<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on October 14, 1997
Registration No. 000-22897
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
--------------------
FORM 8-A/A Amendment No. 4
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
------------------------
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland 48-1190054
-------- ----------
(State of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1900 West 47th Place, Suite 205
Westwood, Kansas 66205
---------------- -----
(Address of principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
If this Form relates to the registration If this Form relates to the regis-
of a class of debt securities and is tration of a class of debt
effective upon filing pursuant to General securities and is to become
Instruction A(c)(1) please check the effective simultaneously with the
following box. [_] effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to
General Instruction A(c)(2) please
check the following box [_]
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
- - ------------------- ------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share New York Stock Exchange
- - -------------------------------------- -----------------------
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Not applicable
(Title of class)
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities To Be Registered
-------------------------------------------------------
The title of the common stock of the Registrant being
registered hereby is Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"). The description of the Common Stock is
contained in the Registrant's Amendment No. 4 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-11 being filed concurrently
herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under
the captions "Prospectus Summary," "Description of Capital
Stock" and "Federal Income Tax Considerations," which
description is hereby incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
Item 2. Exhibits
Instruments defining the rights of holders of the securities
being registered hereunder:
3.1* Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the
Registrant.
3.3* Bylaws of the Registrant.
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
- - -----------------------------------
* Previously filed and incorporated by reference
to the correspondingly numbered exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-11
(333-32327) filed by the Registrant with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 14, 1997
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
By: /s/ Mark J. Kohlrus
--------------------
Mark J. Kohlrus
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
3.1* Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant.
3.3* Bylaws of the Registrant.
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
- - ----------------------
* Previously filed and incorporated by reference to the correspondingly
numbered exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 (333-32327)
filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
