Tag: disclosure

Exam Alert: MSRB requires underwriters of municipal securities to provide additional disclosure

Effective August 2, 2012, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will require underwriters of municipal securities to provide additional disclosures to issuers (state and local governments) and abide by other requirements. The changes apply to negotiated underwritings, but not to competitive underwritings. Continue reading

Effective August 2, 2012, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) will require underwriters of municipal securities to provide additional disclosures to issuers (state and local governments) and abide by other requirements.  The changes apply to negotiated underwritings, but not to competitive underwritings.  An underwriter must disclose the following:

-Details regarding the underwriter’s role, including that the underwriter has different financial interests than the issuer and that the underwriter does not have a fiduciary duty to the issuer

-The conditions of the underwriter’s compensation

-Any actual or potential material conflicts of interest – the interpretive notice specifically identifies the following potential conflicts of interest: third-party payments, profit-sharing with investors, and credit default swaps

-If recommending complex municipal securities transactions/products, all associated material financial risks, characteristics, incentives, and conflicts of interest

Additional requirements are as follows:

-All representations to the issuer must be accurate, truthful, and complete, with no omission or misrepresentation of material information.

-When drafting any issuer disclosure documents, the underwriter must have a reasonable basis for any representations it makes.

-The underwriter must pay a fair and reasonable price to the issuer.

-The underwriter may not recommend that the issuer not retain a municipal advisor.

This Exam Alert applies to the Series 7 Exam.

Sources:

MSRB Notice 2012-25

MSRB Establishes New Protections for State and Local Governments that Issue Bonds

Exam Alert: JOBS Act will change standards for IPOs, securities registration

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was signed into law on April 5, 2012. The act lessens regulations for the initial public offerings of certain companies and alters other federal rules. FINRA is expected to change some of its rules to reflect the new standards. Continue reading

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) was signed into law on April 5, 2012.  The act lessens regulations for the initial public offerings of certain companies and alters other federal rules.  FINRA is expected to change some of its rules to reflect the new standards.

 

Here is a breakdown of the changes:

-IPOs for “emerging growth companies” are subject to fewer restrictions limiting communication between research analysts and investment bankers (Chinese Walls).  An emerging growth company is defined as a company with less than $1 billion in annual revenue that had its first IPO no more than five years ago.  This has been estimated to cover as much as 90% of companies looking to go public (Source: Reuters).

-Banks are allowed to publish research reports on emerging growth companies immediately after they take them public.  The old rule required a 40 calendar day quiet period for IPOs.

-There are fewer restrictions on advertising emerging growth companies to accredited investors.

-Emerging growth companies are exempt from certain disclosure requirements.

-Startup companies can sell small amounts of shares to several investors to raise up to $1 million without being required to register the security (crowdfunding).  An investor can contribute up to at most $10,000, though the individual maximum may be lower based on the investor’s annual income or net worth.

-The Act increases the number of shareholders a non-bank company may have before it is required to go public, from 500 persons to 2000 persons or 500 non-accredited investors.

-The Act increases the amount of funds that can be raised before a company is forced to register with the SEC, from $5 million (under Regulation A) to $50 million.

-Up to 2,000 shareholders may invest in a bank holding company before registration is required (up from 500).

-Various other issuer registration requirements have been modified (see the SEC’s JOBS Act FAQ).

 

The Act itself may be found here.

 

Sources, further reading:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/wall-st-examines-fine-print-in-a-new-jobs-bill/

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/regulator-seeks-feedback-on-jobs-act/

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cfjobsact.shtml

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3606enr/pdf/BILLS-112hr3606enr.pdf

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-jobsact-ipos-idUSBRE83A0Z820120411

http://www.reversemergerblog.com/2012/03/17/summary-of-jobs-bill-and-update/

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0308/What-does-the-JOBS-Act-actually-do-Six-questions-answered/What-s-in-the-JOBS-Act

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2402657,00.asp

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2012/03/21/jobs-act/

 

This alert applies to the Series 79, Series 62, Series 24, Series 7, and Series 82.

Exam Alert: US Labor Dept requires disclosures from plan service providers

The US Labor Department has finalized a rule under ERISA that will require service providers for pension plans to disclose information about their fees to the employers sponsoring the plans. The rule will be effective July 1, 2012. Continue reading

The US Labor Department has finalized a rule under ERISA that will require service providers for pension plans to disclose information about their fees to the employers sponsoring the plans.  The rule will be effective July 1, 2012.

The rule will require disclosure of the service provider’s compensation structure (including both “direct” compensation from the plan sponsor and “indirect” compensation from other sources), as well as potential conflicts of interest.  The rule is limited in scope to ERISA-covered defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans.  The rule applies to service providers who expect to receive at least $1,000 in compensation for specified plan-related services, including fiduciary, advisory, brokerage, and recordkeeping services, or other financial services for which they receive indirect compensation.

Sources:

U.S. Treasury, Labor Departments Act to Enhance Retirement Security for an America Built to Last

Fact Sheet – Final Regulation Relating to Service Provider Disclosures Under Section 408(b)(2)

This alert applies to the Series 62, Series 6, Series 26, Series 24, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66, and Series 82 – these exams address ERISA considerations.

Exam Alert: Disclosures required by the Department of Labor do not need to be filed with FINRA

On October 20, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) adopted a rule that requires retirement plan administrators to show participants in participant-directed individual account plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) information on alternative investment options. On January 13, 2012, FINRA stated that communications that contain only the information required by the DOL rule do not need to be filed with FINRA. Note that communications that have additional information not required by the DOL rule must be filed with FINRA. Continue reading

On October 20, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) adopted a rule that requires retirement plan administrators to show participants in participant-directed individual account plans (e.g., 401(k) plans) information on alternative investment options.  On January 13, 2012, FINRA stated that communications that contain only the information required by the DOL rule do not need to be filed with FINRA.  Note that communications that have additional information not required by the DOL rule must be filed with FINRA.

Source: FINRA Regulatory Notice 12-02

This alert applies to the Series 62, Series 6, Series 26, Series 24, Series 7, and Series 82.

Exam Alert: SEC gives guidance on cyber attack threat disclosure

On October 13, 2011, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued new guidelines that clarify the application of existing disclosure rules. Specifically, the SEC has identified cyber attack incidents, along with the risk of cyber attacks, as material information that must be disclosed to investors. Continue reading

On October 13, 2011, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued new guidelines that clarify the application of existing disclosure rules.  Specifically, the SEC has identified cyber attack incidents, along with the risk of cyber attacks, as material information that must be disclosed to investors.

Source: CF Disclosure Guidance: Topic No. 2

Further reading: “SEC tells companies to disclose cyber attacks”

This alert applies to the Series 24, 26, 55, 6, 62, 63, 65, 66, 79, 82, 99, and 7.

Exam Alert: FASB requires additional accounting disclosures

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has announced new standards regarding fair value measurements and disclosure requirements. These changes Continue reading

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has announced new standards regarding fair value measurements and disclosure requirements.  These changes will take effect December 15, 2011.  The disclosure requirements include needing to disclose certain information on the valuation of Level 3 assets, nonfinancial assets, and items that are not measured at a fair value. Relevant to the FINRA Series 24, Series 7 and Series 62 exams.

Source: Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04

Highlights: Fair Value Accounting: Five New Disclosure Requirements

Podcast: May 2011, FASB Board Member Russ Golden discusses FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04