Vermont investors have rights and protections under numerous laws and regulations.
The Vermont Uniform Securities Act (VUSA) is the state law that regulates the sale of securities in Vermont. It is administered by the Vermont Division of Securities, which is part of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation.
The VUSA is designed to protect investors from fraud and to ensure that investors have access to accurate information about the securities they are considering purchasing.
The VUSA requires that all securities offered for sale in Vermont be registered with the Division of Securities, unless the securities or transactions are exempt. Exempt securities include:
Securities issued by the United States or the state of Vermont
Securities issued by certain banks and other financial institutions
Securities issued by certain non-profit organizations
Securities offered in certain private transactions
The VUSA also requires that all broker-dealers, agents, and investment advisers who offer or sell securities in Vermont be registered with the Division of Securities.
Some of the key provisions of the VUSA include:
Registration of securities: All securities offered for sale in Vermont must be registered with the Division of Securities, unless the securities or transactions are exempt.
Registration of broker-dealers, agents, and investment advisers: All broker-dealers, agents, and investment advisers who offer or sell securities in Vermont must be registered with the Division of Securities.
Anti-fraud provisions: The VUSA prohibits fraud and other unfair practices in the sale of securities.
Enforcement: The Division of Securities is responsible for enforcing the VUSA. The Division can investigate alleged violations of the law and take enforcement actions, such as issuing cease-and-desist orders and imposing fines.
Here are some tips for investors who are considering investing in securities in Vermont:
Make sure the broker-dealer and investment adviser are registered with the Vermont Division of Securities. You can check the Division's website to see if a broker-dealer or investment adviser is registered.
Make sure the securities are registered with the Vermont Division of Securities. You can check the Division's website to see if a security is registered.
Get a copy of the prospectus for the security before you invest. The prospectus is a document that contains important information about the security, such as the risks involved in the investment.
Vermont investors have addition rights and protections under the following federal securities laws and regulations:
If you have any questions about securities laws or about investing in securities in Vermont, contact our law firm to discuss.