on BB Seguridade?
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Information is widely available on BB Seguridade’s website http://www.bancodobrasilseguridade.com.br/ Investors can sign up to receive press releases in English on the Company’s website (if applicable). Trading information is readily available on the OTC Markets Group website and our Depositary bank’s website http://www.adr.db.com. Alternatively you may contact Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Shareholder Services on toll-free number +1 866 706 0509 or Direct Dial: +1 718 921 8137.
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16. How do I obtain historical share prices of BB Seguridade’s ADRs, for the purpose of completing my tax return?
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Historical share prices for BB Seguridade’s ADRs can be found on Deutsche Bank website (http://www.adr.db.com) or on the OTC Markets website (http://www.otcmarkets.com) |
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17. How are ADR dividends paid and taxed?
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Dividends, if applicable, are paid in U.S. dollars and are generally taxable, just like dividends on U.S. shares. In addition, taxes may be withheld by the ADR company‘s local government. |
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