82_FR_49459 82 FR 49255 - Stephens Inc.

82 FR 49255 - Stephens Inc.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 204 (October 24, 2017)

Page Range49255-49257
FR Document2017-22955

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49255-49257]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22955]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Advisers Act Release No. 4797; File No. 803-00238]


Stephens Inc.

October 18, 2017.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice of application for an exemptive order under Section 206A of 
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') and Rule 206(4)-5(e).

Applicant: Stephens Inc. (``Applicant'' or ``Adviser'').

Relevant Sections of the Act: Exemption requested under section 206A of 
the Act and rule 206(4)-5(e) from rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) under the Act.

Summary of Application: Applicant requests that the Commission issue an 
order under section 206A of the Act and rule 206(4)-5(e) exempting it 
from rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) under the Act to permit Applicant to receive 
compensation from certain government entities for investment advisory 
services provided to the government entities within the two-year period 
following a contribution by a covered associate of the Applicant to an 
official of the government entities.

Filing Dates: The application was filed on December 20, 2016, and an 
amended and restated application was filed on June 21, 2017.

Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the application 
will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested 
persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's Secretary 
and serving Applicant with a copy of the request, personally or by 
mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 5:30 
p.m. on November 13, 2017, and should be accompanied by proof of 
service on Applicant, in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a 
certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, hearing 
requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any facts 
bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason 
for the request, and the issues contested. Persons may request 
notification of a hearing by writing to the Commission's Secretary.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Applicant: Stephens Inc., 111 Center 
Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Loko, Senior Counsel, or Holly 
Hunter-Ceci, Assistant Chief Counsel, at (202) 551- 6825 (Division of 
Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the 
application. The complete application may be obtained via the 
Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov/rules/iareleases.shtml or 
by calling (202) 551-8090.

Applicant's Representations

    1. Applicant is a financial services firm established in Little 
Rock, Arkansas and registered with the Commission as an investment 
adviser under the Act. Applicant provides discretionary investment 
advisory services to a wide variety of investors.
    2. The individual who made the campaign contribution that triggered 
the two-year compensation ban (the ``Contribution'') is J. Bradford 
Eichler (the ``Contributor''). The Contributor is an Executive Vice 
President of the Applicant and is the head of Investment Banking for 
the firm. The Contributor's role focuses on oversight of the Adviser's 
corporate finance division. Applicant submits that, because the 
Contributor is and at the time of the contribution was, an executive 
officer of the Adviser, he is, and at all relevant times was, a covered 
associate.
    3. Three of the Adviser's clients are government entities of the 
City of Little Rock (the ``Clients''). Client A and Client B are city 
pension funds and Client C is a fund maintained by the city for certain 
expenses. The Clients are government entities as defined in Rule 
206(4)-5(f)(5)(i).
    4. The recipient of the Contribution was Capi Peck (the 
``Official''), who, at the time of the Contribution, was seeking the 
office of director on the Little Rock Board of Directors. The Board of 
Directors appoints a board member of Client A, appoints a city official 
with authority to hire an investment manager for Client B and has 
ultimate investment authority over Client C. Due to her position as a 
director, the Official is an ``official'' of the Clients as defined in 
Rule 206(4)-5(f)(6)(ii). As of the date of the application, the 
Official has not participated in the appointment of anyone with 
authority on Client A or Client B's decision to select an investment 
adviser, nor has she participated in a decision affecting Client C's 
investment with the Adviser.
    5. The Contribution that triggered rule 206(4)-5's prohibition on 
compensation under rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) was made online on October 17, 
2016 for the amount of $1,000. Applicant submits that the Contribution 
was not motivated by any desire to influence the award of investment 
advisory business. Applicant represents that the Contributor does live 
in Little Rock and has a longstanding friendship with the Official. The 
Contributor has known the Official for approximately 30 years and known 
her ex-husband and business partner for approximately 35 years. The 
Contributor and the official's ex-husband also have a shared interest 
in competitive swimming. The Contributor lived with them for a long 
time during college, worked at their restaurant and has maintained 
close relationships. His decision to make the Contribution was 
spontaneous and motivated by his longstanding friendship with the 
Official. Applicant submits that although the Contributor and the 
Official are friends, they have not discussed the Adviser's advisory 
business or the potential investments by the Clients. The Contributor 
did not seek or coordinate any other contribution for the Official. 
Applicant represents that the Contributor did not have any intention to 
seek, and no action was taken by the Contributor or the Applicant to 
obtain, any direct or indirect influence from the Official or any other 
person.
    6. The Adviser has been doing business with Little Rock, its home 
city,

