In this year’s priorities letter identifying the areas of focus for FINRA examinations during the year, FINRA notes that it will review online distribution platforms. Specifically, the letter notes that some firms are involved in the distribution of securities pursuant to Rule 506(c) and Regulation A under the Securities Act. FINRA notes that in some
Regulation A
Legal Update: SEC Expands Regulation A Exemption to Exchange Act Reporting Companies
On December 19, 2018, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) amended Rule 251 and Rule 257 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), which are part of Regulation A, in order to allow companies subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act…
Final Rules to Allow Exchange Act Reporting Companies to Use Regulation A
The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted final rules today making Regulation A available to reporting companies. The Commission was required to amend Regulation A pursuant to the mandate in the financial services regulatory legislation, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Pursuant to Regulation A, an issuer may raise up to $50 million…
SEC Chair Testimony Before the Senate
SEC Chair Clayton testified on December 11, 2018 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. In his testimony, Chair Clayton reviewed the Commission’s Strategic Plan and outlined the agency’s priorities. Consistent with his remarks delivered at Columbia University, Chair Clayton reviewed some of the principal accomplishments in 2018, including proposed Regulation…
Proposed State Securities Registration Amendments for Smaller Offerings
On November 1, 2018, the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (“NASAA”) released for public comment proposed updates to the SCOR Statement of Policy and the SCOR Form (Form U-7). According to the NASAA, the proposed updates are meant to incorporate many of the investor protections that have been put in place under state and…
Heritage Foundation Hosts Discussion on the JOBS Act
On October 23, 2018, the Heritage Foundation hosted a discussion entitled, “Problems with the JOBS Act and How They Can Be Fixed” that featured University of Kentucky College of Law Professor Rutherford B. Campbell. The discussion centered on the impact of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), its benefits, its shortcomings,…
SEC Office of Small Business Updates
At the Practising Law Institute’s Annual Institute on Securities Regulation, a number of updates were provided by the Staff regarding ongoing initiatives within the Office of Small Business. The Staff reviewed the recently adopted amendments to the definition of “smaller reporting company” (SRC) and directed practitioners to its Small Entity Compliance Guide. The Staff …
Insights Regarding Areas of Focus for Division of Corporation Finance
Speaking at a session at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting, a representative of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance (Michael Seaman) provided guidance for attendees regarding areas of focus in the coming months. After reviewing some of the Commission’s recent rulemaking initiatives, including the Concept Release regarding Rule 701 and Form…
Is Reg A a Success?
Neal Newman assesses the success of Regulation A in a paper titled, “Regulation A+: New and Improved after the JOBS Act or a Failed Revival?” The author reviews the 267 Regulation A filings made between August 13, 2012 and May 24, 2016 and samples a subset of 48 filings from this period. Of…
PLI Seminar: Understanding the Securities Laws 2018
July 19 – 20, 2018
PLI New York Center
1177 Avenue of the Americas
(2nd Floor)
New York, NY 10036
This program will provide an overview and discussion of the basic aspects of the U.S. federal securities laws by leading in-house and law firm practitioners as well as SEC staff. Emphasis will be placed on…

