Which method allows a corporation to sell securities to the public without using an investment banking firm?

The method that allows a corporation to sell securities to the public without the involvement of an investment banking firm is a direct sale. In this approach, the company takes on the responsibility of marketing and selling its own securities directly to investors, often using its own resources or through digital platforms. This process can save the company on underwriting fees and can simplify the transaction, as it bypasses intermediaries that are typically involved in the sale.

Private placements involve selling securities directly to a select group of investors, typically institutional ones, and do not involve a public offering. An initial public offering (IPO) is when a company first offers its shares to the public with the assistance of an investment bank. An underwritten offering is where an investment bank buys the securities from the issuer and then sells them to the public, often guaranteeing a certain amount of capital to the issuing firm. These methods contrast with a direct sale, focusing on public outreach without the intermediary service of an investment banking firm.