This is true. It's just a smart move for them all the way around to begin this filing process. Besides opening doors like you said that might have stayed closed, it gives them much more credibility to be fully reporting.
Everyone, not just potential business partners, prefers to do business with a fully reporting company.
"Sort of" is such a harmless thing to say. "Sort of". It's just a filler. "Sort of" - It doesn't really mean anything. But after certain things, "sort of" means everything. Like after "I love you" or "You're going to live" or "It's a boy".