Release No. 34-88448, Order Under Sections 17A and 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Granting Exemptions from Specified Provisions of the Exchange Act and Certain Rules Thereunder [for Registered Transfer Agents and Certain Other Persons]

The record

Jurisdiction

United States; Securities and Exchange Commission (federal)

Level

Federal

Authority

15 U.S.C. § 78q-1(c)(1); § 78mm

Issued

2020-03-20 Mar. 20, 2020

Effective

2020-03-16 (relief covers the period from and including March 16, 2020) (read as 2020-03-16)

End

2020-05-30; extended to 2020-06-30 by Release No. 34-88960 (Ex. 062) (read as 2020-05-30)

In force

Mar. 16, 2020 to May 30, 2020

Quarters

2020 Q2

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Telework mandateOther

Addressees

• registered transfer agents
• persons subject to Exchange Act § 17(f)(2) fingerprinting

Functions reached

• CM capital markets operations (securities transfer, dividend and proxy processing)
• OP (mail-room and physical certificate functions closed)
• HR fingerprinting of new hires suspended
• CB issuers and shareholders

Collection

Federal financial regulators AGY-FED-FINANCIAL

Operative words

The Commission understands from transfer agents and their representatives, as well [as from other market participants, that COVID-19 has disrupted their operations]... Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 17A and 36 of the Exchange [Act, that registered transfer agents are exempt from specified processing, record-keeping and reporting requirements for] the period from and including March 16, 2020, to May 30, 2020, [provided the transfer agent notifies] the Commission by May 30, 2020 of the following [information].

Enforcement

Notes