On May 22, 2024, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), which would amend existing securities and commodity regulatory statutes to...more
6/4/2024
/ CFTC ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Investment ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Authority ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Stablecoins
On March 8, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Expanding Access to Capital Act, H.R. 2799, which we had previously posted on the blog.
...more
3/11/2024
/ 403(b) Plans ,
Angel Investors ,
Capital Formation ,
Collective Investment Schemes ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
General Solicitation ,
Investment Opportunities ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Retirement Plan ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation
On July 27, 2023, US federal banking regulators issued proposals to (i) significantly revise the riskbased regulatory capital requirements for certain midsize and larger US banking organizations (the “Capital Proposal”) and...more
On July 27, 2023, US federal banking regulators issued proposals to (i) significantly revise the riskbased regulatory capital requirements for certain midsize and larger US banking organizations (the “Capital Proposal”), and...more
In recent years, there has been a proliferation of exempt offering alternatives. In advising clients regarding which exempt offering alternative may best meet their objectives, we often suggest that they consider, among other...more
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...more
FINRA filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed amendments to the private placement filer form that members complete in connection with private placement filings made pursuant to either Rule 5122 or...more
In its 2019 Concept Release on Harmonization of Securities Offerings,1 the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) included a section requesting comment regarding resale exemptions, including Rule 144. While the SEC...more
The implications of the 2020 election for structured finance are coming into focus. Informed by our discussions in Washington, we can anticipate the likely direction of federal policy over the next two years that will impact...more
12/9/2020
/ Biden Administration ,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
GSE ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Inter-Bank Offered Rates (IBORs) ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securitization ,
Structured Finance ,
UK Brexit ,
Volcker Rule
The Securities and Exchange Commission continues to move forward with its rulemaking agenda. Yesterday, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt amendments to the MD&A disclosure requirements. These had been proposed at the...more
11/20/2020
/ Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
MD&A Statements ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulation S-K ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation
The Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission released a new Compliance & Disclosure Interpretation, 139.13, relating to equity lines, and has withdrawn several C&DIs.
...more
On August 26, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to Regulation S-K that are intended to modernize business, legal proceedings and risk factor disclosures. According to the SEC, the...more
At an open meeting held yesterday morning, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted to adopt the previously proposed amendments to Regulation S-K Items 101, 103 and 105. These changes affect the Business section, Risk...more
Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted long-awaited changes to the definition of “accredited investor,” as well as some conforming changes to the definition of “qualified institutional buyer.” ...more
On January 30, 2020, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provided guidance (MD&A Guidance) regarding the disclosure of key performance indicators and metrics used in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of...more
2/5/2020
/ Corporate Governance ,
Deregulation ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
Form 10-K ,
Form 20-F ,
MD&A Statements ,
New Guidance ,
Omissions ,
Performance Standards ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulation S-K ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
In remarks last week, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Clayton discussed the SEC’s proposed amendments to streamline and modernize the requirements for Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) disclosures. The...more
2/4/2020
/ Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
MD&A Statements ,
PCAOB ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation
The Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday voted to propose amendments to the Regulation S-K requirements for Management’s Discussion and Analysis, or MD&A, and also issued agency guidance relating to MD&A. ...more
1/31/2020
/ Comment Period ,
Corporate Governance ,
Deregulation ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
JOBS Act ,
MD&A Statements ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulation S-K ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation
As discussed in earlier blog posts, as a result of various FAST Act mandated changes to Regulation S-K, which were adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective in May 2019, a registrant may omit a...more
1/31/2020
/ Corporate Governance ,
Deregulation ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Filing Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) ,
Form 10-K ,
MD&A Statements ,
Omissions ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulation S-K ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved FINRA’s proposed amendments to its Corporate Financing Rule, which are intended to modernize, simplify, and streamline the rule....more
12/27/2019
/ Corporate Financing Rule ,
Debt Securities ,
Derivatives ,
Exemptions ,
Filing Requirements ,
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Lock-Up Requirements ,
Offerings ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Regulatory Burden ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Underwriting ,
Venture Capital
In his testimony in Congress, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton provided an update on the rulemaking work undertaken by the SEC during the fiscal year and provided updates on the SEC’s priorities. ...more
12/12/2019
/ Accredited Investors ,
Anti-Fraud Provisions ,
Business Development Companies ,
Capital Formation ,
Closed-End Funds ,
Congressional Investigations & Hearings ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Investment ,
Investment Adviser ,
Offerings ,
Proxy Solicitations ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Rulemaking Process ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Testimony ,
Testing-the-Waters Communications
The SEC’s amendment to the test-the-waters provisions, extending the ability to test-the-waters to issuers that are not emerging growth companies (“EGCs”), is now effective. The guide summarizes the provisions of new Rule...more
12/12/2019
/ Accredited Investors ,
Business Development Companies ,
Capital Markets ,
Emerging Growth Companies ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Institutional Investors ,
New Rules ,
Qualified Institutional Buyers ,
Registered Investment Companies (RICs) ,
Rule 163B ,
Securities Act ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Testing-the-Waters Communications
In this Lexis Practice Advisor Practice Note, we discuss new Rule 163B adopted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On September 26, 2019, the SEC extended the ability to test the waters to all issuers by...more
11/20/2019
/ Accredited Investors ,
Corporate Issuers ,
Emerging Growth Companies ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Institutional Investors ,
JOBS Act ,
New Rules ,
Public Offerings ,
Qualified Institutional Buyers ,
Rule 163B ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Testing-the-Waters Communications
This past week, the House Financial Services Committee considered and passed a few bills that would, if passed by the House, result in changes to the securities laws. ...more
9/23/2019
/ Capital Formation ,
Capital Markets ,
Compensation & Benefits ,
Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Enforcement Authority ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Services Committee ,
Form 8-K ,
Insider Trading ,
Investor Protection ,
Legislative Agendas ,
PCAOB ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Proxy Statements ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Regulation ,
Securities Violations ,
Wage and Hour ,
Whistleblower Protection Policies ,
Whistleblowers
On September 5, 2019, the Investor Advisory Committee will hold an open meeting (telephonic) in order to consider and address recommendations regarding the proxy process. On September 19, the Committee will hold an in-person...more
The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted additional amendments that are intended to simplify disclosure requirements for public companies, investment advisers and investment companies. ...more
3/22/2019
/ Corporate Governance ,
Deregulation ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
Financial Statements ,
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) ,
Investment Adviser ,
Investment Companies ,
MD&A Statements ,
Proposed Amendments ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Regulation S-K ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)