On May 1, 2024, the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Committee submitted its accredited investor definition recommendations to the SEC. Currently, an investor may qualify as an accredited investor by meeting certain professional criteria (i.e., FINRA Series 7, 65, or 82 licenses), or by meeting certain financial thresholds, including (1) a net worth of over
Accredited Investors
House to Consider Capital Formation Bills
On March 5, 2024, the House will consider capital formation related legislation, H.R. 2799. This was originally introduced in April 2023 and reported out in July 2023. It is comprised of 19 separate bills. The House Financial Services Committee heard testimony on these bills in 2023, access my testimony on several of these bills.…
Accredited Investor Definition Recommended Changes
As we previously posted, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee met last week to consider changes to the accredited investor definition, which has become a political hot potato. In remarks to the Committee, Commissioner Uyeda encouraged the Committee to consider a few themes as they contemplated the definition, including not…
SEC Staff Report on Accredited Investor Definition
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a staff report on the accredited investor definition. The Dodd-Frank Act directed the SEC to review the accredited investor definition every four years to determine whether the definition should be modified or adjusted. The definition was previously reviewed in 2015 and 2019. This report is the third such review.
Report on Small Business Forum
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently published its report on the Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation, which generates recommendations from participants that the SEC considers. The recommendations from participants included, among others, the following:
House Passes Eleven Bills Enabling Capital Formation
In early June, the US House of Representatives passed two sets of bills focused on promoting capital formation. The bipartisan effort included bills that amend the accredited investor definition in order to increase the diversity of investors participating in the private markets. In addition, as the IPO market continues to suffer, the packages include bills that would…
Commissioners’ Comments at the 42nd Annual Small Business Forum
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of the Investor Advocate held the 42nd Annual Small Business Forum—this time convening panels over four days on various topics, including trends and challenges affecting early stage businesses, smaller funds, and accessing the public markets and raising capital by smaller public companies. The Small Business Forum also solicits…
Investor Status and Accredited Investor and QIB Resources
Recently, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to the definition of accredited investor (“AI”) and amendments to the definition of Qualified Institutional Buyer (“QIB”). Our updated investor status chart now reflects these definitions. In addition, below you will find links to an accredited investor and QIB questionnaire, which may be useful in…
A Whirlwind Recap of the SEC’s Principal 2020 Rulemakings
January 25, 2021 Webinar
1:00pm – 2:00pm EST
Register here.
Given that 2020 was such a tumultuous year, even the most dedicated securities lawyer may have missed a rule change or two. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was also particularly busy. Under the leadership of SEC Chair Clayton, the SEC had one…
Division Director Hinman on Principles-Based Disclosures
Speaking in connection with the Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) Directors’ Institute on Corporate Governance, Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance Director, William Hinman, shared his views on a principles-based approach to disclosure requirements and to rulemaking. His remarks, which when read along with those of Chair Jay Clayton at the Economic Club and…