A custody account, often called a brokerage account or securities account, is an account used to hold and manage investments such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds.

The account is maintained by a bank, broker, or financial institution on behalf of the investor.

A custody account allows investors to buy, sell, and store securities while keeping ownership records secure.

In Germany, a custody account is commonly referred to as a “Depot” and is required for investing in most financial products.