FINRA Issues Voluntary Interim Form for Crowdfunding Portals

Written by: Louis A. Bevilacqua

On January 10, 2013 the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) issued a voluntary Interim Form for funding portals (the “Interim Form”). The Interim Form is designed for prospective crowdfunding portals under the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), which was enacted on April 5, 2012. Title III of the JOBS Act, which relates to crowdfunding, requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and FINRA to promulgate rules before crowdfunding portals can commence operations. The Interim Form permits companies that intend to become funding portals under Title III of the JOBS Act to voluntarily submit to FINRA information regarding their business. FINRA expects that the information received will help it develop rules specific to crowdfunding portals.