Securities Exchange Act of 1933 Flashcards
U.S. Government securities:
A. trades settle “regular way” in 3 business days
B. are exempt securities under the Securities Act of 1933
C. are sold through prospectus offerings
D. are implicitly backed by the U.S. Government
The best answer is B.
Under the 1933 Act, U.S. Government securities are exempt and are not required to be registered with the SEC, nor are they required to be sold with a prospectus. Trades of U.S. Governments settle “regular way” in 1 business day. U.S. Government securities are guaranteed by the U.S. Government and have the government’s direct backing.
Banker’s Acceptances are:
I Money Market Instruments
II Capital Market Instruments
III Exempt Securities
IV Non-Exempt Securities
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is A.
Bankers Acceptances are a money market instrument used to finance imports and exports. They are an exempt security under the Securities Act of 1933 and can be sold without a prospectus.
Commercial paper is a(n):
I Money Market Instrument
II Capital Market Instrument
III Exempt Security
IV Non-Exempt Security
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is A.
Commercial paper is a money market instrument issued by corporations. It is an exempt security under the Securities Act of 1933 as long as its maturity does not exceed 270 days and can be sold without a prospectus.
Which of the following securities are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933?
I Insurance company issues
II Bank issues
III Savings and loan issues
IV Common carrier issues
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is D.
When the Securities Act of 1933 was written, issuers that were already regulated under other laws were generally exempted from the provisions of the Act. Insurance companies were already regulated under State insurance laws; banks and savings and loans were regulated by both State and Federal banking laws; common carriers were regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission (now part of the Department of Transportation).
Which of the following are exempt securities under Securities Act of 1933?
I Corporate Bonds
II Municipal Bonds
III U.S. Government Bonds
IV Small Business Investment Companies
A. III only
B. I and II
C. II and III only
D. II, III, IV
The best answer is D.
Government bonds, municipal bonds, and Small Business Investment Company issues are all exempt securities under the 1933 Act. Corporate bonds are non-exempt securities that must be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933.
All of the following are exempt issues under the Securities Act of 1933 EXCEPT:
A. U.S. Government Bonds
B. Savings and Loan Issues
C. Real Estate Investment Trusts
D. Municipal Revenue Bonds
The best answer is C.
Real Estate Investment Trusts are regulated similarly to Investment Companies, and their securities are non-exempt and must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933. U.S. Government issues, savings and loan issues, and municipal issues are exempt.
Which of the following is an exempt issue?
A. Fixed annuity contract
B. Variable annuity contract
C. Government bond mutual fund
D. Municipal bond unit investment trust
The best answer is A.
Fixed annuity contracts are considered to be an insurance product, since the insurance company bears the investment risk, and are exempt from SEC registration. On the other hand, variable annuity contracts, where the investor bears the investment risk, are a non-exempt security under the 1933 Act and must be registered. Investment company issues such as mutual funds and unit trusts are also non-exempt and must be registered with the SEC. It makes no difference that the investment company is investing in exempt securities such a U.S. Governments or municipals.
Which of the following are non-exempt issues under the Securities Act of 1933?
I Fixed annuity contracts
II Variable annuity contracts
III Listed option contracts
IV Listed common stock
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. II, III, IV
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is C.
Insurance company offerings are exempt from the 1933 Act with the exception of variable annuity and variable life contracts. Thus, a fixed annuity offered by an insurance company is exempt from the 1933 Act. Listed stocks, and stock options are non-exempt issues that must be registered with the SEC.
Which of the following is NOT subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933?
A. American Depositary Receipts
B. American Depositary Shares
C. American Style Options
D. Foreign Currency Contracts
The best answer is D.
ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) are non-exempt securities and must be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. ADRs are the way that most foreign corporate issues trade in the United States. The bank that structures the ADRs handles the registration. Another name for an ADR is an American Depositary Share.
Listed option contracts are registered with the SEC, as are investment company issues. These securities are “continuously issued” and the prospectus delivery requirement is met by giving the customer an Options Disclosure Document (which used to be called the Options Clearing Prospectus); or a fund prospectus.
Foreign currency contracts are not securities, and hence are not subject to the 1933 Act (though foreign currency option contracts traded on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange are subject to the Act).
Which of the following securities are NOT required to be registered with the SEC?
I American Depositary Receipts
II Eurodollar Debt
III Foreign Government Debt
IV Municipal Debt
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. II, III, IV
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is C.
ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) are non-exempt securities and must be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. ADRs are the way that most foreign corporate issues trade in the United States. The bank that structures the ADRs handles the registration. Municipal debt, U.S. Government debt and Foreign Government debt are all exempt. Eurodollar bonds are sold outside the U.S. and thus do not fall under the Act.