[[Page 49256]]

since its founding in 1933. The investments were all made before the 
date of the Contribution and before the Official took office. The 
Clients current accounts were initiated between 2006 and 2014. 
Applicant represents that none of the Clients have materially increased 
the amounts of assets managed by the Adviser, initiated new investment 
mandates, or opened new accounts with the Adviser since the 
Contribution was made. Neither the Contributor nor anyone whom he 
supervises was in any way involved in soliciting the Clients with 
respect to any business.
    7. The Adviser became aware of the Contribution on November 16, 
2016 when the Contributor remembered that, pursuant to the Adviser's 
pay-to-play policy (the ``Policy''), he was required to obtain pre-
approval for his political contributions and, at his initiative, 
contacted the Adviser's general counsel to inform him about the 
Contribution. The Contributor requested a refund of the full $1,000 
that day and received the refund on November 18, 2016. The Adviser 
established an escrow account on December 5, 2016 into which it has 
been depositing an amount equal to the compensation received with 
respect to the Clients' investments since the date of the Contribution, 
October 17, 2016. Applicant submits that all management fees earned 
with respect to Clients' investments since the date of the Contribution 
have been placed in escrow and will continue to be placed in escrow 
pending the outcome of this application.
    8. The Policy was adopted on March 3, 2011. The Applicant submits 
that all contributions by the Adviser's managing members, executive 
officers and other ``covered associates,'' as well as those who could 
in the future become covered associates, to any person who was at the 
time of the contribution an incumbent, candidate or successful 
candidate for an elective office of a government entity must be 
precleared. There is no de minimis exception from the pre-clearance 
requirement. Under the existing Policy, the Adviser circulated 
reminders of the need to preclear. Employees subject to the Policy must 
certify quarterly their contributions. In addition, annual employee 
audit questionnaires ask about the employee's political contributions, 
the Adviser does internet searches for contributions and verifies the 
results of the quarterly certifications with its preclearance records.

Applicant's Legal Analysis

    1. Rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) under the Act prohibits a registered 
investment adviser from providing investment advisory services for 
compensation to a government entity within two years after a 
contribution to an official of a government entity is made by the 
investment adviser or any covered associate of the investment adviser. 
Each of the Clients is a ``government entity,'' as defined in rule 
206(4)-5(f)(5), the Contributor is a ``covered associate'' as defined 
in rule 206(4)-5(f)(2), and the Official is an ``official'' as defined 
in rule 206(4)-5(f)(6).
    2. Section 206A of the Act authorizes the Commission to 
``conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person or transaction . . 
. from any provision or provisions of [the Act] or of any rule or 
regulation thereunder, if and to the extent that such exemption is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the 
protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy 
and provisions of [the Act].''
    3. Rule 206(4)-5(e) provides that the Commission may conditionally 
or unconditionally grant an exemption to an investment adviser from the 
prohibition under rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) upon consideration of the factors 
listed below, among others:
    (1) Whether the exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public 
interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the 
purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act;
    (2) Whether the investment adviser: (i) Before the contribution 
resulting in the prohibition was made, adopted and implemented policies 
and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the rule; 
and (ii) prior to or at the time the contribution which resulted in 
such prohibition was made, had no actual knowledge of the contribution; 
and (iii) after learning of the contribution: (A) Has taken all 
available steps to cause the contributor involved in making the 
contribution which resulted in such prohibition to obtain a return of 
the contribution; and (B) has taken such other remedial or preventive 
measures as may be appropriate under the circumstances;
    (3) Whether, at the time of the contribution, the contributor was a 
covered associate or otherwise an employee of the investment adviser, 
or was seeking such employment;
    (4) The timing and amount of the contribution which resulted in the 
prohibition;
    (5) The nature of the election (e.g., federal, state or local); and
    (6) The contributor's apparent intent or motive in making the 
contribution which resulted in the prohibition, as evidenced by the 
facts and circumstances surrounding such contribution.
    4. Applicant requests an order pursuant to section 206A and rule 
206(4)-5(e), exempting it from the two-year prohibition on compensation 
imposed by rule 206(4)-5(a)(1) with respect to investment advisory 
services provided to the Clients within the two-year period following 
the Contribution.
    5. Applicant submits that the exemption is necessary and 
appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection 
of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and 
provisions of the Act. Applicant further submits that the other factors 
set forth in rule 206(4)-5(e) similarly weigh in favor of granting an 
exemption to the Applicant to avoid consequences disproportionate to 
the violation.
    6. Applicant contends that given the nature of the Contribution, 
and the lack of any evidence that the Adviser or the Contributor 
intended to, or actually did, interfere with any client's merit-based 
process for the selection or retention of advisory services, the 
Clients' interests are best served by allowing the Adviser and its 
Clients to continue their relationship uninterrupted. Applicant states 
that causing the Adviser to serve without compensation for a two- year 
period could result in a financial loss of approximately $1 million or 
1000 times the amount of the Contribution. Applicant suggests that the 
policy underlying rule 206(4)-5 is served by ensuring that no improper 
influence is exercised over investment decisions by governmental 
entities as a result of campaign contributions and not by withholding 
compensation as a result of unintentional violations.
    7. Applicant represents that the Policy was adopted and published 
in March 2011, well before the Contribution was made. Applicant further 
represents that, at all times, the Policy has conformed to the 
requirements of rule 206(4)-5 and has been more rigorous than rule 
206(4)-5's requirements as the Adviser does internet testing as part of 
its annual audit process and requires covered associates to certify 
their compliance with the Policy and disclose all contributions 
quarterly.
    8. Applicant asserts that at no time did any employee or covered 
associate of the Adviser other than the Contributor have any knowledge 
that the Contribution had been made before its discovery by the Adviser 
in November 2016 when the Contributor self-reported the Contribution to 
the Adviser.
    9. Applicant asserts that after learning of the Contribution, the 
Adviser caused

