References to Ratings of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations

• Date: February 24, 2010
• Source: www.sec.gov

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is adopting amendments to certain of its rules and forms to remove references to securities credit ratings. The Commission is eliminating certain references to credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) in rules and forms under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to the regulation of self-regulatory organizations and alternative trading systems, and in rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that affect an investment company’s ability to purchase refunded securities and securities in underwritings in which an affiliate is participating. The Commission believes that the references to credit ratings in these rules and forms are no longer warranted as serving their intended purposes. The amendments are designed to address concerns that references to NRSRO ratings in Commission rules may have contributed to an undue reliance on those ratings by market participants. In a companion release, the Commission is re-opening the comment period for certain other proposed rule and form amendments that would eliminate additional references to NRSRO ratings.

Effective Date: This rule is effective Nivember 12, 2009

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