Question: Is a registrant required to file a preliminary proxy statement in connection with a proposed corporate name change to be submitted for security holder approval at the annual meeting?

Answer: No. As set forth in Release No. 34-25217 (Dec. 21, 1987), the underlying purpose of the exclusions from the preliminary proxy filing requirement is "to relieve registrants and the Commission of unnecessary administrative burdens and preparation and processing costs associated with the filing and processing of proxy material that is currently subject to selective review procedures, but ordinarily is not selected for review in preliminary form." Consistent with this purpose, a change in the registrant's name, by itself, does not require the filing of a preliminary proxy statement. [May 11, 2018]

Question: How are "days" counted for purposes of the "10 calendar day" period in Rule 14a-6?

Answer: For purposes of calculating the “10 calendar day” period in Rule 14a-6, the date of filing is day one pursuant to Rule 14a-6(k). For example, if the preliminary proxy statement is filed on Friday, October 20, 2023, then Sunday, October 29, 2023, would be day ten for purposes of Rule 14a-6. The registrant may send the definitive proxy statement to security holders starting at 12:01 a.m. on October 30, 2023. The foregoing assumes that the preliminary proxy statement is submitted on or before 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on October 20, 2023. If the filing is submitted after 5:30 p.m., the 10-day period does not start until the next business day, which would be Monday, October 23, 2023. See Rule 13(a)(2) of Regulation S-T. [November 17, 2023]

Question: Can a registrant that filed a Form S-4 send proxy cards to its security holders upon the filing of a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus?

Answer: No, as Exchange Act Rule 14a-4(f) prohibits the delivery of proxy cards unless the security holders concurrently or previously received a definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission. Further, because a vote on the transaction described also would amount to a sale of the securities being registered, no proxy card can be sent until after the Form S-4 is declared effective and the final prospectus has been furnished to security holders. [May 11, 2018]

Question: A registrant files a registration statement on Form S-4 that contains its proxy statement disclosure pursuant to Instruction E.1 of Form S-4. After the effective date of the registration statement, the registrant sends an additional communication to security holders relating to the transaction. Does this communication need to be filed as other soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-6(b) no later than the date it is first sent or given to security holders?

Answer: Yes. Given the communication was sent after the furnishing of the definitive proxy statement, it should not be filed under Rule 14a-12. [May 11, 2018]

Question: Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(g)(1) requires that any person who engages in a solicitation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-2(b)(1) and beneficially owns over $5 million of the class of securities that is the subject of the solicitation to furnish or mail to the Commission a statement containing the information specified in the Notice of Exempt Solicitation (Exchange Act Rule 14a-103) no later than three days after the date the written solicitation is first sent or given to any security holder. Rule 14a-103 requires the soliciting party to attach only those written soliciting materials “required to be submitted” pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1). If a soliciting party is not subject to Rule 14a-6(g)(1), is it permitted to submit a Notice of Exempt Solicitation?

Answer: Although the requirements of Rule 14a-6(g)(1), including the submission of a Notice of Exempt Solicitation, only apply to a soliciting party who beneficially owns more than $5 million of the class of subject securities, the staff will not object to a voluntary submission of such a notice, provided that the written soliciting material is submitted under the cover of Notice of Exempt Solicitation as described in C&DI 126.07 and such cover notice clearly states that the notice is being provided on a voluntary basis. Doing so will make it clear to investors the nature of the submission and that it is being made on behalf of a soliciting party who does not beneficially own more than $5 million of the class of subject securities. [July 31, 2018]

Question: Rule 14a-6(g)(1) requires a Notice of Exempt Solicitation to contain the information specified in Rule 14a-103, including the name and address of the person relying on the exemption in Rule 14a-2(b)(1), and that the written soliciting material be attached to the notice. When submitting a Notice of Exempt Solicitation to the Commission electronically on EDGAR, can the written soliciting material appear in the notice before the Rule 14a-103 information is presented?

Answer: No. Rule 14a-103 is designed to be a “cover” to which previously disseminated written soliciting material is “attached.” See Rule 14a-103 (“Attach written material required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1).”); Release No. 34-31326 (Oct. 16, 1992)(noting that the written soliciting material must be submitted “under cover” of the Notice of Exempt Solicitation). Therefore, when submitting a notice on EDGAR, whether voluntarily or to satisfy the requirements of Rule 14a-6(g)(1), all of the information required by Rule 14a-103 must be presented in the submission before any written soliciting materials (including any logo or other graphics used by the soliciting party) are presented. To the extent that the notice itself is being used as a means of solicitation, the failure to present the Rule 14a-103 information in this manner may, depending upon the particular facts and circumstances, be misleading within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-9. [July 31, 2018]