[[Page 49257]]

the Contributor to immediately obtain a full refund of the 
Contribution. Applicant submits that the Adviser reviewed its Policy 
and concluded that it was adequate for preventing impermissible 
contributions.
    10. Applicant states that after learning of the Contribution, it 
confirmed that the although the Contributor's job would not ordinarily 
cause him to interact with the Clients, after learning of the 
Contribution, the Adviser, out of an abundance of caution, instructed 
him not to solicit or otherwise communicate with the Clients for two 
years following the date of the Contribution.
    11. Applicant asserts that the Clients' decisions to invest with 
the Adviser occurred long before the Contribution was made, in October 
2016. Furthermore, no investments were made in the month-long period 
between the date of the Contribution and the day it was refunded. 
Applicant states that, at the time of the Contribution and at the time 
of the investments by the Clients, the Official has not had any role in 
the Clients' investment decisions. Applicant also submits that the 
apparent intent in making the Contribution was not to influence the 
selection or retention of the Adviser. Applicant represents that the 
Contributor and the Official have a long standing friendship as the 
Contributor worked at the Official's restaurant and lived with the 
Official and her ex-husband when he was in college. Applicant finally 
states that it was because of that relationship, and not any desire to 
influence the award of investment advisory business that the 
Contributor made the Contribution to the Official's campaign.
    12. Applicant submits that neither the Adviser nor the Contributor 
sought to interfere with the Clients' merit-based selection process for 
advisory services, nor did they seek to negotiate higher fees or 
greater ancillary benefits than would be achieved in arms' length 
transactions. Applicant further submits that there was no violation of 
the Adviser's fiduciary duty to deal fairly or disclose material 
conflicts given the absence of any intent or action by the Adviser or 
the Contributor to influence the selection process. Applicant contends 
that in the case of the Contribution, the imposition of the two-year 
prohibition on compensation does not achieve rule 206(4)-5's purposes 
and would result in consequences disproportionate to the mistake that 
was made.

