<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 9, 1998
Registration No.
_____________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________
FORM 8-A
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 If this form relates to the
registration of a class of registration of a class of
securities pursuant to securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act and is effective pursuant Act and is effective pursuant
to General Instruction A.(c), to General Instruction A.(c),
please check the following box: [ ] please check the following box. [x]
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
333-4371
(If Applicable)
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
- ------------------- ------------------------------
Not applicable Not applicable
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Stock Purchase Warrants
(Title of class)
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities To Be Registered
-------------------------------------------------------
The title of the securities of NovaStar Financial, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (the "Registrant"), being registered hereby are Stock
Purchase Warrants ("Warrants"), exercisable pursuant to a Warrant
Agreement, dated December 9, 1996 (the "Warrant Agreement"), by and
between the Registrant and the initial purchasers of the Warrants, such
Warrants exercisable at a price of $15.00 for a like number of
underlying shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share.
A description of the Warrants is contained in the Registrant's
Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b), (in connection with its Shelf
Registration Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Registration No. 333-43471), under the captions "Prospectus
Summary" and "Description of Warrants," which description is
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
3.2* Articles Supplementary of the Registrant
3.3* Bylaws of the Registrant
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
4.4* Specimen Warrant Certificate (included in Exhibit 10.3)
10.2* Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 9, 1996
10.3* Warrant Agreement, dated December 9, 1996 between the
Registrant and the Holders of the Warrants Acting Through the
Registrant as the Initial Warrant Agent (including Specimen
Warrant Certificate)
______________________________
* Incorporated by reference to the correspondingly numbered
exhibit to (i) a Registration Statement on Form S-11, as
amended, Registration No. 333-32327, and (ii) the Shelf
Registration Statement on Form S-11, as amended, Registration
No. 333-43471.
<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: March 9, 1998
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
3.2* Articles Supplementary of the Registrant
3.3* Bylaws of the Registrant
4.3* Specimen Common Stock Certificate
4.4* Specimen Warrant Certificate (included in Exhibit 10.3)
10.2* Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 9, 1996
10.3* Warrant Agreement, dated December 9, 1996 between the Registrant
and the Holders of the Warrants Acting Through the Registrant as
the Initial Warrant Agent (including Specimen Warrant Certificate)
______________________________
* Incorporated by reference to the correspondingly numbered exhibit to
(i) a Registration Statement on Form S-11, as amended, Registration
No. 333-32327, and (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-11,
as amended, Registration No. 333-43471.