What Are Form D’s Requirements? Going Public Lawyers
Posted onThe 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
Posted onWhat 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
Posted onOn 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
Posted onThe 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
Posted onSignificant 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
Posted onRule 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
Posted onOn 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
Posted onOn 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.
What Is a Transfer Agent ? Going Public Lawyers
Posted onA 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
What Is a Form 144 Notice Of Sales? Rule 144 Requirements
Posted onRule 144 requires that a “Notice of Sale” on Form 144 be filed by any person for whose account the securities are being sold if the person is an affiliate at the time of sale, or was an affiliate during the 90 days preceding the sale, and is selling more than 5,000 shares or the shares being sold have an aggregate sale price of more than $50,000.
Public Availability of the Form 144 Notice Filing
Form 144 is publicly available upon filing through the SEC’s EDGAR database. Read More
The Regulation D Exemption l Rule 506 l Going Public Lawyers
Posted onTo offer and sell securities in the United States, an issuer must comply with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or must offer and sell the securities pursuant to an exemption from the registration statement requirements. A commonly used private offering exemption is Rule 506 of Regulation D. Rule 506 is a non-exclusive “safe harbor” for the statutory exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Rule 506 exemption is often used by issuers who engage in go public direct transactions and conduct underwritten and direct public offerings. Read More
What Is The Section 4(1) Exemption? Securities Lawyer 101
Posted onRule 144 (“SEC Rule 144”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) provides a safe harbor from the registration provisions of the Securities Act for resales of restricted and control securities by persons other than the issuer if all conditions of the rule are complied with. Section 4(1) of the Securities Act provides an exemption for a transaction “by a person other than an issuer, underwriter, or dealer.”
If the requirements of Rule 144 are met, the seller will not be deemed an underwriter and will be entitled to rely upon the safe harbor of Rule 144 to resell their securities.
Section 4(1) is often referred to as the “ordinary trading” exemption. The main obstacle to the use of Section 4(1) is whether the seller is an underwriter under Section 2(11) of the Securities Act and whether the resale involves a distribution of securities.
Restricted Securities Read More
Filing and Amending Form D under Regulation D
Posted onForm D is used to file a notice of an exempt offering of securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for offerings made under Rule 504, 505 or 506 of Regulation D. Federal securities laws require that a Form D be filed with the SEC within 15 days after the first sale of securities in the offering. In addition to filing the Form D with the SEC, issuers must comply with state law filing requirements. Most states require issuers to file a Form D or comparable form with their state securities commission.
Form D and Form D amendments must be filed with the SEC online using EDGAR (electronic gathering, analysis and retrieval) system. In order to do so, the issuer must obtain its own filer identification number (called a “Central Index Key” or “CIK” number) and access codes. Read More
What is a Form S-8 Registration Statement?
Posted onRegistration of securities on Form S-8 (“Form S-8”) is a short-form registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), providing significant benefits to small issuers. Form S-8 is available to register securities offered to employees and consultants under benefit plans under limited circumstances. Because a registration statement on Form S-8 is effective upon filing it offers benefits to SEC reporting companies, most significantly that an S-8 registration statement becomes effective upon filing and the shares registered may be issued without a restrictive legend. Read More




























