Missing Halifax PLC shares from 1997

hammm001

Please could anyone offer me any advice / help with this issue in respect of missing 200 Halifax PLC shares from May 1997. I found the shares certificate in some old paperwork and decided to follow up what happened to my shares. Early 2024 I approached Halifax on my high street they advised me to follow up with EQUINITI who oversee shares. EQUINITI confirmed they held my details against the shares but were unable to locate the shares in their Archives Department. After a request for more information they responded  they no longer held the shares for Halifax and were unable to provide information as to where my shares were now, in part due to the time lapsed they no longer hold a copy of the paperwork. 

I raised a formal complaint under EQUINITI’s complaint’s procedure. They were unable to locate a shareholding in Loyds Banking Group plc following on the acquisition of HSBOS in 2009. …As we have been unable to trace a valid holding in the company, this indicates the shares were sold or transferred some time ago. 

I raised the matter with the Financial Ombudsman. They told me this issue was not within their jurisdiction. I also spoke with the Financial Conduct Authority who agreed they were unable to pursue this issue as it was not within their jurisdiction/powers. 

I am concerned that my shares have been fraudulently sold /cannot be located. Can anyone help ? 

Hoenir

Old share certificates are worthless. As they become redundant following mergers and acquisitions etc. You would have received a share certificate in LLoyds Bank in 2009. 

eskbanker

hammm001 said:

Please could anyone offer me any advice / help with this issue in respect of missing 200 Halifax PLC shares from May 1997. I found the shares certificate in some old paperwork and decided to follow up what happened to my shares. Early 2024 I approached Halifax on my high street they advised me to follow up with EQUINITI who oversee shares. EQUINITI confirmed they held my details against the shares but were unable to locate the shares in their Archives Department. After a request for more information they responded  they no longer held the shares for Halifax and were unable to provide information as to where my shares were now, in part due to the time lapsed they no longer hold a copy of the paperwork. 

I raised a formal complaint under EQUINITI’s complaint’s procedure. They were unable to locate a shareholding in Loyds Banking Group plc following on the acquisition of HSBOS in 2009. …As we have been unable to trace a valid holding in the company, this indicates the shares were sold or transferred some time ago. 

I raised the matter with the Financial Ombudsman. They told me this issue was not within their jurisdiction. I also spoke with the Financial Conduct Authority who agreed they were unable to pursue this issue as it was not within their jurisdiction/powers. 

I am concerned that my shares have been fraudulently sold /cannot be located. Can anyone help ? 

Perhaps also worth reflecting on the massive loss in value of those windfall shares, even if they could be located - the 200 shares were worth over £2K at their peak before the global financial crisis, but became 120 shares in Lloyds when Halifax was acquired, and so are now worth about £70.  That's not to say that there's no point in pursuing the matter, but don't be under any illusion that there's a meaningful pot of gold as the prize if successful!

When were any dividends or share-related correspondence last received?

Eyeful

Why after you originally acquired these shares, did you not chase up the company that you where not getting their dividends?
If you where getting the dividends why did you not try to find out why they stopped arriving?
Is it possible that you have forgotten you sold the shares?

wmb194

Has the registrar always had your correct address? Were you not receiving Halifax dividends or not notice they weren’t being paid? Another option is that they have been forfeited to the company because the registrar lost contact with you and couldn’t trace you. Check Halifax/Lloyds’ articles of association but it’s often six years after contract has been lost. You could go direct to Lloyds and ask whether it’s aware of them being forfeited (try investor relations or its Company Secretary).

 You’re absolutely certain they weren’t sold?

For clarity, you're referring to Halifax ordinary shares and not preference shares?