Finders
Instead of using a placement agent, issuers may opt to employ a finder to locate potential investors. Finders may be registered broker-dealers, but usually they are not. Finders are not required to be registered broker-dealers, as long as they limit their activities to introducing prospective investors to an issuer. Finders cannot by law promote or recommend securities to a prospective investor, develop terms, or negotiate for either the issuer or investor. Moreover, they must base their compensation on either a flat fee or a percentage fee that is not contingent on the closing of a securities sale. Companies generally prefer to employ a placement agent although finders may be more willing to work with younger, smaller companies. Issuers are required to disclose any finder’s fees.
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