Which of the following securities are exempt from the Securities Act of 1933?
I Benevolent Association issues
II Small Business Investment Company issues
III Common Carrier issues
IV Industrial Company issues
A. I and III
B. II and IV
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is C.
Benevolent association, small business investment company, and common carrier issues are all exempt under the Securities Act of 1933. Industrial companies are not exempt - their securities must be registered and sold with a prospectus.
Prior to the filing of a registration statement, which of the following activities is (are) permitted?
I A member firm signing a syndicate agreement to become part of the underwriting group for the issue
II A member firm distributing preliminary prospectuses for the issue to customers
III A member firm taking indications of interest for the sue from customers
IV A member firm selling the issue to customers
A. I only
B. II and III only
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is A.
Prior to the filing of a registration statement, the issue cannot be promoted in any manner - so the use of a preliminary prospectus to take indications of interest is prohibited; as is selling the issue. Once the registration statement is filed, the issue enters the 20 day cooling off period. At this point, a preliminary prospectus can be used to take indications of interest, but the issue cannot be sold. Once the registration is effective, the issue can be sold with the prospectus. There is no prohibition on the underwriter joining the syndicate or selling group prior to the filing of the registration statement, since this does not involve offering the issue to the public.
Which of the following activities are allowed prior to the filing of the registration statement?
I Sending a customer a “red herring” preliminary prospectus
II Accepting an indication of interest from the customer
III Accepting a deposit from the customer
IV Accepting a firm order from the customer
A. I and II
B. III and IV
C. II and IV
D. None of the above
The best answer is D.
Prior to the filing of the registration statement, nothing can be done. Once the registration statement is filed, a preliminary prospectus may be used to obtain indications of interest. Once the registration is effective, the final prospectus can be used to offer and sell the issue.
Which statement is TRUE about the use of a “red herring” preliminary prospectus? The preliminary prospectus may only be sent to customers:
A. once registration is effective
B. who have paid for the issue
C. who have expressed an indication of interest or who are likely purchasers, during the cooling off period
D. who have expressed an indication of interest or who are likely purchasers, prior to the cooling off period
The best answer is C.
A “red herring” preliminary prospectus may be sent to any prospective purchaser of that new issue once the issue has entered into the “20 day cooling off” period that commences upon filing of the registration statement with the SEC. Nothing may be sent to the customer prior to the start of the “20 day cooling off” period. The use of the “preliminary prospectus” does not constitute an “offer” under the 1933 Act, and the red ink statement on the cover of the preliminary prospectus states this (hence the name “red herring”). The red herring is used to obtain non-binding indications of interest in the issue, and may be sent to anyone during the cooling off period, whether or not that person has previously expressed any interest in the issue.
Which of the following statements are TRUE regarding indications of interest received during the “cooling off” period for a registered initial public offering?
I The indication is binding on the customer
II The indication is not binding on the customer
III The indication is binding on the underwriter
IV The indication is not binding on the underwriter
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is D.
An indication of interest is taken during the 20 day cooling off period before a new issue’s registration is effective. The issue may never “go effective” and the indication can be canceled by the underwriter. Thus, the underwriter can cancel or change the indication. Similarly, the customer can also cancel or change his indication. These are not binding because the issue cannot be legally “offered or sold” until the effective date.
Which of the following activities are prohibited during the “cooling off” period?
I Sale of the issue to the public
II Acceptance of an indication of interest
III Distribution of a preliminary prospectus
IV Distribution of an advertisement
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. II and III only
D. I and IV only
The best answer is D.
During the cooling off period, an offer or sale of the issue is prohibited, as are recommendations of the issue or the advertising of the issue. Sending a preliminary prospectus or accepting an indication of interest does not constitute an “offer” under the Securities Act of 1933 and thus is permitted.
A registered representative has prepared a research report about a new stock issue that is currently in registration. The registered representative wishes to send the report to customers. Which statement is TRUE?
A. The report can be mailed without restriction
B. The report constitutes an “offer” under the 1933 Act and cannot be sent
C. The report can only be mailed if approved or prepared by a Supervisory Analyst
D. The report can only be sent if accompanied or preceded by a preliminary prospectus
The best answer is B.
During the “cooling off” period, the only items that do not constitute an “offer” or “sale” are the sending of a preliminary prospectus and the acceptance of an indication of interest. Anything more, such as sending a research report, is considered to be an “offer,” which is prohibited until the registration is effective.
All of the following statements are true if the SEC sends a deficiency letter to the issuer regarding an issue in registration EXCEPT:
A. disclosure in the registration documents is not complete
B. the issuer must file an amendment with the SEC to cure the deficiency
C. the 20-day cooling off period starts again once the amendment is filed
D. the effective date of the issue is unaffected by the deficiency notice
The best answer is D.
