SEC Announces Extension of Temporary Measure to Facilitate Cross-Border Implementation of the European Union's MiFID II's Research Provisions

Today the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued an extension of an Oct. 26, 2017 no-action letter it provided to assist market participants regarding their U.S.-regulated activities as they engage in efforts to comply with the provisions relating to research in the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) and related implementing rules and regulations. Under the extension of the temporary no-action letter, the staff would not recommend enforcement action to the Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act) against broker-dealers receiving payments in hard dollars or through research payment accounts from clients subject to MiFID II.