OTC Markets Increases Disclosure Requirements for OTC Pink Issuers
On January 3, 2013, the OTC Markets revised its disclosure requirements for issuers quoted with an OTC Markets “OTC Pink Current” tier. These revisions increase current events disclosures for a laundry list of corporate events but reduce the obligations of issuers to provide quarterly legal opinion letters from their securities lawyers.
The OTC Markets Group operates an electronic inter-dealer quotation system for broker-dealers to trade securities not Read More
What Is Section 16 Reporting? Securities Lawyer 101
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires the reporting of beneficial ownership by the officers, directors and stockholders who hold stock directly or indirectly, beneficially owning more than 10% of the company’s common stock or other class of equity securities registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act. Section 16 reporting requirements apply only to companies that have registered a class of securities under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g).
Issuers that voluntarily file periodic reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and their directors, officers and large stockholders, are not subject to the reporting obligations of Section 16. Nor are issuers that are required to file periodic reports under the Securities Act of 1933 bound by the provisions of Section 16.
Beneficial Ownership
For the purposes of Section 16, beneficial ownership means having or sharing, directly or indirectly, either investment or voting power or both. To determine what or how many securities are reported under Section 16, beneficial ownership means having an economic or pecuniary interest, which includes directly or indirectly receiving or sharing in profits from a transaction in the securities, whether by agreement, relationship or other arrangement (See Rule 16(a)-1, Exchange Act). Direct economic interests are defined as ownership of securities in certificate form, or of securities held in a brokerage account bearing the individual’s name. Indirect economic interests that imply beneficial ownership include the following:
♦ A person is generally regarded as beneficially owning securities held in the name of immediate family members sharing the same household. As such, if a spouse or household family member purchases an issuer’s securities, the spouse or other members of the household have an interest in those shares;
♦ An indirect pecuniary interest in securities can cause beneficial ownership to be attributed to multiple persons, such as when persons are acting as a group to acquire, hold, vote or dispose of an issuer’s equity securities. Each person in the group is deemed to be a beneficial owner of all the issuer’s equity securities that are beneficially owned by the other persons within the group; and
♦ The right to acquire equity securities by the exercise or conversion of a derivative including debt security is considered an indirect pecuniary interest in the underlying equity security whether or not the right is presently exercisable.
Section 16 requires the following reports:
♦ SEC Form 3 to report an initial statement of beneficial ownership;
♦ Form 4 to report changes in beneficial ownership; and
♦ Form 5 to report annual statements of beneficial ownership.
Form 3
A Form 3 for the initial statement of beneficial ownership should be filed after one of the following events:
♦ Upon an issuer listing for the first time on a securities exchange under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act;
♦ Upon an issuer’s first registration statement under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act such as Form 10 or Form 8A becomes effective; or
♦ After a person becomes a director, officer or 10% holder of the issuer.
A Form 3 is required by Section 16 even if the insider does not beneficially own any of the issuer’s securities at that time. Newly-appointed directors and officers, and new greater-than-10% shareholders must file Forms 3 within ten days.
Form 4
Any change in ownership after the filing of the Form 3 must be reported on Form 4. A single Form 4 can be used to report multiple transactions. A Form 4 should be filed for any purchases, sales, gifts, or exercise of options that result in acquisition or disposition of the issuer’s equity securities. With limited exceptions, Forms 4 must be filed within two days.
Form 5
An annual report on Form 5 is required once annually to report transactions that occurred during the prior fiscal year that either were not required to be reported on a Form 4 or should have been reported on a Form 3 or Form 4 but were not. They must state the filer’s beneficial ownership at the end of the fiscal year. The Form 5, if required, is due within 45 days following the end of the company’s fiscal year.
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes. Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney 101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North Boca Raton, Florida 33432 Telephone: (561) 416-8956 Facsimile: (561) 416-2855 www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com
JOBS Act l Research Analysts and Underwriters
On September 28, 2012, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) proposed rule changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for NASD Rule 2711, which regulates the activities of research analysts. The proposals were made pursuant to the requirements of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”).
