|
Final Rule:
|
Hours | Cost | |
Rule 154 | 17,745 | NA |
Rule 30d-1 | 710,030 | $221,972,250 |
Rule 30d-2 | 77,077 | $7,644,000 |
Rule 14A | 553,948 | NA |
Rule 14C | 14,162 | NA |
The information collection requirements imposed by the new rule and rule amendments are required for those issuers or broker-dealers that decide to rely on the rule to obtain the benefit of sending fewer documents to each household. Those issuers or broker-dealers that decide not to obtain that benefit are not required to rely on the rule. Responses to the collection of information will not be kept confidential.
The Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis ("FRFA") in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 604 relating to the adopted rule and amendments. A summary of the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis ("IRFA"), which was prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603, was published in the Proposing Release. No comments were received on the IRFA.
The FRFA discusses the need for, and objectives of, new rule 154 and the amendments to rules 14a-3, 14c-3, 14c-7, 30d-1, and 30d-2. The FRFA states that duplicate copies of prospectuses and shareholder reports are often mailed to a household if more than one investor in the household owns the same security. The new rule and amendments are designed to reduce the number of duplicate documents delivered to investors by permitting the delivery of one prospectus or shareholder report to two or more investors who share an address.
The FRFA provides descriptions and estimates of the number of small entities to which the rules will apply. The term "small business" or "small organization" (collectively, "small entity"), when used with reference to an issuer other than a fund, is defined by rule 157 under the Securities Act to include an issuer that, on the last day of its most recent fiscal year, had total assets of $5 million or less and is engaged or proposing to engage in small business financing.41 Most of these small issuers can conduct their offerings under Regulation A, which exempts offerings from the registration requirements of the Securities Act if the sum of all cash and other consideration to be received for the securities does not exceed $5 million subject to a number of conditions.42 These issuers do not need to deliver prospectuses. Thus, the Commission estimates that among issuers other than registered investment companies, very few small issuers, as defined in rule 157 under the Securities Act, will be affected by rule 154.
As defined in rule 157, a fund generally is a small entity if it has net assets of $50 million or less as of the end of its most recent fiscal year.43 The Commission staff estimates that there are approximately (i) 2,900 active open-end funds, of which 475 are small entities, (ii) 678 active closed-end funds, of which 115 are small entities, and (iii) 745 active registered UITs, about 81 of which are small entities. Closed-end funds and UITs will be affected by rule 154 only when they are offering their shares.
A broker-dealer generally is a small entity if it has total capital (i.e., net worth plus subordinated liabilities) of less than $500,000 in its prior audited financial statements or, if it is not required to file such statements, on the last business day of the preceding fiscal year.44 The delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports is likely to be handled only by broker-dealers that carry public customer accounts. The Commission staff estimates that as of year-end 1998, broker-dealers carrying public customer accounts numbered approximately 300 firms, 40 of which were small businesses.
Rule 30d-1 applies to management funds (i.e., open-end and closed-end funds). The staff estimates that out of approximately 3,515 active management funds, approximately 587 are considered small entities.45 Rule 30d-2 applies to registered UITs, substantially all the assets of which consist of securities issued by a management investment company. The staff estimates that out of approximately 637 registered UITs that are subject to rule 30d-2, approximately 19 are considered small entities.
Rules 14a-3, 14c-3 and 14c-7 apply to companies that are subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements. Rule 0-10 under the Exchange Act defines the term "small business" as a company whose total assets on the last day of its most recent fiscal year were $5 million or less.46 There are approximately 815 reporting companies that have assets of $5 million or less.
Persons who rely on the rules would be required to obtain investors' written or implied consent before householding documents. Investors householded with implied consent must receive a notice 60 days in advance notifying them that their documents will be householded unless the person relying on the rule receives contrary instructions. The rule also requires that if householding is done with investors' implied consent the investors must have the same last name or be reasonably believed to be members of the same family, and the address must be a post office box or a street address reasonably believed to be a residence.
