Limitations on Margin Trading

Limitations on Margin Trading

Ultra Vires Acts

In most states, the duty of obedience is recognized as one of the three fiduciary duties a director owes to the corporation. One component of the duty of obedience is that a director is prohibited from committing an ultra vires act. Ultra vires, translated from the Latin, means "beyond powers." An ultra vires act is beyond the scope of the powers bestowed on the corporation (and the director) by the corporate charter or bylaws. Thus, a director commits an ultra vires act when he acts without or beyond the authority vested in him by the corporation.

Criminal Liability of Corporate Officers

Under Section 807 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Act),1 any person who knowingly commits securities fraud is subject to a hefty fine, a prison term of up to 25 years, or both. Section 807 does not criminalize securities laws violations for the first time; however, it does combine several existing laws so as to facilitate and streamline federal prosecutions. Section 807 does impose significantly harsher criminal penalties than the penalties prescribed under prior laws.

Continuity of Existence in Choosing a Form of Business Organization

Continuity of existence is an important factor in choosing the structure of a business. The value of a business when viewed as a continuing or "going" concern is likely to be considered higher than the same business if it is being dissolved and its value is being distributed.

The Rule 504 Exemption From Registration Requirements For Small Securities Offerings

Prior to offering and selling its stock to the public, a company normally must prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a detailed registration statement containing a prospectus with audited financial statements for distribution to potential purchasers and other information for review by Commission staff. However, there are exemptions from such registration requirements for certain categories of offerings that are small in value or sold to restricted categories of purchasers.