JOBS Act – Research Analyst Communications Read More
Removing the Advertising Ban in Rule 506 Offerings
Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, enacted under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) is intended to help smaller and emerging growth companies raise capital in the U.S. capital markets. The JOBS Act adds new sections to the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). The JOBS Act’s stated purpose is to assist small companies in raising capital. Less stringent requirements will encourage smaller companies seeking to raise capital to go public directly, without involving an underwriter, as traditional IPOs do.
In furtherance of this purpose, Section 201 of the JOBS Act requires the SEC to change regulations applicable to Rule 506 Attorneys of Regulation D of the Securities Act. Most notably, the JOBS Act removes the prohibition on general solicitation and advertisement by issuers that rely on Rule 506. Rule 506 is an exemption frequently used by private companies that go public directly on OTC Markets, and by hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds. Read More
How Did the JOBS Act Change Mandatory Exchange Act Registration?
On April 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), which is intended to help smaller and emerging growth companies access the U.S. capital markets. The JOBS Act amends, and adds new sections to, the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act requires companies with more than $10 million in assets whose equity securities are held by more than 500 shareholders of record to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Read More
OTC Markets OTC Pink Disclosure Obligations
OTC Markets Group operates the world’s largest electronic inter-dealer quotation system. Broker-dealers use it to trade unlisted securities. OTC Markets assigns issuers to one of three tiers based upon the level of disclosure provided.
The OTC Pink is used to categorize issuers who do not file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
The OTC Pink tier comprises three sub-categories: OTC Pink Current Information, Pink Limited Information, and Pink No Information.
Secondary trading of the securities of OTC Pink Sheet issuers is facilitated only between broker-dealers. They use OTC Link, OTC Markets’ electronic trading platform.
Current SEC reporting companies and non-U.S. companies that are listed on a qualified foreign stock exchange automatically qualify for the OTC Pink Sheets Current Information tier. Issuers not reporting with the SEC must subscribe to the OTC Markets Disclosure and News Service to be quoted on the OTC Pink Sheets Current tier, and must also publicly file an initial Information and Disclosure Statement with a signed Attorney Letter Agreement by the issuer’s SEC attorney.
Equity Crowdfunding 101- Going Public Lawyers
On April 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), which is intended to help smaller and emerging growth companies access the U.S. capital markets. The JOBS Act amends, and adds new sections to, the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The SEC had 270 days to enact the rules necessary to allow for crowdfunding. Once the SEC rules concerning equity crowdfunding are enacted, both private and public companies will be able to raise money from a broad range of investors using the Internet and social media.
Equity crowdfunding significantly impacts the securities laws governing private and public companies, and those that use traditional IPOs. The creation of the equity crowdfunding exemption from 1933 Act registration will not only provide a way for public and private companies to raise capital inexpensively, but will also ease the burden for many private companies seeking to go public directly by enabling them to more easily obtain the number of shareholders required to obtain a stock trading symbol. Read More
FINRA Issues Crowdfunding Rules
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has issued a voluntary form for prospective crowdfunding portals under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), signed in April 2012 by President Obama.
Anyone who intends to set up a crowdfunding portal for individual investments in start-up companies can voluntarily submit information to FINRA, which FINRA will use in drafting rules governing crowdfunding portals. The form is not definitive; FINRA will not adopt its final form until the SEC has adopted its own crowdfunding funding portal rules. Read More
Securities Exchange Act Registration Statements
All public companies whose securities are registered on a national securities exchange, and generally issuers whose assets exceed $10,000,000 with a class of equity securities held by 500 or more persons, must register their securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act” or the “1934 Act”). A 1934 Act registration statement requires disclosure of material financial and business information to investors and shareholders. The filing of an Exchange Act registration statement obligates the issuer to provide current public information by filing periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Read More
What Are Form D’s Requirements? Going Public Lawyers
The most common exemptions used by companies to sell stock prior to going public are those promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D of the Securities Act. Many issuers who go public do not realize that a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is required. While failure to file a Form D will not necessarily disqualify an issuer from relying upon Regulation D, the failure to file can increase the probability of comments to the issuer’s S-1 registration statement or Form 211.
