House Approves Several Bills Expanding Investment Opportunities

Posted on June 6th, 2023 at 10:52 AM
House Approves Several Bills Expanding Investment Opportunities

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The full House has passed the Equal Opportunity for All Investors Act of 2023, which among other things would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to devise a test for investors to be certified as accredited investors.

Currently, the accredited investor definition imposes wealth threshold requirements to determine who qualifies as an accredited investor. Those thresholds have served as a means of safeguarding investors by ensuring that only individuals or entities with sufficient financial resources and knowledge can participate in certain investment opportunities.

The SEC defines an accredited investor as an individual with a net worth of at least $1 million (excluding their primary residence) or an annual income of $200,000 ($300,000 for married couples) for the past two years with a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year. According to ThinkAdvisor, the exam will be established by the SEC and administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Just yesterday, the full House passed two more accredited investor-related bills. The Accredited Investor Definition Review Act updates the list of certifications that an investor must satisfy to qualify as an accredited investor. Additionally, the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act, sponsored by Rep. French Hill, R-Ariz., expands the accredited investor definition, “thereby increasing the pool of investors for small and emerging companies in need of capital — especially minority entrepreneurs who often struggle to secure funding — and providing more Americans with additional investment opportunities”, according to Hill.

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: House, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, FINRA

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I cannot thank you enough for your efforts. You have proven to be a valuable resource.

Jim T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 18, 2025
Former FINRA Brokers with Misconduct Histories Flock to Insurance Industry, According to Recent Study

A recent academic study reveals that thousands of brokers expelled from the securities industry for misconduct nonetheless continue to operate under state insurance licenses, often selling annuities and other financial products to unsuspecting clients.

November 17, 2025
FINRA Launches Targeted Probe into Small-Cap Foreign IPO Underwriters

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has launched a targeted investigation into broker-dealer firms that helped small foreign companies go public in the U.S., marking its latest move to combat pump-and-dump schemes.

November 14, 2025
FINRA Bars Former Edward Jones Broker in Crypto-Related Investigation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred former Edward Jones representative Robert David Bienvenu for refusing to provide requested information and documents related to outside accounts and investments.