Applicant's Conditions

    The Applicant agrees that any order of the Commission granting the 
requested relief will be subject to the following conditions:
    1. The Contributor will be prohibited from discussing the business 
of the Adviser with any ``government entity'' client for which the 
Official is an ``official,'' each as defined in Rule 206(4)-5(f), until 
October 18, 2018.
    2. The Contributor will receive a written notification of this 
condition and will provide a quarterly certificate of compliance until 
October 18, 2018. Copies of the certifications will be maintained and 
preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than 
five years, the first two years in an appropriate office of the 
Adviser, and be available for inspection by the staff of the 
Commission.
    3. The Adviser will conduct testing reasonably designed to prevent 
violations of the conditions of the Order and maintain records 
regarding such testing, which will be maintained and preserved in an 
easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years, the 
first two years in an appropriate office of the Adviser, and be 
available for inspection by the staff of the Commission.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-22955 Filed 10-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 24, 2017 / Notices                                          49255

                                                    public in accordance with the                             FILING DATES:   The application was filed                3. Three of the Adviser’s clients are
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                       on December 20, 2016, and an amended                  government entities of the City of Little
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                        and restated application was filed on                 Rock (the ‘‘Clients’’). Client A and
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                       June 21, 2017.                                        Client B are city pension funds and
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                         HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An                Client C is a fund maintained by the city
                                                    Washington, DC 20549 on official                          order granting the application will be                for certain expenses. The Clients are
                                                    business days between the hours of                        issued unless the Commission orders a                 government entities as defined in Rule
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                    hearing. Interested persons may request               206(4)–5(f)(5)(i).
                                                    filing also will be available for                         a hearing by writing to the                              4. The recipient of the Contribution
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                                                                         was Capi Peck (the ‘‘Official’’), who, at
                                                                                                              Commission’s Secretary and serving
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                                                                            the time of the Contribution, was
                                                                                                              Applicant with a copy of the request,
                                                    received will be posted without change;                                                                         seeking the office of director on the
                                                                                                              personally or by mail. Hearing requests
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                                                                           Little Rock Board of Directors. The
                                                                                                              should be received by the Commission
                                                    identifying information from                                                                                    Board of Directors appoints a board
                                                                                                              by 5:30 p.m. on November 13, 2017, and
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                                                                             member of Client A, appoints a city
                                                                                                              should be accompanied by proof of
                                                    information that you wish to make                                                                               official with authority to hire an
                                                                                                              service on Applicant, in the form of an
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                                                                             investment manager for Client B and has
                                                                                                              affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of
                                                    should refer to File Number SR–                                                                                 ultimate investment authority over
                                                                                                              service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the
                                                    NYSEArca–2017–119 and should be                                                                                 Client C. Due to her position as a
                                                                                                              Act, hearing requests should state the                director, the Official is an ‘‘official’’ of
                                                    submitted on or before November 14,                       nature of the writer’s interest, any facts
                                                    2017.                                                                                                           the Clients as defined in Rule 206(4)–
                                                                                                              bearing upon the desirability of a                    5(f)(6)(ii). As of the date of the
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                  hearing on the matter, the reason for the             application, the Official has not
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                request, and the issues contested.
                                                    authority.20
                                                                                                                                                                    participated in the appointment of
                                                                                                              Persons may request notification of a                 anyone with authority on Client A or
                                                    Eduardo A. Aleman,                                        hearing by writing to the Commission’s                Client B’s decision to select an
                                                    Assistant Secretary.                                      Secretary.                                            investment adviser, nor has she
                                                    [FR Doc. 2017–22973 Filed 10–23–17; 8:45 am]              ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and                  participated in a decision affecting
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                    Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                Client C’s investment with the Adviser.