A Form D filing is required by most states in order to comply with their own exemptions from registration. As such, any company conducting a Regulation D offering should consult with a securities attorney prior to accepting investor funds.
What Is a Form D?
Form D is a notice of an exempt offering of securities in reliance upon Regulation D (or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act).
What Does a Form D Require?
Form D requires specific information about the issuer and the offering it is conducting. The required information includes (i) the issuer’s identity, (ii) its principal place of business and contact information, (iii) state of domicile (iv) the names and addresses of its executive officers and directors, (v) the specific exemption claimed under the Securities Act, and (v) the identity and contact information of any broker-dealer, finder or other person receiving any commission or other similar compensation relating to the sale of securities in the offering.
Where Do I File the Form D?
The completed Form D must be filed with (i) the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) if the issuer is relying on Rule 506 of Regulation D. Additionally, state blue sky laws may require the filing of the Form D along with a filing fee.
How Do I File the Form D with the SEC?
The SEC requires the electronic filing of Forms D through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”). To use EDGAR, the issuer must have its own filer identification number (called a “Central Index Key” or “CIK” number) and a set of access codes.
An issuer obtains a CIK number and EDGAR access codes by submitting basic information to the SEC online at its Filer Management page along with a copy of a notarized paper document containing the same information found on the Form D. The paper document is called an “authenticating document,” which can be submitted either (i) by scanning and uploading it to the online submission in PDF format or (ii) by faxing it to the SEC at (202) 504-2474 or (703) 914-4240.
There is currently no electronic filing with the States and where required, the issuer must file the Form D with an applicable State securities commission in hard copy.
When Must the Form D be Filed?
The Form D must be filed with the SEC no later than 15 calendar days after the “date of first sale” of securities sold based on a claim of exemption under Rule 504, 505 or 506 of Regulation D or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act. For this purpose, the “date of first sale” is the “date on which the first purchaser is irrevocably contractually committed to purchase the securities.” If the date on which the Form D is required to be filed falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the applicable due date is the first business day following.
Is the Information in a Form D Publicly Available?
Yes, all Forms D filed through EDGAR will be available for public viewing in an interactive and searchable format on the SEC’s website immediately upon filing.
Does the Form D Have To Be Amended?
The Form D must be amended (i) to correct a material mistake of disclosure, as soon as practicable after the discovery of the mistake; (ii) to reflect a change in certain reported information (including any change in the issuer’s directors or officers), as soon as practicable after the change; or (iii) “annually, on or before the first anniversary of the most recent previously filed notice, if the offering is continuing at that time.”
The Form D need not be amended to reflect a change that occurs after the offering terminates. Moreover, certain changes in reported information are deemed not to trigger an amendment, including (i) changes in the issuer’s revenues or aggregate net asset value; (ii) changes in the amount of securities sold in the offering (or the amount remaining to be sold); or (iii) changes in the total number of investors who have participated in the offering.
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com
Rule 504 Q & A l Securities Lawyer 101
What Is Rule 504?
Rule 504 of Regulation D is an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) for certain companies when they offer and sell securities.
How Much Money Can I Raise From Investors In A 504 Offering?
The aggregate amount raised for an offering of securities under Rule 504 cannot exceed $1,000,000, less the aggregate offering price for all securities sold within the twelve months before the start of and during the offering of securities under this Rule 504, in reliance on any exemption under section 3(b), or in violation of section 5(a) of the Securities Act. The issuer can, however, issue as much stock as he likes for that $1 million: 10 shares or 10 billion; it makes no difference. Read More
The SEC Issues Alert For Reverse Mergers
On June 9, 2011, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued an Investor Bulletin (the “Bulletin”) cautioning the public about risks associated with issuers that enter U.S. markets through reverse mergers with public shell companies.