The FRFA states that in adopting the amendments, the Commission considered: (i) the establishment of differing compliance requirements that take into account the resources available to small entities; (ii) simplification of the rule's requirements for small entities; (iii)the use of performance rather than design standards; and (iv) an exemption from the rules for small entities. The FRFA states that we concluded that different requirements for small entities would be inconsistent with investor protection.
The FRFA is available for public inspection in File No. S7-27-97, and a copy may be obtained by contacting Marilyn Mann, Senior Counsel, at (202) 942-0690, Office of Regulatory Policy, Division of Investment Management, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0506.
The Commission is adopting rule 154 under the authority set forth in section 19(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. 77s(a)]. The Commission is adopting amendments to rules
30d-1 and 30d-2 under the authority set forth in section 30(e) and 38(a) of the Investment Company Act [15 U.S.C. 80a-29(e) and 80a-37(a)], and amendments to rules 14a-3, 14c-3, and 14c-7 under the authority set forth in sections 12, 14 and 23(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. 78l, 78n and 78w(a)].
List of Subjects
17 CFR Parts 230 and 270
Investment companies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
17 CFR Part 240
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 17, Chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 230 - GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
1. The authority citation for Part 230 continues to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77b, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77r, 77s, 77sss, 78c, 78d, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78w, 78ll(d), 79t, 80a-8, 80a-24, 80a-28, 80a-29, 80a-30, and 80a-37, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *
2. Section 230.154 is added to read as follows:
§ 230.154 Delivery of prospectuses to investors at the same address.
(a) Delivery of a single prospectus. If you must deliver a prospectus under the federal securities laws, for purposes of sections 5(b) and 2(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b) and 77b(a)(10)) or § 240.15c2-8(b) of this chapter, you will be considered to have delivered a prospectus to investors who share an address if:
(1) You deliver a prospectus to the shared address;
(2) You address the prospectus to the investors as a group (for example, "ABC Fund [or Corporation] Shareholders," "Jane Doe and Household," "The Smith Family") or to each of the investors individually (for example, "John Doe and Richard Jones"); and
(3) The investors consent in writing to delivery of one prospectus.
(b) Implied consent. You do not need to obtain written consent from an investor under paragraph (a)(3) of this section if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The investor has the same last name as the other investors, or you reasonably believe that the investors are members of the same family;
(2) You have sent the investor a notice at least 60 days before you begin to rely on this section concerning delivery of prospectuses to that investor. The notice must be a separate written statement and:
(i) State that only one prospectus will be delivered to the shared address unless you receive contrary instructions;
(ii) Include a toll-free telephone number or be accompanied by a reply form that is pre-addressed with postage provided, that the investor can use to notify you that he or she wishes to receive a separate prospectus;
(iii) State the duration of the consent;
(iv) Explain how an investor can revoke consent;
(v) State that you will begin sending individual copies to an investor within 30 days after you receive revocation of the investor's consent; and
(vi) Contain the following prominent statement, or similar clear and understandable statement, in bold-face type: "Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents." This statement also must appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered. Alternatively, if the notice is delivered separately from other communications to investors, this statement may appear either on the notice or on the envelope in which the notice is delivered;
NOTE to § 230.154(b)(2): The notice should be written in plain English. See §230.421(d)(2) of this chapter for a discussion of plain English principles.
(3) You have not received the reply form or other notification indicating that the investor wishes to continue to receive an individual copy of the prospectus, within 60 days after you sent the notice; and
(4) You deliver the prospectus to a post office box or to a residential street address. You can assume a street address is a residence unless you have information that indicates it is a business.
(c) Revocation of consent. If an investor, orally or in writing, revokes consent to delivery of one prospectus to a shared address (provided under paragraphs (a)(3) or (b) of this section), you must begin sending individual copies to that investor within 30 days after you receive the revocation. If the individual's consent concerns delivery of the prospectus of a registered open-end management investment company, at least once a year you must explain to investors who have consented how they can revoke their consent. The explanation must be reasonably designed to reach these investors.
