Securities and Exchange Commission August 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Securities and Exchange Commission is requesting public comment on behalf of the staff on three topics related to its ongoing consideration of incorporating International Financial Reporting Standards (``IFRS'') into the financial reporting system for U.S. issuers. These three topics, derived from the staff's work plan on consideration of the incorporation of IFRS, involve the impact of such incorporation on: U.S. investors' current knowledge of IFRS and preparedness for incorporation of IFRS into the financial reporting system for U.S. issuers; how investors educate themselves on changes in accounting standards and the timeliness of such education; and the extent of, logistics for, and estimated time necessary to undertake changes to improve investor understanding of IFRS and the related education process to ensure investors have a sufficient understanding of IFRS prior to potential incorporation.

The Commission is amending its rules to remove a sunset provision from the delegation of authority to the Director of the Division of Enforcement to issue formal orders of investigation. Formal orders designate the enforcement staff authorized to issue subpoenas in connection with investigations under the Federal securities laws. On August 5, 2009, the Commission issued a release authorizing the Division Director to issue such orders for a one-year period beginning on August 11, 2009 and ending on August 11, 2010. The sunset provision was included to permit the Commission to evaluate the Division's use of the delegation and to consider whether extension of the delegation was appropriate.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is adopting amendments to Part 2 of Form ADV, and related rules under the Investment Advisers Act, to require investment advisers registered with us to provide new and prospective clients with a brochure and brochure supplements written in plain English. These amendments are designed to provide new and prospective advisory clients with clearly written, meaningful, current disclosure of the business practices, conflicts of interest and background of the investment adviser and its advisory personnel. Advisers must file their brochures with us electronically and we will make them available to the public through our Web site. The Commission also is withdrawing the Advisers Act rule requiring advisers to disclose certain disciplinary and financial information.