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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>69812</law_id><section_number>8.8A-102</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>6.2-1010</reference><reference>6.2-874</reference><reference>8.4-104</reference><reference>8.8A-103</reference><reference>8.9A-102</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.8A">Commercial Code &#x2014; Investment Securities</unit><unit label="part" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">Short Title and General Matters</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> In this title: <a id="paragraph-252283" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Adverse claim</span>&#x201D; means a claim that a claimant has a property interest in a financial asset and that it is a violation of the rights of the claimant for another person to hold, transfer, or deal with the financial asset. <a id="paragraph-252284" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> &#x201C;Bearer form,&#x201D; as applied to a <span class="dictionary">certificated security</span>, means a form in which the security is payable to the bearer of the <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span> according to its terms but not by reason of an <span class="dictionary">endorsement</span>. <a id="paragraph-252285" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Broker</span>&#x201D; means a person defined as a <span class="dictionary">broker</span> or dealer under the federal securities <span class="dictionary">laws</span>, but without excluding a bank acting in that capacity. <a id="paragraph-252286" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Certificated security</span>&#x201D; means a security that is represented by a certificate. <a id="paragraph-252287" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> &#x201C;Clearing corporation&#x201D; means: <a id="paragraph-252288" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#a5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> a person that is registered as a &#x201C;clearing agency&#x201D; under the federal securities <span class="dictionary">laws</span>; <a id="paragraph-252289" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> a federal reserve bank; or <a id="paragraph-252290" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iiii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">iii.</span> any other person that provides clearance or <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> services with respect to financial <span class="dictionary">assets</span> that would require it to register as a clearing agency under the federal securities <span class="dictionary">laws</span> but for an exclusion or exemption from the registration requirement, if its activities as a clearing corporation, including promulgation of rules, are subject to regulation by a federal or state governmental authority. <a id="paragraph-252291" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iiii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Communicate</span>&#x201D; means to: <a id="paragraph-252292" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> send a signed record; or <a id="paragraph-252293" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> transmit information by any mechanism agreed upon by the persons transmitting and receiving the information. <a id="paragraph-252294" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Entitlement holder</span>&#x201D; means a person identified in the records of a securities intermediary as the person having a <span class="dictionary">security entitlement</span> against the securities intermediary. If a person acquires a <span class="dictionary">security entitlement</span> by virtue of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Securities account; acquisition of security entitlement from securities intermediary" href="/8.8A-501/">8.8A-501</a> (b) (2) or (3), that person is the <span class="dictionary">entitlement holder</span>. <a id="paragraph-252295" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Entitlement order</span>&#x201D; means a notification communicated to a securities intermediary directing transfer or <span class="dictionary">redemption</span> of a financial asset to which the <span class="dictionary">entitlement holder</span> has a <span class="dictionary">security entitlement</span>. <a id="paragraph-252296" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> &#x201C;Financial asset,&#x201D; except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rules for determining whether certain obligations and interests are securities or financial assets" href="/8.8A-103/">8.8A-103</a>, means: <a id="paragraph-252297" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> a security; <a id="paragraph-252298" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> an obligation of a person or a share, participation, or other interest in a person or in property or an enterprise of a person, which is, or is of a type, dealt in or traded on financial markets, or which is recognized in any area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment; or <a id="paragraph-252299" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iiii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">iii.</span> any property that is held by a securities intermediary for another person in a securities account if the securities intermediary has expressly agreed with the other person that the property is to be treated as a financial asset under this title.