(d) Definition of address. For purposes of this section, address means a street address, a post office box number, an electronic mail address, a facsimile telephone number, or other similar destination to which paper or electronic documents are delivered, unless otherwise provided in this section. If you have reason to believe that an address is the street address of a multi-unit building, the address must include the unit number.
(e) Exclusion of some prospectuses. This section does not apply to the delivery of a prospectus filed as part of a registration statement on Form N-14 (17 CFR 239.23), Form S-4 (17 CFR 239.25) or Form F-4 (17 CFR 239.34), or to the delivery of any other prospectus in connection with a business combination transaction, exchange offer or reclassification of securities.
PART 240 - GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
3. The authority citation for Part 240 continues to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77z-2, 77eee, 77ggg, 77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78d, 78f, 78i, 78j, 78j-1, 78k, 78k-1, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78p, 78q, 78s, 78u-5, 78w, 78x, 78ll(d), 78mm, 79q, 79t, 80a-20, 80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-37, 80b-3, 80b-4 and 80b-11, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *
4. Section 240.14a-3 is amended by revising paragraph (e)(1) and the introductory text of paragraph (e)(2) to read as follows:
§ 240.14a-3 Information to be furnished to security holders.
* * * * *
(e)(1)(i) A registrant will be considered to have delivered an annual report to security holders of record who share an address if:
(A) The registrant delivers an annual report to the shared address;
(B) The registrant addresses the prospectus to the security holders a group (for example, "ABC Fund [or Corporation] Shareholders," "Jane Doe and Household," "The Smith Family") or to each of the security holders individually (for example, "John Doe and Richard Jones"); and
(C) The security holders consent in writing to delivery of one annual report.
(ii) Implied consent. The registrant need not obtain written consent from a security holder under paragraph (e)(1)(i)(C) of this section if all of the following conditions are met:
(A) The security holder has the same last name as the other security holders, or the registrant reasonably believes that the security holders are members of the same family;
(B) The registrant has sent the security holder a notice at least 60 days before the registrant begins to rely on this section concerning delivery of annual reports to that security holder. The notice must:
(1) Be a separate written statement that is delivered separately from other communications;
(2) State that only one annual report will be delivered to the shared address unless the registrant receives contrary instructions;
(3) Include a toll-free telephone number or be accompanied by a reply form that is pre-addressed with postage provided, that the security holder can use to notify the registrant that he or she wishes to receive a separate annual report;
(4) State the duration of the consent;
(5) Explain how a security holder can revoke consent;
(6) State that the registrant will begin sending individual copies to a security holder within 30 days after receipt of revocation of the security holder's consent; and
(7) Contain the following prominent statement, or similar clear and understandable statement, in bold-face type: "Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents." Alternatively, this statement may appear on the envelope containing the notice;
Note to § 240.14a-3(e)(1)(ii)(B): The notice should be written in plain English. See §230.421(d)(2) of this chapter for a discussion of plain English principles.
(C) The registrant has not received the reply form or other notification indicating that the security holder wishes to continue to receive an individual copy of the annual report, within 60 days after the registrant sent the notice; and
(D) The registrant delivers the report to a post office box or to a residential street address. The registrant can assume a street address is a residence unless it has information that indicates it is a business.
(iii) Revocation of consent. If a security holder, orally or in writing, revokes consent to delivery of one report to a shared address, the registrant must begin sending individual copies to that security holder within 30 days after the registrant receives the revocation.
(iv) Definition of address. For purposes of this section, address means a street address, a post office box number, an electronic mail address, a facsimile telephone number, or other similar destination to which paper or electronic documents are delivered, unless otherwise provided in this section. If the registrant has reason to believe that the address is a street address of a multi-unit building, the address must include the unit number.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, unless state law requires otherwise, a registrant is not required to send an annual report or proxy statement to a security holder if:
* * * * *
5. In § 240.14c-3, paragraph (c) is added to read as follows:
§ 240.14c-3 Annual report to be furnished security holders.
