OTC Markets; Rule 144; The SPCC
Small public companies are in trouble and they need help now! Once in a while there is a perfect storm forming that can only result in widespread damage and that time is now for small public companies, especially those that trade on the OTC Markets. The trains on track to collide include a combination of (i) the impending amended Rule 15c2-11 compliance deadline (which alone would be and is a clear positive); (ii) the proposed Rule 144 rule changes to eliminate tacking upon the conversion of market adjustable securities; (iii) the SEC onslaught of litigation against micro-cap convertible note investors claiming unlicensed dealer activity; (iv) the OTC Markets new across the board unwillingness to allow companies to move from the Pink to the QB if they have outstanding convertible debt; and (v) the SEC’s unwillingness to recognize the OTC Pink as a trading market and its implications on re-sale registration statements.
Any one of these factors alone would not be catastrophic, and in the case of the 211 overhaul, is extremely beneficial. However, putting together all of these elements will inevitably result in the complete failure of many small public companies and unfortunately, a disproportionate number of those companies will be operated by woman and minorities.
Of course, I am not the only one that realizes this. In late 2020 a group of market participants including small public companies, investors, law firms, and advocates formed the Small Public Company Coalition (SPCC) as a first-in-kind, high-level properly organized advocate and lobbying group to bring the issues in front of those that can make a difference including the SEC and Congress.
The SPCC is a member-driven, federal advocacy coalition consisting of participants in the micro-cap space. The SPCC is the real deal with active involvement from the brightest at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, an international law firm with over 1,400 lawyers, and organized lobbying efforts led by Polaris Consulting, a top 10 lobbying firm in D.C. The team at Gibson, Dunn wrote an excellent comment letter response to the SEC proposed changes to Rule 144 that was signed by over 60 market participants and includes a complete economic impact analysis prepared by James Overdahl, Ph.D, who is the former Chief Economist for both the SEC and the CFTC. The SPCC has also been actively meeting with groups at the SEC and in Congress in support of the cause. For more information on the SPCC see www.thespcc.com or reach out to info@thespcc.com.
15c2-11 Compliance
On September 26, 2020, the SEC adopted final rules amending Securities Exchange Act (“Exchange Act”) Rule 15c2-11. From a high level, the amended rule will require that a company have current and publicly available information as a precondition for a broker-dealer to either initiate or continue to quote its securities; will narrow reliance on certain of the rules exceptions, including the piggyback exception; will add new exceptions for lower risk securities; and add the ability of OTC Markets itself to confirm that the requirements of Rule 15c2-11 or an exception have been met, and allow for broker-dealers to rely on that confirmation. The new rule will not require OTC Markets to submit a Form 211 application or otherwise have FINRA review its determination that a broker-dealer can quote a security, prior to the quotation by a broker-dealer. For a detailed summary of the new rules, see HERE.
Compliance with the majority of the rule’s requirements, including that all quoted companies have current information in order to remain 211 eligible, is slated for September 28, 2021. For companies that are Alternatively Reporting or intend to be Alternatively Reporting to OTC Markets, the ability to upload information requires access to the OTC Markets OTCIQ system. A company must apply to OTC Markets in order to gain access to the OTCIQ system (and thus publish current information on OTC Markets). If a company has been inactive for a period of time, or if a company goes through a change of control, a new OTCIQ application must be submitted.
Access to the OTCIQ system is the first barrier to entry for companies that wish to publish current information in compliance with the 211 rules, using the Alternative Reporting Standard. OTC Markets is inundated with such applications and has publicly announced that if an application is not submitted before June 30, 2021, it will not be processed in time to allow a company to access the system to upload current information prior to the September 28th deadline. Upon submitting an application, the current processing time is approximately 12 weeks.
Unlike obtaining EDGAR filing codes from the SEC, access to the OTCIQ system involves a merit review. The application itself requires the disclosure of all officers, directors and 5% or greater shareholders and the submittal of a background check authorization form for each. If there is negative history, either actual or reputational, related to any of the people listed on the form, OTC Markets has the authority to, and will likely, deny the application. In addition, if a company’s stock has been the subject of volatility in recent months (as so many have – see my blog on Gary Gensler’s recent speech on the subject including social media influencing stock prices – HERE), OTC Markets can, and has routinely been, denying the OTCIQ application.
I applaud the efforts to clean up the micro-cap markets but have issue with the discretionary and arbitrary nature of the review and decision-making process. The SEC has clearly defined bad actor rules, which include a shareholder ownership threshold of 20% and does not include a person’s “reputation.” For a detail of the bad actor rules, see HERE. Small and micro-cap companies often go through changes of control including both organic changes and reverse acquisitions. In fact, the new 211 rules give shell companies an 18-month runway to complete an acquisition. As I discuss below, I understand that OTC Markets is in a unique position to witness micro-cap fraud and the dealings of those that give penny stocks a bad name. I also understand that they are trying to find a balance between allowing access and protection of investors and the reputation of the marketplace itself. However, I would advocate for a more prescriptive test that mirrors the SEC bad actor rules with discretionary power only in extreme circumstances.
I am reminded of FINRA’s similar arbitrary use of Rule 6490 back in 2013-2015. Rule 6490 allows FINRA to deny a corporate action (such as name change, reverse split, etc.) if, among other reasons, “FINRA has actual knowledge that the issuer, associated persons, officers, directors, transfer agent, legal adviser, promoters or other persons connected to the issuer or the SEA Rule 10b-17 Action or Other Company-Related Action are the subject of a pending, adjudicated or settled regulatory action or investigation by a federal, state or foreign regulatory agency, or a self-regulatory organization; or a civil or criminal action related to fraud or securities laws violations; (4) a state, federal or foreign authority or self-regulatory organization has provided information to FINRA, or FINRA otherwise has actual knowledge indicating that the issuer, associated persons, officers, directors, transfer agent, legal adviser, promoters or other persons connected with the issuer or the SEA Rule 10b-17 Action or Other Company-Related Action may be potentially involved in fraudulent activities related to the securities markets and/or pose a threat to public investors.”
For a period of time, FINRA was relying on “may be potentially involved in fraudulent activities related to the securities markets and/or pose a threat to public investors” to deny corporate actions to companies that had any relationship, no matter how far removed, with a person that FINRA deemed a threat, regardless of any actual legal proceedings. See HERE for more information. Several issuers litigated FINRA’s seemingly expansive and arbitrary use of the rule to deny corporate actions. Although the SEC sided with FINRA and upheld their authority, FINRA adjusted their policy moving forward.
FINRA will still deny a corporate action if there is an actual bad actor involved in the company, and even if there is a significant shareholder or investor, whether debt or equity, that is the subject of a pending SEC or other regulatory proceeding but now the results of a review can be anticipated. FINRA considers actual filed legal proceedings and will even provide a company with an opportunity to explain the circumstances and provide exculpatory information. FINRA no longer considers unsubstantiated anonymous internet trolls in its review process. I hope OTC Markets goes the same route.
I also hope that OTC Markets changes its policy of penalizing a company’s ability to provide current public information, because of recent stock volatility and/or internet chat activity. In January 2021 the equity markets saw unprecedented volatility fueled in part by the use of trading apps such as Robinhood and TD Ameritrade and chat rooms such as on Reddit. Many exchange traded middle market companies, such as GameStop and AMC Theaters, were affected as were multiple OTC Markets entities, many of which lacked current public information. In February 2021 the SEC suspended the trading of several OTC Markets companies as result of social media triggered trading volatility without corresponding public information. Of course, this was a valid response.
However, I do not understand OTC Markets denying the ability to provide current information as a result of third-party social media activity or trading volatility (especially when the whole market was experiencing trading volatility). As OTC Markets pointed out in its comment letter response to the proposed 15c2-11 rules and in its application to the SEC for the formation of an expert market, there are companies that trade without current public information that are legitimate businesses. There are also many companies that are now motivated to provide current information as a result of the impending 211 compliance date. They should be allowed to do so, regardless of trading activity.
I note that if any of these companies have engaged in improper stock promotion, pump and dump activity, providing fraudulent or inaccurate public information or misinformation, there are numerous remedies available. The OTC Markets can tag the company with a caveat emptor designation and the SEC can initiate a trading suspension and subsequent enforcement action.
Even once an application for filing code access is granted, all information must be reviewed by OTC Markets prior to receiving current information status or confirmation of 15c2-11 eligibility. Absent actual identifiable bad actors, this seems the best gateway for OTC Markets to exercise its gatekeeper role. Also, in that gatekeeper role, OTC Markets should follow its stated position in its comment letter to the SEC in response to the 211 rule changes and make the review process more objective and efficient. OTC Markets should not review the merits of the information itself. The goal should be to ensure the markets have the information mandated by Rule 15c2-11, that such information is publicly available for the investing community, and that an issuer has the responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
Proposed Rule 144 Rule Changes
On December 22, 2020, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 144 which would eliminate tacking of a holding period upon the conversion or exchange of a market adjustable security that is not traded on a national securities exchange. Market adjustable securities usually take the form of convertible notes which have become a very popular and common form of financing for micro- and small-cap public companies over the past decade or so but have been under attack in recent years. The reasoning for the attacks range from the dilutive effect of the financing (yes, it’s dilutive); to labeling all market adjustable security investors and lenders as predatory sharks swimming in a sea of innocent guppies; to the SEC’s claim that serial lenders are acting as unlicensed dealers; to no articulated reason at all.
When the rule was first proposed and I blogged about it (see HERE), I saw the rule as adding some clarity to an opaque attack by market participants against a category of investors. In other words, I saw it as adding boundaries to what was otherwise just discrimination. Now I think it is a reactive, under-educated, excessive regulatory response to a perceived issue, fraught with unintended consequences. The hardest hit group from the fallout of this rule will be woman- and minority-majority-owned businesses.
In a standard convertible note structure, an investor lends money in the form of a convertible promissory note. Generally, the note can either be repaid in cash, or if not repaid, can be converted into securities of the issuer. Since Rule 144 allows for tacking of the holding period as long as the convertible note is outstanding for the requisite holding period, the investor would be able to sell the underlying securities into the public market immediately upon conversion. The notes generally convert at a discount to market price so if the converted securities are sold quickly, it appears that a profit is built in. The selling pressure from the converted shares has a tendency to push down the stock price of the issuer. On the flip side, because of the market adjustable feature, the lender can usually offer a lower interest rate and better terms.
The notes also generally have an equity blocker (usually 4.99%) such that the holder is prohibited from owning more than a certain percentage of the company at any given time to ensure they will never be deemed an affiliate and will not have to file ownership reports under either Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act (for more on Sections 13 and 16, see HERE). As a result, there is the potential for a note holder to require multiple conversions each at 4.99% of the outstanding company stock in order to satisfy the debt. Each conversion would be at a discount to the market price with the market price being lower each time as a result of the selling pressure. This can result in a large increase in the number of outstanding shares and a decrease in the share price. Over the years, this type of financing has often been referred to as “toxic.”
Extreme dilution is only possible in companies that do not trade on a national securities exchange. Both the NYSE and Nasdaq have provisions that prohibit the issuance of more than 20% of total outstanding shares, at a discount to a minimum price, without prior shareholder approval. For more on the 20% Rule, see HERE. In addition to protecting the shareholders from dilution, the 20% Rule is a built-in blocker against distributions and as such, the SEC proposed Ruel 144 change only includes securities of an issuer that does not have a class of securities listed, or approved to be listed, on a national securities exchange.
Although on first look it sounds like these transactions are risk-free for the investor and that the proposed legislation makes perfect sense – they are not and it does not. Putting aside the fact that not even the SEC could enunciate the problem they are trying to fix (the SEC does not even mention extreme dilution), and only provided a few sentences on the economic impact of the rule (i.e., the impact is “unclear”), a further review makes it obvious the rule doesn’t make sense.
It isn’t all profits and using dollars to light cigars for adjustable security investors. First, Rule 144 itself creates some hurdles. In particular, in order to rely on the shorter six-month holding period for reporting companies, the company must be current in its reporting obligations. Also, if the company was formerly a shell company, it must always remain current in its reporting obligations to rely on Rule 144. If a company becomes delinquent, the investor can no longer convert its debt and oftentimes the company does not have the cash to pay back the obligation. Further, over the years it has become increasingly difficult to deposit the securities of penny stock issuers. Regardless of whether Rule 144 requires current information, most brokerage firms will not accept the deposit of securities of a company without current information, and many law firms, including mine, will not render an opinion for the securities of those dark companies.
There are market risks as well. If a company has very low volume and/or an extremely low price, market adjustment will not save the day for the investor. Also, conversion is generally based on a formula over the days prior to the conversion. There is no guarantee that the price will not drop in the time it takes to convert and deposit securities. Of course, there is the time value of money. No matter what, an investor is in for 6 months and would have foregone options on how to put the money to better use.
The problems with the proposed rule go deeper. I urge everyone to read the Comments of the SPCC in response to the rule, the response letter by Michael A. Adelstein, Partner at Kelley, Drye & Warren, LLP and the numerous, almost across the board, comments in opposition to the proposed rule. Whereas the SEC proposed rule contains almost no economic analysis whatsoever, the SPCC’s 187-page response contains an in-depth economic analysis by James Overdahl, Ph.D, who is the former Chief Economist for both the SEC and the . The results are grim, especially for development stage companies with limited capital and revenue.
It is quite possible that the rule’s implementation will bankrupt hundreds of small public companies. As the SEC notes, unlisted small public companies often have one source, and only one source, of quick affordable capital and that is market adjustable convertible securities. Eliminating this source of financing will likely drive these companies out of business (eliminating jobs and investment funds at the same time). As it is undeniably harder for woman and minorities to raise money, especially from traditional sources, they will be the hardest hit. (See my summary of the Annual Report of Office of Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation – HERE.)
The SEC comment letter focuses on the grievous consequences to small businesses as well as the legal legislative issues with the proposed rule (arbitrary and capricious, etc.). The letter also contains an excellent history of Rule 144 including citing the numerous reasons the SEC amended the rule in 1997 to codify the long-standing practice of allowing tacking to the original issue date of a convertible note upon conversion to securities. Likewise, the comment letter contains a thoughtful dissertation that convertible notes are not overly dilutive but rather provide an affordable valuable form of financing and support the SEC’s mission of promoting access to capital for small companies.
Michael A. Adelstein’s comment response letter takes a more analytic approach with a broader market view discussing the different types of issues and investors and even propounding alternative language to the proposed rule. The fact is that the issuers targeted by the proposed rule change are generally not S-3 eligible, cannot rely on the National Securities Market Improvements Act for registrations (i.e., they must comply with state blue sky laws which are arduous) and generally have smaller floats limiting the amount that could be sold in a re-sale registration statement (because it would be considered an indirect primary offering). For these companies’ private placements of public equity or debt (i.e., a PIPE) is the only potential source of meaningful capital. If the company properly uses the capital obtained in PIPE transactions, they will grow out of the need for market-adjustable securities and will move on to registered and underwritten offerings.
Moreover, the SEC does not even consider the impact on small exchange traded companies. If an exchange traded company is struggling financially, under the new rules, it is unlikely that an investor will provide market adjustable convertible sources of capital for fear the company will be delisted and they will lose the ability to tack onto the holding period. As Mr. Adelstein notes, “[A] market-adjustable security can save entire businesses and thousands of jobs, as well as some or all of the value of investments already made into such businesses.”
Likewise, the SEC focuses only on convertible notes, disregarding the multiple types of market adjustable convertible securities which will also be impacted such as floaters, amorts, resets, forced convertibles and default convertibles. Mr. Adelstein’s comment letter contains an excellent discussion of these different types of instruments and provisions, but the most important point is it is not a one-size-fits-all investment. The SEC must at least consider the use of these different instruments and what impact a broad swipe of the pen can have.
Similarly, not all investors are the same. The SEC lumps together all market-adjustable security investors as pump-and-dump offenders out to take advantage of the marketplace. This simply isn’t true. There are some bad actors, but in my experience the majority are sophisticated investors looking to establish a long-term funding relationship with a client. The dumpers earn a reputation as such very quickly and are not sought after for further investments. I don’t mean to say the good ones are purely altruistic, but it just makes good business sense to establish long-term relationships and trade wisely to support growth. Fundamentals count. It is costly from an administrative perspective (accounting, deposit fees, opinion letters, brokerage fees, etc.) to manage multiple small investments. Also, the profit ratio for small investments is significantly lower than for larger ones. A company that utilizes capital properly and continues to grow will have a higher sustained stock price, more volume and more access to a diverse portfolio of capital only rounding out with market adjustable securities. A sophisticated investor will not just dump but will wait for good news and market changes, trading strategically. In this case, all investors make a larger return on investment dollars and are invited back to participate in future opportunities with even higher potential ROI’s and growth opportunities (every company is a small company in the beginning).
Considering the dramatic negative impact, the proposed rule will have on small and micro-cap companies, it seems obvious that there are many, less intrusive ways in which to approach the perceived problem. The SEC could require shareholder approval for any market adjustable convertible security issuance that could result in 20% or greater dilution, mirroring the current Exchange rules for all public companies. The SEC could also allow for tacking where, in fact, the securities were not issued at a discount to market regardless of market adjustable provisions in the security.
SEC Unlicensed Dealer Litigation
Prior to proposing the amendment to Rule 144, the SEC launched a different attack on investors/lenders of market adjustable securities. In November 2017 the SEC shocked the industry when it filed an action against Microcap Equity Group, LLC and its principal alleging that its investing activity required licensing as a dealer under Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act. Since that time, the SEC has filed approximately four more cases with the sole allegation being that the investor acted as an unregistered dealer. I am aware of several other entities that are under investigation for the same activity, which will likely result in enforcement actions.
The SEC certainly knew of the proliferation of convertible note and other market adjustable securities financings over the years. Rule 415 governs the registration requirements for the sale of securities to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis, such as in the case of the take down or conversion of convertible debt and warrants. In 2006 the SEC issued guidance on Rule 415 that the rule would not be available for re-sale registration statements where in excess of 30% of the company’s float was being registered for re-sale. The SEC indicated it would view such registrations as indirect primary offerings, that could not be priced at the market. The SEC action was in direct response to the proliferation of market adjustable equity line of credit financings during that time. Although there were a few large investors that did the majority of the financings, the SEC did not raise the dealer issue.
As mentioned before the Rule 144, 1997 amendment which specifically allowed tacking of the conversion holding period, spoke in depth as to this kind of financing. Likewise, the 2008 amendments that reduced the holding periods to six months and one year also addressed convertible financing and added a provision to clarify that tacking is also allowed upon the exercise of options and warrants where there is a cashless exercise feature. Again, the SEC did not raise an issue that the most prolific investors could be acting as an unlicensed dealer. To the contrary, the SEC recognized the importance of this type of financing.
On September 26, 2016, and again on the 27th, the SEC brought enforcement actions against issuers for the failure to file 8-K’s associated with corporate finance transactions and in particular PIPE transactions involving the issuance of convertible debt, preferred equity, warrants and similar instruments. Prior to the announcement of these actions, I had been hearing rumors in the industry that the SEC has issued “hundreds” of subpoenas (likely an exaggeration) to issuers related to PIPE transactions and to determine 8-K filing deficiencies. See HERE for my blog at the time. The SEC did not mention any potential violations by the investors themselves.
