Commercial stock transfer agents and registrars are usually banks or subsidiaries of financial service providers contracted by public companies (issuers) in the US and are highly regulated by multiple securities agencies. They maintain shareholder records for publicly traded corporations. Stock transfer agents are beginning to invest in Internet technologies to deliver shareholder services and reduce their processing costs. This TowerGroup Research Note discusses the business factors impacting stock transfer agents, the core IT used in the business, and the delivery of Internet-based services to shareholders.