				As context requires, the term means either the interest itself or the means by which a person&#x2019;s claim to it is evidenced, including a certificated or <span class="dictionary">uncertificated security</span>, a <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span>, or a <span class="dictionary">security entitlement</span>. <a id="paragraph-252300" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iiii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> &#x201C;Good faith,&#x201D; for purposes of the obligation of good faith in the performance or enforcement of <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> or duties within this title, means honesty in <span class="dictionary">fact</span> and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing. <a id="paragraph-252301" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Endorsement</span>&#x201D; means a signature that alone or accompanied by other words is made on a <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span> in registered form or on a separate document for the purpose of assigning, transferring, or redeeming the security or granting a power to assign, transfer, or redeem it. <a id="paragraph-252302" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Instruction</span>&#x201D; means a notification communicated to the issuer of an <span class="dictionary">uncertificated security</span> which directs that the transfer of the security be registered or that the security be redeemed. <a id="paragraph-252303" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> &#x201C;Registered form,&#x201D; as applied to a <span class="dictionary">certificated security</span>, means a form in which: <a id="paragraph-252304" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> the <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span> specifies a person entitled to the security; and <a id="paragraph-252305" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> a transfer of the security may be registered upon books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer, or the <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span> so states. <a id="paragraph-252306" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> &#x201C;Securities intermediary&#x201D; means: <a id="paragraph-252307" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> a clearing corporation; or <a id="paragraph-252308" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> a person, including a bank or <span class="dictionary">broker</span>, that in the ordinary course of its business maintains securities accounts for others and is acting in that capacity. <a id="paragraph-252309" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> &#x201C;Security,&#x201D; except as otherwise provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rules for determining whether certain obligations and interests are securities or financial assets" href="/8.8A-103/">8.8A-103</a>, means an obligation of an issuer or a share, participation, or other interest in an issuer or in property or an enterprise of an issuer: <a id="paragraph-252310" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="i"><p><span class="prefix-number">i.</span> which is represented by a <span class="dictionary">security certificate</span> in bearer or registered form, or the transfer of which may be registered upon books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer; <a id="paragraph-252311" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#i"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">ii.</span> which is one of a class or series or by its terms is divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests, or obligations; and <a id="paragraph-252312" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="iiii" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">iii.</span> which: <a id="paragraph-252313" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#iiii"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> is, or is of a type, dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or securities markets; or <a id="paragraph-252314" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> is a medium for investment and by its terms expressly provides that it is a security governed by this title. <a id="paragraph-252315" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B16" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Security certificate</span>&#x201D; means a certificate representing a security. <a id="paragraph-252316" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#B16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B17" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Security entitlement</span>&#x201D; means the rights and property interest of an <span class="dictionary">entitlement holder</span> with respect to a financial asset specified in Part 5. <a id="paragraph-252317" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#B17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B18" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Uncertificated security</span>&#x201D; means a security that is not represented by a certificate. <a id="paragraph-252318" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#B18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> The following definitions in this title and other Articles apply to this title:
			Appropriate person &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Whether endorsement, instruction or entitlement order is effective" href="/8.8A-107/">8.8A-107</a>
			Control &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Control" href="/8.8A-106/">8.8A-106</a>
			Controllable account &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.9A-102/">8.9A-102</a>
			Controllable electronic record &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/8.12-102/">8.12-102</a>
			Controllable payment intangible &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.9A-102/">8.9A-102</a>
			Delivery &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Delivery" href="/8.8A-301/">8.8A-301</a>
			Investment company security &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rules for determining whether certain obligations and interests are securities or financial assets" href="/8.8A-103/">8.8A-103</a>
			Issuer &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Issuer" href="/8.8A-201/">8.8A-201</a>
			Overissue &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Overissue" href="/8.8A-210/">8.8A-210</a>
			Protected purchaser &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Protected purchaser" href="/8.8A-303/">8.8A-303</a>
			Securities account &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Securities account; acquisition of security entitlement from securities intermediary" href="/8.8A-501/">8.8A-501</a> <a id="paragraph-252319" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="c"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> In addition, Title 8.1A contains general definitions and principles of construction and interpretation applicable throughout this title. <a id="paragraph-252320" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="d"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> The characterization of a person, business, or transaction for purposes of this title does not determine the characterization of the person, business, or transaction for purposes of any other <span class="dictionary">law</span>, regulation, or rule. <a id="paragraph-252321" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.8A-102/#d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1996, c. 216; 2003, c. 353; 2024, c. 652.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
