Rule 147: The Intrastate Exemption Explained

Section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, Rule 147, the “intrastate offering exemption,” grants relief from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for securities that are offered and sold exclusively to individuals residing within a single State or Territory. To qualify for this exemption, the issuer of the security must be a resident or doing business within the same State or Territory.

The Purpose of Rule 147

To facilitate compliance with the Intrastate Exemption, the Securities Act introduced Rule 147. This rule serves as a safe harbor for offerings conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Intrastate Exemption. By adhering to Rule 147, issuers can ensure they meet the requirements to qualify for this exemption and avoid the burdensome process of registering their securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Requirements for Qualifying under Rule 147

In order to take advantage of the Intrastate Exemption through Rule 147, certain conditions must be met.

Geographical Limitations: The offering must be limited to individuals who reside within the same State or Territory where the issuer is a resident or conducts its business. This means that both the issuer and the purchasers of the securities must be residents of the same State.

Sales Limitations: The securities must be sold exclusively to residents of the State or Territory. Any sales to individuals residing outside the jurisdiction will disqualify the offering from the Intrastate Exemption.

Issuer Location: The issuer of the security must be a resident or conducting business within the same State or Territory as the offering. If the issuer is a corporation, it must be incorporated in and doing business within the relevant jurisdiction.

Integration: To maintain the exemption, the offering should not be integrated with any simultaneous offerings outside the State or Territory. In other words, the offering must be standalone and limited to the intrastate boundaries.

General Solicitation: The issuer must not engage in general solicitation or advertising to attract investors outside the State or Territory. The offering should be made through personal relationships or local channels that do not reach beyond the intrastate scope.

The Benefits of the Intrastate Exemption

The Intrastate Exemption and Rule 147 offer several advantages to issuers seeking to raise capital within a specific jurisdiction:

Exemption from Federal Registration: By complying with the requirements of Rule 147, issuers can avoid the lengthy and costly process of registering their securities with the SEC under the Securities Act.

Simplified Compliance: The Intrastate Exemption allows issuers to focus on state-level regulations, which are often less stringent and more tailored to local market dynamics. This simplifies the compliance process and reduces regulatory burdens.

Access to Local Investors: By limiting the offering to residents within the same State or Territory, issuers can tap into the local investor base and foster support from their community. This can be particularly advantageous for businesses with strong ties to their local markets.

Promoting Economic Development: The Intrastate Exemption encourages capital formation within individual states or territories, thereby stimulating local economic growth and fostering entrepreneurship at a regional level.

For more information, or to speak to a securities attorney, visit New York Securities Lawyer at www.securitieslawyer.us.