Registered Offering Reform

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is proposing amendments that are intended to facilitate capital formation in the public securities markets. Specifically, the proposed amendments would make Form S-3 and the ability to conduct shelf offerings available to significantly more issuers, extend certain benefits currently reserved for "well-known seasoned issuers" to a broader set of issuers, and modernize Form S-1 by expanding the ability to incorporate information by reference into that form. The proposed amendments also would make conforming changes to the registration, communication, and offering process for certain business development companies and registered closed-end investment companies that register securities on Form N-2. We also are proposing to amend the communication rules to permit broad-based advertising for certain insurance products. In addition, we are proposing certain other amendments that are intended to modernize certain rules. Finally, to mitigate the costs and complexity of conducting a registered offering, the proposed amendments would preempt State securities law registration and qualification requirements for all registered offerings.