This article will cover how to update your platform to meet FINRA platform regulations. These are all requirements as set by FINRA.
For commonly asked questions from FINRA, see this article.
This article will cover:
- FINRA Rules List
- Update Public Landing Page
- Rule: 303(a)(4) - Make Offer Public
- Rule 302(a)(2) , 302(b) - Include Links to Education Materials in Welcome Email
- Rule 303(d), 303(f) - Customize the “Notice of Invested Commitment”
- Rule 303(c) - Add Q & A Section to Offer
- Rule 303(b) , 303(b)(1), 303(b)(2) - Add Income Verification to Investor Flow
- Rule 302(c) , 302(d) - Update the “Promoters' Compensation Disclosure”
FINRA Rules List
- Rule 303(a)(4)
- Rule 302(a)(1)
- Rule 302(a)(2)
- Rule 302(b)
- Rule 303(d),(f)
- Rule 303(c)
- Rule 303(b)
- Rule 303(b)(1)
- Rule 303(b)(2)
- Rule 302(c),(d)
Update Public Landing Page
How To:
- Select Platform from the left menu
- Click Settings
- Select Features
- Check the option for Marketplace
Rule: 303(a)(4) - Make Offer Public
How To:
- Select Platform from the left menu
- Click Settings
- Select Features
- Uncheck the Require Sign In to View Offers box
- Select Offers from the left menu
- Click into your offer
- Expand the Access menu
- Ensure that your offer status is Open and the visibility is Public
Rule 302(a)(1) - Acknowledge Electronic Delivery
How To:
Select Platform from the left menu
Click Forms
Use the pencil icon to edit an existing form
Click Add a New Field
Use the Field Type drop-down menu to select Acknowledgement
Toggle on the options for Account Signup and
Sample Acknowledgement Text:
By checking this box, I give my consent to receiving electronic delivery of information from the Portal. I understand that the Portal will email me my transaction receipts and other necessary information through the email I provided, which I can change anytime.
Rule 302(a)(2) , 302(b) - Include Links to Education Materials in Welcome Email
How To:
Select Engagement from the left menu
Click Email Templates
Click Account
Select New Sign Up
Edit the text of the email sent to new users, and include your links
Rule 303(d), 303(f) - Customize the “Notice of Invested Commitment”
How To:
Select Engagement from the left menu
Click Email Templates
Click Transactions
Select Transaction Created
Edit the text of the email sent when an investor makes a commitment, including confirmation that cancellation is possible up to 48 hours before the end date of the campaign
For sample text, please click here
Rule 303(c) - Add Q & A Section to Offer
How To:
Select Offers from the left menu
Click in to one of your offers
Choose Display from the left
Check the box to Enable Question & Answer Forum
Rule 303(b) , 303(b)(1), 303(b)(2) - Add Income Verification to Investor Flow
How To:
Select Offers from the left menu
Click in to one of your offers
Choose Investor Flow from the left
Click Add Investment Step
Choose Income Verification (Reg-CF) from the menu
Once this step is added, you will be prompted to add the required links to your Education Materials and Issuer Form C
If you have not yet filed a Form C at the time of your demo, you can include a link to the form: https://www.sec.gov/files/formc.pdf
You can add these links at any time by clicking on the gear icon next to Income Verification (Reg-CF)
Rule 302(c) , 302(d) - Update the “Promoters' Compensation Disclosure”
How To:
- Select Platform from the left menu
- Click Settings
- Select Themes
- Add text to the Investment Platform Disclaimer
Example addition if you are collecting fees:
The Site is compensated through investor transaction fees and success fees from issuing companies. We receive transaction fees from investors, and we receive percentage fees of gross proceeds of offerings from issuing companies, and a further percentage fees of gross proceeds of offerings in the form of equivalent offered securities.
NOTE: If you know the fee amount you will be charging issuers or investors, you may want to include the exact number in your disclaimer or in your FAQ section, as this has been requested by FINRA on several demos.
Adding the Income Verification (Reg-CF) step to the Investor Flow of an offer (above) will prompt the display of standard disclosures to investors prior to submission of payment.
If additional disclosures are required, they can be added to your Forms.
Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site without seeking legal or other professional advice.
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