Legal Update / 24.04.2014
Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013
A recently issued SEC no-action letter provides further clarity on the applicability of broker-dealer registration requirements to merger and acquisition brokers (M&A brokers). The no-action letter is issued as Congress considers legislation to exempt certain M&A brokers from broker-dealer registration requirements. The Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013 amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow M&A brokers who perform services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by filing an electronic notice.