Form N-14: What It Is and How to Complete It

Whether you’re a company navigating the complexities of Form N-14 or simply interested in understanding this important filing, this guide will provide you with a thorough understanding of its purpose, the entities required to complete it, the step-by-step process, necessary supporting documents, submission procedures, and more. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the confidence to successfully navigate the Form N-14 filing process.

What is Form N-14

Form N-14 is a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) used by management investment companies and business development companies for registering certain types of transactions under the Securities Act of 1933. These transactions can include mergers where no vote or consent of the security holders of the company being acquired is required, exchange offers for securities, public reofferings or resales of securities acquired in a registered offering, or a combination of such transactions. It provides investors with crucial financial and company information to make informed investment decisions and aims to prevent misrepresentations and fraud in the sale of securities.

Who Needs to Complete Form N-14?

Form N-14 is required to be completed by management investment companies and business development companies, as defined under Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. These entities use Form N-14 to register certain types of transactions under the Securities Act of 1933, such as specific mergers, exchange offers, public reofferings or resales of securities, or a combination of these transactions. The form serves to provide investors with essential information about these financial activities and to ensure transparency and compliance with regulatory standards in the securities market.

How to Complete Form N-14

Filling out Form N-14 involves several steps, tailored to the specific transaction being registered. While I can’t access the form directly to provide step-by-step instructions, generally, entities filling out this form would include:

1. Identification of the Transaction: Clearly describe the type of transaction being registered (e.g., merger, exchange offer).
2. Company Information: Provide detailed information about the investment company and any other entities involved in the transaction.
3. Prospectus (Part A): This section should include a straightforward explanation of the fund or account, the transaction, the investment’s fee structure, risks, and information about both the registrant and the company being acquired.
4. Additional Information (Part B): This part contains further details about the registrant and the acquired company, including comprehensive financial statements.
5. Accuracy and Compliance: Ensure that all information provided is accurate and compliant with SEC regulations to avoid potential enforcement actions for misinformation or omissions.

It’s advisable for companies to consult with legal or financial advisors to ensure accurate and compliant completion of Form N-14, given its complexity and legal implications.

Documents Required for Form N-14

To complete Form N-14, various supporting documents are typically required, although the specific documents depend on the nature of the transaction being registered. Generally, these may include:

1. Financial Statements: Comprehensive financial statements of the companies involved in the transaction.
2. Details of the Transaction: Documents outlining the specifics of the transaction, like merger agreements, exchange offer details, etc.
3. Prospectus Information: Detailed information for the prospectus section, including descriptions of the fund or account, fee structures, risks, and other relevant data.
4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance Documents: Any documents that demonstrate compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

It’s important for entities filing Form N-14 to consult with legal and financial professionals to ensure that all necessary documents are accurately prepared and included.

Where to Submit Form N-14?

To submit Form N-14, the filing entity (typically a management investment company or business development company) needs to do the following:

1. Prepare the Form: Complete Form N-14 thoroughly, ensuring all information is accurate and all required sections and supporting documents are included.
2. Electronic Filing: The form must be filed electronically with the SEC. This is typically done through the EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system, which is the SEC’s electronic filing system.
3. Compliance Check: Before submission, it’s crucial to verify compliance with all relevant SEC regulations to avoid any legal issues or delays.
4. Submission: Once everything is in order, submit the form through EDGAR. After submission, Form N-14 becomes a public record and can be accessed by investors and other interested parties.

Entities are advised to consult with legal or financial advisors to ensure the form is correctly prepared and submitted.

Form N-14 Cost

Filing Form N-14 does not require a cost or filing fee. According to information from Stilt, there is no associated cost or filing fee for submitting Form N-14【46†source】. This is consistent with the broader approach of the SEC to modernize its filing fee rules and payment methods for various securities transactions, including those involving Form N-14. The SEC’s amendments, effective January 31, 2022, updated the methods for filing fee payments, allowing for payments via Automated Clearing House (ACH), debit cards, and credit cards, while eliminating the option for payments by paper checks and money orders.

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Final Thoughts

Form N-14 is a vital tool for management investment companies and business development companies to register certain types of transactions. By providing crucial information to investors and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, Form N-14 promotes transparency and prevents fraud in the sale of securities. Accurate completion of the form and consultation with legal and financial professionals are essential for successful navigation. With the information in this guide, entities can better understand and fulfill their obligations when filing Form N-14.

SEC Form N-14 FAQ

What is Form N-14?

Form N-14 is a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) used by management investment companies and business development companies. It’s utilized to register certain types of transactions under the Securities Act of 1933, including mergers, exchange offers, and public reofferings of securities.

Who needs to file Form N-14?

Management investment companies and business development companies, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are required to file Form N-14 for certain types of transactions.

What types of transactions require Form N-14?

Transactions that require Form N-14 include mergers where no security holder vote is needed, exchange offers for securities, public reofferings or resales of securities acquired in a registered offering, or combinations of these transactions.

What information is included in Form N-14?

Form N-14 includes a prospectus with details about the fund or account involved in the transaction, investment fee structures, risks, information about the registrant and the company being acquired, and financial statements.

Is there a cost associated with filing Form N-14?

No, there is no cost or filing fee associated with filing Form N-14.

How is Form N-14 submitted?

Form N-14 is submitted electronically through the SEC’s EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system.

What are the consequences of inaccurate information in Form N-14?

Inaccurate information in Form N-14 can lead to enforcement actions by the SEC against the filing company, and investors who suffer losses due to inaccurate filings may be able to recover some of those losses.

Can the public access Form N-14?

Yes, once filed, Form N-14 becomes a public record and is accessible through the EDGAR database.

Are there exemptions to filing Form N-14?

Yes, certain securities offerings are exempt from filing requirements, such as private offerings to limited numbers of investors, intrastate offerings, small offerings, and government offerings.

Who should be consulted before filing Form N-14?

It’s advisable to consult legal and financial advisors to ensure accurate preparation and compliance with SEC regulations when filing Form N-14.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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