* * * * *
(c) A registrant will be considered to have delivered an annual report to all security holders of record who share an address if the requirements set forth in § 240.14a-3(e)(1) are satisfied.
6. In § 240.14c-7, Note 2 is removed and Note 3 and Note 4 are redesignated as Note 2 and Note 3.
PART 270 - RULES AND REGULATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
7. The authority citation for Part 270 continues to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., 80a-34(d), 80a-37, 80a-39 unless otherwise noted:
* * * * *
8. Section 270.30d-1 is amended by adding paragraph (f) to read as follows:
§ 270.30d-1 Reports to stockholders of management companies.
* * * * *
(f)(1) A company will be considered to have transmitted a report to shareholders who share an address if:
(i) The company transmits a report to the shared address;
(ii) The company addresses the report to the shareholders as a group (for example, "ABC Fund [or Corporation] Shareholders," "Jane Doe and Household," "The Smith Family") or to each of the shareholders individually (for example, "John Doe and Richard Jones"); and
(iii) The shareholders consent in writing to delivery of one report.
(2) The company need not obtain written consent from a shareholder under paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) The shareholder has the same last name as the other shareholders, or the company reasonably believes that the shareholders are members of the same family;
(ii) The company has transmitted a notice to the shareholder at least 60 days before the company begins to rely on this section concerning transmission of reports to that shareholder. The notice must be a separate written statement and:
(A) State that only one report will be delivered to the shared address unless the company receives contrary instructions;
(B) Include a toll-free telephone number or be accompanied by a reply form that is pre-addressed with postage provided, that the shareholder can use to notify the company that he or she wishes to receive a separate report;
(C) State the duration of the consent;
(D) Explain how a shareholder can revoke consent;
(E) State that the company will begin sending individual copies to a shareholder within 30 days after the company receives revocation of the shareholder's consent; and
(F) Contain the following prominent statement, or similar clear and understandable statement, in bold-face type: "Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents." This statement also must appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered. Alternatively, if the notice is delivered separately from other communications to investors, this statement may appear either on the notice or on the envelope in which the notice is delivered;
NOTE to § 270.30d-1(f)(2)(ii): The notice should be written in plain English. See §230.421(d)(2) of this chapter for a discussion of plain English principles.
(iii) The company has not received the reply form or other notification indicating that the shareholder wishes to continue to receive an individual copy of the report, within 60 days after the company sent the notice; and
(iv) The company transmits the report to a post office box or to a residential street address. The company can assume a street address is a residence unless it has information that indicates it is a business.
(3) At least once a year, the company must explain to shareholders who have consented under paragraph (f)(1)(iii) or paragraph (f)(2) of this section how they can revoke their consent. The explanation must be reasonably designed to reach these investors. If a shareholder, orally or in writing, revokes consent to delivery of one report to a shared address, the company must begin sending individual copies to that shareholder within 30 days after the company receives the revocation.
(4) For purposes of this section, address means a street address, a post office box number, an electronic mail address, a facsimile telephone number, or other similar destination to which paper or electronic documents are transmitted, unless otherwise provided in this section. If the company has reason to believe that the address is a street address of a multi-unit building, the address must include the unit number.
9. Section 270.30d-2 is revised to read as follows:
§ 270.30d-2 Reports to shareholders of unit investment trusts.
(a) At least semiannually every registered unit investment trust substantially all the assets of which consist of securities issued by a management company must transmit to each shareholder of record (including record holders of periodic payment plan certificates), a report containing all the applicable information and financial statements or their equivalent, required by § 270.30d-1 to be included in reports of the management company for the same fiscal period. Each of these reports must be transmitted within the period allowed the management company by § 270.30d-1 for transmitting reports to its shareholders.