Nothing in the prior SEC rule making, interpretive guidance, or enforcement actions foresaw the current dealer litigation issue. The SEC litigation put a chill on convertible note investing and has left the entire world of hedge funds, family offices, day traders, and serial PIPE investors wondering if they can rely on previously issued SEC guidance and practice on the dealer question. So far, the SEC has only filed actions for unlicensed dealer activity against investors that invest specifically using convertible notes in penny stock issuers. Although there is a long-standing legal premise that a dealer in a thing must buy and sell the same thing (a car parts dealer is not an auto dealer, an icemaker is not a water dealer, etc.), there is nothing in the broker-dealer regulatory regime or guidance that limits broker-dealer registration requirements based on the form of the security being bought, sold or traded or the size of the issuer.
Specifically, there is no precedent for the theory that if you trade in convertible notes instead of open market securities, private placements instead of registered deals, bonds instead of stock, or warrants instead of preferred stock, etc., you either must be licensed as a dealer or are exempt. Likewise, there is nothing in the broker dealer regime that suggests that if you invest in penny stock issuers vs. middle market or exchange traded entities you need to be licensed as a dealer. Again, the entire community that serially invests or trades in public companies is in a state of regulatory uncertainty and the capital flow to small- and micro-cap companies has diminished accordingly. Although the SEC has had some wins in the litigations, the issue is far from settled.
Importantly, the dealer litigation, together with the proposed Rule 144 rule changes, makes it that much harder for small and developing public companies to obtain financing to execute on their business plans, support job growth and support the U.S. economy.
OTC Markets QB Standards
I mentioned above that most of the comment letter responses to the proposed Rule 144 amendments were in opposition to the rule change. One that was not, is OTC Markets itself. In supporting the proposed rule change, OTC Markets merely suggested that it not discriminate against OTC Markets securities, but rather that the new rule should apply across the board to both OTC Markets and Exchange traded issuers.
OTC Markets is in a unique position to witness the red flags of micro-cap fraud and has valiantly been engaged in an uphill battle to combat that fraud, and earn the respect of the SEC, FINRA and other regulators. To its credit, it has done an amazing job. Nothing is more illustrative of that than the complete dichotomy between the December 16, 2016 SEC White Paper on penny stocks which disregarded OTC Markets as a viable marketplace and showed a complete disinterest in it or its efforts to create a venture market (see HERE) and the new 15c2-11 rule release which hands over the power to determine compliance with the rule to OTC Markets itself.
Moreover, in the years prior to the 2016 White Paper and certainly since, the OTC Markets has consistently implemented new rule and policy changes, all in an effort to deter micro-cap fraud and create a respected market. They have and are succeeding.
But I don’t agree with everything. In recent years, OTC Markets has taken a stance against convertible note lenders and the issuers that rely on their financing. Effective October 1, 2020, OTC Markets formally updated its QB rules to add that it may “[R]efuse the application for any reason, including but not limited to stock promotion, dilution risk, and use of ‘toxic’ financiers if it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the admission of the Company’s securities for trading on OTCQB, would be likely to impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets Group or be detrimental to the interests of investors.”
This would be fair enough if, like FINRA, it only denied an application if one of the investors or participants was a bad actor under the SEC rules, or had actual proceedings filed against it. Rather, though, OTC Markets has taken it one step further and has been denying the majority of QB applications where the applicant has convertible securities on the books.
In the past few months, this has become a big topic of conversation among market participants. In addition to clients and potential clients, other attorneys, broker-dealers and transfer agents have reached out to me to discuss insight or guidance. Is one convertible instrument enough to deny a QB application? Is three too many? Why are applications being denied even when the convertible instruments are not market adjustable? Will shareholder approval of the financings solve the problem? What if the total amount of potential dilution is less than 20%? 10% or even 5%?
Yesterday, on June 7, 2021, OTC Markets published some guidance on dilution risk associated with an OTCQB or OTCQX application. OTC Markets is focusing on:
- Whether an issuer has recent or currently outstanding convertible notes with conversion features that provide significant discounts to the current market price and whether such notes are held by company officers, directors and control persons;
- Whether an issuer has other classes of outstanding securities that are convertible into common stock at largely discounted rates and are not held by officers or directors;
- A capital table and/or “toxic financing” structure that will substantially reorganize the share ownership of the company;
- Whether an issuer has had a history of substantial increases in the amount of its outstanding shares;
- Whether an issuer has had a history of multiple or large reverse stock splits; and
- Whether an issuer has engaged lenders that have been the subjects of regulatory actions regarding “toxic financing” and related concerns.
The OTC Markets guidance indicates that an application can be renewed if a company takes corrective measures including enhancing corporate governance, providing additional disclosure, changing capital structure or adding protections for minority investors.
Although we appreciate all guidance, it is still opaque. It comes down to effectively identifying and solving a problem. The guidance indicates “substantial discount to market” but in my experience, even convertible notes at a fixed conversion price have been problematic. I know OTC Markets wants to allow listings on the QB and QX and is also trying to be a good steward and fiduciary to the marketplace. It is clear that we are in a period of transition.
In addition to the existence of convertible debt, like the OTCIQ application, OTC Markets has been doing a deep-dive merit review on all companies that apply to the QB and has been quick to deny an application, often without articulating the reasons or in perfunctory emails with a high-level reason that has been the source of some frustration for applicants.
Trading on the QB is not merely for optics. It has a definitive regulatory and capital raising impact.
The OTC Pink is not a Recognized Marketplace
A company that trades on the OTC Pink market may not rely on Rule 415 to file a re-sale registration statement whereby the selling shareholders can sell securities into the market at market price. That is, all registration statements, whether re-sale, primary or indirect primary, must be at a fixed price unless the issuer is trading on the OTCQB or higher.
Rule 415 sets forth the requirements for engaging in a delayed offering or offering on a continuous basis. Under Rule 415 a re-sale offering may be made on a delayed or continuous basis other than at a fixed price (i.e., it may be priced at the market). It is axiomatic that for a security to be sold at market price, there must be a market. There was a time when the SEC refused to recognize any of the tiers of OTC Markets, as a “market” for purposes of at-the-market offerings. On May 16, 2013, the SEC issued a C&DI recognizing the OTCQB and OTCQX as market for purposes of filing and pricing a re-sale registration statement.
However, OTC Pink is still not a recognized market. As there is no actual rule that identifies what is a market for purposes of Rule 415, the SEC has looked to Item 501(b)(3) of Regulation S-K. Item 501 provides the requirements for disclosing the offering price of securities on the forepart of a registration statement and outside front cover page of a prospectus. Item 501 requires that either a fixed price be disclosed or a formula or other method to determine the offering price based on market price. The SEC uses this rule to require a fixed price where a company trades on the OTC Pink since there is no identifiable “market” to tie a price too.
In light of the SEC dealer litigation and proposed Rule 144 amendments, many companies are engaging with investors for registered offerings. Even though the SEC is a proponent of exempt offerings (thus the redo of the entire exempt offering structure in November 2020), it seems that encouraging companies to register offerings will reduce micro-cap fraud and should be supported by OTC Markets. However, in order to properly utilize registration statements for capital market financing transactions, a company must trade on the OTCQB or better. A company’s added difficulty in being accepted to trade on the QB is just another notch on the tightening noose of OTC Markets companies.
« SEC Re-Opens Comments On The Use Of Universal Proxy Cards SEC Announces It Will Not Enforce Amended Rules Governing Proxy Advisors »
OTCQB And OTCQX Rule Changes
Effective October 1, 2020, the OTCQB and OTCQX tiers of OTC Markets have instituted amendments to their rules, including an increase in fees.
The OTC Markets divide issuers into three (3) levels of quotation marketplaces: OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Open Market. The OTC Pink Open Market, which involves the highest-risk, highly speculative securities, is further divided into three tiers: Current Information, Limited Information and No Information. Companies trading on the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Current Information tiers of OTC Markets have the option of reporting directly to OTC Markets under its Alternative Reporting Standards. The Alternative Reporting Standards are more robust for the OTCQB and OTCQX in that they require audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and audited by a PCAOB qualified auditor in the same format as would be included in SEC registration statements and reports.
As an aside, companies that report to the SEC under Regulation A and foreign companies that qualify for the SEC reporting exemption under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) may also qualify for the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Current Information tiers of OTC Markets if they otherwise meet the listing qualifications. For more information on OTCQB and OTCQX listing requirements, see HERE, HERE, and HERE.
OTCQB Amendments
Effective October 1, 2020, the OTCQB Standards, Version 3.4, went into effect. To review the last amendments adopted in February 2020, see HERE. The new Version 3.4 modified the prior rules as follows:
Fees. Effective January 1, 2021, the OTCQB annual fee will increase from $12,000 to $14,000 and the application fee will increase from $2,500 to $5,000.
Corporate Governance Requirements. Companies that alternatively report to OTC Markets must meet certain corporate governance requirements to be eligible to trade on the OTCQB. In particular, such companies must have a board of directors that includes at least two independent directors and must have an audit committee the majority of which are independent directors. The new rules provide that trusts, funds, and other similar companies may be exempted from these corporate governance standards. A company wishing to be exempted must apply to OTC Markets in writing and such exemption will be granted in the sole and absolute discretion of OTC Markets.
Application Review/Reasons for Denial. Although OTC Markets has always had broad discretion to deny an application to trade on the OTCQB, the new rules specifically provide that OTC Markets may “[R]efuse the application for any reason, including but not limited to stock promotion, dilution risk, and use of “toxic” financiers if it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the admission of the Company’s securities for trading on OTCQB, would be likely to impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets Group or be detrimental to the interests of investors.”
OTCQX Amendments
Effective October 1, 2020, the OTCQX Standards, Version 8.6, went into effect. To review the last amendments adopted in December 2019, see HERE. The new Version 8.6 modified the prior rules as follows:
Fees. Effective January 1, 2021, the OTCQX annual fee will increase from $20,000 to $23,000. The application fee remains unchanged at $5,000.
International Company Upgrade to OTCQX. A Company with a class of securities currently quoted on the OTCQB market that chooses to upgrade to OTCQX may now be exempt from the requirement to select an OTCQX Sponsor or submit a Letter of Introduction.
Sponsor for International Companies. An OTCQX Sponsor who is an attorney or law firm is no longer required to be headquartered in the U.S. or Canada. Instead, each attorney who provides services as an OTCQX Sponsor must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in the U.S. As a reminder, I am a qualified OTCQX Sponsor.
« SEC Adopts Amendments To Management Discussion And Analysis Intellectual Property And Technology Risks – International Business Operations »
The SEC Has Adopted Final Amendments To Rule 15C2-11; Major Change For OTC Markets Companies
Despite an unusual abundance of comments and push-back, on September 16, 2020, one year after issuing proposed rules (see HERE), the SEC has adopted final rules amending Securities Exchange Act (“Exchange Act”) Rule 15c2-11. The primary purpose of the rule amendment is to enhance retail protection where there is little or no current and publicly available information about a company and as such, it is difficult for an investor or other market participant to evaluate the company and the risks involved in purchasing or selling its securities. The SEC believes the final amendments will preserve the integrity of the OTC market, and promote capital formation for issuers that provide current and publicly available information to investors. From a high level, the amended rule will require that a company have current and publicly available information as a precondition for a broker-dealer to either initiate or continue to quote its securities; will narrow reliance on certain of the rules exceptions, including the piggyback exception; will add new exceptions for lower risk securities; and add the ability of OTC Markets itself to confirm that the requirements of Rule 15c2-11 or an exception have been met, and allow for broker-dealer to rely on that confirmation. Importantly the new rule will not require OTC Markets to submit a Form 211 application or otherwise have FINRA review its determination that a broker-dealer can quote a security, prior to the quotation by a broker-dealer. The final rule release contains an in-depth discussion of the numerous comments received (I was one of the many comment writers), especially related to the piggyback exception. As part of the comment process, the OTC Markets, and many of its supporters, suggested the creation of a new “expert market” which would allow the trading of securities with no or limited information, by institutions and other qualified individual traders. In rejecting the proposal, the SEC indicated that there was not enough detail and information around how such a market would operate, but that it was open to considering such a segregated expert qualified marketplace in the future following the appropriate groundwork. The final rules entail a complete overhaul of the current rule structure and as such will require the development of a new infrastructure, compliance procedures and written supervisory procedures at OTC Markets, new compliance procedures and written supervisory procedures at broker-dealers that quote OTC Markets securities, and similar changes within FINRA to adapt to and accommodate the new system. I expect a period of somewhat chaos in the beginning with rapid execution adjustments to work out the kinks. The final rule release contains a section on guidance related to the rules implementation and use. The guidance includes information on determining the reliability of information sources, conducting information reviews, and red flags that may heighten a review requirement. The effective date of the rule is 60 days following publication in the federal register. The rule will be published any day now. Compliance with the majority of the rule is required nine months after the effective date. However, compliance with the provision requiring a catch-all category of company to have current information for the preceding two years in order to qualify for the piggyback exception is not until two years from the effective date. As discussed more fully below, a catch-all company is generally an alternatively reporting company on OTC Markets. Background Rule 15c2-11 was enacted in 1971 to ensure that proper information was available to a broker and its clients prior to quoting a security in an effort to prevent micro-cap fraud. The last substantive amendment was in 1991. At the time of enactment of the rule, the Internet was not available for access to information. In reality, a broker-dealer never provides the information to investors, FINRA does not make or require the information to be made public, and the broker-dealer never updates information, even after years and years. Since the enactment of the rules, the Internet has created a whole new disclosure possibility and OTC Markets itself has enacted disclosure requirements, processes and procedures. The current system does not satisfy the intended goals or legislative intent and is unnecessarily cumbersome at the beginning of a company’s quotation life with no follow-through. I’ve written about 15c2-11 many times, including HERE and HERE. In the former blog I discussed OTC Markets’ comment letter to FINRA related to Rule 6432 and the operation of 15c2-11. FINRA Rule 6432 requires that all broker-dealers have and maintain certain information on a non-exchange-traded company security prior to resuming or initiating a quotation of that security. Generally, a non-exchange-traded security is quoted on the OTC Markets. Compliance with the rule is demonstrated by filing a Form 211 with FINRA. The specific information required to be maintained by the broker-dealer when it initiates a quotation is delineated in Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11. The core principle behind Rule 15c2-11 is that adequate current information be available when a security enters the marketplace. The information required by the Rule includes either: (i) a prospectus filed under the Securities Act of 1933, such as a Form S-1, which went effective less than 90 days prior; (ii) a qualified Regulation A offering circular that was qualified less than 40 days prior; (iii) the company’s most recent annual reported filed under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or Regulation A under wand quarterly reports to date; (iv) information published pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) for foreign issuers (see HERE); or (v) specified information that is similar to what would be included in items (i) through (iv). In addition, a broker-dealer must have a reasonable basis under the circumstances to believe that the information is accurate in all material respects and from a reliable source. This reasonable basis requirement has altered the initial quotation process dramatically over the last ten years. In particular, FINRA uses this requirement to conduct a deep dive into the due diligence and background of a company when processing a 211 Application. As discussed below, although the amended rule continues to require that a broker-dealer have a reasonable basis to believe information is accurate and from a reliable source, the revamped structure itself may help shift the burden back to the broker-dealer, where it belongs, and reduce FINRA’s overlapping merit review. Importantly as discussed, OTC Markets will not be required to submit a Form 211 but rather its determination of compliance with the rules will be self-effectuating, and a broker-dealer relying on OTC Markets review, will also not be required to submit a Form 211 to FINRA. This alone will make a tremendous difference in the process. The 15c2-11 piggyback exception provides that if an OTC Markets security has been quoted during the past 30 calendar days, and during those 30 days the security was quoted for at least 12 days without more than a four-consecutive-day break in quotation, then a broker-dealer may “piggyback” off of prior broker-dealer information. In other words, once an initial Form 211 has been filed by a market maker and approved by FINRA and the stock quoted for 30 days by that market maker, subsequent broker-dealers can quote the stock and make markets without resubmitting information to FINRA. The piggyback exception lasts in perpetuity as long as a stock continues to be quoted. As a result of the piggyback exception, the current information required by Rule 15c2-11 may only actually be available in the marketplace at the time of the Form 211 application and not years later while the security continues to trade. The disparity is so extreme that a quotation can take on a life of its own and continue long after a company has ceased to exist or closed operations. The SEC’s rule release discusses the OTC Markets in general, noting that the majority of fraud enforcement actions involve either non-reporting or delinquent companies. However, the SEC also notes that the OTC Markets provides benefits for investors (a welcome acknowledgment after a period of open negativity). Many foreign companies trade on the OTC Markets and importantly, the OTC Markets provides a starting point for small growth companies to access capital and learn how to operate as a public company. The final rules: (i) require that information about the company and the security be current and publicly available in order to initiate or continue to quote a security; (ii) limit certain exceptions to the rule including the piggyback exception where a company’s information becomes unavailable to the public or is no longer current; (iii) reduce regulatory burdens to quote securities that may be less susceptible to potential fraud and manipulation; (iv) allow OTC Markets itself to evaluate and confirm eligibility to rely on the rule; and (v) streamline the rule and eliminate obsolete provisions. The final rule adds the ability for new “market participants” to conduct the review process and allows broker-dealers to rely on that review process and the determination from certain third parties that an exception is available for a security. The release uses the terms “qualified IDQS that meets the definition of an ATS” and “national securities association” throughout. In reality, the only relevant qualified IDQS is OTC Markets itself and the only national securities association in the United States is FINRA. However, if new IDQS platforms or national securities associations develop, they would also be covered by the rule. Final Amendments OTC Markets Review The new rule allows a qualified IDQS to comply with the information review requirements. As mentioned, in reality, the qualified IDQS is OTC Markets. In complying with the information review requirements under Rule 15c2-11, OTC Markets will be subject to the same review, responsibility and record keeping requirements of a broker-dealer and must have reasonably designed written policies and procedures associated with the rule’s compliance. OTC Markets would then “make known” to the public that it has completed a review and that a broker-dealer can quote or resume quoting the securities, and be in compliance with Rule 15c2-11. Likewise, OTC Markets can make a determination that a company qualifies for an exception to the 211 rule requirements and a broker-dealer can rely on that determination. A broker-dealer can rely on the OTC Markets determination of the availability of the rule or an exception to quote a security without conducting an independent review. Keeping the rule’s current 3 business day requirement, a broker-dealer’s quotation must be published or submitted within three business days after the qualified IDQS (OTC Markets) makes a publicly available determination. Importantly, the new rule specifically does not require that OTC Markets comply with FINRA Rule 6432 and does not require OTC Markets or broker-dealers relying on OTC Markets’ publicly available determination that an exception applies, to file Forms 211 with FINRA. I believe that the system will evolve such that OTC Markets completes the vast majority of 211 compliance reviews. Current Public Information Requirements; Location of Information The final rule changes will (i) require that the documents and information that a broker-dealer must have to quote an OTC security be current and publicly available; (ii) permit additional market participants to perform the required review (i.e., OTC