Removing the Advertising Ban in Rule 506 Offerings
Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, enacted under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) is intended to help smaller and emerging growth companies raise capital in the U.S. capital markets. The JOBS Act adds new sections to the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). The JOBS Act’s stated purpose is to assist small companies in raising capital. Less stringent requirements will encourage smaller companies seeking to raise capital to go public directly, without involving an underwriter, as traditional IPOs do.
In furtherance of this purpose, Section 201 of the JOBS Act requires the SEC to change regulations applicable to Rule 506 Attorneys of Regulation D of the Securities Act. Most notably, the JOBS Act removes the prohibition on general solicitation and advertisement by issuers that rely on Rule 506. Rule 506 is an exemption frequently used by private companies that go public directly on OTC Markets, and by hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds.
The JOBS Act instructs the SEC to write implementation rules, but the SEC has not yet done so. The Act was signed into law on April 5, 2012; the SEC has already missed a 90-day deadline to implement the rules. The commission voted in August to eliminate the ban on general solicitation but the Commission has not yet finalized the rules following a month-long comment period.
Under the JOBS Act, issuers are required to take reasonable steps to verify that purchasers in Rule 506 offerings are accredited investors. The Act significantly impacts the securities laws affecting private companies that go public directly, as well as those who use traditional IPOs.
Rule 506
Currently, Rule 502(c) prohibits a company offering or selling securities in a private placement, or any person acting on its behalf, from using any form of general solicitation or advertising, including any ad, article, or notice published in any newspaper or magazine, on television, or over the radio.
The elimination of the ban on general solicitation in Rule 506 offerings will expand the way companies that go public directly raise capital. Additionally, allowing the advertisement of Rule 506 offerings will also lighten the burden for these companies by making it easier for them to obtain the number of shareholders required to get a trading symbol.
Securities Intermediaries and Portals
The JOBS Act provides that persons who maintain a platform or portal for advertisements in Rule 506 offerings made to accredited investors are not required to register as broker-dealers as long as they are not compensated in connection with the purchase or sale of a security and do not have possession of customer funds or securities.
Go Public Direct Turnkey Solution
Private companies that go public directly typically file a registration statement with the SEC under the 1933 Act. Once the registration statement is declared effective, the company will be subject to the SEC’s reporting requirements, but it will not have a ticker symbol. In order to receive a trading symbol, the company must comply with the requirements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) which includes demonstrating there will be an active market for the company’s securities. The only way to demonstrate an active market can be established is for the company to have a meaningful shareholder base, which is defined as at least 25 individuals or entities. For private companies seeking to go public, attracting shareholders, like raising capital, can be a challenge.
The elimination of the ban on general solicitation and advertising in Rule 506 offerings will provide private companies with the opportunity to raise capital and obtain the initial shareholder base required by FINRA for ticker symbol assignment. Easing the burden of obtaining shareholders will simplify the process of going public directly and will reduce the number of private companies that go public in risky reverse merger transactions. The bottom line is that the JOBS Act will reduce reverse merger transactions because private companies seeking to go public will have a more time and cost effective method achieving public company status.
For more information about the JOBS Act please visit our blog article at http://www.gopublic101.com/JOBS-Act-general-solicitation-and-advertising/
For more information about reverse merger risks please visit our blog article at: https://www.securitieslawyer101.com/reverse-mergers/
For further information about this securities law blog post, please contact Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney at 101 Plaza Real S, Suite 202 N, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 416-8956, by email at [email protected] or visit www.securitieslawyer101.com. This securities law blog post is provided as a general informational service to clients and friends of Hamilton & Associates Law Group and should not be construed as, and does not constitute, legal advice on any specific matter, nor does this message create an attorney-client relationship. Please note that the prior results discussed herein do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Hamilton & Associates | Securities Lawyers
Brenda Hamilton, Securities Attorney
101 Plaza Real South, Suite 202 North
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Telephone: (561) 416-8956
Facsimile: (561) 416-2855
www.SecuritiesLawyer101.com
