The staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (the “Division”) issued a new statement (the “Staff Statement”) on May 27, 2020, addressing the intersection between state control share acquisition statutes and the voting requirements contained in section 18(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). The Staff Statement effectively replaces a
Enforcement
SEC Proposes New Valuation Rule for Registered Investment Companies
On April 21, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) proposed new Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to address valuation practices of registered investment companies. According to the SEC, the Proposed Rule is necessary due to major technological and regulatory changes since the last time the SEC proposed comprehensive valuation…
SEC Maintains Focus on Implementing Regulations BI and Form CRS
Despite the disruptive effect of COVID-19, the SEC does not intend to extend the effective dates for compliance with Reg. BI and Form CRS. In addition, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations recently announced its intention to begin examinations of registrants’ implementation of these new regulations. Such examinations are expected to occur during…
SEC Provides No-Action Relief for Broker-Dealer Sweep Programs
On March 30, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a no-action letter stating that the staff of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets would not recommend enforcement actions against broker-dealers that treat unsecured receivables related to bank sweep accounts as an allowable asset that is not deducted from net worth…
SEC Extends Prior Relief Granted to Investment Advisers and Registered Funds
On March 25, 2020, the SEC issued exemptive orders replacing prior orders granting temporary relief from certain provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). The SEC said that it has been monitoring developments related to the effect that COVID-19 and related…
SEC Provides Interfund Lending Relief to Registered Investment Companies Affected by COVID-19
On March 23, 2020, in response to business disruptions caused by the spread of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an exemptive order (the “Order”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) granting registered investment companies and insurance company separate accounts registered as…
OCIE and Enforcement Staff Continue to Operate in Remote Environment
On March 23, 2020, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) announced that it will conduct its examinations of SEC registrants through correspondence, unless it is absolutely necessary to be on-site. On the same day, the co-directors of the Division of Enforcement issued a statement underscoring the importance of maintaining and following corporate…