How do I find out how much an old stock certificate is worth?

Question

I found an old stock certificate in my name for 2 shares of stock in a bank that my grandmother used to work at. How do I find out it's worth? It was a local bank branch where she lived that is no longer around. So, I realize that if those bank branches have gone out of business that the stock is worth nothing, but how can I also find out if those bank branches have possibly been absorbed into another banking company? (My grandmother is deceased & my parents don't know anything about the bank either - this certificate dates back to the 70's)

Actually, you know, although the particular bank where she worked at may no longer be open, that banking company might still actually have other open branches in that area. So, if that is indeed the case, how would I go about it then?

Also, I really don't have any money to hire a broker. Is there any do-it-yourself research I could do?

Answer 1

It would be really helpful if you provided the name of the bank. That said, you could Google the name of the bank to see if it has been mentioned. Transamerica no longer exists, but it was acquired by BofA. There have been heaps of acquisitions.

If you are unable to track the company down on the internet, try searching the Secretary of State website (department of Corporations?) at the state where the bank was headquartered. In California, the website is:

http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html

Assuming you can track down the corporation and it has been acquired by an existing company that is public, contact the new parent company's Investor Relations department for information on how to redeem the stock and how much it is worth (it may have gone through several splits or reverse splits since the bank was acquired). If the bank was acquired by a private corporation, it will be more difficult to get information, but possibly easier to get in touch with someone who can help you and to sell the share back to the company without needing to go through a broker.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Any Broker should be able to help you, such as : Piper Jaffrey, Schwab, or some other close to you. Check your yellow pages for "investment brokers" to find your closest one.

Good Luck !!
: )