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It’s finally happened. Yesterday, the SEC announced that it’s adopted final rules to implement the “Fast Act” disclosure simplifications – which were proposed about a year & a half ago. We’ll be posting memos in our “Fast Act” Practice Area. Here are some highlights from the 251-page adopting release – and except as noted below, the rules become effective 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register:

– Item 303 and Form 20-F will allow companies to exclude discussion of the earliest of three years in the MD&A if they’ve already included the discussion in a prior filing

– Item 601(b)(2) and (10) will allow companies to omit confidential information in exhibits without submitting a CTR, so long as the information is (i) not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to the company if publicly disclosed (this part of the rule is a change in procedure only, and is effective upon the rule’s publication in the Federal Register)

– Item 601(b)(10) will require only newly-reporting companies to file material contracts that were entered into within two years of the registration statement or report

– Item 601(a)(5) will no longer require companies to file attachments to material agreements, if the attachments don’t contain material information and aren’t otherwise disclosed

– Item 102 will require disclosure about physical properties only to the extent they’re material to the company

– Forms 8-K, 10-Q, 10-K, 20-F & 40-F will require companies to disclose on the cover page the national exchange or principal US market for their securities, the trading symbol, and the title of each class of securities

– “Incorporation by Reference” rules will no longer require companies to file as an exhibit any document or part thereof that’s incorporated by reference in a filing – but instead will require them to provide links to documents incorporated by reference

– Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 20-F & 40-F will require Inline XBRL tags on the cover page (this part of the rule has a three-year phase-in)

– Form 10-K will no longer have a checkbox to show delinquent Section 16 filers, the Item 405 heading to be used within the proxy is now “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” and the heading should be excluded altogether when there are no delinquencies to report

– Item 503 (risk factors) will become new Item 105 – and the list of example risk factors is being eliminated from the rule in order to emphasize that it’s principles-based

Business Development Companies: SEC Proposes Offering Reforms

Yesterday, the SEC proposed Securities Act amendments to streamline the offering process for business development companies and registered closed-end funds – by expanding the “WKSI” definition, among other things. Here’s the 361-page proposing release – we’ll be posting memos in our “Business Development Companies” Practice Area.

NYSE’s “eGovDirect” Decommissioned

According to a notice sent to listed companies, the NYSE is planning to decommission “eGovDirect” at the end of next week. Everything will be migrated to the exchange’s “Listing Manager” system. The “Listing Manager” will also be enhanced to allow submission of press releases and supplemental listing applications. Here’s more detail:

Current users of eGov, who do not have accounts on Listing Manager, will need to work with their Listing Manager administrator to obtain access to the new reporting platform. Alternatively, users can contact the NYSE at ListingManager@nyse.com or 212-656-4651 to request access – or to discuss any questions or concerns. Please note that eGov login credentials will not work on the new Listing Manager website.

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ME?

– If you have an interim written affirmation record in progress, you will have to complete the submission in eGov no later than a) the affirmation’s due date or b) by 5:00PM EST on March 29th (whichever is earlier)

– If you have an annual written affirmation record in progress, this will be migrated to Listing Manager as an open record. You will have the chance to complete your submission online once you obtain access to the website

– If you recently submitted your shareholder meeting dates in eGov, you do not have to re-enter the information in Listing Manager

– Previously completed written affirmations in eGov will not be available in Listing Manager, but a copy can be provided by an NYSE representative

– Liz Dunshee