Markets); and (iii) expand some categories of information required to be reviewed. In addition, the amendment will restructure and renumber paragraphs and subparagraphs. To initiate or resume a quotation, a broker-dealer or OTC Markets, must review information up to three days prior to the quotation. The information that a broker-dealer needs to review depends on the category of company, and in particular: (i) a company subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Regulation A or Regulation Crowdfunding (Regulation Crowdfunding was not included in the proposed rule but was added in the final); (i) a company with a registration statement that became effective less than 90 days prior to the date the broker-dealer publishes a quotation; (iii) a company with a Regulation A offering circular that goes effective less than 40 days prior to the date the broker-dealer publishes a quotation; (iv) an exempt foreign private issuer with information available under 12(g)3-2(b) and (v) all others (catch-all category) which information must be as of a date within 12 months prior to the publication or submission of a quotation. The catch-all category encompasses companies that alternatively report on OTC Markets (see HERE for more information), as well as companies that are delinquent in their SEC reporting obligations. Provided however, that companies delinquent in their SEC reporting companies can only satisfy the catch-all requirements for a broker-dealer to quote an initial or resume quotation of its securities, not for the piggy-back exception. For companies relying on the catch-all category, the information required to rely on Rule 15c2-11 includes the type of information that would be available for a reporting company, including financial information for the two preceding years that the company or its predecessor has been in existence. The information requirements were expanded from the proposed rule to also include (i) the address of the company’s principal place of business; (ii) state of incorporation of each of the company’s predecessors (if any); (iii) the ticker symbol (if assigned); (iv) the title of each “company insider” as defined in the rule; (v) a balance sheet as of a date less than 16 months before the publication or submission of a broker-dealers quotation; and (vi) a profit and loss and retained earnings statement for the 12 months preceding the date of the most recent balance sheet. Certain supplemental information is also required in determining whether the information required by Rule 15c2-11 is satisfied. In particular, a broker-dealer or OTC Markets, must always determine the identity of the person on whose behalf a quotation is made, including whether that person is an insider of the company and whether the company has been subject to a recent trading suspension. The requirement to review this supplemental information only applies when a broker-dealer is initiating or resuming a quotation for a company, and not when relying on an exception, such as the piggy-back exception, for continued quotations. Regardless of the category of company, the broker-dealer or OTC Markets, must have a reasonable basis under the circumstances to believe that the information is accurate in all material respects and from a reliable source. In order to satisfy this obligation, the information and its sources must be reviewed and if any red flags are present such as material inconsistencies in the public information or between the public information and information the reviewer has knowledge of, the reviewer should request supplemental information. Other red flags could include a qualified audit opinion resulting from failure to provide financial information, companies that list the principal component of its net worth an asset wholly unrelated to the issuer’s lines of business, or companies with bad-actor disclosures or disqualifications. I’ve included a brief discussion of red flags in the section titled guidance below. The existing rule only requires that SEC filings for reporting or Regulation A companies be publicly available and in practice, there is often a deep-dive of due diligence information that is not, and is never made, publicly available. Under the final rule, all information other than some limited exceptions, and the basis for any exemption, will need to be current and publicly available for a broker-dealer to initiate or resume a quotation in the security. The information required to be current and publicly available will also include supplemental information that the broker-dealer, or other market participant, has reviewed about the company and its officer, directors, shareholders, and related parties. Interestingly, the SEC release specifies that a deep-dive due diligence is not necessary in the absence of red flags and that FINRA, OTC Markets or a broker-dealer can rely solely on the publicly available information, again, unless a red flag is present. Currently, the broker-dealer that submits the majority of Form 211 applications does a complete a deep-dive due diligence, and FINRA then does so as well upon submittal of the application. I suspect that upon implementation of the new rule, OTC Markets itself will complete the vast majority of 15c2-11 rule compliance reviews and broker-dealers will rely on that review rather than submitting a Form 211 application to FINRA and separately complying with the information review requirements. Information will be deemed publicly available if it is posted on: (i) the EDGAR database; (ii) the OTC Markets (or other qualified IDQS) website; (iii) a national securities association (i.e., FINRA) website; (iv) the company’s website; (v) a registered broker-dealer’s website; (vi) a state or federal agency’s website; or (vii) an electronic delivery system that is generally available to the public in the primary trading market of a foreign private issuer . The posted information must not be password-protected or otherwise user-restricted. A broker-dealer will have the requirement to either provide the information to an investor that requests it or direct them to the electronic publicly available information. Information will be current if it is filed, published or disclosed in accordance with each subparagraph’s listed time frame. The rule has a catch-all whereby unless otherwise specified information is current if it is dated within 12 months of a quotation. A broker-dealer must continue to obtain current information through 3 days prior to the quotation of a security. The final rule adds specifics as to the date of financial statements for all categories of companies, other than the “catch-all” category. A balance sheet must be less than 16 months from the date of quotation and a profit and loss statement and retained earnings statement must cover the 12 months prior to the balance sheet. However, if the balance sheet is not dated within 6 months of quotation, it will need to be accompanied by a profit-and-loss and retained-earnings statement for a period from the date of the balance sheet to a date less than six months before the publication of a quotation. A catch-all category company, including a company that is delinquent in its SEC reporting obligations, does not have the 6 month requirement for financial statements but a balance sheet must be dated no more than 16 months prior to quotation publication and the profit and loss must be for the 12 months preceding the date of the balance sheet. The categories of information required to be reviewed will also expand. For instance, a broker-dealer or the OTC Markets will be required to identify company officers, 10%-or-greater shareholders and related parties to the company, its officer and directors. In addition, records must be reviewed and disclosure made if the person for whom quotation is being published is the company, CEO, member of the board of directors, or 10%-or-greater shareholder. As discussed below, the unsolicited quotation exception will no longer be available for officers, directors, affiliates or 10% or greater shareholders unless the company has current publicly available information. The rule will not require that the qualified IDQS – i.e., OTC Markets – separately review the information to publish the quote of a broker-dealer on its system, unless the broker-dealer is relying on the new exception allowing it to quote securities after a 211 information review has been completed by OTC Markets. In other words, if a broker-dealer completes the 211 review and clears a Form 211 with FINRA, OTC Markets can allow the broker-dealer to quote on its system. If OTC Markets completes the 211 review and clears a Form 211 with FINRA, the broker-dealer, upon confirming that the 211 information is current and publicly available, is accepted from performing a separate review and can proceed to quote that security. Exceptions in General The final rule amendments add new exceptions that will reduce regulatory burdens: (i) for securities of well-capitalized companies whose securities are actively traded; (ii) if the broker-dealer publishing the quotation was named as an underwriter in the security’s registration statement or offering circular; (iii) where a qualified IDQS that meets the definition of an ATS (OTC Markets) complies with the rule’s required review and makes known to others the quotation of a broker-dealer relying on the exception; and (iv) in reliance on publicly available determinations by a qualified IDQS that meets the definition of an ATS (i.e., OTC Markets) or a national securities association (i.e., FINRA) that the requirements of certain exceptions have been met. Piggyback and Unsolicited Quote Exception Changes The current 15c2-11 piggyback exception provides that if an OTC Markets security has been quoted during the past 30 calendar days, and during those 30 days the security was quoted for at least 12 days without more than a four-consecutive-day break in quotation, then a broker-dealer may “piggyback” off of prior broker-dealer information. As discussed, currently the piggyback exception lasts in perpetuity as long as a stock continues to be quoted. As a result of the piggyback exception, the current information required by Rule 15c2-11 may only actually be available in the marketplace at the time of the Form 211 application and not years later while the security continues to trade. Moreover, as the SEC notes, by continuing to quote securities with no available information, that are being manipulated or part of a pump-and-dump scheme, a broker is perpetuating the scheme. There are two main current exceptions to Rule 15c2-11: the piggyback exception and the unsolicited quotation exception. The final rule, which contains a 60 page discussion on the piggyback exception, will amend the exception to: (i) require that information be current and publicly available (see below chart); (ii) require at least a one-way priced quotation (either bid or ask) – which is a modification from the proposal which would have required a two-way quotation; (iii) eliminate the current 30 calendar day window before the exception can be relied upon but retain the requirement that that no more than 4 days in succession can elapse without a quotation; (iv) eliminate the piggyback exception during the first 60 calendar days after the termination of a SEC trading suspension under Section 12(k) of the Exchange Act; (v) allow a period in which the exception can be relied upon for quotations of shell companies (modified from the rule proposal); and (vi) provide a conditional 15 day grace period to continue quotations when current information is no longer available (this provision was not in the rule proposal); and (vi) revise the frequency of quotation requirement. Notably, the SEC does not include a delinquent reporting issuer in the “catch-all” category for purposes of qualification for the piggy-back exception, rather, the amended rule provides a grace period for Exchange Act reporting companies that are delinquent in their reporting obligations. In particular, a broker-dealer can continue to rely on the piggyback exception for quotations for a period of 180 days following the end of the reporting period. Since most OTC Markets companies are not accelerated filers, the due date for an annual Form 10-K is 90 days from fiscal year end and for a quarterly Form 10-Q it is 45 days from quarter end. Accordingly, a company can be delinquent up to 90 days on the filing of its Form 10-K or 135 days on its Form 10-Q before losing piggyback eligibility. Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding reporting companies are not provided with a grace period, but rather must timely file their reports to maintain piggyback eligibility. The following chart summarizes the time frames for which 15c2-11 information must be current and publicly available, timely filed, or filed within 180 calendar days from the specified period, for purposes of piggyback eligibility:| Category of Company | 15c2-11 Current Information |
| Exchange Act reporting company | Filed within 180 days following end of the reporting period |
| Regulation A reporting company | Filed within 120 days of fiscal year end and 90 days of semi-annual period end |
| Regulation Crowdfunding filer | Filed within 120 days of fiscal year end |
| Foreign Private Issuer | Since first day of most recent completed fiscal year, information required to be filed by the laws of home country or principal exchange traded on |
| Catch-all company | Current and publicly available annually, except the most recent balance sheet must be dated less than 16 months before submission of a quote and profit and loss and retained earnings statements for the 12 months preceding the date of the balance sheet. Note that compliance with the requirement to include financial information for the 2 preceding years does not take effect until 2 years after the effective date (i.e. approximately 2 years and 2 months). A catch-all company would still need to provide all other current information set forth in the rule, to qualify for the piggyback exception, beginning on the compliance date – i.e. 9 months after the effective date. |
« NYSE Continues To Struggle With Direct Listing Rule Changes A Covid IPO: The Virtual Roadshow »
NYSE, Nasdaq And OTC Markets Offer Relief For Listed Companies Due To COVID-19
In addition to the SEC, the various trading markets, including the Nasdaq, NYSE and OTC Markets are providing relief to trading companies that are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the worldwide COVID-19 crisis.
NYSE
The NYSE has taken a more formal approach to relief for listed companies. On March 20, 2020 and again on April 6, 2020 the NYSE filed a notice and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule changes to provide relief from the continued listing market cap requirements and certain shareholder approval requirements.
Recognizing the extremely high level of market volatility as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the NYSE has temporarily suspended until June 30, 2020 its continued listing requirement that companies must maintain an average global market capitalization over a consecutive 30-trading-day period of at least $15 million. Likewise, the NYSE is suspending the requirement that a listed company maintain a minimum trading price of $1.00 or more over a consecutive 30-trading-day period, through June 30, 2020.
The NYSE intends to waive certain shareholder approval requirements for continued listing on the NYSE through June 30, 2020. In particular, in light of the fact that many listed companies will have urgent liquidity needs in the coming months due to lost revenues and maturing debt obligations, the NYSE is proposing to ease shareholder approval requirements to allow capital raises. The big board amendments align the requirements more closely with the NYSE American requirements.
The NYSE big board rules prohibit issuances to related parties if the number of shares of common stock to be issued, or if the number of shares of common stock into which the securities may be convertible or exercisable, exceeds either 1% of the number of shares of common stock or 1% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance subject to a limited exception if the issuances are above a minimum price and no more than 5% of the outstanding common stock. For a review of the NYSE American rule for affiliate issuances, see HERE. The NYSE also requires shareholder approval for private issuances below the minimum price for any transactions relating to 20% or more the outstanding common stock or voting power. For a review of the 20% rule for the NYSE American, see HERE.
Realizing that existing large shareholders and affiliates are often the only willing providers of capital when a company is undergoing difficult times, the rule change allows for the issuance of securities to affiliates that exceed the 1% or 5% limits if completed prior to June 30, 3030 where the securities are sold for cash that meets the minimum price and if the transaction is reviewed and approved by the company’s audit committee or a comparable committee comprised solely of independent directors. The waiver cannot be relied upon if the proceeds would be used for an acquisition of stock or assets of another company in which the affiliate has a direct or indirect interest. Furthermore, the waiver does not extend to shareholder approval requirements triggered by the transaction under other rules such as the equity compensation rule or change of control rule. The substantially similar NYSE American rules can be reviewed HERE – equity compensation, and HERE – change of control.
The NYSE has also waived the 20% rule for private placements completed through and including June 30, 2020 where a bona fide financing is made to a single purchaser for cash meeting the minimum price requirement. Again, the waiver does not extend to shareholder approval requirements triggered by the transaction under other rules such as the equity compensation rule or change of control rule.
Nasdaq
The Nasdaq has taken a less formal approach on some of its requirements and a formal rule amendment on others. Although Nasdaq has not suspended its listing requirements, it will give due weight to the realities surrounding the worldwide crisis in both considering listing standards compliance and requests for financial viability waivers, such as under Rule 5635.
Generally, companies newly deficient with the bid price, market value of listed securities, or market value of public float requirements have at least 180 days to regain compliance and may be eligible for additional time. Nasdaq has enacted a temporary rule change such that companies that fall out of compliance with these listing standards related to price through and including June 30, 2020 will have additional time to regain compliance. That is, the non-compliance period will be tolled through June 30, 2020 and not counted in the 180 day period. Companies will still receive notification of non-compliance and will still need to file the appropriate Form 8-K. Companies that no longer satisfy the applicable equity requirement can submit a plan to Nasdaq Listing Qualifications describing how they intend to regain compliance and, under the Listing Rules, Listing Qualifications’ staff can allow them up to six months plus the tolling period, to come back into compliance with the requirement.
The information memorandum confirms that listed companies that avail themselves of the 45-day extension for Exchange Act filings (see HERE) will not be considered deficient under Nasdaq Rule 5250(c) which requires all listed companies to timely file all required SEC periodic financial reports. Companies that are unable to file a periodic report by the relevant due date, but that are not eligible for the relief granted by the SEC, can submit a plan to Nasdaq Listing Qualifications describing how they intend to regain compliance and, under the Listing Rules, Listing Qualifications’ staff can allow them up to six months to file.
As discussed in my blog related to SEC COVID-19 relief (see HERE), the SEC has granted relief where a company is required to comply with Exchange Act Sections 14(a) or 14(c) requiring the furnishing of proxy or information statements to shareholders, and mail delivery is not possible due to the coronavirus and the company has made a good-faith effort to deliver such materials. Nasdaq likewise will not consider a company in non-compliance with Rule 5250(d) requiring companies to make available their annual, quarterly and interim reports to shareholders or Rule 5620(b) requiring companies to solicit proxies and provide proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders when relying on the SEC relief. Nasdaq confirms that it permits virtual shareholder meetings as long as it is permissible under the relevant state law and shareholders have the opportunity to ask questions of management.
The Nasdaq shareholder approval rules generally require companies to obtain approval from shareholders prior to issuing securities in connection with: (i) certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company (see HERE); (ii) equity-based compensation of officers, directors, employees or consultants (see HERE); (iii) a change of control (see HERE); and (iv) certain private placements at a price less than the minimum price as defined in Listing Rule 5635(d) (see HERE.
An exception is available for companies in financial distress where the delay in securing stockholder approval would seriously jeopardize the financial viability of the company. To request a financial viability exception, the company must complete a written request including a letter addressing how a delay resulting from seeking shareholder approval would seriously jeopardize its financial viability and how the proposed transaction would benefit the company. The standard is usually difficult to meet; however, Nasdaq has indicated that it will consider the consider the impact of disruptions caused by COVID-19 in its review of any pending or new requests for a financial viability exception. In addition, reliance by the company on a financial viability exception must expressly be approved by the company’s audit committee and the company must obtain Nasdaq’s approval to rely upon the financial viability exception prior to proceeding with the transaction. Under the rule, companies must also provide notice to shareholders at least ten days prior to issuing securities in the exempted transaction.
OTC Markets
OTC Markets Group has provided blanket relief for OTCQB and OTCQX companies with certain deficiencies until June 30, 2020. Until that date, no new compliance deficiency notices will be sent related to bid price, market cap, or market value of public float. Also, any OTCQX or OTCQB company that has already received a compliance notice related to bid price, market cap, or market value of public float with a cure period expiring between March and June will automatically receive an extension until June 30, 2020 to cure their deficiency.
OTC Markets has also extended the implementation date for compliance with the OTCQB rules requiring at least 50 beneficial shareholders and minimum float of 10% or $2 million in market value of public float, respectively, until June 30, 2020. The extension applies only to companies already traded on OTCQB as of May 20, 2018. All other companies were subject to these requirements effective May 20, 2018.
« Disclosures Related To COVID-19 SEC Proposed Rule Changes for Exempt Offerings – Part 2 »
OTCQB And OTC Pink Rule Changes
In December 2019 the OTC Markets updated its Pink Disclosure Guidelines and Attorney Letter Agreement and Guidelines. The Pink disclosure guidelines and attorney letter apply to companies that elect to report directly to OTC Markets pursuant to its Alternative Reporting Standard. Furthermore, in January 2020 OTC Markets amended the OTCQB standards related to the disclosure of convertible debt and notification procedures for companies undergoing a change in control. The OTCQB also updated its criteria for determining independence of directors, and added additional transfer agent requirements for Canadian Companies.
The OTC Markets divide issuers into three (3) levels of quotation marketplaces: OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Open Market. The OTC Pink Open Market, which involves the highest-risk, highly speculative securities, is further divided into three tiers: Current Information, Limited Information and No Information. Companies trading on the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Current Information tiers of OTC Markets have the option of reporting directly to OTC Markets under its Alternative Reporting Standards. The Alternative Reporting Standards are somewhat more robust for the OTCQB and OTCQX in that they require audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and audited by a PCAOB qualified auditor in the same format as would be included in SEC registration statements and reports.
As an aside, companies that report to the SEC under Regulation A and foreign companies that qualify for the SEC reporting exemption under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) may also qualify for the OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Current Information tiers of OTC Markets if they otherwise meet the listing qualifications. For more information on OTCQB and OTCQX listing requirements, see HERE and HERE.