                                                                                                              Washington, DC 20549–1090.                               5. The Contribution that triggered rule
                                                                                                              Applicant: Stephens Inc., 111 Center                  206(4)–5’s prohibition on compensation
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                   Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.                        under rule 206(4)–5(a)(1) was made
                                                    COMMISSION                                                                                                      online on October 17, 2016 for the
                                                                                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                              Rachel Loko, Senior Counsel, or Holly                 amount of $1,000. Applicant submits
                                                    [Investment Advisers Act Release No. 4797;                                                                      that the Contribution was not motivated
                                                    File No. 803–00238]                                       Hunter-Ceci, Assistant Chief Counsel, at
                                                                                                              (202) 551- 6825 (Division of Investment               by any desire to influence the award of
                                                    Stephens Inc.                                             Management, Chief Counsel’s Office).                  investment advisory business.
                                                                                                                                                                    Applicant represents that the
                                                    October 18, 2017.                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        Contributor does live in Little Rock and
                                                    AGENCY: Securities and Exchange                           following is a summary of the                         has a longstanding friendship with the
                                                    Commission (‘‘Commission’’).                              application. The complete application                 Official. The Contributor has known the
                                                                                                              may be obtained via the Commission’s                  Official for approximately 30 years and
                                                    ACTION: Notice.                                           Web site at http://www.sec.gov/rules/                 known her ex-husband and business
                                                       Notice of application for an exemptive                 iareleases.shtml or by calling (202) 551–             partner for approximately 35 years. The
                                                    order under Section 206A of the                           8090.                                                 Contributor and the official’s ex-
                                                    Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the                      Applicant’s Representations                           husband also have a shared interest in
                                                    ‘‘Act’’) and Rule 206(4)–5(e).                                                                                  competitive swimming. The Contributor
                                                                                                                 1. Applicant is a financial services               lived with them for a long time during
                                                    APPLICANT: Stephens Inc. (‘‘Applicant’’
                                                                                                              firm established in Little Rock, Arkansas             college, worked at their restaurant and
                                                    or ‘‘Adviser’’).                                          and registered with the Commission as                 has maintained close relationships. His
                                                    RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE ACT:                             an investment adviser under the Act.                  decision to make the Contribution was
                                                    Exemption requested under section                         Applicant provides discretionary                      spontaneous and motivated by his
                                                    206A of the Act and rule 206(4)–5(e)                      investment advisory services to a wide                longstanding friendship with the
                                                    from rule 206(4)–5(a)(1) under the Act.                   variety of investors.                                 Official. Applicant submits that
                                                    SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicant                            2. The individual who made the                     although the Contributor and the
                                                    requests that the Commission issue an                     campaign contribution that triggered the              Official are friends, they have not
                                                    order under section 206A of the Act and                   two-year compensation ban (the                        discussed the Adviser’s advisory
                                                    rule 206(4)–5(e) exempting it from rule                   ‘‘Contribution’’) is J. Bradford Eichler              business or the potential investments by
                                                    206(4)–5(a)(1) under the Act to permit                    (the ‘‘Contributor’’). The Contributor is             the Clients. The Contributor did not
                                                    Applicant to receive compensation from                    an Executive Vice President of the                    seek or coordinate any other
                                                    certain government entities for
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                              Applicant and is the head of Investment               contribution for the Official. Applicant
                                                    investment advisory services provided                     Banking for the firm. The Contributor’s               represents that the Contributor did not
                                                    to the government entities within the                     role focuses on oversight of the                      have any intention to seek, and no
                                                    two-year period following a                               Adviser’s corporate finance division.                 action was taken by the Contributor or
                                                    contribution by a covered associate of                    Applicant submits that, because the                   the Applicant to obtain, any direct or
                                                    the Applicant to an official of the                       Contributor is and at the time of the                 indirect influence from the Official or
                                                    government entities.                                      contribution was, an executive officer of             any other person.
                                                                                                              the Adviser, he is, and at all relevant                  6. The Adviser has been doing
                                                      20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            times was, a covered associate.                       business with Little Rock, its home city,


