2a-7

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My previous post tried to explain how Rule 2a-7 limits the “leveraging effects” of “firm commitments” made by money market funds. This post will add some important qualifications, compare the approach taken by Rule 2a-7 to the proposed approach in Rule 18f-4 and discuss the need to reconcile these rules.…
Continue Reading What Rule 2a-7 Tells Us about Re-Proposed Rule 18f-4

This post continues my consideration of why certain “unfunded commitment agreements” should be carved out of the valuation at risk limitations of re-proposed Rule 18f-4. My previous post explained why two of the justifications offered for this carve out do not bear scrutiny. My current view is that the scope of the carve out depends on the third proposed justification: that some commitments may not have “leveraging effects.” This requires an understanding of the leveraging effects regulated by Section 18 of the Investment Company Act.

I will use the example of money market funds to explore “leveraging effects” because (a) it allows me to answer a question raised in the proposing release and (b) it illustrates another means of limiting leverage.…
Continue Reading Money Market Funds and Re-Proposed Rule 18f-4

There are important changes to Rule 2a-7, Form N-MFP and Form N-CR that go into effect on April 14, 2016, and have nothing to do with fees, gates, retail shareholders or floating NAVs. At this point, every fund should be prepared to submit revised procedures to its board of directors for review. If you’re running…

Yesterday, the SEC adopted what I hope will be the final amendments to Rule 2a-7 made during my career. For the first time in the history of Rule 2a-7, the SEC cut more than it added, reducing the length of the rule by over 12%. The amendments relate primarily to credit and diversification requirements, but also incorporate some of the staff’s FAQs on the 2014 reforms.…
Continue Reading It’s a Miracle: Rule 2a-7 Gets Shorter

On August 4, the staff of the Division of Investment Management updated their 2014 Money Market Fund Reform Frequently Asked Questions (the “FAQs”). I’ll discuss these revisions in a series of posts, starting with an important question relating to beneficial ownership by natural persons.…
Continue Reading Revised Money Market Reform FAQs—Good News for Retail Funds