Securities Offering Reform for Closed-End Investment Companies

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") is adopting rules that will modify the registration, communications, and offering processes for business development companies ("BDCs") and other closed-end investment companies under the Securities Act of 1933. As directed by Congress, we are adopting rules that will allow these investment companies to use the securities offering rules that are already available to operating companies. These rules will extend to closed-end investment companies offering reforms currently available to operating company issuers by expanding the definition of "well-known seasoned issuer" to allow these investment companies to qualify; streamlining the registration process for these investment companies, including the process for shelf registration; permitting these investment companies to satisfy their final prospectus delivery requirements by filing the prospectus with the Commission; and permitting additional communications by and about these investment companies during a registered public offering. In addition, we are amending certain rules and forms to tailor the disclosure and regulatory framework to these investment companies. These amendments also will modernize our approach to securities registration fee payment by requiring closed-end investment companies that operate as "interval funds" to pay securities registration fees using the same method as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds and extend the ability to use this payment method to issuers of certain continuously offered, exchange-traded products ("ETPs"). Additionally, we are expanding the ability of certain registered closed-end funds or BDCs that conduct continuous offerings to make changes to their registration statements on an immediately effective basis or on an automatically effective basis a set period of time after filing. Lastly, we are adopting certain structured data reporting requirements, including for filings on the form providing annual notice of securities sold pursuant to the rule under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that prescribes the method by which certain investment companies (including mutual funds) calculate and pay registration fees.