(b) Any report required by this section will be considered transmitted to a shareholder of record if the unit investment trust satisfies the conditions set forth in §270.30d-1(f) with respect to that shareholder.
By the Commission. | |
Jonathan G. Katz | |
Secretary |
November 4, 1999
1 Unless otherwise noted, all references to "rule 154" are to 17 CFR 230.154 as adopted in this release.
2 The Securities Act requires the delivery of prospectuses to investors who buy securities from an issuer or from underwriters or dealers who participate in a registered distribution of securities. See Securities Act sections 2(a)(10), 4(1), 4(3), 5(b) [15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(10), 77d(1), 77d(3), 77e(b)]; see also rule 174 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.174] (regarding the prospectus delivery obligation of dealers); rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act [17 CFR 240.15c2-8] (prospectus delivery obligations of brokers and dealers). The Investment Company Act requires most registered investment companies ("funds") to send annual and semiannual reports to their investors. See section 30(e) [15 U.S.C. 80a-29(e)]; rules 30d-1, 30d-2 under the Investment Company Act [17 CFR 270.30d-1, 270.30d-2]. Rules under the Exchange Act require other types of issuers (such as operating companies subject to Exchange Act reporting requirements) to send annual reports to their investors. See rules 14a-3, 14c-3 [17 CFR 240.14a-3, 240.14c-3].
3 See Delivery of Disclosure Documents to Households, Securities Act Release. No. 33-7475 (Nov. 13, 1997) [62 FR 61933 (Nov. 20, 1997)] ("Proposing Release"), at nn.1-6 and accompanying text. The problem of delivery of duplicate documents is particularly significant in the case of open-end management investment companies ("mutual funds"), which are required to send their investors annual and semiannual reports, and which generally send investors updated prospectuses each year. See id. at nn.1-2 and accompanying text.
4 See Proposing Release, supra note 3.
5 The commenters included 29 individual investors or their representatives, 15 corporate issuers, 11 financial institutions (investment advisers, mutual fund complexes, broker-dealers and bank holding companies), 3 trade associations, 1 consultant, and 1 stock exchange. Two commenters submitted two letters each, and some comment letters were signed by more than one person. The comment letters and a summary of the comments are available for public inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. (File No. S7-27-97).
6 Rule 154(a). Some commenters asked us to clarify that if a single investor holds the same security in two or more accounts with the same address, the prospectus delivery requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act are satisfied if one copy of the prospectus is delivered to the investor, without the need to rely on the rule. We agree that the delivery of a single prospectus in those circumstances meets the delivery requirements of the Securities Act. Delivery of a single shareholder report also would meet the delivery requirements of the federal securities laws for shareholder reports, in similar circumstances. In addition, we believe that delivery of a single prospectus or shareholder report is sufficient if the investor is acting as custodian for securities in one or more accounts created under a state Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ("UTMA") statute.
7 See rule 154(e).
8 See Delivery of Proxy and Information Statements to Households, Securities Act Release No. 33-7767 (Nov. 4, 1999) ("Companion Release").
9 See rule 154(a)(2).
10 See id. This requirement is designed to reduce confusion about whether an individual is receiving a prospectus on behalf of other investors in the household.
11 See rule 154(a)(1).
12 The commenter also stated that there may be difficulties in forwarding messages from a discontinued e-mail account with an Internet service provider.
13 See rule 154(b)(4) (limiting householding without written consent to prospectuses delivered to a post office box or a residential street address). Consent issues are discussed below.
14 Rule 154(a). A signature on a new account application form would not satisfy the written consent requirement if the account form merely refers to or incorporates by reference another document, such as the prospectus, and does not describe the householding of prospectuses.
An investor can be given the option of consenting to householding for prospectuses relating only to a particular security, or consenting to delivery of any prospectus a person is required to deliver to the investor. The rule, however, does not require that investors be given this option of limiting their consent to a particular security.
