Federal Regulation of Corporate Takeover Bids or Tender Offers

Traditionally, proxies of shareholders of corporate takeover targets were sought for votes in favor of the takeover. Rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the content of proxies so that shareholders were able to make an informed decision provided some protection for shareholders.

Record Retention Requirements for Securities Brokers and Dealers

Brokers and dealers engaging in securities transactions are required to maintain various records for varying periods under Securities and Exchange Commission rules. For example, "blotters" reflecting all purchases and sales of securities must be retained for six years. Copies of sale or purchase confirmations must be kept in an easily accessible place for two years and then for an additional year thereafter.

Bonds

Bonds are debt securities issued by governments, corporations, and other entities. In return for the loan of money to the issuer represented by the bond, the issuer promises to pay a set rate of interest over the life of the bond and then pay back the principal or face value of the bond to the investor when the bond matures or becomes due.

Business Judgment Rule

The business judgment rule protects a director(s) from personal liability if he or she has performed diligently and carefully in legitimate furtherance of corporate objectives and purposes and has not acted fraudulently, illegally, or otherwise in bad faith. The business judgment rule may be codified, but it is largely a matter of judicial interpretation and application. The business judgment rule is frequently invoked in shareholder damage suits against a director or board of directors. Courts generally acknowledge that the business judgment rule either does or may apply to corporate officers.

Premerger Second Requests for Information

Parties to mergers or acquisitions involving sales or assets of $100 million or meeting other threshold levels must report their planned merger or acquisition to the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission and wait for 30 days (15 days in the case of a cash tender offer or a bankruptcy sale) following the report before completing the transaction. That waiting period allows the Department or the Commission time to review the transaction for its potential effect on competition before deciding what enforcement action, if any, will be taken.