OTCQB Amendments
Effective February 22, 2020, the OTCQB Standards, Version 8, will go into effect. Some of the rule changes were previously adopted and others have been added to or modified. In particular, the new Version 8 includes:
Debt Securities, Including Promissory and Convertible Notes – Companies will be required to provide prompt disclosure of the issuance of any promissory notes, convertible notes, convertible debentures, or any other debt instruments that may be converted into a class of the company’s equity securities. Such disclosure must include copies of the securities purchase agreement(s) or similar agreement(s) setting forth the terms of such arrangement, any related promissory notes or similar evidence of indebtedness, and any irrevocable transfer agent instructions. Companies must make such disclosure either through the SEC’s EDGAR system or the OTC Disclosure & News Service, as applicable. Effective December 12, 2019, OTC Markets made a similar rule change for OTCQX listed companies.
OTCQB Certifications – Companies will be required to list and describe any outstanding promissory notes, convertible notes, convertible debentures, or any other debt instruments that may be converted into a class of the issuer’s equity securities when completing OTCQB certifications. OTC Market has been vocal about concerns with convertible instruments and, in particular, the potential for extreme dilution to existing shareholders and stock promotion campaigns by certain convertible investors. For more on OTC Markets stock promotion guidelines and policies, see HERE. As I have written about many times, there are quality investors and others that are not quality in the micro-cap space. The use of convertible instruments as a method to invest in public companies is perfectly legal and acceptable. However, like any other aspect of the securities marketplace, it can be abused. The requirement to disclose these investments, and the investment documents, is a smart change for OTC Markets, adding a level of transparency to the marketplace as a whole.
Change of Control – The new rule release reiterates the requirements related to a change of control. In particular, effective July 31, 2017, OTC Markets amended the OTCQB rules to set standards related to the processing and reporting of change in control events (see HERE). Subsequently, effective April 16, 2019, OTC Markets updated the definition of a “change of control” to include any events resulting in:
(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the company of all or substantially all of the company’s assets;
(iii) A change in the composition of the board occurring within a two (2)-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are directors immediately prior to such change; or
(iv) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.
Under the change of control rule, a company is responsible for notifying OTC Markets upon the completion of a transaction resulting in a change of control and must submit a new OTCQB application and application fee ($2,500) within 20 calendar days. OTC Markets will review the notice and application and may request additional information. The failure to respond or fully comply with such requests may result in removal from the OTCQB. Furthermore, immediately following a change in control event, a company is required to file a new OTCQB certification and updated company profile page. Regardless of notification, OTC Markets may also make a discretionary determination that a change of control event has occurred.
The newest rule release clarifies that the failure to submit the new application and documentation within the 20 days is grounds for the suspension or removal from the OTCQB at OTC Markets’ sole and absolute discretion.
Independent Directors – The new rules amend the definition of an independent director to conform to the earlier amendment in the OTCQX rules. The definition of an independent director has been updated to mean “a person other than an executive officer or employee of the company or any other person having a relationship which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The following persons shall not be considered independent: (A) a director who is, or at any time during the past three years was, employed by the company; (B) a director who accepted or has a family member who accepted any compensation from the company in excess of $120,000 during any fiscal year within the three years preceding the determination of independence, other than compensation for board or board committee service; compensation paid to a family member who is an employee (other than an executive officer) of the company; or benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan, or non-discretionary compensation; or (C) a director who is the family member of a person who is, or at any time during the past three years was, employed by the company as an executive officer.”
Canadian Companies – Canadian companies must retain a transfer agent that participates in the Transfer Agent Verified Shares Program as of April 1, 2020 (rule change was adopted December 12, 2019).
Pink Disclosure Guidelines Amendments
OTC Markets updated the Pink Disclosure Guidelines in anticipation of changes to the SEC’s Rule 15c2-11 (see HERE). The Pink Disclosure Guidelines are designed to track the information requirements in Rule 15c2-11. The amended rules have updated the Pink Disclosure Guidelines to require:
(i) Corporate History – the name of the company and predecessors since inception (previously a company only had to provide prior names for the last five years);
(ii) Debt Securities, Including Promissory and Convertible Notes – a company must now disclose all outstanding convertible, promissory or similar debt instruments as of the period end date of the report (previously only had to disclose such obligations issued in the previous two fiscal years);
(iii) Financial Statements – must now include a statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. In addition, all financial statements for a particular period must be uploaded in one document.
(iv) Officers, Directors, and Control Persons – the rules have been amended to clarify that all 5%-or-greater shareholders of any class of outstanding securities must be disclosed; and
(v) Verified Profile – a company must verify the company profile through OTCIQ to qualify for Pink Current or Limited Information.
Attorney letters are required for a company to qualify for OTC Pink Current Information if that company does not submit audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and audited by a PCAOB qualified auditor. In order to submit an attorney letter on behalf of a company, the attorney must submit an Attorney Letter Agreement to OTC Markets and be approved by OTC Markets. The rules related to an attorney letter agreement have been updated to allow for submittal of the agreement through Docusign.
Furthermore, the attorney letter agreement has updated required disclosures that must be included in a company’s attorney letter related to regulatory proceedings. In particular, an attorney letter submitted on behalf of a company must state that the attorney is permitted to practice before the SEC (i.e., has not been prohibited from such practice) and whether the attorney is currently or has in the past five years been the subject of any investigation, hearing or proceeding by the SEC, CFTC, FINRA or any federal, state or foreign regulatory agency, including a description of any investigation, hearing or proceeding.
« SEC Proposes Amendments To MD&A Disclosures SEC Proposes Additional Disclosures For Resource Extraction Companies »
Rule Changes for OTCQB and OTCQX
Effective January 19, 2019, OTC Markets will require that all U.S.-incorporated OTCQB and OTCQX companies provide verified share data through a transfer agent that participates in its Transfer Agent Verified Shares Program. The Transfer Agent Verified Shares Program allows transfer agents to provide regular updated information on the number of authorized and outstanding shares to OTC Markets via a secure electronic file transfer.
The share data is used to ensure compliance with the OTCQB and OTCQX listing requirements, by broker-dealers and clearing firms and by investors in making investment decisions, keeping track of dilution, and ensuring compliance with Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act (see HERE). For a complete review of the OTCQB listing standards, see HERE. For a complete review of the OTCQX listing standards, see below.
Share data provided by participating transfer agents appears alongside a “Transfer Agent Verified” logo on the OTC Markets website. The authorized and outstanding share amounts appear on the profile page for an issuer.
OTC Markets has also published a Small-Cap Company Guide Best Practices for Being Public and Raising Capital (“Public Company Guide”). Noting that an IPO is an expensive and time consuming process, the Public Company Guide begins with a list of a few alternatives to the traditional IPO, including a reverse merger (for more information on reverse mergers see HERE), direct public offerings (see HERE) and Regulation A+ (see HERE).
Turning to Capital Raising, the Public Company Guide lists the following key considerations:
- Know who you are working with. The small-cap finance market attracts bad actors and “predatory financiers.” Due diligence is key including reviewing the performance of other companies that an investor has invested in. I note this has been an ongoing topic and area of concern for OTC Markets, including discussion in its recent Regulatory Recommendations (see HERE) and stock-promotion policy and best practices guidelines to improve investor transparency and address concerns over fraudulent or improper stock promotion campaigns (see HERE).
- Know the terms. Particularly, be cognizant of terms that will be highly dilutive to the company’s stock and current shareholders. In convertible note offerings, it is recommended to avoid floating rate conversions (discounts to market) with no floor or bottom price.
- Be oversubscribed. To me this falls into the overly obvious. Of course, it is the best scenario for any company completing a fund raising to be oversubscribed, but the reality is that raising money is difficult and even meeting the upper limits of a proposed offering amount can be challenging.
- Be careful of a need for fast cash. Working on the fundamentals of a business and planning ahead can help.
- Avoid being desperate. Of course, desperation results in bad decisions.
The Public Company Guide next topic is creating a successful investor relations program. In addition to its published stock promotion policy and best practices guidelines to improve investor transparency and address concerns over fraudulent or improper stock promotion campaigns, OTC Markets provides some good top-level tips. Particularly, to be a successful public company it is important to (i) have a solid, experienced management team; (ii) provide timely, high-quality disclosures; and (iii) set clear, achievable investor relations goals and objectives.
Investor relations objective should include: (i) having an investment thesis and great investor-facing deck; (ii) telling the company’s story; (iii) an aggressive sell-side analyst strategy including targeting the right investor; (iv) attend investor conferences; and (v) using social media effectively.
A Complete Summary Of OTCQX Initial AND Ongoing Listing Requirements
The following is a complete summary of the OTCQX listing standards.
The OTCQX divides its listing criteria between U.S. companies and international companies, though they are very similar. The OTCQX has two tiers of quotation for U.S. companies: (i) OTCQX U.S. Premier (also eligible to quote on a national exchange); and (ii) OTCQX U.S. and two tiers for international companies: (i) OTCQX International Premier; and (ii) OTCQX International. Quotation is available for American Depository Receipts (ADR’s) or foreign ordinary securities of companies traded on a Qualifying Foreign Stock Exchange, and an expedited application process is available for such companies. The OTCQX also has specific listing criteria and rules for banks, which criteria and rules are not included in this blog.
Issuers on the OTCQX must meet specified eligibility requirements. Moreover, OTC Markets have the discretionary authority to allow quotation to substantially capitalized acquisition entities that are analogous to SPAC’s.
OTCQX – Requirements for Admission
To be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQX U.S., companies must:
- Have $2 million in total assets as of the most recent annual or quarter end;
- As of the most recent fiscal year-end, have at least one of the following: (i) $2 million in revenues; (ii) $1 million in net tangible assets; (iii) $500,000 in net income; or (iv) $5 million in market value of publicly traded securities;
- Have a market capitalization of at least $10 million on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application;
- Meet one of the following penny stock exemptions under Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act: (i) have a bid price of $5 or more as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application and, as of the most recent fiscal year-end, have at least one of the following: (a) net income of $500,000; (b) net tangible assets of $1,000,000; (c) revenues of $2,000,000; or (d) total assets of $5,000,000; or (ii) have net tangible assets of $2 million if the company has been in continuous operation for at least three years, or $5,000,000 if the company has been in continuous operation for less than three years, which qualification can be satisfied as of the end of a fiscal period or as a result of an interim capital raise; or (iii) have average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the last three years;
- A company may satisfy the financial qualitative criteria associated with the $5 bid price penny stock exemption, where the company has not had a prior public market for its securities and where the company has an approved Form 211 with a bid price greater than $5 per share by using its most recent annual, quarterly or current event report filed through EDGAR or a pro forma financial statement, signed and certified by the CEO or CFO, posted through EDGAR or the OTC Markets Disclosure and News Service. In such case, the company may apply in writing for an exemption from the requirement to maintain a bid price over $5 per share as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days prior to the company’s application day, which exemption may be granted by OTC Markets at its sole and absolute discretion;
- Not be a blank check or shell company as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”);
- Not be in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings;
- Be in good standing in its state of incorporation and in each state in which it conducts business;
- Have a minimum of 50 beneficial shareholders owning at least one round lot (100 shares) each;
- Be quoted by at least one market maker on the OTC Link;
- Have a minimum bid price of $0.25 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX. If (i) there has been no prior public market for the company’s securities in the S. and (ii) FINRA has approved a Form 211, then the company may apply to OTC Markets for an exemption from the minimum bid price requirements, which exemption is at the sole discretion of OTC Markets. In the event that the company is a Seasoned Public Issuer (i.e., has been in operation and quoted on either OTC Link, the OTCBB or an exchange for at least one year) that completed a reverse stock split within 6 months prior to applying for admission to OTCQX U.S., the company must have a minimum bid price of $0.25 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 5 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX, after the reverse split;
- Have GAAP compliant (i) audited balance sheets as of the end of each of the two most recent fiscal years, or as of a date within 135 days if the company has been in existence for less than two fiscal years, and audited statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the fiscal years immediately preceding the date of each such audited balance sheet (or such shorter period as the company has been in existence), and must include all going concern disclosures including plans for mitigation; and GAAP compliant (ii) unaudited interim financial reports, including a balance sheet as of the end of the company’s most recent fiscal quarter, and income statements, statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and statements of cash flows for the interim period up to the date of such balance sheet and the comparable period of the preceding fiscal year;
- Be included in a Recognized Securities Manual or be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act; and
- Have an OTCQX Advisor.
To be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQX U.S. Premier, companies must:
- Satisfy all of the eligibility requirements for OTCQX U.S. set forth above;
- Meet one of the following: (i) Market Value Standard – have at least (a) $15 million in public float and (b) a market capitalization of at least $50 million, each as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the company’s application; or (ii) Net Income Standard – have at least (a) $1 million in public float; and (b) a market capitalization of at least $10 million, each as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the company’s application; and (c) $750,000 in net income as of the company’s most recent fiscal year-end;
- Have at least 500,000 publicly held shares;
- Have a minimum of 50 beneficial shareholders owning at least one round lot (100 shares) each;
- Have a minimum of 100 beneficial shareholders owning at least one round lot (100 shares) each;
- Have a minimum bid price of $4.00 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX. If (i) there has been no prior public market for the company’s securities in the S. and (ii) FINRA has approved a Form 211 and (iii) the bid price is equal to or greater than $1.00, then the company may apply to OTC Markets for an exemption from the 30-day minimum bid price requirements, which exemption is at the sole discretion of OTC Markets. In the event that the company is a Seasoned Public Issuer (i.e., has been in operation and quoted on either OTC Link, the OTCBB or an exchange for at least one year) that completed a reverse stock split within 6 months prior to applying for admission to OTCQX U.S., the company must have a minimum bid price of $4.00 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 5 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX, after the reverse split;
- Have at least $4 million in stockholder’s equity;
- Have a 3-year operating history; and
- Conduct annual shareholders’ meetings and submit annual financial reports to its shareholders at least 15 calendar days prior to such
To be eligible to be quoted as an OTCQX U.S. Acquisition Company, companies must:
- Satisfy all of the eligibility requirements for OTCQX U.S. set forth above;
- Have a minimum bid price of $5.00 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX; and
- Be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
Corporate Governance Requirements for all OTCQX U.S., U.S. Premier and U.S. Acquisition Companies:
- Have at least 2 independent board members on the board of directors;
- Have an audit committee comprised of a majority of independent directors; and
- Conduct annual shareholders’ meetings and submit annual financial reports to its shareholders at least 15 calendar days prior to such
The OTCQX will allow a phase-in for compliance with these requirements for companies making application to the OTCQX in connection with its initial public offering and initial Form 211 application to FINRA. In particular: (i) at least one member of the board of directors and the audit committee must be independent at the time of the OTCQX application; and (ii) at least 2 members of the board of directors and a majority of the members of the audit committee must be independent at the later of 90 days after the company begins trading on the OTCQX or the company’s next shareholder meeting. Moreover, the company’s next shareholder meeting must be held within one year of the company joining OTCQX.
Trusts, funds and issuers with similar securities may qualify for an exemption from these corporate governance requirements.
To be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQX International, companies must:
- Have U.S. $2 million in total assets as of the most recent annual or quarter-end;
- As of the most recent fiscal year-end, have at least one of the following: (i) U.S. $2 million in revenues; (ii) U.S. $1 million in net tangible assets; (iii)S. $500,000 in net income; or (iv) U.S. $5 million in global market capitalization;
- Meet one of the following penny stock exemptions under Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act: (i) have a bid price of $5 or more as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application, and as of the most recent fiscal year-end have at least one of the following: (a) net income of $500,000; (b) net tangible assets of $1,000,000; (c) revenues of $2,000,000 or (d) total assets of $5,000,000; or (ii) have net tangible assets of U.S. $2 million if the company has been in continuous operation for at least three years, orS. $5,000,000 if the company has been in continuous operation for less than three years; or (iii) have average revenue of at least U.S. $6,000,000 for the last three years;
- A company may satisfy the financial qualitative criteria associated with the $5 bid price penny stock exemption, where the company has not had a prior public market for its securities and where the company has an approved Form 211 with a bid price greater than $5 per share by using its most recent annual, quarterly or current event report filed through EDGAR or a pro forma financial statement, signed and certified by the CEO or CFO, posted through EDGAR or the OTC Markets Disclosure and News Service. In such case, the company may apply in writing for an exemption from the requirement to maintain a bid price over $5 per share as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days prior to the company’s application day, which exemption may be granted by OTC Markets at its sole and absolute discretion;
- Be quoted by at least one market maker on the OTC Link (which requires a 15c2-11 application if the company is not already quoted on a lower tier of OTC Markets);
- Not be a shell company or blank check company;
- Not be in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings;
- Have a minimum of 50 beneficial shareholders owning at least one round lot (100 shares) each;
- Have a minimum bid price of $0.25 per share for its common stock as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the company’s application for OTCQX. If there has been no prior public market for the company’s securities in the S., FINRA must have approved a Form 211 with a minimum bid price of $0.25 or greater. If the company is applying to the OTCQX immediately following a delisting from a national securities exchange, it must have a minimum bid price of at least $0.10. The company must also maintain the applicable bid price for 30 days following its listing on OTCQX.
- Be included in a Recognized Securities Manual or be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act;
- Have its securities listed on a Qualifying Foreign Stock Exchange – provided, however, that in the event the company’s securities are listed on a non-U.S. exchange that is not a Qualified Foreign Stock Exchange, then at the company’s request and subsequent to the company providing OTC Markets Group with personal information forms for each executive officer, director, and beneficial owner of 10% or more of a class of the company’s securities and such other materials as OTC Markets Group deems necessary to make an informed determination of eligibility, OTC Markets Group may, at its sole and absolute discretion, consider the company’s eligibility for OTCQX International;
- Have a global market capitalization of at least $10 million on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding its application day;
- Meet one of the following conditions: (i) be eligible to rely on the registration exemption found in Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) and be current and compliant in such requirements including posting a 12g3-2(b) Confirmation with OTC Markets; or (ii) have a class of securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and be current in its SEC reporting requirements; or (iii) if such company is not eligible to rely on the exemption from registration provided by Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) because it does not (A) meet the definition of “foreign private issuer” as that term is used in Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) or (B) maintain a primary trading market in a foreign jurisdiction as set forth in Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b)(ii), and is not otherwise required to register under Section 12(g), be otherwise current and fully compliant with the obligations of a company relying on the exemption from registration provided by Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b); and
- Have a Principal American Liaison (PAL).
Explanation of Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b):
Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) permits foreign private issuers to have their equity securities traded on the U.S. over-the-counter market without registration under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (and therefore without being subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements). The rule is automatic for foreign issuers that meet its requirements. A foreign issuer may not rely on the rule if it is otherwise subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements.
The rule provides that an issuer is not required to be subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements if: (i) the issuer currently maintains a listing of its securities on one or more exchanges in a foreign jurisdiction which is the primary trading market for such securities; and (ii) the issuer has published, in English, on its website or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading market (such as the OTC Market Group website), information that, since the first day of its most recently completed fiscal year, it (a) has made public or been required to make public pursuant to the laws of its country of domicile; (b) has filed or been required to file with the principal stock exchange in its primary trading market and which has been made public by that exchange; and (c) has distributed or been required to distribute to its security holders.
Primary Trading Market means that at least 55 percent of the trading in the subject class of securities on a worldwide basis took place in, on or through the facilities of a securities market or markets in a single foreign jurisdiction or in no more than two foreign jurisdictions during the issuer’s most recently completed fiscal year.