An SEC “deficiency letter” indicates that there is not adequate disclosure in the registration documents to allow investors to make an informed decision. The deficiency must be cured before the SEC will allow the registration to be effective. Once the amendment is filed, the 20-day cooling off period starts counting again from the beginning. If the SEC finds that there is not adequate disclosure after the amendment is filed, it can issue subsequent deficiency letters. Thus, the registration for the issue may never “go effective.”
Which of the following activities are allowed once a registration statement for a new issue is filed with the SEC?
I Sending a customer a “red herring” preliminary prospectus
II Accepting an indication of interest from the customer
III Accepting a deposit from the customer
IV Accepting a firm order from the customer
A. I and II
B. III and IV
C. II and III
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is A.
Once the registration statement is filed, the issue enters the 20-day cooling off period. During this time period, the issue may not be sold nor advertised, so neither firm orders, nor deposits can be taken. It is permitted to send a preliminary prospectus (red herring) to obtain indications of interest during the cooling off period, because legally, these are not offers to sell the security. Once the registration is effective, the final prospectus is used to offer and sell the issue.
If the Securities and Exchange Commission sets the effective date for a new issue in registration, which of the following statements are TRUE?
I All proper documents have been filed with the SEC
II Additional documents must be filed with the SEC
III The SEC approves of the new issue
IV The issue may be offered to the public
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is B.
If the SEC sets the “effective date” for an issue in registration, this means that all proper documents have been filed with the SEC. The SEC does not approve (nor does it disapprove) of any new issue in registration. Once the proper documents relating to a new issue offering are filed, the issue may be offered to the public.
When the Securities and Exchange Commission sets the effective date for a new issue in registration, which of the following statements is (are) TRUE?
I The SEC has certified that the offering documents give full and fair disclosure
II The proper documents for registration have been filed with the SEC
III The SEC has approved the offering for sale to the public
IV The SEC has established the final offering price
A. I only
B. II only
C. I, II, IV
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is B.
If the SEC sets the “effective date” for an issue in registration, this means that all proper documents have been filed with the SEC. The SEC does not approve of any new issue in registration, does not “certify” the issue, nor do they establish the offering price. Think of the SEC as a big filing cabinet - once the proper documents relating to a new issue offering are filed, the issue may be offered and sold to the public.
When the Securities and Exchange Commission sets the effective date for a new issue in registration, this means that the:
A. SEC has approved the offering for sale to the public
B. SEC has certified that the offering documents give full and fair disclosure
C. proper documents for registration have been filed with the SEC
D. effective cost to potential purchasers has been established by the SEC
The best answer is C.
If the SEC sets the “effective date” for an issue in registration, this means that all proper documents have been filed with the SEC. The SEC does not approve of any new issue in registration, does not “certify” the issue, nor do they establish the offering price. Think of the SEC as a big filing cabinet - once the proper documents relating to a new issue offering are filed, the issue may be offered and sold to the public.
Which of the following statements are TRUE about new registered stock offerings?
I Any purchaser who received a preliminary prospectus must also receive the final prospectus
II Any purchaser who received a preliminary prospectus need not receive the final prospectus
III Any purchaser will pay the Public Offering Price
IV Any purchaser will pay the Public Offering Price plus a commission or mark-up
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is A.
New stock issues are sold under a prospectus that states the Public Offering Price which is inclusive of any compensation to the underwriter (the spread). Additional commissions or charges above the P.O.P. are not allowed. Whether or not the purchaser received a preliminary prospectus is a moot point - any purchaser must get the final prospectus at, or prior to, confirmation of sale.
“Access equals delivery” means that any purchaser of a new securities issue offered by prospectus:
A. must be delivered a paper copy of the prospectus, at or prior to confirmation of sale
B. must be delivered an electronic copy of the prospectus, at or prior to confirmation of sale
C. can be delivered an electronic copy of the prospectus in lieu of a paper copy if the member firm knows that the customer has internet access
D. can be delivered a paper copy of the prospectus in lieu of an electronic copy if the member firm knows that the customer has internet access
The best answer is C.
“Access equals delivery” allows a broker-dealer to deliver an electronic copy of a prospectus to a purchaser of a new issue rather than a paper copy. However, the rule only permits such electronic delivery if the broker-dealer knows that the customer has internet access - which basically means that the broker-dealer has an e-mail address for the customer. If the broker-dealer does not know that the customer has internet access, then a paper prospectus is still required.
Credit can be extended on new issues:
A. immediately after the offering is complete
B. after 30 days have elapsed from the completion of the offering
C. after 60 days have elapsed from the completion of the offering
D. after 90 days have elapsed from the completion of the offering
The best answer is B.
