Shareholder FAQ
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How do I buy stock?
- The Company's common stock may be purchased directly through the company with an initial investment of $250 by contacting our transfer agent or completing an Account Authorization Form:
EQ Shareowner Services
1110 Centre Point Curve, Suite #101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
Phone:1-800-401-1957
www.shareowneronline.com
Shareowners of record may purchase additional shares of common stock through the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan.
How do I sell stock?
- The Company's common stock held in certificate form may be sold through a brokerage firm. Shares held in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan may be sold by using the authorization form on the back of the quarterly Dividend Reinvestment account statement and returning it in the envelope provided.
Who should I contact concerning my account if it is held by a broker?
- Stock purchased and held for shareowners by a broker is listed with the company in the broker's name or street name. All annual and quarterly reports, proxy material and dividend payments, are sent to you through your broker. If your stock is in street name and you wish to participate in the dividend reinvestment feature of the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan, or become a shareowner of record, contact your broker.
How do I transfer my shares?
- Endorse the certificate on the reverse side exactly as your name(s) is printed on the front of the certificate. (A stock power, also known as an assignment from certificate, may also be used.)
Have your signature(s) medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution.
Provide issuance instructions including the name(s), address and taxpayer identification number of the new holder.
If you have shares held by EQ Shareowner Services in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and wish to have those shares transferred also, specify this.
If the name of more than one new holder will appear on the new certificate, indicate whether the certificate should be issued in joint tenancy, tenants in common, etc.
Forward the certificate to EQ Shareowner Services via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value.
How do I replace a lost stock certificate?
- To replace a stock certificate, you must furnish an affidavit of ownership and also pay for an indemnity bond executed by a surety company. Stock certificates are valuable and should be kept in a safe place.
If your Black Hills Corporation stock certificates are lost, stolen or destroyed, notify our transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, N.A., immediately.
I was recently married, and I want to change my name on my certificate. How do I do this?
- Endorse the certificate on the reverse side exactly as your name appears on the front of the certificate and add, "now by marriage," followed by your married name. (A stock power may be used.)
Have your signature medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution.
Provide issuance instructions including the name as it should appear on the new certificate, along with address and taxpayer identification number.
Forward the certificate to EQ Shareowner Services via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value.
I was recently divorced. How do I change the registration on my certificate?
- Endorse the certificate on the reverse side with your name as it is now, and add "formerly," then sign with the name printed on the front of the certificate.
Any other owner shown on the front of the certificate must also provide an endorsement. If one of the signatures cannot be obtained, a court certified copy of the Divorce Decree, specifically awarding the shares to the transferee, is required.
All signatures must be medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution.
Forward the certificate to EQ Shareowner Services via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value.
I am now an adult. How do I have the custodian removed from my shares?
- The stock certificate(s) forwarded via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate, which will be returned upon completion of the transfer.
- Instructions for issuance of the new certificate, including your name, address and social security number.
- Instructions as to where the new certificate should be mailed.
My father died, and we're wondering how to transfer stock that is registered in his name.
- The following items are ordinarily needed to transfer stock out of the name of the decedent:
- The stock certificate.
- Endorsement by the executor or personal representative of the estate either on the back of the stock certificate, or a stock power, with that person's signature medallion guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution.
- A certified copy of the appointment of the fiduciary (the person endorsing the certificate) as legal representative of the estate, also knows as "letters testamentary," certified within the last 60 days.
- Any applicable tax waivers.
- Provide issuance instructions including name(s), address and taxpayer identification number of the new holder.
- Forward the stock certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
What happens when a deceased person's estate is small enough to permit transfer to the heirs without the need for probate?
- Along with the stock certificate, a certified copy of the death certificate is required, as well as a Small Estate Affidavit prepared in accordance with state provisions (of the state of residence of the decedent).
Endorsement on the back of the stock certificate or a stock power executed by the affiant (the person signing the affidavit) is required if shares are being transferred to someone other than the affiant or in addition to that person.
A tax waiver may be required.
Provide issuance instructions including name(s), address and taxpayer identification number of the new holder.
Forward the certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
How do I transfer shares held in joint tenancy when one of the tenants has died?
- If the shares are to be transferred to the surviving joint tenant alone, the following should be submitted:
- The stock certificate.
- A certified copy of the death certificate.
- Any applicable tax waivers.
- Issuance instructions including name(s), address and taxpayer identification number of the new holder.
- Forward the certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
- The stock certificate(s) endorsed by the surviving joint tenant(s) with signature(s) medallion guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution.
- A certified copy of the death certificate.
- Inheritance tax waivers if applicable.
- Issuance instructions including name(s), address and taxpayer identification number of the new holder.
- Forward the certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
- A copy of the death certificate of the first decedent.
- The stock certificate endorsed by the executor or personal representative of the estate.
- A court certified copy of the certificate of appointment of the fiduciary (the person endorsing the certificate), also known as "letters testamentary," dated within 60 days pertaining to the most recent decedent.
- A medallion guaranteed signature endorsement by the fiduciary of the most recent decedent is required.
- Any applicable tax waivers for both decedents.
- Issuance instructions including name(s), address and taxpayer identification number for the new holder.
- Forward the certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value of the shares.
How do I transfer my shares to a trust?
- Endorse the certificate(s) on the reverse side exactly as your name(s) is printed on the front of the certificate.
Have your signature(s) medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution.
Provide issuance instructions including the name(s) of the trustees of the trust, the date of the trust, trust beneficiary taxpayer identification number and address.
If shares are held by EQ Shareowner Services in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and you want those shares transferred also, specify this.
Forward the certificate(s) via registered mail, insured for 2% of the market value.
What is book-entry form and how do I convert my certificates into book-entry form?
- If you are already a registered shareowner, our Direct Registration Profile Modification System allows us to issue shares to you in book-entry form.
Shares held in book-entry form cannot be lost, stolen or misplaced, eliminating the cost related to safekeeping or replacing stock certificates.
You will be able to request electronic movement of book-entry shares between your account at EQ Shareowner Services, and your account at your Broker/Dealer, which will eliminate time, cost and risk related to transporting physical certificates.
How do I convert my certificates into book-entry form?
- To convert your certificates to book-entry form, mail the certificates, along with instructions to:
EQ Shareowner Services
1110 Centre Point Curve, Suite #101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
We suggest you send your certificates by registered mail, insured for 2 percent of the market value, which is the cost of replacing lost certificates. A confirmation of the transaction will be mailed to you for your records.