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                                                    49256                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 24, 2017 / Notices

                                                    since its founding in 1933. The                         adviser from providing investment                     evidenced by the facts and
                                                    investments were all made before the                    advisory services for compensation to a               circumstances surrounding such
                                                    date of the Contribution and before the                 government entity within two years                    contribution.
                                                    Official took office. The Clients current               after a contribution to an official of a                 4. Applicant requests an order
                                                    accounts were initiated between 2006                    government entity is made by the                      pursuant to section 206A and rule
                                                    and 2014. Applicant represents that                     investment adviser or any covered                     206(4)–5(e), exempting it from the two-
                                                    none of the Clients have materially                     associate of the investment adviser.                  year prohibition on compensation
                                                    increased the amounts of assets                         Each of the Clients is a ‘‘government                 imposed by rule 206(4)–5(a)(1) with
                                                    managed by the Adviser, initiated new                   entity,’’ as defined in rule 206(4)–5(f)(5),          respect to investment advisory services
                                                    investment mandates, or opened new                      the Contributor is a ‘‘covered associate’’            provided to the Clients within the two-
                                                    accounts with the Adviser since the                     as defined in rule 206(4)–5(f)(2), and the            year period following the Contribution.
                                                    Contribution was made. Neither the                      Official is an ‘‘official’’ as defined in                5. Applicant submits that the
                                                    Contributor nor anyone whom he                          rule 206(4)–5(f)(6).                                  exemption is necessary and appropriate
                                                    supervises was in any way involved in                      2. Section 206A of the Act authorizes              in the public interest and consistent
                                                    soliciting the Clients with respect to any              the Commission to ‘‘conditionally or                  with the protection of investors and the
                                                    business.                                               unconditionally exempt any person or                  purposes fairly intended by the policy
                                                       7. The Adviser became aware of the                   transaction . . . from any provision or               and provisions of the Act. Applicant
                                                    Contribution on November 16, 2016                       provisions of [the Act] or of any rule or             further submits that the other factors set
                                                    when the Contributor remembered that,                   regulation thereunder, if and to the                  forth in rule 206(4)–5(e) similarly weigh
                                                    pursuant to the Adviser’s pay-to-play                   extent that such exemption is necessary               in favor of granting an exemption to the
                                                    policy (the ‘‘Policy’’), he was required to             or appropriate in the public interest and             Applicant to avoid consequences
                                                    obtain pre-approval for his political                   consistent with the protection of                     disproportionate to the violation.
                                                    contributions and, at his initiative,                   investors and the purposes fairly                        6. Applicant contends that given the
                                                    contacted the Adviser’s general counsel                 intended by the policy and provisions of              nature of the Contribution, and the lack
                                                    to inform him about the Contribution.                   [the Act].’’                                          of any evidence that the Adviser or the
                                                    The Contributor requested a refund of                      3. Rule 206(4)–5(e) provides that the              Contributor intended to, or actually did,
                                                    the full $1,000 that day and received the               Commission may conditionally or                       interfere with any client’s merit-based
                                                    refund on November 18, 2016. The                        unconditionally grant an exemption to                 process for the selection or retention of
                                                    Adviser established an escrow account                   an investment adviser from the                        advisory services, the Clients’ interests
                                                    on December 5, 2016 into which it has                   prohibition under rule 206(4)–5(a)(1)                 are best served by allowing the Adviser
                                                    been depositing an amount equal to the                  upon consideration of the factors listed              and its Clients to continue their
                                                    compensation received with respect to                   below, among others:                                  relationship uninterrupted. Applicant
                                                    the Clients’ investments since the date                    (1) Whether the exemption is                       states that causing the Adviser to serve
                                                    of the Contribution, October 17, 2016.                  necessary or appropriate in the public                without compensation for a two- year