New issues are not eligible for margin until 30 days have elapsed from the completion of the offering.
A Regulation A exemption from full SEC registration is available for new issue offerings that do not exceed:
I $20,000,000 within a 12 month period for Tier 1 offerings
II $20,000,000 within a 12 month period for Tier 2 offerings
III $50,000,000 within a 12 month period for Tier 1 offerings
IV $50,000,000 within a 12 month period for Tier 2 offerings
A. I and III
B. I and IV
C. II and III
D. II and IV
The best answer is B.
Regulation A is intended to make it easier for start-up companies to raise capital. It gives an “E-Z” registration method for offerings of up to $50 million within a 12 month period. The rule is split into Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Tier 1 offerings, up to a maximum amount of $20 million, are given the easiest registration method and do not require audited financial statements.
Tier 2 offerings allow a maximum of $50 million to be raised, but require audited financial statements.
An abbreviated registration statement is filed with the SEC (Form S1-A) and the issue must go through a 20 day review period, similar to a regular registered offering. Disclosure to investors is made through an Offering Circular rather than a Prospectus.
Which statement is TRUE regarding Regulation A?
A. Offerings are limited to a maximum of 35 non-accredited investors
B. Offerings are limited to a maximum size of $50,000,000
C. A Prospectus must be delivered to purchasers
D. The Offering is exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission
The best answer is B.
Regulation A is intended to make it easier for smaller issuers to raise capital. There are 2 “tiers” to the rule. Tier 1 gives an “E-Z” registration process to offerings of no more than $20 million in a 12 month period. Tier 2 requires more detailed information, including audited financial statements, and can be used for offerings of up to $50 million. While no prospectus is required, each buyer must be given disclosure in an Offering Circular.
Anyone can purchase a Regulation A offering - it is not limited solely to accredited (wealthy) investors. Customers in any state can buy - this is not being sold under an “intrastate exemption” (Rule 147) that limits purchasers to residents of 1 state.
Which of the following statements are TRUE about Regulation A offerings?
I The maximum offering amount permitted under the exemption is $50,000,000 within a 12 month period
II An offering circular must be provided to all purchasers
III Sales are limited to purchasers who are “resident” in the State where the Issuer resides
IV The issue can only be sold to a maximum of 35 non-accredited investors
A. I and II only
B. III and IV only
C. I, II, III
D. I, II, III, IV
The best answer is A.
Regulation A is intended to make it easier for smaller issuers to raise capital. There are 2 “tiers” to the rule. Tier 1 gives an “E-Z” registration process to offerings of no more than $20 million in a 12 month period. Tier 2 requires more detailed information, including audited financial statements, and can be used for offerings of up to $50 million.
While no prospectus is required, each buyer must be given disclosure in an Offering Circular. There is no limitation on the number of purchasers or the number of states in which this offering is made.
All of the following statements are true about Regulation A offerings EXCEPT:
A. the maximum offering amount permitted under the rule is $50,000,000 within a 12 month period
B. an offering circular must be provided to all purchasers
C. sales are limited to purchasers who are “resident” D. there are no minimum income or net worth standards for individuals wishing to invest
The best answer is C.
Regulation A is intended to make it easier for smaller issuers to raise capital. There are 2 “tiers” to the rule. Tier 1 gives an “E-Z” registration process to offerings of no more than $20 million in a 12 month period. Tier 2 requires more detailed information, including audited financial statements, and can be used for offerings of up to $50 million. While no prospectus is required, each buyer must be given disclosure in an Offering Circular.
Anyone can purchase a Regulation A offering - it is not limited solely to accredited (wealthy) investors. Customers in any state can buy - this is not being sold under an “intrastate exemption” (Rule 147) that limits purchasers to residents of 1 state.
Anyone can purchase a Regulation A offering, however the amount that can be purchased of a Tier 2 offering by a non-accredited investor (basically, a person who is not wealthy) is limited to the greater of 10% of that person’s annual income or net worth.
Which offering of securities under Regulation A is subject to purchase limitations?
A. Tier 1 offerings
B. Tier 2 offerings
C. Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 offerings
D. Neither Tier 1 nor Tier 2 offerings
The best answer is B.
There are no purchase limitations on Tier 1 (up to $20 million) Regulation A offerings. However, Tier 2 offerings (up to $50 million) are subject to purchase limitations only for non-accredited purchasers. (Regulation D -the private placement exemption - sets the requirements for “accredited” investors - these are wealthy individuals.) Non-accredited investors buying a Tier 2 Regulation A offering cannot invest an amount that is the greater of 10% of that person’s annual income or net worth. Note that there is no similar limitation on Tier 1 purchases.