Heads Up — SEC issues final rule to simplify disclosure requirements related to guarantors and collateralizations of securities
This Heads Up discusses SEC Final Rule Release No. 33-10762, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities (the “final rule”). The final rule simplifies the disclosure requirements related to certain registered securities under SEC Regulation S-X, Rules 3-10 and 3-16, which currently require separate financial statements for (1) subsidiary issuers and guarantors of registered debt securities unless certain exceptions are met and (2) affiliates that collateralize registered securities offerings if the affiliates’ securities are a substantial portion of the collateral. Under the final rule, alternative financial disclosures or narrative disclosures (referred to collectively as “Alternative Disclosures”) may be provided in lieu of separate financial statements of the guarantors or affiliates. The amendments in the final rule are generally effective for filings on or after January 4, 2021, with early application permitted.