Part V: Federal Laws and Regulations Flashcards
security (as defined by the ‘33 Act)
An investment that:
- Is an inv. of money.
- In a common enterprise.
- W/expectation of profit.
- To be earned primarily by the actions of others.
What type of securities offerings must be registered w/SEC?
initial public offering (IPO)
primary purpose of registration
to adequately and accurately disclose fin. and other info. that investors can use to make inv. decisions.
waiting period
- After a prospectus and registration statement have been filed w/SEC, there is a 20-day waiting period before the stocks can be issued.
preliminary/red herring prospectus
- During the 20-day waiting period btwn. filing statements and issuance of stocks, this can be issued to investors.
tombstone ad
During the 20 day waiting period, this restricted ad can be placed and it lets investors know a prospectus on the stock is available.
WKSI
- Well-Known Seasoned Issuers
2. Under the ‘33 Act, WKSI have fewer rules to follow than non-WKSI.
Under the ‘33 Act, a non-WKSI securities-registration statement must disclose:
- a description of the security
- how the corp. will use the sale proceeds
- description of the registrant’s bus. and mgmt.
- and an F/S, along w/ a prospectus
3 major types of transactions exempt from registering w/SEC:
- small offering exemption
- private placement exemption
- intrastate offering exemptions
small offering exemption
offering so small it poses a small threat to the public
private placement exemption
only involves accredited investors, and therefore does not need the protection of the ‘33 Act’s disclosure rules
intrastate offering exemptions
contained w/in one state and only subject to that state’s regulations
rule for exemption rules
the SEC must be notified w/in 15 days of the first sale of securities
Rule 504 of Regulation D
- For small companies
- Can only be used to raise $1 million in any 12 month period.
- Securities can be sold to anyone.
Rule 505 of Regulation D
- Can only be used to raise $5 million in any 12 month period.
- Securities can be sold to unlimited amount of accredited investors but no more than 35 unaccredited investors.
Rule 506 of Regulation D
- No limit on the amount.
2. Securities can be sold to unlimited amount of accredited investors but no more than 35 unaccredited investors.
Regulation A
- Can raise $50 million in any 12 month period.
2. Securities can be sold to anyone.
Rule 147: Intrastate Offering
- Issuer must be organized and doing business in the same state which the offering will be.
80% test for Rule 147
80% of assets, 80% of revenue and 80% of proceeds of the offering should be in state.
Is the resale of limited partnership interests generally limited?
Yes.
What securities are exempt from registration under the ‘33 Act?
- Govt. securities such as municipal bonds.
2. Securities issued by a charity.
purpose of JOBS Act
Securities law to make it easier for small companies to raise capital, and therefore create jobs.
5 main effect of JOBS Act
- Created emerging growth companies (EGCs).
- Encouraged crowdfunding.
- Increased Regulation A amount from $5 to $50 million.
- Allows firms doing private placements to use general solicitation and adv. not previously allowed.
- Changed the definition of a public company so private firms could grow larger before becoming public.
Under the JOBS act, when can a firm use general solicitation in an offering?
As long as they take reasonable steps to insure that they only sell to accredited investors.
What is the max. amount an individual can invest in crowdfunded ventures in one year?
$100,000.
emerging growth companies (EGCs)
can have an IPO to raise capital but also avoid most burdens of being a public company for 5 yrs.
requirements to be an EGC
- Have less than $1 billion in annual gross revenue during most recent fiscal year.
- Have been publicly traded for less than 5 years.
- Have a public float of less than $700 million.
- Have not issued $1 billion in non-convertible debt in prior 3-year period.
benefits of being an EGC (for the first 5 years after IPO)
- Registration statement confidentially reviewed by the SEC.
- They only need 2 yrs. of audited F/S instead of the usu. 3 yrs.
- Don’t need to comply w/SOX 404(b) requirements for IC audits.
- Don’t need to comply w/new PCAOB rules.
- Reduced disclosure requirements regarding executive compensation.
Liability Provisions of ‘33 Act
This mainly deals w/Section 11, which remedies misleading statements and omissions contained in registration statement.
elements involved in a Section 11 claim
- A CPA who certifies F/S included in a registration statement is generally not liable to a securities purchaser if the CPA can prove due diligence.
due diligence defense
As long as the CPA/auditor acted carefully in performing the audit, the CPA will have a due diligence defense.
What must the plaintiff show to win a Section 11 claim?
- There was a material misstatement in the registration statement on the effective date.
- That they can trace their shares to that registration statement.
- They suffered damages.
What must the plaintiff show to win a Section 11 claim (basic)?
As long as the registration statement contained a material misstatement for whatever reason, and the plaintiff suffered a loss, the plaintiff will win.
entitlements of victims of fraudulent misstatements
- Can rescind the transaction.
2. OR recover their losses causes by their reliance on the false F/S.
scienter
- a “guilty mind;” intending to do something wrong.
2. If this is proven, the CPA can be punished criminally under the criminal provisions of the ‘33 and ‘34 Acts.
negligence
unintentional mistake