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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 1.1Ch. 6§ 1200 Security Sale Definitions

§ 1200 Security Sale Definitions

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1200 Security Sale Definitions

This law explains what words like "offer," "sale," and "security" mean in the securities chapter and gives a special rule for certain bank stock dividends.

Key Takeaways

  • •An "offer" means trying to sell or ask to buy a security for value.
  • •A "sale" includes any contract to sell, exchange, or change rights related to a security.
  • •A "security" covers stocks, warrants, options, and similar instruments.
  • •A bank's stock dividend that only adds more of the same common stock isn’t treated as a sale if the bank has no other voting stock and follows the commissioner's conditions.

Example

A local bank gives extra shares to its current shareholders as a dividend, but only in the same type of common stock they already own.

Because the bank has only one class of voting stock and the dividend follows the conditions set by the commissioner, the extra shares are not considered a "sale" of a security under this rule.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1200 Security Sale Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this chapter: (a) “Offer” or “offer to sell” includes every attempt or offer to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a security for value. (b) “Sale” or “sell” includes every contract of sale of, contract to sell, or disposition of, a security for value. “Sale” or “sell” includes any exchange of securities and any change in the rights, preferences, privileges, or restrictions of or on outstanding securities. (c) “Security” means any stock, capital note, or debenture, or any warrant, right, or option to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing. (d) The terms defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) do not include any stock dividend payable with respect to common stock of a bank solely (except for any cash or scrip paid for fractional shares) in shares of such common stock, if such bank has no other class of voting stock outstanding, provided that shares issued in any such dividend shall be subject to any conditions previously imposed by the commissioner applicable to the shares with respect to which they are issued. (Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 243, Sec. 3. (SB 664) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

Offeroffer to sellSalesellSecurity

Related Statutes

  • § 18427 Security Sale Definitions
  • § 1201 Bank Security Sale Permits
  • § 1202 Bank Securities Offer Exemptions
  • § 1203 Permit Application Requirements
  • § 1204 Securities Permit Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 1200.
View Official Source