In order to maintain the Rule 12g3-2(b) exemption, the issuer must continue to publish the required information on an ongoing basis and for each fiscal year.
The information required to be published electronically under paragraph (b) of this section is information that is material to an investment decision regarding the subject securities, such as information concerning: (i) Results of operations or financial condition; (ii) Changes in business; (iii) Acquisitions or dispositions of assets; (iv) The issuance, redemption or acquisition of securities; (v) Changes in management or control; (vi) The granting of options or the payment of other remuneration to directors or officers; and (vii) Transactions with directors, officers or principal security holders.
At a minimum, a foreign private issuer shall electronically publish English translations of the following documents: (i) Its annual report, including or accompanied by annual financial statements; (ii) Interim reports that include financial statements; (iii) Press releases; and (iv) All other communications and documents distributed directly to security holders of each class of securities to which the exemption relates.
To be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQX International Premier, companies must:
- Satisfy all of the eligibility requirements for OTCQX International set forth above;
- Have a global market capitalization of at least $1 billion on each of the 30 consecutive calendar days immediately preceding its application day; and
- Have one of the following over the prior 6 months: (i) average weekly trading volume of at least 200,000 shares; or (ii) average weekly trading volume of at least $1 million.
Application to the OTCQX
All U.S. companies that are quoted on the OTCQX must submit an application and pay an application fee. The application consists of (i) the application with information related to the company; (ii) the contractual agreement with OTCQX for quotation; (iii) personal information for each executive officer, director and beneficial owner of 5% or more of the securities, except for companies already traded on a foreign exchange or moving from a recognized U.S. exchange; (iv) designation of the OTCQX Advisor; (v) appointment form for the OTCQX Advisor; and (vi) a digital company logo.
All international companies that are quoted on the OTCQX must submit an application and pay an application fee. The application consists of (i) OTCQX application for international companies; (ii) the contractual agreement with OTCQX for international companies; (ii) the OTCQX application fee; (iv) the OTCQX Agreement for international companies; (v) an application for the international company’s desired PAL if such PAL is not already pre-qualified; (vi) an appointment form for the PAL; and (vii) a copy of the company’s logo in encapsulated postscript (EPS) format.
The application is subject to review and comment by OTC Markets. OTC Markets may require additional conditions or undertakings prior to admission. Moreover, the application may be denied if, in the opinion of OTC Markets, trading would be likely to impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets Group or be detrimental to the interests of investors.
Initial Disclosure Obligations
A company must post its initial disclosure documents on the OTC Markets website as a precondition to acceptance of an application for quotation, and such posting must be confirmed with a letter by the company OTCQX ADVISOR/PAL.
Initial disclosure documents include: (i) SEC reports if the company is subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements; (ii) current information in accordance with OTC Markets disclosure guidelines, including financial statements; (iii) if the company is a Regulation A reporting company, it must be current in such reporting requirements; (iv) if the company was an SEC Reporting Company immediately prior to joining OTCQX and has a current 10-K on file with the SEC, or was a Regulation A Reporting Company immediately prior to joining OTCQX and has a current 1-K on file with the SEC, the company is not required to post an information statement through the OTC Markets, but subsequent to joining OTCQX must post all annual, quarterly, interim and current reports required pursuant to the Disclosure Guidelines; and (v) for international companies not subject to the SEC reporting requirements, all information required to be made public pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) for the preceding 24 months, which information must be posted in English.
A company must supplement and update any changes to the initial disclosure within 30 days of acceptance of its application for quotation. International companies must follow initial disclosure with a PAL Letter of Introduction.
Requirements for Ongoing Qualification for Quotation on the OTCQX
The following is a summary of the ongoing responsibilities for U.S. OTCQX quoted securities:
- Compliance with Rules – OTCQX quoted companies must maintain compliance with the OTCQX rules, including disclosure requirements. The company’s OTCQX ADVISOR/PAL is responsible for reporting their/its potential conflicts of interest;
- Compliance with Laws – OTCQX quoted companies must maintain compliance with state and federal securities laws and must cooperate with any securities regulators, including self-regulatory organizations;
- Blue Sky Manual Exemption – Companies must either properly qualify for a blue sky manual exemption or be subject to and current in their Exchange Act reporting requirements;
- Retention and Advice of OTCQX ADVISOR – Companies must have an OTCQX ADVISOR at all times and are required to seek the advice of such OTCQX ADVISOR as to their OTCQX obligations;
- Duty to Inform OTCQX ADVISOR – As part of its duty to seek advice from its OTCQX ADVISOR, a company has an obligation to provide disclosure and information to the OTCQX ADVISOR, including “complete access to information regarding the company, including confidential and propriety information”; access to personnel; updated personal information forms; and timely responses to requests for information or documents;
- Notification of Resignation or Dismissal of OTCQX ADVISOR – A company must immediately notify OTC Markets in writing of the resignation or dismissal of the OTCQX ADVISOR for any reason;
- Payment of Fees – a company must pay its annual fees to OTC Markets;
- Sales of Company Securities by Affiliates – Prior to transacting in the company’s securities through a broker-dealer, each officer, director or other affiliate of the company shall make its status as an affiliate of the company known to the broker-dealer;
- Distribution and Publication of Proxy Statements – The company shall solicit proxies for all meetings of shareholders. If the company is a Regulation A Reporting Company, the company shall publish, on EDGAR through SEC Form 1-U, copies of all proxies, proxy statements and all other material mailed by the company to its shareholders with respect thereto, within 15 days of the mailing of such material. If the company is not an SEC Reporting Company or a Regulation A Reporting Company, the company shall publish, through the OTC Markets, copies of all proxies, proxy statements and all other material mailed by the company to its shareholders with respect thereto, within 15 days of the mailing of such material;
- Redemption Requirements – All redemptions must be either by lot or pro rata and require 15 days’ notice;
- Changes in Form or Nature of Securities – All changes in form, nature or rights associated with securities quoted on the OTCQX require 20 days’ advance notice to OTC Markets;
- Transfer Agent – Companies are required to use the services of a registered transfer agent and authorize such transfer agent to share information with OTC Markets;
- Accounting Methods – Any change in accounting methods requires advance notice of such change and its impact, to OTC Markets;
- Change in Auditors – All changes in auditor requires prompt notification and a letter from such auditor analogous to Form 8-K requirements;
- Responding to OTC Markets Group Requests – OTCQX quoted companies are required to respond to OTC Markets comments and amend filings as necessary in response thereto;
- Ongoing Disclosure Obligations – (i) Companies subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements must remain current in such reports; (ii) Companies not subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements must remain current with the annual, quarterly and current reporting requirements of OTC Markets, including posting annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited by a PCAOB auditor; (iii) Regulation A reporting companies shall maintain current compliance with their Regulation A reporting requirements and within 45 days of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters shall file quarterly disclosure including all information required in a semi-annual report (i.e., the company shall file quarterly and not just semi-annual reports); (iv) file a notification of late filing when necessary; (v) quickly release disclosure of material news and recent developments, whether positive or negative, through a press release on the OTC Markets website (in addition to SEC filings); (vi) an OTCQX company should also act promptly to dispel unfounded rumors which result in unusual market activity or price variations;
- General requirements regarding integrity – OTCQX quoted companies are expected to act professionally and uphold the OTC Markets standards for “high quality,” and to release news and reports that are prepared factually and accurately with neither excessive puffery or conservatism; companies must not report or act in a way that could be misleading; must not inundate with non-material releases; and must not make misleading premature announcements;
- Maintain Company Updated Profile – OTCQX quoted companies are required to maintain updated, accurate information on their profile page and to verify same every six months;
- OTCQX ADVISOR Letter – Within 120 days of each fiscal year-end and after the posting of the company’s annual report, every company must submit an annual OTCQX ADVISOR letter;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX U.S. tier, the company’s common stock must have a minimum bid price of $0.10 per share as of the close of business for at least one of every thirty consecutive calendar days. In the event that the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock falls below $0.10 per share at the close of business for thirty consecutive calendar days, a grace period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance shall begin, during which the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock at the close of business must be $0.10 for ten consecutive trading days;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX U.S. tier, the company must maintain a market capitalization of at least $5 million for at least one of every 30 consecutive calendar days;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX U.S. tier, the company must have at least 2 market makers quote the stock;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX S. Premier tier, the company’s common stock must have a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share as of the close of business for at least one of every thirty consecutive calendar days. In the event that the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock falls below $1.00 per share at the close of business for thirty consecutive calendar days, a grace period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance shall begin, during which the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock at the close of business must be $1.00 for ten consecutive trading days. In the event that the company’s common stock does not regain compliance during the grace period, the company shall have a fast-track option to have its securities traded on the OTCQX U.S. tier.
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX S. Premier tier, the company must meet one of the following standards: (i) Market Value Standard – have at least (a) $15 million in public float and (b) a market capitalization of at least $35 million, each as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the company’s application; or (ii) Net Income Standard – have at least (a) $1 million in public float; and (b) a market capitalization of at least $5 million, each as of the close of business on each of the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the company’s application; and (c) $500,000 in net income as of the company’s most recent fiscal year-end;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX S. Premier tier, the company must have at least $1 million in stockholders’ equity;
- To remain eligible for trading on the OTCQX S. Premier tier, the company must have at least 4 market makers quoting the stock;
- All U.S. companies, whether U.S. standard or U.S. Premier, must maintain corporate governance standards including independent director and audit committee requirements. A company must notify OTC Markets immediately of a disqualification and must regain compliance by its next annual shareholder meeting or one year from the date of noncompliance.
The following is a summary of the ongoing responsibilities for OTCQX International quoted securities:
- Eligibility Criteria – The international company must meet the above eligibility requirements as of the end of each most recent fiscal year;
- Compliance with Rules – OTCQX quoted companies must maintain compliance with the OTCQX rules, including disclosure requirements. Officers and directors of the company are responsible for compliance and are solely responsible for the content of information;
- Compliance with Laws – OTCQX quoted companies must maintain compliance with applicable securities laws of their country of domicile and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws. The company must comply with Exchange Act Rule 10b-17 and FINRA rule 6490 regarding notification and processing of corporate actions (such as name changes, splits and dividends). The company must cooperate with any securities regulators, whether in their country of domicile or in the U.S., including self-regulatory organizations;
- Blue Sky Manual Exemption – Companies must either properly qualify for a blue sky manual exemption or be subject to and current in their Exchange Act reporting requirements;
- Retention and Advice of PAL – Companies must have a PAL at all times and are required to seek the advice of such PAL as to their OTCQX obligations;
- Notification of Resignation or Dismissal of PAL – A company must immediately notify OTC Markets in writing of the resignation or dismissal of the PAL for any reason;
- Payment of Fees – A company must pay its annual fees to OTC Markets;
- Responding to OTC Markets Group Requests – OTCQX quoted companies are required to respond to OTC Markets comments and amend filings as necessary in response thereto;
- To remain eligible for OTCQX International, the company must maintain a minimum bid price of $0.10 as of the close of business for at least one of every 30 consecutive calendar days. In the event that the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock falls below $0.10 per share at the close of business for thirty consecutive calendar days, a grace period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance shall begin, during which the minimum bid price for the company’s common stock at the close of business must be $0.10 for ten consecutive trading days;
- To remain eligible for OTCQX International, the company must maintain a market capitalization of at least $5 million for at least one of every 30 consecutive calendar days;
- To remain eligible for OTCQX International, the company must maintain at least 2 market makers;
- Ongoing Disclosure Obligations – (i) Companies subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements must remain current in such reports; (ii) A company that is not an SEC Reporting Company must remain current and fully compliant in its obligations under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b), if applicable, and in any event shall, on an ongoing basis, post in English through the OTC Disclosure & News Service or an Integrated Newswire, the information required to be made publicly available pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b); (iii) provide a letter to its PAL at least once a year, no later than 210 days after the fiscal year-end, which states that the company (a) continues to satisfy the OTCQX quotation requirements; and (b) is current and compliant in its obligations under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) and that the information required under such rule is posted, in English, on the OTC Markets website or that the company is subject to the SEC reporting requirements and is current in such reporting requirements;
- PAL Letter – Within 225 days of each fiscal year-end and after the posting of the company’s annual report, every company must submit an annual PAL letter; and
- To remain eligible for the OTCQX International Premier, the company must have (i) a global market capitalization of at least $500 million for at least one of every 30 consecutive calendar days; (ii) of one following over the prior 6 months (a) an average weekly trading volume of at least 100,000 shares or (b) an average weekly trading dollar volume of at least $500,000; and (iii) at least 4 market makers.
Removal from OTCQX International
A company may be removed from the OTCQX if, at any time, it fails to meet the eligibility and continued quotation requirements subject to a 30-day notice and opportunity to address them. In addition, OTC Markets Group may remove the company’s securities from trading on OTCQX immediately and at any time, without notice, if OTC Markets Group, at its sole and absolute discretion, believes the continued inclusion of the company’s securities would impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets Group or be detrimental to the interests of investors. In addition, OTC Markets can temporarily suspend trading on the OTCQX pending investigation or further due-diligence review.
A company may voluntarily withdraw from the OTCQX with 24 hours’ notice.
Fees
Upon application for quotation on the OTCQX, companies must pay an initial non-refundable fee of $5,000. In addition, companies must pay an annual non-refundable fee of $20,000. The annual fee is based on the calendar year and is due by December 1 each year.
OTCQX Advisor (formerly known as Designated Advisors for Disclosure (“DAD”)) and Principal American Liaison (“PAL”) Requirements
As part of the rule changes, OTC Markets has renamed its U.S. Designated Advisor for Disclosure (DAD) to an OTCQX Advisor. All U.S. companies that are quoted on the OTCQX must have either an attorney or an Investment Bank OTCQX Advisor. A company may appoint a new OTCQX Advisor at any time, provided that the company retains an approved OTCQX Advisor at all times.
All International companies that are quoted on the OTCQX must have either an Attorney Principal American Liaison (“PAL”) or an Investment Bank PAL – provided, however, that if the company’s OTCQX traded security is an ADR, the international company may have an ADR PAL. All PAL’s must be approved by OTC Markets Group. A company may appoint a new PAL at any time provided they maintain a PAL at all times.
All OTCQX Advisors and PALs must be approved by OTCQX after submitting an application. Eligibility to act as an OTCQX Advisor or PAL is limited to experienced and qualified securities attorneys or qualified FINRA member investment banking firms. I am an approved OTCQX Advisor and PAL.
The primary roles of an OTCQX Advisor and PAL include (i) to provide advice and guidance to a company in meeting its OTCQX obligations; (ii) to provide professional guidance to the issuer on creating investor demand as they build long-term relationships with management; (iii) to assist companies in discerning the information that is material to the market and should be disclosed to investors; and (iv) to provide a professional review of the company’s disclosure. The OTCQX puts a great deal of onus on the OTCQX Advisor/PAL to be responsible for the company which it sponsors, emphasizing the negative impact on the OTCQX Advisor’s reputation for sponsoring companies that are not of acceptable quality. In addition to providing advice and counsel to a company, an OTCQX Advisor/PAL is required to conduct investigations to confirm disclosures. An OTCQX Advisor/PAL must submit a Letter of Introduction and subsequent annual letters confirming their duties and the attesting to the disclosures made by the company.
The Author
Laura Anthony, Esq.
Founding Partner
Anthony L.G., PLLC
A Corporate Law Firm
LAnthony@AnthonyPLLC.com
Securities attorney Laura Anthony and her experienced legal team provide ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size private companies, OTC and exchange traded public companies as well as private companies going public on the Nasdaq, NYSE American or over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB and OTCQX. For more than two decades Anthony L.G., PLLC has served clients providing fast, personalized, cutting-edge legal service. The firm’s reputation and relationships provide invaluable resources to clients including introductions to investment bankers, broker-dealers, institutional investors and other strategic alliances. The firm’s focus includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 offer sale and registration requirements, including private placement transactions under Regulation D and Regulation S and PIPE Transactions, securities token offerings and initial coin offerings, Regulation A/A+ offerings, as well as registration statements on Forms S-1, S-3, S-8 and merger registrations on Form S-4; compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including registration on Form 10, reporting on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, and 14C Information and 14A Proxy Statements; all forms of going public transactions; mergers and acquisitions including both reverse mergers and forward mergers; applications to and compliance with the corporate governance requirements of securities exchanges including Nasdaq and NYSE American; general corporate; and general contract and business transactions. Ms. Anthony and her firm represent both target and acquiring companies in merger and acquisition transactions, including the preparation of transaction documents such as merger agreements, share exchange agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and reorganization agreements. The ALG legal team assists Pubcos in complying with the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA for 15c2-11 applications, corporate name changes, reverse and forward splits and changes of domicile. Ms. Anthony is also the author of SecuritiesLawBlog.com, the small-cap and middle market’s top source for industry news, and the producer and host of LawCast.com, Corporate Finance in Focus. In addition to many other major metropolitan areas, the firm currently represents clients in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Tampa, Detroit and Dallas.
Ms. Anthony is a member of various professional organizations including the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA), Palm Beach County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the ABA committees on Federal Securities Regulations and Private Equity and Venture Capital. She is a supporter of several community charities including siting on the board of directors of the American Red Cross for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and providing financial support to the Susan Komen Foundation, Opportunity, Inc., New Hope Charities, the Society of the Four Arts, the Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach County Zoo Society, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and several others. She is also a financial and hands-on supporter of Palm Beach Day Academy, one of Palm Beach’s oldest and most respected educational institutions. She currently resides in Palm Beach with her husband and daughter.
Ms. Anthony is an honors graduate from Florida State University College of Law and has been practicing law since 1993.
Contact Anthony L.G., PLLC. Inquiries of a technical nature are always encouraged.
Follow Anthony L.G., PLLC on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter.
Listen toour podcast on iTunes Podcast channel.
Noun
Lawcast is derived from the term podcast and specifically refers to a series of news segments that explain the technical aspects of corporate finance and securities law. The accepted interpretation of lawcast is most commonly used when referring to LawCast.com, Corporate Finance in Focus. Example; “LawCast expounds on NASDAQ listing requirements.”
Anthony L.G., PLLC makes this general information available for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the use of this information, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us via this information in any form will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
This information is not intended to be advertising, and Anthony L.G., PLLC does not desire to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this information in a jurisdiction where this information fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that jurisdiction. This information may only be reproduced in its entirety (without modification) for the individual reader’s personal and/or educational use and must include this notice.
© Anthony L.G., PLLC
« Recent Notable Changes To Delaware Corporate Law SEC Fall 2018 Regulatory Agenda »
The OTCQB Has Added Additional Quantitative Listing Standards
On May 20, 2018, the OTC Markets Group published the OTCQB Standards version 3.0 incorporating amendments to the OTCQB initial and ongoing listing standards to add further quantitative shareholder and public float requirements. The new standards went into effect on May 20, 2018 for new listing applications. Existing OTCQB traded companies have until May 20, 2020 to comply with the new requirements.