                                                    Applicant submits that all management                   interest and consistent with the                      period could result in a financial loss of
                                                    fees earned with respect to Clients’                    protection of investors and the purposes              approximately $1 million or 1000 times
                                                    investments since the date of the                       fairly intended by the policy and                     the amount of the Contribution.
                                                    Contribution have been placed in                        provisions of the Act;                                Applicant suggests that the policy
                                                    escrow and will continue to be placed                      (2) Whether the investment adviser:                underlying rule 206(4)–5 is served by
                                                    in escrow pending the outcome of this                   (i) Before the contribution resulting in              ensuring that no improper influence is
                                                    application.                                            the prohibition was made, adopted and                 exercised over investment decisions by
                                                       8. The Policy was adopted on March                   implemented policies and procedures                   governmental entities as a result of
                                                    3, 2011. The Applicant submits that all                 reasonably designed to prevent                        campaign contributions and not by
                                                    contributions by the Adviser’s managing                 violations of the rule; and (ii) prior to or          withholding compensation as a result of
                                                    members, executive officers and other                   at the time the contribution which                    unintentional violations.
                                                    ‘‘covered associates,’’ as well as those                resulted in such prohibition was made,                   7. Applicant represents that the Policy
                                                    who could in the future become covered                  had no actual knowledge of the                        was adopted and published in March
                                                    associates, to any person who was at the                contribution; and (iii) after learning of             2011, well before the Contribution was
                                                    time of the contribution an incumbent,                  the contribution: (A) Has taken all                   made. Applicant further represents that,
                                                    candidate or successful candidate for an                available steps to cause the contributor              at all times, the Policy has conformed to
                                                    elective office of a government entity                  involved in making the contribution                   the requirements of rule 206(4)–5 and
                                                    must be precleared. There is no de                      which resulted in such prohibition to                 has been more rigorous than rule
                                                    minimis exception from the pre-                         obtain a return of the contribution; and              206(4)–5’s requirements as the Adviser
                                                    clearance requirement. Under the                        (B) has taken such other remedial or                  does internet testing as part of its annual
                                                    existing Policy, the Adviser circulated                 preventive measures as may be                         audit process and requires covered
                                                    reminders of the need to preclear.                      appropriate under the circumstances;                  associates to certify their compliance
                                                    Employees subject to the Policy must                       (3) Whether, at the time of the                    with the Policy and disclose all
                                                    certify quarterly their contributions. In               contribution, the contributor was a                   contributions quarterly.
                                                    addition, annual employee audit                         covered associate or otherwise an                        8. Applicant asserts that at no time
                                                    questionnaires ask about the employee’s                 employee of the investment adviser, or                did any employee or covered associate
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                                                    political contributions, the Adviser does               was seeking such employment;                          of the Adviser other than the
                                                    internet searches for contributions and                    (4) The timing and amount of the                   Contributor have any knowledge that
                                                    verifies the results of the quarterly                   contribution which resulted in the                    the Contribution had been made before
                                                    certifications with its preclearance                    prohibition;                                          its discovery by the Adviser in
                                                    records.                                                   (5) The nature of the election (e.g.,              November 2016 when the Contributor
                                                                                                            federal, state or local); and                         self-reported the Contribution to the
                                                    Applicant’s Legal Analysis                                 (6) The contributor’s apparent intent              Adviser.
                                                      1. Rule 206(4)–5(a)(1) under the Act                  or motive in making the contribution                     9. Applicant asserts that after learning
                                                    prohibits a registered investment                       which resulted in the prohibition, as                 of the Contribution, the Adviser caused


