What is Form D?

Form D is a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that is used to provide notice of the sale of securities, typically in connection with private placements of stocks, bonds, or other investment instruments. It is a requirement under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. Form D is important for both issuers (the companies or entities selling the securities) and investors, as it provides information about the securities offering and helps ensure compliance with securities regulations.

Key points about Form D include:

1. Notice Filing: Form D is not a registration statement, unlike the more comprehensive registration statements required for public offerings. Instead, it is a notice filing that provides basic information about the offering.

2. Private Placements: Form D is used for private placements, which are offerings of securities that are not publicly marketed or sold. These offerings are typically made to a limited number of accredited investors or other qualified purchasers.

3. Exemptions: Form D is often used in conjunction with Regulation D exemptions, which allow companies to offer and sell securities without going through the full registration process required for public offerings. The three main exemptions under Regulation D are Rule 504, Rule 505, and Rule 506.

4. Information Provided: The form includes information about the issuer, the securities being offered, the type of exemption being claimed, the amount of capital being raised, and the identity of the executive officers and directors of the company.

5. Timing: Form D must be filed within 15 days after the first sale of securities in the offering. It is typically filed electronically through the SEC’s EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system.

6. State Filings: In addition to the SEC filing, issuers must also comply with state securities laws by making state-specific notice filings, often called “”blue sky filings,”” in the states where the securities are offered.

Form D serves to provide transparency in the private placement market, ensuring that the SEC and state regulatory authorities have a record of private offerings. It also helps investors and potential investors in these securities by making basic information about the offering and the issuer publicly available.

It’s important for companies and issuers to accurately complete and file Form D to avoid potential legal and regulatory issues. Failure to file Form D or provide misleading information can result in penalties and harm the company’s ability to raise capital through private placements in the future.