A "transfer agent" can be a trust company, bank, or similar financial institution engaged by a corporation or a mutual fund to maintain security holder records. Transfer agents typically maintain records of securities and securities certificates issued, transfer ownership of securities, countersign securities upon issuance, monitor an issue of securities to preclude over- or under-issuance, cancel and issue certificates, process investor mailings, and deal with lost or stolen certificates. If the securities offered for sale are bonds, the transfer agent is known as a "registrar."