15 The Proposing Release noted the general requirements for electronic delivery of documents to investors. The Commission has issued two interpretive releases expressing its views on the electronic delivery of documents, including prospectuses and investment company semiannual reports. The releases state that persons using electronic delivery of information should obtain informed consent from the intended recipient or otherwise have reason to believe that any electronic means so selected will result in satisfaction of the delivery requirements. See Proposing Release, supra note 3, at n.9; Use of Electronic Media for Delivery Purposes, Securities Act Release No. 7233 (Oct. 6, 1995) [61 FR 53458 (Oct. 13, 1995)]; Use of Electronic Media by Broker-Dealers, Transfer Agents, and Investment Advisers for Delivery of Information; Additional Examples Under the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Act Release No. 7288 (May 9, 1996) [61 FR 24644 (May 15, 1996)].
16 Rule 154(b)(1) - (4).
17 Some commenters expressed concern about their ability to discern whether certain investors at the same address are members of the same family. We believe that persons relying on the rule may, in many cases, be able to base their reasonable belief on information already provided by investors (e.g., on an account application) or on any information they may have obtained from other sources. For example, it would be reasonable to infer that two persons residing at the same address are members of the same family if they have opened a joint account or have opened an account under an UGMA or UTMA statute.
18 The notice must be a separate written statement. See rule 154(b)(2). The notice, as well as the envelope containing the notice, also must contain a prominent statement such as "Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents." See rule 154(b)(2)(vi). As an alternative to this requirement, if the notice is sent in a separate mailing, the prominent statement may appear either on the envelope or on the notice itself. Id.
19 The notice also must state whether the consent will be for a limited or unlimited period of time, explain how the investor can revoke consent, and explain that individual delivery will resume no later than 30 days after the investor revokes consent. See rule 154(b)(2)(iii) - (v). In order to make the notice understandable to investors, it should be written in plain English. See rule 154(b)(2) note. Securities Act rule 421(d)(2) [17 CFR 230.421(d)(2)] lists the following plain English principles: (i)short sentences; (ii)definite, concrete, everyday words; (iii)active voice; (iv)tabular presentation or bullet lists for complex material, whenever possible; (v)no legal jargon or highly technical terms; and (vi)no multiple negatives.
20 The reply form must be pre-addressed, and returnable by business reply mail or by another method in which the person relying on the rule pays the postage. See rule 154(b)(2)(ii). The notice also may list additional methods of opting out of householding, such as sending the reply form to a facsimile telephone number or responding by e-mail.
21 Rule 154 clarifies that unless the person relying on the rule has information that indicates the address is a business address, that person can assume that the address is a residence. See rule 154(b)(4). The rule also provides that if the sender has reason to believe that an address is that of a multi-unit building, the address must include the unit number. See rule 154(d). This requirement is designed to prevent the assumption that investors who live in different apartments in an apartment building are members of the same household.
22 See Proposing Release, supra note 3, at n.20 and accompanying text.
23 Four commenters recommended that the rule permit householding without written consent and without implied consent under the proposed conditions. Instead, they favored permitting householding if the company were to disclose its householding policies in its prospectus and provide investors a means to opt out of householding. One of these commenters suggested that investors be informed about householding through an article in an investor newsletter. We do not believe that investor consent can reasonably be inferred from silence after disclosure in a prospectus or newsletter. The suggested approach also would not necessarily work for issuers that do not periodically deliver prospectuses or newsletters.
24 Two of these commenters stated that distinguishing between accounts that could be householded with notice, and accounts that could be householded only with written consent, would be costly and burdensome to administer, and potentially confusing for investors.
25 Another individual investor supported requiring written consent from all investors.
26 We are adopting as proposed the requirement that, if an investor requests resumption of individual delivery, the person relying on the rule must resume individual delivery after 30 days. See rule 154(c).
