Depository Trust Company
Depository Trust Company: The central securities depository for the United States, founded in 1973 and now a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), formed in 1999. DTC holds securities for banks and brokers and settles transfers electronically; its nominee is Cede & Co.

What depository trust company means
In practice, you will see depository trust company in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.
Where depository trust company comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Cede & Co..
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses depository trust company in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Deny: to refuse to admit that an allegation is true, or to refuse a request.
- Deponent: the person whose deposition is being taken.
- Deposit: money or property that a person places with someone else for safekeeping or as security.
- Deposition: out-of-court testimony given under oath and recorded, usually in question-and-answer form.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.