The amended listing standards now require that an applicant company:
- Have at least 50 beneficial shareholders holding at least one round lot (100 shares) each;
- Have a freely tradeable public float of at least 10% of the total issued and outstanding shares of the tradeable class of securities. OTC Markets may allow an exemption from this requirement for companies with a public float above 5% of total issued and outstanding and whose market value of public float is above $2 million or for a company that has a separate class of securities trading on a national exchange. Any exemption must be applied for in writing and will be granted at OTC Markets Group’s sole and absolute discretion.
Previously in October 2017, OTC Markets amended its OTCQB rules to increase the annual listing fee from $10,000 to $12,000. Prior to that on July 31, 2017, the OTC Markets Group enacted amendments to the OTCQB standards related to the processing and reporting of change in control events. For a review of the change of control standards, see HERE.
A review of OTCQB Listing Standards
The OTC Markets divide issuers into three (3) levels of quotation marketplaces: OTCQX, OTCQB and OTC Pink Open Market. The OTC Pink Open Market, which involves the highest-risk, highly speculative securities, is further divided into three tiers: Current Information, Limited Information and No Information. The OTCQB is considered the venture-market tier designed for entrepreneurial and development-stage U.S. and international companies. To apply to the OTCQB, a company must submit a completed application and quotation agreement and pay the application fee.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQB, all companies will be required to:
- Meet a minimum closing bid price on OTC Markets of $0.01 for each of the last 30 calendar days and as of the day the OTCQB application is approved;
- In the event that there is no prior public market and a 15c2-11 application has recently been approved by FINRA allowing a quotation at $0.01 or greater, or if the company is traded on a Qualified Foreign Exchange at a price greater than $0.01, OTC Markets can waive the bid requirement at its sole discretion. In this case, the company’s stock must trade above the $0.01 for each of the 30 calendar days immediately subsequent to the company first being quoted on the OTCQB;
- Have at least 50 beneficial shareholders, each owning at least 100 shares;
- Have a freely tradeable public float of at least 10% of the total shares issued and outstanding of the class of security to be traded on the OTCQB. OTC Markets may allow an exemption from this requirement for companies with a public float above 5% of total issued and outstanding and whose market value of public float is above $2 million or for a company that has a separate class of securities trading on a national exchange. Any exemption must be applied for in writing and will be granted at OTC Markets Group’s sole and absolute discretion;
- Have current disclosure by meeting one of the following: (a) being subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and be current in such reporting obligations; (b) being a Regulation A reporting company and be current in such reporting obligations; (c) if an international issuer, be eligible to rely on the registration exemption found in Exchange Act Rule 12g-2(b) and be current and compliant in such requirements; (d) be a bank current in its reporting obligations to its bank regulator; or (e) be current in the OTC Markets Alternative Reporting Standards;
- Have U.S. GAAP audited financials prepared by a PCAOB qualified auditor, including an audit opinion that is not adverse, disclaimed or qualified. International reporting companies or companies trading on a qualified foreign exchange may have audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. Regulation A reporting companies are exempt from the requirement that the initial audits be prepared by a PCAOB auditor; however, subsequent financial statements are required to have a PCAOPB audit;
- Be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it is organized and does business;
- Not be subject to any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings;
- Submit an application and pay an application and annual fee;
- Maintain a current and accurate company profile on the OTC Markets website;
- Use an SEC registered transfer agent and authorize the transfer agent to provide information to OTC Markets about the company’s securities, including but not limited to shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, and share issuance history; and
- Submit an OTCQB Annual Certification confirming the accuracy of the current company profile and providing information on officers, directors and controlling shareholders.
- For companies that are relying on the Alternative Reporting Standard (i.e., not reporting to the SEC), meet minimum corporate governance requirements, including (i) have a board of directors that includes at least two independent directors; and (ii) have an audit committee comprised of a majority of independent directors. A company may request the ability to phase in compliance with this requirement if: (a) at least one member of the board of directors and audit committee are independent at the time of the application; and (b) at least two members of the board and a majority of the audit committee are independent within the later of 90 days after the company begins trading on the OTCQB or by the time of the company’s next annual meeting and in no event later than one year from joining the OTCQB.
All companies are required to post their initial disclosure on the OTC Markets website and make an initial certification. The initial disclosure includes:
- Confirmation that the company is current in its SEC reporting obligations, whether subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements or Regulation A reporting requirements, and has filed all reports with the SEC on the EDGAR system that all financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that the auditor opinion is not adverse, disclaimed or qualified;
- Bank Reporting Companies must have filed all financial reports required to be filed with their banking regulator for the prior two years, including audited financial statements;
- International Companies – (i) Companies subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements must be current in such reports; (ii) A company that is not an SEC Reporting company must be current and fully compliant in its obligations under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b), if applicable, and shall have posted in English through the OTC Disclosure & News Service or an Integrated Newswire, the information required to be made publicly available pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b) for the preceding 24 months (or from inception if less than 24 months); and all financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and that the auditor opinion is not adverse, disclaimed or qualified;
- Alternative Reporting Companies must have filed, through the OTC Disclosure and News Services, an information and disclosure statement meeting the requirements of the OTCQX and OTCQB disclosure guidelines. If the company was an SEC Reporting Company immediately prior to joining OTCQB and has a current 10-K or 20-F on file with the SEC, or was a Regulation A Reporting Company immediately prior to joining OTCQB and has a current 1-K on file with the SEC, the company is not required to file an information statement through the OTC Disclosure & News Service, but subsequent to joining OTCQB must file all annual, quarterly, interim and current reports required pursuant to the OTCQX and OTCQB Disclosure Guidelines; and
- Verified Company Profile – verification that the company profile is current, complete and accurate.
In addition, all companies will be required to file an initial and annual certification on the OTC Markets website, signed by the CEO and/or CFO, stating:
- The company’s reporting standing (i.e., whether SEC reporting, Regulation A reporting, Alternative Standards Reporting, bank reporting or international reporting) and briefly describing the registration status or the applicable exemption from SEC registration of the company;
- If the company is an international company and relying on 12g3-2(b), that it is current in such obligations;
- That the company is current in its reporting obligations as of the most recent fiscal year end and any subsequent reporting periods and that such information has been filed either on EDGAR or the OTC Disclosure & News Service, as applicable;
- That the company profile on the OTC Markets website is current and complete and includes the total shares outstanding, authorized and in the public float as of that date;
- The number of beneficial shareholders holding at least 100 shares and the number of shares in the public float as of the least practicable date;
- That the company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of each state or jurisdiction in which the company is organized and conducts business;
- Identifies the law firm and/or attorneys that assist the company in preparing its annual report or 10-K. Include the firm and attorney name if outside counsel, or name and title if internal counsel. If no attorney assisted in putting together the disclosure, the company must identify the person or persons who prepared the disclosure and their relationship to the company;
- Identifies any third-party providers engaged by the company, its officers, directors or controlling shareholders, during the prior fiscal year and up to the date of the certification, to provide investor relations services, public relations services, stock promotion services or related services;
- Names and shareholdings of all officers and directors and shareholders that beneficially own 5% or more of the total outstanding shares, including beneficial ownership of entity shareholders.
An application to OTCQB can be delayed or denied at OTC Markets’ sole discretion if they determine that admission would be likely to impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets group or be detrimental to the interests of investors.
Requirements for Bank Reporting Companies
Bank reporting companies must meet all the same requirements as all other OTCQB companies except for the SEC reporting requirements. Instead, bank reporting companies are required to post their previous two years’ and ongoing yearly disclosures that were and are filed with the company’s bank regulator, on the OTC Markets website.
International Companies
In addition to the same requirements for all issuers as set forth above, foreign issuers must be listed on a Qualified Foreign Exchange and be compliant with SEC Rule 12g3-2(b). Moreover, a foreign entity must submit a letter of introduction from a qualified OTCQB Sponsor which states that the OTCQB Sponsor has a reasonable belief that the company is in compliance with SEC Rule 12g3-2(b), is listed on a Qualified Foreign Exchange, and has posted required disclosure on the OTC Markets website. A foreign entity must post two years’ historical and ongoing quarterly and annual reports, in English, on the OTC Markets website which comply with SEC Rule 12g3-2(b). I am a qualified OTCQB Sponsor and assist multiple international companies with this process.
Application Review Process
OTC Markets will review all applications and may request additional information on any of the information submitted. In addition, OTC Markets can require that a company provide a further undertaking, such as submission of personal information forms for any executive officer, director or 5%-or-greater beneficial owner. OTC Markets can request that third parties provide confirmations or information as well. OTC Markets can, and likely will, conduct independent due diligence including through the review of publicly available information.
OTC Markets can deny an application if it determines, upon its sole and absolute discretion, that the admission of the company would be likely to impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets or be detrimental to the interests of investors.
Upon approval of an application, the company’s securities will be designated as OTCQB on the OTC Markets websites, market data products and broker-dealer platforms.
Ongoing Requirements
- All companies are required to remain in compliance with the OTCQB standards, including the ongoing disclosure obligations;
- S. OTCQB companies will be required to remain current and timely in their SEC reporting obligations, including either Exchange Act reports, Regulation A+ reports or Alternative Reporting Standard and including all audited financial statement requirements;
- A foreign company that is not an SEC Reporting Company must remain current and fully compliant in its obligations under Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b), if applicable, and in any event shall, on an ongoing basis, post in English through the OTC Disclosure & News Service or an Integrated Newswire the information required to be made publicly available pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12g3-2(b);
- Audited financial statements must be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or, for international reporting companies or alternative reporting companies listed on a qualified foreign exchange, IFRS and all must contain an audit opinion that is not adverse, disclaimed or qualified. Audits must be completed by a PCAOB qualified auditor.
- Banks must remain current in their banking reporting requirements and file copies of their reports on the OTC Markets website no later than 45 days following the end of a quarter or 90 days following the end of the fiscal year;
- All OTC Markets postings and reports must be filed within 45 days following the end of a quarter or 90 days following the end of the fiscal year for US Exchange Act issuers and Alternative Reporting Standard filers, as required by Regulation A+ for Regulation A+ reporting issuers, and immediately after their submission to their primary regulator for international companies; where applicable, file a notice of late filing allowing for 5 extra days on a quarterly report and 15 extra days on an annual or semiannual report;
- All OTCQB companies will be required to post annual certifications on the OTC Markets website signed by either the CEO or CFO no later than 30 days following the company’s annual report due date;
- All companies are required to comply with all federal, state, and international securities laws and must cooperate with all securities regulatory agencies;
- Must pay the annual fee within 30 days of prior to the beginning of each new annual service period;
- All companies must respond to OTC Markets inquiries and requests;
- All companies must maintain an updated verified company profile on the OTC Markets website and must submit a Company Update Form at least once every six months;
- OTCQB is a recognized securities manual for purposes of blue sky secondary market exceptions. A precondition to relying upon the manual’s exemption is the maintenance of current updated disclosure information as required by OTC Markets;
- All companies must make a press release and possibly other public disclosure (such as a Form 8-K) to inform the public of any news or information which might be reasonably expected to materially affect the market of its securities;
- An OTCQB company must act promptly to dispel unfounded rumors which result in unusual market activity or price variations;
- All companies must file interim disclosures in the event the company undergoes a reverse merger or change of control and make new updated certifications and disclosure related to the new business and control persons;
- All OTCQB companies are subject to the OTC Markets Stock Promotion Policy, as such policy may be amended from time to time. In the event that OTC Markets determines, upon its sole discretion, that a company is the subject of promotional activities that encourage trading, OTC Markets may require the company to provide additional public information related to shareholdings of officers, directors and control persons and confirmation of shares outstanding, and any share issuance in the prior two years. OTC Markets may also require submission of a Personal Information Form for any executive officer, director or 5%-or-greater shareholder;
- OTCQB companies must quickly issue press releases to the public to disclose any news or information which might reasonably be expected to materially affect the market for its securities.
- Not be subject to bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings;
- Be duly organized and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the company is organized or does business;
- Have at least 50 beneficial shareholders, each owning at least 100 shares;
- Have a freely tradeable public float of at least 10% of the total shares issued and outstanding of the class of security to be traded on the OTCQB. OTC Markets may allow an exemption from this requirement for companies with a public float above 5% of total issued and outstanding and whose market value of public float is above $2 million or for a company that has a separate class of securities trading on a national exchange. Any exemption must be applied for in writing and will be granted at OTC Markets Group’s sole and absolute discretion;
- Companies relying on the Alternative Reporting Standard must comply with the ongoing corporate governance requirements subject to a notice and one-year grace period if the company falls into noncompliance;
- All OTCQB companies must meet the minimum bid price of $.01 per share at the close of business of at least one of the previous thirty (30) consecutive calendar days; in the event that the price falls below $.01, the company will begin a grace period of 90 calendar days to maintain a closing bid price of $.01 for ten consecutive trading days; and
- Use an SEC registered transfer agent and authorize the transfer agent to provide information to OTC Markets about the company’s securities, including but not limited to shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, and share issuance history.
Officers and directors of the company are responsible for compliance with the ongoing requirements and the content of all information. Entities that do not meet the requirements of either OTCQX or OTCQB will be quoted on the OTC Pink.
Procedures for Change in Control Events
A “change in control event” is defined to mean a transaction resulting in: (i) a change in the majority ownership or effective control of a company; (ii) material changes to the company’s management team or board of directors; or (iii) in conjunction with either of the above, a material change in the nature of the company’s business operations.
Under Section 2.4, a company will be responsible for notifying OTC Markets upon the completion of a transaction resulting in a change of control. Regardless of notification, OTC Markets may also make a discretionary determination that a change of control event has occurred.
Upon a change of control event, a company will be required to submit a OTCQB Change in Control Notification together with a new OTCQB Application and application fee ($2,500) within 20 calendar days. OTC Markets will review the notice and application and may request additional information. The failure to respond or fully comply with such requests may result in removal from the OTCQB.
Furthermore, immediately following a change in control event, a company would be required to file a new OTCQB Certification and updated company profile page.
Fees
Newly applying entities must pay an initial application fee of $2,500, which fee is waived for existing OTCQB entities. All OTCQB companies will be required to pay an annual fee of $12,000. Companies may opt to make two semiannual installments of $6,500. Fees are nonrefundable.
Removal/Suspension from OTCQB
A company may be removed from the OTCQB if, at any time, it fails to meet the eligibility and continued quotation requirements subject to a notice and opportunity to cure. Companies that are delinquent in filing and reporting requirements are subject to a 45-day cure period. Companies with a bid price deficiency shall have a 90-day cure period. However, in the event the company’s bid price falls below $0.001 at any time for five consecutive trading days, the company will be immediately removed from the OTCQB. All other deficiencies are subject to a 30-day cure period. OTC Markets may provide additional cure periods, but in no event may audited financial statements be older than 18 months.
Companies are granted a cure period of 30 calendar days for failure to maintain the minimum ongoing beneficial shareholder amount and public float requirements. A company may apply in writing to OTC Markets Group for an extension of the 30-day cure period by submitting a plan to cure the deficiency, which extension may be granted by OTC Markets Group in its sole and absolute discretion.
In addition, OTC Markets Group may remove the company’s securities from trading on OTCQB immediately and at any time, without notice, if OTC Markets Group, upon its sole and absolute discretion, believes the continued inclusion of the company’s securities would impair the reputation or integrity of OTC Markets Group or be detrimental to the interests of investors.
In addition, OTC Markets can temporarily suspend trading on the OTCQB pending investigation or further due diligence review.
A company may voluntarily withdraw from the OTCQB with 24 hours’ notice.
The Author
Laura Anthony, Esq.
Founding Partner
Legal & Compliance, LLC
Corporate, Securities and Going Public Attorneys
330 Clematis Street, Suite 217
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 800-341-2684 – 561-514-0936
Fax: 561-514-0832
LAnthony@LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LawCast.com
Securities attorney Laura Anthony and her experienced legal team provides ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size private companies, OTC and exchange traded issuers as well as private companies going public on the NASDAQ, NYSE MKT or over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB and OTCQX. For nearly two decades Legal & Compliance, LLC has served clients providing fast, personalized, cutting-edge legal service. The firm’s reputation and relationships provide invaluable resources to clients including introductions to investment bankers, broker dealers, institutional investors and other strategic alliances. The firm’s focus includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 offer sale and registration requirements, including private placement transactions under Regulation D and Regulation S and PIPE Transactions as well as registration statements on Forms S-1, S-8 and S-4; compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including registration on Form 10, reporting on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, and 14C Information and 14A Proxy Statements; Regulation A/A+ offerings; all forms of going public transactions; mergers and acquisitions including both reverse mergers and forward mergers, ; applications to and compliance with the corporate governance requirements of securities exchanges including NASDAQ and NYSE MKT; crowdfunding; corporate; and general contract and business transactions. Moreover, Ms. Anthony and her firm represents both target and acquiring companies in reverse mergers and forward mergers, including the preparation of transaction documents such as merger agreements, share exchange agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and reorganization agreements. Ms. Anthony’s legal team prepares the necessary documentation and assists in completing the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA and DTC for 15c2-11 applications, corporate name changes, reverse and forward splits and changes of domicile. Ms. Anthony is also the author of SecuritiesLawBlog.com, the OTC Market’s top source for industry news, and the producer and host of LawCast.com, the securities law network. In addition to many other major metropolitan areas, the firm currently represents clients in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Tampa, Detroit and Dallas.
Contact Legal & Compliance LLC. Technical inquiries are always encouraged.
Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Legal & Compliance, LLC makes this general information available for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the use of this information, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us via this information in any form will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
This information is not intended to be advertising, and Legal & Compliance, LLC does not desire to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this information in a jurisdiction where this information fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that jurisdiction. This information may only be reproduced in its entirety (without modification) for the individual reader’s personal and/or educational use and must include this notice.
© Legal & Compliance, LLC 2018
« SEC Issues Additional C&DI On Use Of Non-GAAP Measures SEC Adopts Inline XBRL »
OTC Markets Makes Several Regulatory Recommendations
On March 8, 2018, Cromwell Coulson, CEO of OTC Markets Group, made a presentation to the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee (“IAC”) as part of a panel on “Discussion of Regulatory Approaches to Combat Retail Investor Fraud.” During the meeting, Mr. Coulson discussed the most serious market risks and presented a list of 14 OTC Market’s regulatory recommendations to improve disclosure and combat these market risks.
A review of OTC Markets website on April 24, 2018 shows 10,469 traded securities, $1.1 billion volume, 7.2 billion share volume and 174,268 trades. In his remarks to the IAC, Mr. Coulson points out that 98% of the traded dollar volume of companies on OTC Markets make current information available. Echoing the SEC’s “Main Street investor” focus, he states that “[W]e have many stocks on our markets that are completely appropriate to be part of a diversified, long term, investment portfolio, of a main street investor; we also have speculative securities that are only appropriate for risk tolerant trader.”