In the news release announcing the Bulletin, Lori J. Schock, the Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy was quoted as saying, “Given the potential risks, Read More
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 – Securities Lawyers 101
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) grants broad authority to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to oversee the securities industry. The SEC’s authority includes the power to register, regulate, and overseebrokerage firms, transfer agents, and clearing agencies; as well as securities self regulatory organizations (SROs), including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Read More
FINRA Rule 6490 – Going Public Attorneys
Significant changes to FINRA Rule 6490 were enacted in September 2010. Though FINRA’s principal mandate is to regulate broker-dealers, historically it has always exercised some oversight of the over-the-counter markets. Part of that oversight involves processing corporate action requests from issuers of equity and debt securities not listed on national securities exchanges. In the past, these requests were always granted, even when inappropriate or submitted late. These changes to Rule 6490 have put an end to that: a nominal fee is charged for all requests, and issuers who are later to notify will be fined. In certain specific circumstances processing of notices under Rule 6490 may be denied altogether.
The actions of which FINRA must be notified are: name changes, forward stock splits, reverse stock splits, distributions of cash or securities, reinstatement of dormant public shell companies, spin-offs and other actions, and rights and subscription offerings. In the text of the new rule, FINRA notes that the SEC is concerned that “certain parties” may attempt to use corporate action requests to further fraudulent activities.
Issuers that file timely notice of a corporate action pursuant to Rule 6490 pay a fee of $200. Filing late can, however, have considerable impact on small issuers, resulting in a fee of up to $5,000 for a notification after an effective date. Read More
Are Rule 504 Shares Free Trading? Securities Lawyer 101
Rule 504 (“Rule 504”) of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws which allows issuers to offer and sell up to $1,000,000 of their securities in any 12-month period. Rule 504 is frequently misused to create illegal free trading shares.
As discussed below, fraudsters attempt to make an “end run” around Rule 504 requirements by improperly relying upon state statutes in Delaware, Wyoming, New York and Texas which have been the subject of various SEC enforcement actions. The abuses surrounding Rule 504 are so widespread that the SEC has brought numerous enforcement actions against attorneys rendering legal opinions. Read More
SEC Proposes New Rules Regarding General Solicitation and Advertising in Rule 506 Offerings
On August 12, 2012, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Regulation D”) that would allow issuers to use general solicitation and advertising in certain private securities offerings. The proposals were mandated by the JOBS Act, and will allow the use of general solicitation and advertising in offerings made pursuant to Rule 506, as long as all purchasers of securities in the offering are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the Securities Act.About Rule 506 Offerings. Read More
Regulation FD and Social Media l Securities Lawyer 101 l Blog
On May of 2012, Francesca’s Holdings Corporation announced the termination of its Chief Financial Officer after an internal investigation concluded he had improperly communicated non-public company information over Twitter, which included a tweet that said “Board meeting. Good numbers = Happy Board” during the quiet period prior to the company’s contemplated earnings release.
Industry Guide 7 l Mining Company Disclosures
In their SEC filings, in addition to the disclosures required by Regulation S-K and 20F, mining issuers must include the disclosures required by Industry Guide 7. All U.S mining companies that are SEC filers are required to report under its rules. Although there is widespread discontent with the guide among mining professionals, so far the SEC has been resistant to calls for change. The guide is divided into three sections. The first contains definitions. These definitions include the terms “reserve,” “proven (measured) reserves,” and “probable (indicated) reserves.” Generally, the SEC prohibits the disclosure of quantitative estimates for all mineral deposits other than proven and probable reserves unless such information is by foreign or state law. Guide 7 also defines the three stages of mining as “exploration,” “development” and “production” Read More
What Is a Transfer Agent ? Going Public Lawyers
A shareholder of any company can own securities and transfer the ownership of those securities. Their ownership is reflected on the issuer’s shareholder list. A transfer agent’s role is to issue and cancel certificates to reflect changes in ownership of securities and to act as an intermediary for the company. A registrar’s job is to maintain the issuer’s register for each issuance, transfer or cancellation. A registrar records the name, address and tax identification or social security number of each individual and entity holder. Typically the transfer agent and registrar are the same entity. Read More