On January 4, 2013, FINRA published Regulatory Notice 13-02, proposing a new FINRA rule (the “proposed rule”) in connection with the recruitment compensation practices of member firms. [1]

Introduction

In short, the proposed rule would:

…continue reading: FINRA Proposes Disclosure of Recruitment Practices

On December 3, 2012, FINRA’s new Rule 5123 went into effect. [1] The Rule requires members selling securities issued by non-members in a private placement to file the private placement memorandum, term sheet or other offering documents with FINRA within 15 days of the date of the first sale of securities, or indicate that there were no offering documents used. In connection with the effectiveness of the Rule, FINRA issued frequently asked questions (the “Private Placement FAQs”) on the process as well as rolled out the Private Placement Filing System in the FINRA Firm Gateway.

Private Placement FAQs

The Private Placement FAQs are a mix of technical filing requirements and substantive guidance. The technical questions address how firms gain access to the Private Placement Filing System, the use of third parties, such as law firms and consultants, to make the required filings, the requirement that offering documents be filed in searchable PDF format, and the maximum size of individual documents. In addition, while a firm can designate another member participating in the private placement to file on its behalf, it should arrange to receive confirmation from the designated filer in order to satisfy its own filing obligation.

The substantive FAQs include the following:

…continue reading: FINRA Issues Guidance for Private Placement Filings

On June 7, 2012, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) approved FINRA Rule 5123 governing regulation of broker-dealer participation in private placements of securities. The new rule will require member firms to file certain disclosure documents and material amendments to previous disclosure documents with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

Introduction

On June 7, 2012, the SEC approved FINRA’s proposed Rule 5123 (the “Rule”), which, as adopted, significantly expands the scope of FINRA’s regulation over broker-dealer participation in private placements. [1] Among other things, unless exempt, Rule 5123 imposes a notice filing requirement on member firms participating in a private placement—with FINRA no later than 15 days after the date of first sale. The Rule’s various exemptions effectively limit its applicability to non-institutional private placements. [2]

It should be noted that FINRA has withdrawn an earlier proposal that would have required specific disclosure to each investor to whom the security is sold; that disclosure would have required (a) a description of the anticipated use of offering proceeds, (b) the amount and type of offering expenses, and (c) the amount and type of compensation provided or to be provided to sponsors, finders, consultants, and members and their associated persons in connection with the offering. As a result, the Rule as adopted requires only the filing with FINRA of the disclosure documents described below.

…continue reading: SEC Approves FINRA Private Placement Rule

In January 2011, FINRA proposed to amend Rule 5122 (“Private Placements of Securities Issued by Members”) so that its disclosure and filing requirements, which currently apply only to private placements of securities issued by a FINRA member or a “control entity” of a member, would apply to all private placements, including those of unaffiliated issuers, covered by the rule. [1] On October 18, 2011 and in response to comments on the January proposal, FINRA withdrew its proposal to amend Rule 5122 and instead submitted new proposed Rule 5123 (“Private Placements of Securities”) to the Securities and Exchange Commission for adoption. [2] Rule 5122 would remain unchanged.

Proposed Rule 5123 would prohibit members and persons associated with a member from offering or selling a security in reliance on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (which the proposed rule defines as a “private placement”), or from participating in the preparation of a private placement memorandum, term sheet or other disclosure document in connection with such a private placement, unless the member or associated person provides to each investor, prior to sale, information about the anticipated use of the offering proceeds and the amount and type of offering compensation and expenses. This required information must be included in a private placement memorandum or term sheet or, if none is prepared, in a separate disclosure document. Although the rule’s definition of “private placement” is literally quite broad, it is unclear whether FINRA intends the rule to apply outside the context of non-public offerings generally effected pursuant to Section 4(2) or Regulation D.

…continue reading: FINRA Proposed Rule on Private Placements