Abstract: There is provided an authentication method capable of promptly identifying a real holder of securities and providing holders with useful information. A holder identifying unit compares customer information with transaction information so that a real holder of securities can be identified after a related transaction. The associated information is stored in a storage unit via a holder information registering unit. A retrieval unit acquires holder information concerning a securities issuance company that owns an information processing apparatus in response to a request for downloading holder information from the storage unit. An information sending unit refers to the holder information stored in the storage unit, and sends related items of holder information to the holder.