However, certainly the trading in all equity securities, and especially small-cap securities, has risk. Mr. Coulson identifies what he believes are the three biggest risks to retain investors. In particular: (i) manipulative online promotion, including fraudulent and misleading information; (ii) share dilution, including through equity line financings, toxic convertible instruments and illegal share distributions; and (iii) bad actors, with a suggestion to allow for a speedy trading freeze to prevent ongoing frauds. I note that in its recent comment letters to FINRA related to the 15c2-11 process, OTC Markets suggested that it be given the power to institute short-term trading halts in response to improper activity and/or a lack of proper disclosure (see).
As part of OTC Markets’ recently adopted stock promotion policy and best practices guidelines to improve investor transparency (see HERE), OTC Markets conducted an investigative initiative to track promotion activities. Coulson indicates that data reveals that 70% of dollar volume of securities impacted by promotional activities are listed and trade on national exchanges. Moreover, promoted securities usually have significant share dilution and are rarely suspended by the SEC. Although OTC Markets stock promotion policies are helpful, Mr. Coulson suggests that regulatory modernization is also needed to require increased disclosure of online paid stock promotion and the people behind such promotions.
Coulson also addressed the issue of short selling. Internet-based forums, especially anonymous forums that are used for stock manipulation, misinformation and fraudulent promotions, proclaim that short selling in small-cap securities is rampant and the cause of downward pricing pressure. The reality is that short selling in small-cap securities is generally minimal due to the high cost of borrow interest and coverage requirements. Most short selling is small companies is completed by market makers with a requirement to close out within 2 days. Coulson actually suggests that in addition to greater transparency and reporting of short selling activity, regulatory changes should be made to encourage heathy short selling and price stabilization efforts by market makers.
Another topic of concern and interest involves the illegal issuance of securities and affiliate trading. Coulson suggests transparency and information can help this issue. In particular, Coulson advocates for increasing the role of transfer agents as record keepers. I note that he did not use the words “gate keepers” and it is unclear from the transcript if that implication was there. On December 22, 2015, the SEC issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking and concept release on proposed new requirements for transfer agents and requesting public comment. See HERE. No further action has been taken since that time, and rules related to transfer agents have been moved from the SEC short-term agenda to long-term actions.
Also to further transparency related to illegal issuances and affiliate trading, Coulson suggests ending anonymous Objecting Beneficial Owner (OBO) accounts for affiliates of issuers. Likewise, Coulson suggests adding a reporting requirement similar to Forms 3, 4 and 5 under Section 16 for non-SEC reporting companies. For more on Section 16, see HERE.
To help combat fraud and provide a deterrent to bad actors, Coulson supports increased cooperation and communication between market operators, such as OTC Markets, and regulators. Using the analogy of real-time monitoring for credit card fraud, Coulson suggests real-time monitoring and responses by market operators to red flags and indicia of fraud. In order to make preventative responses feasible, there would have to be a system to allow for a relatively quick investigation and re-onboarding of trading for affected companies.
Coulson notes that much of the fraud in smaller public company trading emanates from unregulated intermediaries that have acquired shares in the private financing markets and are seeking to stimulate investor buying interest, so they can sell their shares. Although Coulson does not talk about regulating finders as a response to this problem, he does talk about stimulating financing options for smaller companies. I am a champion of a workable regulatory regime for finders and, as such, cannot pass this opportunity to raise the issue. For more on the current state of the law and my views, see HERE.
To stimulate financing options, Coulson suggests allowing SEC reporting companies to utilize Regulation A+ and increasing shelf registration options. I’ve written many times about my support for an amendment to Regulation A+ to allow SEC reporting companies to complete offerings. For more on Regulation A+ in general, see HERE and particularly related to the OTC Markets comment letter and arguments for allowing reporting companies to be eligible to use the offering, see HERE.
Coulson completed his presentation by talking about another topic that has been oft debated and for which I have strong opinions, and that is venture exchanges. The OTC Markets has worked hard to position itself as a venture exchange, but unfortunately has not received legislative support. In fact, OTC Markets does not always receive due regard at all from the SEC and Wall Street. Back in December 2016, the SEC issued a white paper on penny stocks in which it inaccurately, albeit implicitly, lumped all OTC Markets securities together as penny stocks and as providing limited disclosure. See HERE. To the contrary, one of the requirements to trade on the OTCQX tier of OTC Markets is that the security not be a penny stock. See HERE. Both the OTCQB and OTCQX require fairly robust disclosure, including audited financial statements. OTC Markets also has a flag which appears on a company’s quote page to identify if a particular security is exempt from the definition of a penny stock.
Mr. Coulson points out that in 2017, 61 companies graduated from the OTC Markets to a national exchange, illustrating the venture function of OTC Markets. Furthermore, realizing the need for legislation, Coulson states that any venture legislation should follow the European SME growth market model, be disclosure-driven, and include exchanges and ATS’s that already serve smaller companies (such as OTC Markets). For more on the importance of venture exchanges and specifics on how they should operate, see HERE.
Coulson rightfully adds, “[E]xchange listing is not a clear solution to solving the problems at hand. We need a more holistic approach, focusing on better investor information, rather than the hard-and-fast assertion that every exchange-traded security is safe, while all other securities are risky.”
Complete List of OTC Markets Regulatory Recommendations
The following is the full list of the 14 regulatory recommendations by OTC Markets.
- Increase Paid Promoter Disclosure – OTC Markets recommends amending Securities Act Section 17(b) to require additional disclosures related to paid stock promotion and the people involved in such promotions. For more on stock promotion and Section 17(b), see HERE.
- Provide More Disclosures from Affiliates, Insiders and Institutions – As discussed above, OTC Markets suggests limiting anonymous Objecting Beneficial Owner accounts for affiliates. Moreover, insider and affiliate trading should be reported by all publicly traded companies and not just those subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements. The reporting requirements should be similar to those under Section 16 for reporting companies. OTC Markets also suggests expanding Exchange Act Section 13(f) to OTC traded securities, requiring institutional investment managers to disclosure their holdings in all publicly traded securities, including short positions.
- Improve Share Issuance Compliance – OTC Markets suggest that transfer agent regulations be modernized to provide broker-dealers with reliable information on the issuance, ownership and transfer history of shares.
4, Enable More Real-time SEC Enforcement – Interdealer quotation systems (IDQS) (like OTC Markets) should monitor ongoing disclosure by companies and have the ability to monitor and label late or deficient disclosures (such as OTC Markets does now). Furthermore, the SEC should work with these market operators to take quick action where there are indications of fraud, including with trading halts and suspensions.
- Short Sale Reform – Require the timely disclosure of short sale positions and of aggregate industry activity. Also, allow more market maker short selling activity by amending Regulation SHO to extend the close-out time for short positions in OTC equity securities to 6 days as is current allowed for exchange traded securities.
- Allow SEC Reporting Companies to Use Regulation A+ – See discussion above. In addition, in September 2017 the House passed the Improving Access to Capital Act, which would allow companies subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act to use Regulation A.
- Allow Companies to Sell Shares Directly into the Market – Allow companies that trade on an exchange or an established public market to easily sell their shares directly in the market.
- Facilitate Competition in Venture Exchange Legislation – A monopoly venture exchange should be avoided. As discussed above, any venture legislation should follow the European SME growth market model, be disclosure-driven, and include exchanges and ATS’s that already serve smaller companies (such as OTC Markets).
- Adopt Investor Suitability Standards Based on Experience and Risk Tolerance – Broker-dealers should be allowed to establish risk profiles based on trading experience and overall risk tolerance. Similar to this suggestion, I would suggest a modification to the accredited investor definition in line with the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies’ prior recommendations, including expanding the definition to take into account trading experience. See HERE.
- Allow Payments for Market Making – FINRA Rule 5210 should be amended to allow broker-dealers to be compensated for out-of-pocket expenses associated with preparing and submitting a Form 211 to FINRA. For more, see HERE.
- Bring Back the Federal Reserve OTC Margin List – Non-penny stock OTC securities should be marginable. OTC Markets suggests two possible solutions: (i) give the SEC, rather than the Federal Reserve Board, oversight of margin eligibility, or (ii) the margin list that was historically published by the Federal Reserve under Regulation T should be reinstated to make margin-eligible all non-penny stocks that are actively traded on “established public markets.”
- Allow Small Companies to Effectively Provide Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) – IRS regulations limit the ability for non-exchange traded companies to effectively offer ESOP’s to employees. The definition of an “established securities market” contained in IRS regulations should be updated to include securities quoted on OTC Markets Group’s OTCQX and OTCQB markets.
- Allow Trading Venues to Review and/or Submit FINRA Form 211 Filings – Currently only market makers may submit a Form 211 to FINRA. Trading venues registered with the SEC and FINRA should also be allowed to do so. For more on this, see HERE.
- Update the SEC Definition of Penny Stocks (Exchange Act Rule 3a51-1) – Currently, biotech and other research-heavy companies may not meet the net tangible assets exemption (Subsection (g)(1)) from the definition of a penny stock. The review standard for net tangible assets (Subsection (g)(3)) should be updated to take into account interim capital raises for these types of companies. For more on the penny stock rules, see HERE.
The Author
Laura Anthony, Esq.
Founding Partner
Legal & Compliance, LLC
Corporate, Securities and Going Public Attorneys
330 Clematis Street, Suite 217
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 800-341-2684 – 561-514-0936
Fax: 561-514-0832
LAnthony@LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LawCast.com
Securities attorney Laura Anthony and her experienced legal team provides ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size private companies, OTC and exchange traded issuers as well as private companies going public on the NASDAQ, NYSE MKT or over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB and OTCQX. For nearly two decades Legal & Compliance, LLC has served clients providing fast, personalized, cutting-edge legal service. The firm’s reputation and relationships provide invaluable resources to clients including introductions to investment bankers, broker dealers, institutional investors and other strategic alliances. The firm’s focus includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 offer sale and registration requirements, including private placement transactions under Regulation D and Regulation S and PIPE Transactions as well as registration statements on Forms S-1, S-8 and S-4; compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including registration on Form 10, reporting on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, and 14C Information and 14A Proxy Statements; Regulation A/A+ offerings; all forms of going public transactions; mergers and acquisitions including both reverse mergers and forward mergers, ; applications to and compliance with the corporate governance requirements of securities exchanges including NASDAQ and NYSE MKT; crowdfunding; corporate; and general contract and business transactions. Moreover, Ms. Anthony and her firm represents both target and acquiring companies in reverse mergers and forward mergers, including the preparation of transaction documents such as merger agreements, share exchange agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and reorganization agreements. Ms. Anthony’s legal team prepares the necessary documentation and assists in completing the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA and DTC for 15c2-11 applications, corporate name changes, reverse and forward splits and changes of domicile. Ms. Anthony is also the author of SecuritiesLawBlog.com, the OTC Market’s top source for industry news, and the producer and host of LawCast.com, the securities law network. In addition to many other major metropolitan areas, the firm currently represents clients in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Tampa, Detroit and Dallas.
Contact Legal & Compliance LLC. Technical inquiries are always encouraged.
Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Legal & Compliance, LLC makes this general information available for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the use of this information, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us via this information in any form will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
This information is not intended to be advertising, and Legal & Compliance, LLC does not desire to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this information in a jurisdiction where this information fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that jurisdiction. This information may only be reproduced in its entirety (without modification) for the individual reader’s personal and/or educational use and must include this notice.
© Legal & Compliance, LLC 2018
« Going Public Without An IPO SEC Continues to Review, And Delay, Crypto Funds »
OTC Markets Issues Comment Letters On FINRA Rules 6432 And 5250; The 15c2-11 Rules
January 8, 2018, OTC Markets Group, Inc. (“OTC Markets”) submitted a comment letter to FINRA related to FINRA Rule 6432. Rule 6432 requires that a market maker or broker-dealer have the information specified in Securities Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11 before making a quotation in a security on the over-the-counter market. Although I summarize the salient points of the OTC Markets comment letter, I encourage those interested to read the entire letter, which contains an in-depth analysis and comprehensive arguments to support its position. On February 8, 2018, OTC Markets submitted a second comment letter to FINRA, this one related to FINRA Rule 5250. Rule 5250 prohibits companies from compensating market makers in connection with the preparation and filing of a Form 211 application.
Rule 6432 – Compliance with the Information Requirements of SEA Rule 15c2-11
Subject to certain exceptions, including the “piggyback exception” discussed below, Rule 6432 requires that all broker-dealers have and maintain certain information on a non-exchange traded company security prior to resuming or initiating a quotation of that security. Generally, a non-exchange traded security is quoted on the OTC Markets. Compliance with the rule is demonstrated by filing a Form 211 with FINRA. Although the rule requires that the Form 211 be filed at least three days prior to initiating a quotation, in reality FINRA reviews and comments on the filing in a back-and-forth process that can take several weeks or even months.
The specific information required to be maintained by the broker-dealer is delineated in Securities Exchange Act (“Securities Act”) Rule 15c2-11. The core principle behind Rule 15c2-11 is that adequate current information be available when a security enters the marketplace. The information required by the Rule includes either: (i) a prospectus filed under the Securities Act of 1933, such as a Form S-1, which went effective less than 90 days prior; (ii) a qualified Regulation A offering circular that was qualified less than 40 days prior; (iii) the company’s most recent annual reported filed under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or under Regulation A and quarterly reports to date; (iv) information published pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) for foreign issuers (see HERE); or (v) specified information that is similar to what would be included in items (i) through (iv).
In addition, Rule 6432 requires the submittal of specified information about the security being quoted (for example, common stock, an ADR or warrant), the quotation medium (for example, OTCQB) and if priced, the basis upon which the price was determined.
Rule 6432 requires a certification confirming that the member broker-dealer has not accepted any payment or other consideration in connection with the submittal of the Form 211 application as prohibited by Rule 5250.
Rule 15c2-11(f)(2) allows a member firm to quote or process an unsolicited order on behalf of a customer without compliance with the information requirements. In such case, the member must document the name of the customer, date and time of the unsolicited order and identifying information on the security.
Rule 5250 – Payments for Market Making
Rule 5250 specifically prohibits a market maker from accepting any payments or other consideration, directly or indirectly, in association or connection with publishing a quotation, acting as a market maker or submitting an application in connection therewith. In other words, a market maker cannot accept any consideration whatsoever for preparing and submitting a Form 211 application with FINRA.
However, the fact is that putting together the information required by the Form 211 and responding to FINRA comments takes administrative time and effort, and I would advocate that a broker-dealer should be able to accept some form of compensation to cover this internal expense. Moreover, the Form 211 process has changed over time, becoming much more arduous for the submitting market maker. I remember when a Form 211 could actually be submitted three days prior to a quotation and based on the market maker’s assertion that they were in possession of the required information, the Form was processed, oftentimes in 24 hours.
Today, a Form 211 goes through an extensive review, comment and response process similar to an SEC review of a filing. The comment and review process is completed when FINRA either clears the Form 211 or refuses to clear the Form. The market maker is required to provide FINRA with a copy of all information and documents in their possession, and FINRA reviews the information and challenges the market maker’s position that the information is adequate. This process takes weeks at a minimum and oftentimes much longer.
Since a market maker cannot even cover their internal costs for this labor-intensive process, fewer market makers are willing to engage in the process at all.
The “Piggyback” Exception
The 15c2-11 piggyback exception provides that if an OTC Markets security has been quoted during the past 30 calendar days, and during those 30 days the security was quoted on at least 12 days without more than a four-consecutive-day break in quotation, then a broker-dealer may “piggyback” off of prior broker-dealer information. In other words, once an initial Form 211 has been filed and approved by FINRA by a market maker and the stock quoted for 30 days by that market maker, subsequent broker-dealers can quote the stock and make markets without resubmitting information to FINRA. The piggyback exception lasts in perpetuity as long as a stock continues to be quoted.
As a result of the piggyback exception, the current information required by Rule 15c2-11 may only actually be available in the marketplace at the time of the Form 211 application and not years later while the security continues to trade.
The OTC Markets Comment Letter on Rule 6432
The opening paragraph of OTC Markets’ comment letter sets the tone for the entire letter, stating, “[W]e continue to believe that the cumbersome operational processes around Rule 6432, and the related Rule 15c2-11… under the… Exchange Act, unnecessarily impede capital formation by small issuers.” They continue, and I agree, that the process creates an unnecessary difficulty on smaller companies seeking to access public markets in the U.S.
OTC Markets suggests that the recent boom in ICO’s is a natural response to the difficulties with navigating the capital and secondary markets for smaller companies, including the Form 211 process, DTC eligibility, depositing non-exchange traded securities (see HERE, which factors have only intensified since publication of that blog), and market liquidity. A re-working of Rule 6432 and the interaction with the 45-year-old Rule 15c2-11 would help improve the marketplace dramatically.
Rule 15c2-11 was enacted in 1970 to ensure that proper information was available prior to quoting a security in an effort to prevent microcap fraud. At the time of enactment of the rule, the Internet was not available for access to information. The premise of the rule was to require broker-dealers, who would be quoting the securities, to maintain information and provide that information to investors upon request. Rule 6432 requires FINRA member firms to comply with Rule 15c2-11 by filing a Form 211 with FINRA. In reality, a broker-dealer never provides the information to investors, FINRA does not make or require the information to be made public, and the broker-dealer never updates information, even after years and years. Moreover, since enactment of the rules, the Internet has created a whole new disclosure possibility and OTC Markets itself has enacted disclosure requirements, processes and procedures.
The current system does not satisfy the intended goals or legislative intent and is unnecessarily cumbersome at the beginning of a company’s quotation life with no follow-through. OTC Markets proposes the following changes to Rule 6432 and its administration:
(i) Make the Form 211 review process more objective and efficient. FINRA’s role should be changed from a subjective gatekeeper to an objective administrator, only ensuring that the market maker has the required information. FINRA should not review the merits of the information itself. Furthermore, FINRA should be bound by the three-day requirement set forth in Rule 15c2-11 such that a market maker can proceed with a quote (and receive a ticker symbol where necessary) within the mandated three days. The goal should be to ensure a market maker has the information mandated by Rule 15c2-11, that such information is publicly available for the investing community, and that an issuer has the responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
I agree with this suggestion. FINRA can adequately address its gatekeeper role in its annual or biannual audit and review of member firms. Moreover, if FINRA believes that a member firm has violated its requirements under Rule 6432, as a self-regulatory organization, it has the authority and ability to institute an investigation into such member firm. By performing subjective reviews of the information itself and merits of such information, FINRA is asserting substantive control over issuers for which it lacks jurisdiction and for which such issuer has no due process rights or recourse. The same overreaching of authority relates to Rule 6490 and the processing of corporate actions. See HERE. The SEC itself, who has direct jurisdiction over a company, does not review the merits of a company’s operations, business model or capital structure, but rather only the proper disclosure of same such that an investor can make an informed decision. FINRA, who does not have direct jurisdiction or governing authority over a company, has found a way to exert subjective influence, without due process, or even published rules or information as to the criteria used in their subjective analysis.
(ii) Form 211 materials should be made public and issuers should be liable for any misrepresentations. Currently, Form 211 materials are not publicly available. Making the information publicly available would further the clear objective of SEC Rule 15c2-11.