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 24, 2017 / Notices                                               49257

                                                    the Contributor to immediately obtain a                 relief will be subject to the following                 The subject matters of the closed
                                                    full refund of the Contribution.                        conditions:                                           meeting will be:
                                                    Applicant submits that the Adviser                         1. The Contributor will be prohibited                Institution and settlement of
                                                    reviewed its Policy and concluded that                  from discussing the business of the                   injunctive actions;
                                                    it was adequate for preventing                          Adviser with any ‘‘government entity’’                  Institution and settlement of
                                                    impermissible contributions.                            client for which the Official is an                   administrative proceedings; and
                                                       10. Applicant states that after learning             ‘‘official,’’ each as defined in Rule                   Other matters relating to enforcement
                                                    of the Contribution, it confirmed that                  206(4)–5(f), until October 18, 2018.                  proceedings.
                                                    the although the Contributor’s job                         2. The Contributor will receive a                    At times, changes in Commission
                                                    would not ordinarily cause him to                       written notification of this condition                priorities require alterations in the
                                                    interact with the Clients, after learning               and will provide a quarterly certificate              scheduling of meeting items.
                                                    of the Contribution, the Adviser, out of                of compliance until October 18, 2018.                 CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
                                                    an abundance of caution, instructed him                 Copies of the certifications will be                  For further information and to ascertain
                                                    not to solicit or otherwise communicate                 maintained and preserved in an easily                 what, if any, matters have been added,
                                                    with the Clients for two years following                accessible place for a period of not less             deleted or postponed; please contact
                                                    the date of the Contribution.                           than five years, the first two years in an            Brent J. Fields from the Office of the
                                                                                                            appropriate office of the Adviser, and be             Secretary at (202) 551–5400.
                                                       11. Applicant asserts that the Clients’
                                                                                                            available for inspection by the staff of                Dated: October 19, 2017.
                                                    decisions to invest with the Adviser
                                                                                                            the Commission.
                                                    occurred long before the Contribution                      3. The Adviser will conduct testing
                                                                                                                                                                  Brent J. Fields,
                                                    was made, in October 2016.                              reasonably designed to prevent                        Secretary.
                                                    Furthermore, no investments were made                   violations of the conditions of the Order             [FR Doc. 2017–23123 Filed 10–20–17; 11:15 am]
                                                    in the month-long period between the                    and maintain records regarding such                   BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    date of the Contribution and the day it                 testing, which will be maintained and
                                                    was refunded. Applicant states that, at                 preserved in an easily accessible place
                                                    the time of the Contribution and at the                 for a period of not less than five years,             SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
                                                    time of the investments by the Clients,                 the first two years in an appropriate
                                                    the Official has not had any role in the                office of the Adviser, and be available               Forms Submitted to the Office of
                                                    Clients’ investment decisions. Applicant                for inspection by the staff of the                    Management and Budget for Extension
                                                    also submits that the apparent intent in                Commission.                                           of Clearance
                                                    making the Contribution was not to
                                                    influence the selection or retention of                   For the Commission, by the Division of              AGENCY:   Selective Service System.
                                                                                                            Investment Management, under delegated                ACTION:   Notice.
                                                    the Adviser. Applicant represents that                  authority.
                                                    the Contributor and the Official have a                                                                         The following forms have been
                                                                                                            Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                    long standing friendship as the                                                                               submitted to the Office of Management
                                                                                                            Assistant Secretary.
                                                    Contributor worked at the Official’s                                                                          and Budget (OMB) for extension of
                                                                                                            [FR Doc. 2017–22955 Filed 10–23–17; 8:45 am]
                                                    restaurant and lived with the Official                                                                        clearance in compliance with the
                                                    and her ex-husband when he was in                       BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                  Paperwork Reduction Act:
                                                    college. Applicant finally states that it
                                                    was because of that relationship, and                                                                         SSS Forms 2, 3A, 3B and 3C
                                                                                                            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    not any desire to influence the award of                                                                        Title: Selective Service System Change of
                                                                                                            COMMISSION
                                                    investment advisory business that the                                                                         Information, Correction/Change Form, and
                                                    Contributor made the Contribution to                    Sunshine Act Meetings                                 Registration Status Forms.
                                                    the Official’s campaign.                                                                                        Purpose: To insure the accuracy and
                                                       12. Applicant submits that neither the               TIME AND DATE:   2:00 p.m. on Thursday,               completeness of the Selective Service System
                                                    Adviser nor the Contributor sought to                   October 26, 2017.                                     registration data.
                                                                                                                                                                    Respondents: Registrants are required to
                                                    interfere with the Clients’ merit-based                 PLACE: Closed Commission Hearing                      report changes or corrections in data
                                                    selection process for advisory services,                Room 10800.                                           submitted on the SSS Form 1.
                                                    nor did they seek to negotiate higher                   STATUS: This meeting will be closed to                  Frequency: When changes in a registrant’s
                                                    fees or greater ancillary benefits than                 the public.                                           name or address occur.
                                                    would be achieved in arms’ length                       MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:                               Burden: A burden of two minutes or less
                                                    transactions. Applicant further submits                                                                       on the individual respondent.
                                                                                                            Commissioners, Counsel to the
                                                    that there was no violation of the                      Commissioners, the Secretary to the                     Copies of the above identified forms
                                                    Adviser’s fiduciary duty to deal fairly or              Commission, and recording secretaries                 can be obtained upon written request to
                                                    disclose material conflicts given the                   will attend the closed meeting. Certain               the Selective Service System, Reports
                                                    absence of any intent or action by the                  staff members who have an interest in                 Clearance Officer, 1515 Wilson
                                                    Adviser or the Contributor to influence                 the matters also may be present.                      Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209–
                                                    the selection process. Applicant                           The General Counsel of the                         2425.
                                                    contends that in the case of the                        Commission, or his designee, has                        Written comments and
                                                    Contribution, the imposition of the two-                certified that, in his opinion, one or                recommendations for the proposed
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                                                    year prohibition on compensation does                   more of the exemptions set forth in 5                 extension of clearance of the form
                                                    not achieve rule 206(4)–5’s purposes                    U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (7), 9(B) and (10)            should be sent within 60 days of the
                                                    and would result in consequences                        and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(7),             publication of this notice to the
                                                    disproportionate to the mistake that was                (a)(9)(ii) and (a)(10), permit                        Selective Service System, Reports
                                                    made.                                                   consideration of the scheduled matters                Clearance Officer, 1515 Wilson
                                                    Applicant’s Conditions                                  at the closed meeting.                                Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209–
                                                                                                               Chairman Clayton, as duty officer,                 2425.
                                                      The Applicant agrees that any order of                voted to consider the items listed for the              A copy of the comments should be
                                                    the Commission granting the requested                   closed meeting in closed session.                     sent to the Office of Information and


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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:07:44
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:07:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesThe application was filed on December 20, 2016, and an amended and restated application was filed on June 21, 2017.
ContactRachel Loko, Senior Counsel, or Holly Hunter-Ceci, Assistant Chief Counsel, at (202) 551- 6825 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).
FR Citation82 FR 49255 

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