CSA proposes streamlined rights offerings exemption

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has published for comment proposed amendments that would create a streamlined prospectus exemption for rights offerings by reporting issuers.

Read: How regulators catch trading errors

“Although rights offerings can be one of the fairest ways for issuers to raise capital, in that they allow all existing investors to participate on a pro rata basis, they are seldom used because of the time and costs associated with them,” said Bill Rice, chair of the CSA and chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. “The proposed exemption is designed to make rights offerings more attractive to reporting issuers by decreasing both the time and costs involved.”

Read: CSA releases Fund Facts mock-up for investors

One of the key proposals is to remove the current regulatory review process prior to use of the rights offering circular. The CSA anticipates this will significantly decrease the amount of time it takes to conduct an offering. The CSA also proposes increased investor protection through the addition of civil liability for secondary market disclosure, and the introduction of a more user-friendly form of rights offering circular document.

The proposed amendments would also update other rights offering requirements and repeal the prospectus exemption for rights offerings by non-reporting issuers.

The CSA notice and proposed amendments are available on CSA members’ websites. The comment period is open until February 25, 2015.

Read: Time to end CSI monopoly: IIAC

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.