27 Id. Unlike other issuers, open-end management investment companies (i.e., mutual funds) typically send investors updated prospectuses annually. See supra note 3. Persons relying on the rule can make the explanation required by the rule through any means reasonably designed to reach these investors, such as in a prospectus, shareholder report, or investor newsletter. See rule 154(c).
28 One difference between the conditions for householding prospectuses and semiannual reports and the conditions for householding annual reports, is that the implied consent notice concerning annual reports must be delivered separately from other communications. See 17 CFR 240.14a-3(e)(1)(ii)(B)(1). This condition for the householding of annual reports corresponds to the proposed conditions for the householding of proxy and information statements, with which annual reports are typically delivered. See Companion Release, supra note 8, at note 28.
29 Some mutual funds already household shareholder reports in reliance on no-action letters issued by the Commission staff. See Oppenheimer Funds, SEC No-Action Letter (July 20, 1994); Scudder Group of Funds, SEC No-Action Letter (June 19, 1990); Allstate Enterprises Stock Fund, Inc., SEC No-Action Letter (July 22, 1973). These funds may continue to household shareholder reports of investors whose reports are already being householded, without sending notices or obtaining written consent under rules 30d-1 and 30d-2. If the investors revoke consent to householding, however, the funds should comply with the revocation provisions of the rules. In addition, if the funds household prospectuses, the funds would need to comply fully with rule 154.
30 The ability to household documents based on implied consent should help maximize the number of investors householded, because it is likely that few investors who receive notices will object to being householded. One large fund complex stated in its comment letter that when it notified approximately 3 million customers of its plans to household shareholder reports, only 1,703 (.057%) asked to continue receiving separate mailings for each account.
31 See Proposing Release, supra note 3, at n.29 and accompanying text.
32 See Investment Company Institute, 1998 Mutual Fund Fact Book 116.
33 See Proposing Release, supra note 3, at n.5.
34 See supra note 8.
35 15 U.S.C. 78w(a).
36 15 U.S.C. 78c(f), 80a-2(c).
37 44 U.S.C. 3501 - 3520.
38 The titles for the collections of information are: "Rule 154 under the Securities Act of 1933, Delivery of prospectuses to investors at the same address"; "Regulation 14A, Commission Rules 14a-1 through 14a-14 and Schedule 14A"; "Regulation 14C, Commission Rules 14c-1 through 14c-7 and Schedule 14C"; "Rule 30d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Reports to stockholders of management companies"; and "Rule 30d-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Reports to shareholders of unit investment trusts." The OMB control numbers for the rules are as follows: rule 154 (3235-0495, expires 2/28/2001); rule 14a-3, contained in Regulation 14A (3235-0059, expires 1/31/2002); rules 14c-3 and 14c-7, contained in Regulation 14C (3235-0057, expires 1/31/2002); rule 30d-1 (3235-0025, expires 2/28/2001); rule 30d-2 (3235-0494, expires 2/28/2001).
39 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(1)(B)(v).
40 Under the proposed rules, implied consent could be used only for investors who had already opened an account as of the effective date of the rules. The rules as adopted also permit the use of implied consent for new investors.
41 See 17 CFR 230.157 (1997). An issuer is considered to be engaged or proposing to engage in "small business financing" if it is conducting or proposing to conduct an offering of securities that does not exceed the $5 million limitation prescribed by section 3(b) of the Securities Act. The Commission last year amended certain definitions under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, and Investment Company Act for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. See Definitions of "Small Business" or "Small Organization" Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Act Release No. 7548 (June 24, 1998) [63 FR 35508 (June 30, 1998)]. Because the IRFA for this proposal relied on the earlier definitions (which were broader), the FRFA also relies on the earlier definitions.
42 See 17 CFR 230.251 - .263.
43 See 17 CFR 230.157 (1997).
44 See 17 CFR 240.0-10(c)(1) (1997).
45 See 17 CFR 270.0-10 (1997).
46 See 17 CFR 240.0-10 (1997).
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