letter

SEC Custody Rule No-Action Letter

On July 21, the SEC provided no-action relief under Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to investment advisers that for purposes of compliance with Rule 206(4)-2 (the “Custody Rule”), engage auditors for broker-dealers to: (i) perform surprise examinations required by the Custody Rule; (ii) prepare internal control reports; or (iii) audit the financial statements of a pooled investment vehicle. This no-action relief will expire upon the earlier of the approval of a permanent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board inspection program for broker-dealer auditors or December 13, 2013. SEC No-Action Letter.

SEC Division of Investment Management Letter to the North American Securities Administrators Association Indicates Possibility of Extension to Private Fund Adviser Registration Deadline Under the Dodd-Frank Act

On April 8, 2011, the Division of Investment Management of the SEC issued a letter to the North American Securities Administrators Association stating that the Division anticipates that by July 21, 2011 the SEC will complete its rulemaking implementing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act requiring the withdrawal of registration of certain “mid-sized advisers” and providing new exemptions for advisers that have relied upon Section 203(b)(3) of the Advisers Act, but expects in connection therewith that the SEC will “consider providing additional time for investment advisers affected . . . to come into compliance” until the first quarter of 2012. Letter.