Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the term: 1. "Agent" means a national bank, state bank, trust company, or broker-dealer which maintains an account in its name in a clearing corporation or which is a member of the federal reserve system and through which a custodian participates in a clearing corporation, including the treasury/reserve automated debt entry securities system (TRADES) or treasury direct systems except that with respect to securities issued by institutions organized or existing under the laws of any foreign country or securities used to meet the deposit requirements pursuant to the laws of a foreign country as a condition of doing business therein, "agent" may include a corporation which is organized or existing under the laws of any foreign country and which is legally qualified under those laws to accept custody of securities. 2. "Clearing corporation" means a corporation as defined in subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code section 41-08-02 which is organized for the purpose of effecting transactions in securities by computerized book-entry; except that with respect to securities issued by institutions organized or existing under the laws of any foreign country or securities used to meet the deposit requirements pursuant to the laws of a foreign country as a condition of doing business therein, "clearing corporation" may include a corporation that is organized or existing under the laws of any foreign country and which is legally qualified under those laws to effect transactions in securities by computerized book-entry. Clearing corporation also includes “treasury/reserve automated debt entry securities system” and “treasury direct” book-entry securities systems established under 31 U.S.C. 3100 et seq., 12 U.S.C. pt. 391, and 5 U.S.C. pt. 301. 3. "Custodian" means: a. A national bank, state bank, or trust company that must at all times during which it acts as a custodian under this chapter be no less than adequately capitalized as determined by the standards adopted by United States banking regulators and which is regulated by either state banking laws or is a member of the federal reserve system and which is legally qualified to accept custody of securities in accordance with the standards set forth below; except that with respect to securities issued by institutions organized or existing under the laws of any foreign country, or securities used to meet the deposit requirements pursuant to the laws of a foreign country as a condition of doing business therein, "custodian" may include a bank or trust company incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States that is regulated as such by that country’s government or an agency of that country that must be at all times during which it acts as a custodian pursuant to this chapter be no less than adequately capitalized as determined by the standards adopted by international banking authorities and which is legally qualified to accept custody of securities; or b. A broker-dealer that shall be registered with and subject to jurisdiction of the securities and exchange commission, maintains membership in the securities investor protection corporation, and has a tangible net worth equal to or greater than two hundred fifty million dollars. 4. "Custodied securities" means securities held by the custodian or its agent or in a clearing corporation, including the treasury/reserve automated debt equity securities system or treasury direct systems. 5. "Securities" means certificated securities and uncertificated securities as defined in subdivisions d and r of subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code section 41-08-02. 6. "Securities certificate" means a certificate as defined in subdivision p of subsection 1 of North Dakota Century Code section 41-08-02. 7. "Tangible net worth" means shareholders' equity, less intangible assets, as reported in the broker-dealer’s most recent annual or transition report under section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEC form 10-K) filed with the securities and exchange commission. 8. "Treasury/reserve automated debt entry securities system" ("TRADES") and “treasury direct” mean the book-entry securities systems established under 31 U.S.C. 3100 et seq., 12 U.S.C. pt. 391 and 5 U.S.C. pt. 301. The operation of TRADES and treasury direct systems are subject to 31 C.F.R. pt. 357, et seq.