well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI) (2024)

Well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI) is a category of issuer which allowsgreater flexibility in accessing U.S. public markets.

Qualification as a well-known seasoned issuer

For an issuer to qualify as a WKSI, they must satisfy the three requirements of SEC Rule 405:

  1. The issuer must meet the requirements of Form S-3. This essentially requires that the issuer has (a) timely filed periodic reports for 12 calendar months and (b) not defaulted on any indebtedness or long-term leases.
  2. The issuer has (a) over $700 million in public float and (b) issued more than $1 billion in principal of non-convertible debt securities in primary offerings.
  3. The issuer is not an “ineligible issuer.” An issuer can be ineligible by, among other things, failing to meet their periodic reporting requirements, being a shell company, having filed for bankruptcy recently, or having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

Benefits to qualifying as a well-known seasoned issuer

WKSIs are subject to fewer gun-jumping regulations. Rule 163 of the Securities Act allows WKSIs to make oral offers and free writing prospectuses during the pre-filing period.

Another major benefit of qualifying as a well-known seasoned issuer is they qualify for “automatic shelf registration,” meaning that their shelf offerings are immediately effective upon filing their Form S-3, since their shelf registration statements are not subject to SEC review. For shelf offerings, WKSIs do not need to disclose as much detail in their base prospectuses. For example, they do not need to specify the amount of securities they plan to sell or name selling shareholders.

[Last updated in February of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]

well-known seasoned issuer (WKSI) (2024)

FAQs

Who is a well-known seasoned issuer? ›

To qualify as a WKSI, a company must have timely filed periodic reports for 12 months, not defaulted on any debts or long-term leases, have over $700 million in public float, and have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities in primary offerings.

How to know if a company is a WKSI? ›

Qualification as a well-known seasoned issuer
  1. The issuer must meet the requirements of Form S-3. ...
  2. The issuer has (a) over $700 million in public float and (b) issued more than $1 billion in principal of non-convertible debt securities in primary offerings.

What is the rule 405 well known seasoned issuer? ›

Under Securities Act Rule 405, a WKSI is an issuer that meets the registrant requirements of Form S-3 or Form F-3 and either: (1) “as of a date within 60 days of determination date, has a worldwide market value of its outstanding voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more”; or (2 ...

How to lose WKSI status? ›

Expiring Shelf Registration and Loss of WKSI status. If at the time of filing a replacement shelf due to the expiration of the existing shelf, a company's public float has decreased to the point it will no longer be considered a WKSI, the company can continue to use the expiring automatic shelf for a grace period.

What does seasoned issuer mean? ›

A seasoned issuer is any issuer that is eligible to use a Form S-3 or Form F-3 to register primary offerings. [Last updated in February of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team] ACADEMIC TOPICS. law and economics.

What is your issuer name? ›

The credit card issuing bank or issuer, as the term goes, refers to the banks that issue credit cards. The name of the bank which issued your card can usually be found displayed prominently on the front of your credit card.

What is Rule 405 law? ›

a person acted in conformity with his or her character, Rule 405. allows proof of character only by reputation and opinion," and. not through specific instances of conduct.24. In United States v.

What is the rule 405 of the SEC? ›

Under clause (2) of the definition of ineligible issuer in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, an issuer shall not be an ineligible issuer if the Commission determines, upon a showing of good cause, that it is not necessary under the circ*mstances that the issuer be considered an ineligible issuer.

What is the rule 405 of Regulation ST? ›

Question: Under Rule 405(a)(2) of Regulation S-T, a filer may submit its first Interactive Data File (or first Interactive Data File containing or required to contain, whichever first occurs, detail-tagged footnotes or schedules) within a 30-day grace period by amending the form to which the interactive data relates — ...

What is the determination date for WKSI? ›

One of the requirements for WKSI status that many companies attempt to satisfy is having common equity public float of at least $700 million as of a “determination date.” In the context of filing a 10-K, the determination date is any date within 60 days prior to the filing of its 10-K.

What is an ineligible issuer? ›

The issuers who fall into this ignominious class include issuers that have failed to file required reports during the preceding 12 months; shell or “blank check” companies (defined as development stage companies with no specific business plan) and issuers of penny stock;\ issuers that have declared bankruptcy; and ...

Why would a firm use rule 415? ›

Rule 415 of the Securities Act, however, provides, “securities may be registered for an offering to be made on a continuous or delayed basis in the future.” That is, Rule 415 creates a carve-out from Section 5's requirement that issuers must file a registration statement to offer securities by allowing issuers to offer ...

What is an issuer example? ›

Examples of issuers include; Government which issues securities in the form of bonds. In this, light government securities are used in various investment products availed by a government body.

Who is the issuer company? ›

An issuer is a legal entity that develops, registers and sells securities to finance its operations. Issuers may be corporations, investment trusts, or domestic or foreign governments. Issuers make available securities such as equity shares, bonds, and warrants.

Which of the following is an example of an issuer? ›

An Issuer is a bank or financial institution which provides debit, credit, and prepaid cards to consumers on behalf of payment card schemes. Typical payment card schemes include Visa and Mastercard, for example.

What is an example of a stock issuer? ›

For example, AirBnB's initial public offering (IPO) is an example of an issuer transaction occurring in the primary market. The company raised $3.5 billion after selling over 50 million shares to the public. Once AirBnB's stock was sold in the IPO, its shares began trading in the secondary market between investors.

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