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SEC Proposes Rules to Modernize Reporting by Investment Advisers and Investment Companies

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today proposed rules, forms and amendments to modernize and enhance the reporting and disclosure of information by investment advisers and investment companies.

Investment advisers. The investment adviser proposed rules would amend the investment adviser registration and reporting form (Form ADV), and Investment Advisers Act Rule 204-2. On Form ADV, the proposed rules would require investment advisers to provide additional information for the SEC and investors to better understand the risk profile of individual advisers and the industry. Investment advisers would be required to report, among other things, detailed information about their separately managed accounts, including assets under management and types of assets held in the accounts. The proposed amendments to Investment Advisers Act Rule 204-2 would require advisers to maintain records of performance calculations and communications related to performance.

Investment companies. The investment company proposed rules would enhance data reporting for mutual funds, ETFs and other registered investment companies.  The proposals would require a new monthly portfolio reporting form (Form N-PORT) and a new annual reporting form (Form N-CEN) that would require census-type information.  The information would be reported in a structured data format, which would allow the SEC and the public to better analyze the information.  The proposals would also require enhanced and standardized disclosures in financial statements, and would permit mutual funds and other investment companies to provide shareholder reports by making them accessible on a website.

Highlights of the investment adviser and investment company proposals are available HERE.

The SEC is requesting for comments which should be submitted to be received within 60 days from publication of the proposed rules in the Federal Register.