Federal Securities Acts Flashcards
What are the three steps in the Federal Registration Process?
- The Pre-Registration Process
- The Cooling-Off Period
- The Post-Effective Period
What happens in the Pre-Registration Process?
The issuer and underwriters prepare the registration statement, but cannot discuss the new issue with customers.
What happens in the Cooling-Off Period?
The SEC reviews the registration statement to determine if its complete, but does not rule on the investment merits or appropriateness of the issue’s price.
What is the SEC no approval clause?
A statement found on the cover of a prospectus indicating that the SEC does not approve or disapprove of the securities being offered.
What is a deficiency letter?
A letter sent by the SEC letting the issuer know that the registration statement is incomplete or misleading.
What happens when a deficiency letter is received?
The issuer must refile an amended registration statement.
What is a Red Herring?
An abbreviated form of the registration statement sent to potential buyers during the cooling off period, also known as the preliminary prospectus.
What does it mean to blue-sky an issue?
The issuer will register the issue in any states in which the securities are being sold
What is a due diligence meeting?
A meeting held before the effective date in which the underwriters, syndicate members, officers, attorneys, and accountants review the planned underwriting which involves certifying that the issuer and underwriters have satisfied state and federal laws.
What is the Post-Effective Period?
It is the period when the SEC determines the registration’s effective date and the Public Offering Price is set by the underwriters. Sales of the offering can begin and money may be accepted.
When must the final prospectus be delivered to purchasers?
It must be delivered no later than the time their sale is confirmed.
When is the Registration statement filed?
After the pre-registration period and before the cooling-off period.
What type of securities are exempt?
- Government
- Non Profit
- Banks
- Trust Companies
- Small Business Investment Companies
- Railroads
- Religious or educational
- Short Term debt with max maturity of 270 days (commercial paper)
What does Regulation D Rule 506 do?
Allows issuers to sell securities in non-public offerings, or private placements, which exempts the issuer from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933
What are the conditions of Reg D Rule 506 that allow an issuer to sell in a private placement?
- Buyers are sophisticated investors
- Buyers have access to same information available in prospectus through Offering Memorandum
- Buyer does not intend to make quick sale and purchaser signs investment letter
- No more than 35 non-accredited investors
What is an accredited investor?
- Financial institution
- Director, officer, general partner
- Individual worth at least $1 mil, or gross income of $200k for past two years, $300k if married
What is a purchaser representative?
Person with knowledge and experience in the financial industry who must be designated by non-accredited investors
How is a purchaser representative designated?
A non-accredited investor must designate one in writing
What is Rule 147?
It is an intrastate exemption that allows issuers to avoid registration if securities are being sold within one state
What are the requirements for filing under Rule 147?
- 80% assets within state
- 80% gross revenues generated within state
- 80% proceeds used to operate business within state
- 100% purchasers are residents in state
What is Regulation A?
Exemption from SEC registration if it limits amount of capital raised to no more than $5 million during a 12 month period
What is an Offering Circular?
Disclosure document offered to purchasers of Reg A offerings
What is a tombstone ad?
Advertisement for new issues that is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities
What must an investment company advertisement state?
It must tell investors from whom they can get a prospectus and that an investor must read it carefully
What happens if an investment company advertisement contains performance data?
Ad must include legend disclosing that data represents past performance, and that an investor’s return and principal value will fluctuate and may be worth less than original cost
What happens to a person who makes an untrue statement or omits a material fact in a registration statement?
They create a civil liability issue and are subject to SEC penalties and may be sued by the purchaser
Who can be sued?
- Registration statement signers
- Directors or partners
- Certifiers of the registration statement
- Underwriters
How is the amount of damages calculated in a lawsuit?
Full purchase price + Interest - Income Received = Recovery Amount
When must action be taken for civil liability issues?
-Within one year from the discovery, but not more than three years
What is the punishment for someone who violates the Securities Act of 1933
This a criminal liability issue and they will be subject to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
What does the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 do?
It regulates the secondary trading of securities, exchanges and broker-dealers and requires certain issuers to file periodic reports with the SEC
What is the Securities Exchange Commission?
An SRO that enforces federal securities laws and regulates broker-dealers, transfer agents, clearing agencies, SROs and stock exchanges
How are commissioners of the SEC appointed?
The president with the advice of the senate appoints 5 commissioners, with no more than 3 of 5 being from the same political party.
How long do commissioners serve?
Five year terms
What are SEC commissioners prohibited from doing during their term?
Engaging in personal securities transactions
What are the enforcement powers of the SEC?
- Administer Oaths
- Subpoeana witnesses
- Gather evidence
- Require production of records if federal securities law has been violated