In practice, as part of its review process, FINRA not only requests additional information, but often material non-public information, which is not only beyond the scope of Rule 15c2-11, but which information has no reasonable expectation of being made public. Clearly, if information is important for the marketplace and investors to make informed investment decisions, it should be required by the rules and should be publicly available.
(iii) Outsource Form 211 processes to IDQS’s. A broker-dealer should file a Form 211 directly with the interdealer quotation system (IDQS) on which it plans to quote the security. The IDQS should review such information for completeness and submit the package to FINRA within the three-day rule time frame. Also, FINRA member IDQS’s should be allowed to submit their own Form 211 application for issuers that meet certain lower risk criteria, such as those already trading on a Qualified Foreign Exchange.
(iv) Allow IDQS’s to monitor ongoing disclosure and institute trading halts. FINRA member IDQS’s should be responsible for developing a system that ensures ongoing disclosure of Rule 15c2-11 information for quoted securities, including the power to respond to indications of fraud and institute trading halts.
This seems so obvious to me. Where FINRA exercises subjective merit reviews of initial Form 211 applications, it then takes no action whatsoever to ensure ongoing current information. I have seen stocks trade large volumes that have been completely dark or devoid of current information for years. By allowing an IDQS to require ongoing public information by an issuer for the privilege of having market makers make markets, the SEC and FINRA would add a layer of gatekeeping responsibility that does not exist today. Separately, I note that OTC Markets does have a system and regime that responds to certain issues, such as improper stock promotion (see HERE), but has no power to institute a trading halt.
(v) Allow broker-dealer compensation for Form 211 filing. See more discussion on this topic below. I agree that allowing compensation for a Form 211 filing is not only advisable but if structured properly, has no downside. The compensation can be capped and subject to specific disclosure and reasonableness rules, including compliance with Section 17(b) of the Securities Act (see HERE).
(vi) Allow multiple market makers to quote a security after a Form 211 is cleared. This would replace the current rules of only allowing one market maker to quote a security for the first 30 days. Moreover, I would go further and suggest that the piggyback exception only be allowed if there is publicly available current information.
Encouraging Capital Markets
Following its discussion on the rules and suggested changes, the OTC Markets comment letter turns to the need to encourage secondary trading of securities as an important aspect of encouraging capital formation for smaller companies as a whole. Investors are much more likely to participate in capital raising if they have an exit strategy such as a liquid secondary marketplace where they can reasonably deposit and re-sell freely tradeable securities.
The costs and burdens of being public on a national exchange are a huge disincentive for smaller companies. The decline in the US IPO markets is a constant discussion by SEC top brass, other regulators and politicians (for example, see HERE and HERE). As the OTC Markets comment letter points out, a small company seeking to raise $10 million to finance a promising new software, is in no position to shoulder the costs and burdens of a national exchange listing, but is also stifled by the inability to properly access liquidity for its investors on IDQS’s such as OTC Markets due to antiquated and improperly administered rules such as Rule 6432.
In fact, as of today OTC Markets is the only viable operating secondary marketplace for the trading of non-exchange traded public securities. OTC Markets is comprised of three tiers: the OTCQX; the OTCQB and the Pink Open Market. For a review of the OTCQX standards, see HERE. For a review of the OTCQB standards, see HERE. For more information on the Pink Open Market, see HERE.
By implementing OTC Markets suggested changes to Rule 6432 and its implementation and administration, more small companies would access public markets, better information would be made available to investors and the marketplace, and secondary market liquidity would improve.
The OTC Markets Comment Letter on Rule 5250
On February 8, 2018, OTC Markets group submitted a second comment letter to FINRA related to Exchange Act 15c2-11 and its implementation by FINRA. The second letter directly addresses Rule 5250, which prohibits a market maker from accepting any payments or other consideration, directly or indirectly, in association or connection with publishing a quotation, acting as a market maker or submitting an application in connection therewith.
As discussed above, a Form 211 goes through an extensive review, comment and response process similar to an SEC review of a filing. The comment and review process is completed when FINRA either clears the Form 211 or refuses to clear the Form. The market maker is required to provide FINRA with a copy of all information and documents in their possession, and FINRA reviews the information for completeness but also the merits of the information using undisclosed subjective standards. In response to comments, a market maker must work with a company to provide information, which can often involve material non-public information that is not, and may never be, made public. The process takes weeks at a minimum and oftentimes much longer.
As a basic premise for the market maker, it must conduct adequate due diligence on the company and properly gather and analyze information prior to submittal to FINRA. The process can be labor-intensive for the market maker.
Furthermore, part of the process involves the market maker’s analysis and backup for the requested pricing of the security in its initial quotation. When a company goes public on a national exchange, a market maker is not restricted from charging for its investment banking services, including the part of the service that involves a valuation and determination of initial offering price. The process of determination valuation for an initial quote on the OTC Markets is substantially similar. The inability to charge for such service acts as a disincentive for a market maker to give adequate thought and attention to the process.
Since a market maker cannot even cover their internal costs for this labor-intensive process, fewer market makers are willing to engage in the process at all. Moreover, market makers have no incentive to engage with issuers in completing due diligence or creating on ongoing relationship which ensures access to information, that is made public to the investing community. In addition to assisting investors and the market place in making informed decisions, market maker/company engagement will help detect red flags and indicia of fraud, facilitating the purpose of the rules and benefiting the markets as a whole.
A responsible rule could be put into place that allows a market maker to charge for their services and encourages productive engagement and communication between a market maker and their client company. The rule should require public disclosure of a market makers fee (as well as the application itself as discussed above). In addition, market makers should be allowed to receive reimbursements for actual out-of-pocket expenses associated with preparing and filing a Form 211. Again, this amount should be fully disclosed to the investment community.
The Author
Laura Anthony, Esq.
Founding Partner
Legal & Compliance, LLC
Corporate, Securities and Going Public Attorneys
330 Clematis Street, Suite 217
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 800-341-2684 – 561-514-0936
Fax: 561-514-0832
LAnthony@LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LawCast.com
Securities attorney Laura Anthony and her experienced legal team provides ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size private companies, OTC and exchange traded issuers as well as private companies going public on the NASDAQ, NYSE MKT or over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB and OTCQX. For nearly two decades Legal & Compliance, LLC has served clients providing fast, personalized, cutting-edge legal service. The firm’s reputation and relationships provide invaluable resources to clients including introductions to investment bankers, broker dealers, institutional investors and other strategic alliances. The firm’s focus includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 offer sale and registration requirements, including private placement transactions under Regulation D and Regulation S and PIPE Transactions as well as registration statements on Forms S-1, S-8 and S-4; compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including registration on Form 10, reporting on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, and 14C Information and 14A Proxy Statements; Regulation A/A+ offerings; all forms of going public transactions; mergers and acquisitions including both reverse mergers and forward mergers, ; applications to and compliance with the corporate governance requirements of securities exchanges including NASDAQ and NYSE MKT; crowdfunding; corporate; and general contract and business transactions. Moreover, Ms. Anthony and her firm represents both target and acquiring companies in reverse mergers and forward mergers, including the preparation of transaction documents such as merger agreements, share exchange agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and reorganization agreements. Ms. Anthony’s legal team prepares the necessary documentation and assists in completing the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA and DTC for 15c2-11 applications, corporate name changes, reverse and forward splits and changes of domicile. Ms. Anthony is also the author of SecuritiesLawBlog.com, the OTC Market’s top source for industry news, and the producer and host of LawCast.com, the securities law network. In addition to many other major metropolitan areas, the firm currently represents clients in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Tampa, Detroit and Dallas.
Contact Legal & Compliance LLC. Technical inquiries are always encouraged.
Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Legal & Compliance, LLC makes this general information available for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the use of this information, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us via this information in any form will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
This information is not intended to be advertising, and Legal & Compliance, LLC does not desire to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this information in a jurisdiction where this information fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that jurisdiction. This information may only be reproduced in its entirety (without modification) for the individual reader’s personal and/or educational use and must include this notice.
© Legal & Compliance, LLC 2018
« The 2017 SEC Government-Business Forum On Small Business Capital Formation The SEC Has Issued New Guidance On Cybersecurity Disclosures »
OTC Markets Group Establishes A Stock Promotion Policy
As OTC Markets Group continues to position itself as a respected venture trading platform, it has adopted a new stock promotion policy and best practices guidelines to improve investor transparency and address concerns over fraudulent or improper stock promotion campaigns. The stock promotion policy and best practices guidelines are designed to assist companies with responsible investor relations and to address problematic issues. Recognizing that fraudulent stock promotion is a systemic problem requiring an all-fronts effort by industry participants and regulators, the new policy focuses on transparency and disclosure of current information, and the correction of false statements or materially misleading information issued by third parties.
For several years, OTC Markets Group has been delineating companies with a skull-and-crossbones sign where they have raised concerns such as improper or misleading disclosures, spam campaigns, questionable stock promotion, investigation of fraudulent or other criminal activity, regulatory suspensions or disruptive corporate actions. While labeled with a skull and crossbones, a company that does not have current information or is not on the OTCQB or OTCQX will have its quote blocked on the OTC Markets website.
The new policy addresses: (i) publicly identifying securities being promoted; (ii) identifying fraudulent promotional campaigns; (iii) responsibilities of companies with promoted securities; (iv) the impact on OTCQX or OTCQB designations; (v) caveat emptor policy and stock promotion; and (vi) regulatory referrals. This blog summarizes both the new stock promotion policy and best practices guidelines.
OTC Markets Group Policy on Stock Promotion
The basic premise behind OTC Markets Group policy on stock promotion is the timely disclosure of material information, which includes the duty to dispel unfounded rumors, misinformation or false statements. Technology has increased the ability for companies, insiders and third parties to engage in improper and manipulative activities, including through spam campaigns, and anonymous social networks and message groups.
A company that is the subject of an active campaign or has a history of stock promotion may be denied an application for trading on the OTCQB or OTCQX. A company may be removed from the OTCQB or OTCQX, upon the sole discretion of OTC Markets Group, if it is involved in an active campaign involving misleading information or manipulative promotion. Furthermore, promotional activity of a shell company will result in the immediate removal from OTCQB (shells are not permitted on OTCQX). OTC Markets Group will continue to use the caveat emptor skull-and-crossbones designations as well. Where appropriate, OTC Markets Group will refer a company to the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory agency for investigation.
Paid promotions are often associated with pump-and-dump activities where a third party is attempting to pump the stock price to liquidate at inflated prices, following which the stock will inevitably go down. Improper and misleading promotional materials, which can often be in the form of e-mails, newsletters, social media outlets (such as message boards), press releases, videos, telephone calls, or direct mail, generally share the following common characteristics.
Failure to identify the sponsor of the promotion or if the promotion is paid for an anonymous third party
Information focuses on a company’s stock rather that its business;
Speculative language, including but not limited to grandiose claims and numbers related to the company’s business, industry, financial results or business developments;
Touting of performance or profit potential from trading in a company’s stock with unsupported or exaggerated statements, including related to stock price;
Making unreasonable claims related to a company’s performance;
Directly or indirectly promising specific future performance;
Providing little or no factual information about the company;
Urging immediate action to avoid missing out;
Failing to provide disclosures related to risks of an investment.
Although not included in OTC Markets’ list of common characteristics, another red flag is when there is a comparison between the company being promoted and a well-known successful or respected company.
OTC Markets Group monitors for paid promotional activity and reviews for anonymous promotions, connections to bad actors, and impacts on trading. Beginning in first quarter 2018, stocks associated with such promotional activity will be identified with a “risk flag” next to its symbol on the OTC Markets website.
OTC Markets Group may also request that a company that is subject to promotional activity issue a press release to: (i) identify promotional activity; (ii) confirm information in the promotion or identify misinformation; (iii) and/or disclose recent securities transactions by insiders and affiliates. Furthermore, OTC Markets group may request information from a company and/or its transfer agent related to transactions and request additional disclosures from the company related to share issuances, financing agreements and the identity of people or advisors associated with the transactions.
OTC Markets Group Best Practices Guidelines for Stock Promotion
As in its separate stock promotion policy, the OTC Markets Group best practices on stock promotion guidelines reiterate the core principle that the timely disclosure of material information is key, which includes the duty to dispel unfounded rumors, misinformation or false statements.
OTC Markets Group suggests that companies perform due diligence on investor relations firms and their principals prior to engaging services. This is advice I am constantly giving to my clients. Basic due diligence includes reviewing other represented clients and doing basic searches for regulatory issues or negative news. Companies should also be very clear on what services an investor relations firm will perform and what compensation will be paid for those services.
Very vague service descriptions often indicate an improper promotional campaign. OTC Markets Group also warns of red flags, including a request that payment be split among various individuals or groups.
A company that hires or sponsors investor relations is responsible for the content of communications made by that company and must ensure that all information is materially current and accurate. In addition, a company should retain editorial control and review all information before it is disseminated. Investor relations materials should not use language that makes assumptions, is speculative or misleading, or brazenly hypes the stock. Communications should not cover new material information that has not been previously disclosed, and should not extend beyond providing factual information to investors and shareholders.
The disclosures required by Section 17(b) must always be properly made, and OTC Markets Group specifically requires that any relationship between the investor relations individuals and entities and the company be fully disclosed.
Since third parties often engage in stock promotional activities without the knowledge or consent of a company, it is important for a company to know its investors, including the people behind any entities or investor groups. Investors that desire anonymity or utilize offshore entities raise a red flag. Furthermore, companies should be wary of shareholders that own significant control or investor groups that will qualify to remove restrictive legends on stock. Investor groups often change the name of their investment vehicle entity and, as such, due diligence should include prior entities.
OTC Markets Group warns against toxic or death spiral financing. Toxic or death spiral financing generally involves an investment in the form of a convertible promissory note or preferred stock that converts into common stock at a discount to market with no floor on the conversion price. As I have written about many times, there are quality investors and others that are not quality in the microcap space. The use of convertible instruments as a method to invest in public companies is perfectly legal and acceptable. However, like any other aspect of the securities marketplace, it can be abused. Further examples of abusive or improper activity could include: (i) backdating of notes or failure to provide the funding associated with the note; (ii) improper undisclosed affiliations between investors and the company or its officers and directors; (iii) manipulative trading practices; (iv) improper stock promotion; or (v) trading on insider information. Again, in choosing a transaction it is incumbent upon the company to conduct due diligence on the investor, including their reputation in the industry and trading history associated with other investments and conversions.
OTC Markets Group also warns of anonymous third-party promotions, noting that these promotions are a significant source of misleading and manipulative information. Any company-sponsored stock promotion must be disclosed, whether the company is involved directly or indirectly. The identity of a company’s investor relations firm must be disclosed on the company’s profile page on otcmarkets.com.
OTC Markets Group recommends that a company make a public announcement with the following information in the event it learns it is the subject of misleading or manipulative stock promotion.
A summary of the company’s understanding of the stock promotion, including how and when the company became aware of the campaign and a description of the promotion’s effect on the company’s trading activity;
Whether the content of the promotion is accurate or contains untrue or misleading information;
Conduct an inquiry of company management, officers and directors, to ascertain whether they are involved in the stock promotion and/or of have purchased or sold securities before, during or after the promotion;
Provide an up-to-date list of service providers who perform investor relations or similar services;
Disclose the issuance of convertible securities with variable rate or discount to market conversion rates. This disclosure should include details on the convertible instruments, including date, number of shares issued or issuable, price, conversion terms, and parties involved.
OTC Markets also suggests that all companies have insider trading policies, a policy which I support and suggest to my clients.
Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933
The federal securities laws also govern stock promotion activity. Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 is an antifraud provision which requires that any communications which “publish, give publicity to, or circulate any notice, circular, advertisement, newspaper, article, letter, investment service or communication” which describes a security, must disclose any consideration received or to be received either in the past, present or future, whether directly or indirectly by the issuer of such communication. Generally the disclosure must include: (i) the amount of consideration; (ii) from whom it is received, such as the company, a third-party shareholder or an underwriter and the individual persons behind any corporate entity involved; (iii) the nature of the consideration (for example, cash or stock, and if stock, whether restricted or unrestricted); and (iv) if consideration is paid by a third party other than the company whose securities are being promoted, the relationship between the company and the third party. Moreover, I recommend that companies ensure such communications include a disclosure as to whether the issuer of such communications owns stock which may be sold in any upmarket created by the communication.
The disclosure required by Section 17(b) must be included in each and every published document, including emails, message board postings and all other communications.
Further Reading on OTC Markets Group Rules
For a review of the OTCQB listing standards, see HERE . For a review of the OTCQX listing standards, see HERE. For a review of the OTC Pink standards, see HERE.
The Author
Laura Anthony, Esq.
Founding Partner
Legal & Compliance, LLC
Corporate, Securities and Going Public Attorneys
330 Clematis Street, Suite 217
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 800-341-2684 – 561-514-0936
Fax: 561-514-0832
LAnthony@LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LegalAndCompliance.com
www.LawCast.com
Securities attorney Laura Anthony and her experienced legal team provides ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size private companies, OTC and exchange traded issuers as well as private companies going public on the NASDAQ, NYSE MKT or over-the-counter market, such as the OTCQB and OTCQX. For nearly two decades Legal & Compliance, LLC has served clients providing fast, personalized, cutting-edge legal service. The firm’s reputation and relationships provide invaluable resources to clients including introductions to investment bankers, broker dealers, institutional investors and other strategic alliances. The firm’s focus includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 offer sale and registration requirements, including private placement transactions under Regulation D and Regulation S and PIPE Transactions as well as registration statements on Forms S-1, S-8 and S-4; compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including registration on Form 10, reporting on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, and 14C Information and 14A Proxy Statements; Regulation A/A+ offerings; all forms of going public transactions; mergers and acquisitions including both reverse mergers and forward mergers, ; applications to and compliance with the corporate governance requirements of securities exchanges including NASDAQ and NYSE MKT; crowdfunding; corporate; and general contract and business transactions. Moreover, Ms. Anthony and her firm represents both target and acquiring companies in reverse mergers and forward mergers, including the preparation of transaction documents such as merger agreements, share exchange agreements, stock purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements and reorganization agreements. Ms. Anthony’s legal team prepares the necessary documentation and assists in completing the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA and DTC for 15c2-11 applications, corporate name changes, reverse and forward splits and changes of domicile. Ms. Anthony is also the author of SecuritiesLawBlog.com, the OTC Market’s top source for industry news, and the producer and host of LawCast.com, the securities law network. In addition to many other major metropolitan areas, the firm currently represents clients in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Tampa, Detroit and Dallas.
Contact Legal & Compliance LLC. Technical inquiries are always encouraged.
Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Legal & Compliance, LLC makes this general information available for educational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Furthermore, the use of this information, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us via this information in any form will not be considered as privileged or confidential.
This information is not intended to be advertising, and Legal & Compliance, LLC does not desire to represent anyone desiring representation based upon viewing this information in a jurisdiction where this information fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that jurisdiction. This information may only be reproduced in its entirety (without modification) for the individual reader’s personal and/or educational use and must include this notice.
© Legal & Compliance, LLC 2017
« SEC Statements On Cybersecurity – Part 2 SEC Publishes Report on Access to Capital and Market Liquidity »