Registration Begins for ‘CCOutreach’ National Seminar to Help Chief Compliance Officers Succeed in Protecting Investors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2007-188

Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2007 — Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox today announced the beginning of registration for the annual CCOutreach National Seminar to help mutual fund and investment adviser chief compliance officers (CCOs) further enhance their compliance programs for the protection of investors.

The CCOutreach National Seminar, which will be held Nov. 14 at the Commission’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, enables CCOs to interact directly with SEC staff and discuss the critical compliance functions they perform on a daily basis on behalf of mutual fund investors and advisory clients. The event will include panel discussions on the latest compliance developments relevant to CCOs, and will address questions and issues raised at a recent series of regional seminars held by SEC examination staff. The SEC’s CCOutreach program is sponsored jointly by the agency’s Division of Investment Management and the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations.

This year’s seminar will facilitate the exchange of ideas in practical terms to address the important compliance issues that CCOs face, and the new challenges that have emerged in investor protection.

“The CCOutreach National Seminar continues the SEC’s efforts to keep open the lines of communication and help chief compliance officers succeed on behalf of America’s investors in today’s ever-changing market environment,” said Chairman Cox. “With more than 96 million Americans now invested in mutual funds, effective compliance is crucial to the financial success of families across the country. CCOs hold the keys to that success.”

Lori A. Richards, Director of the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examination, said, “This year’s National Seminar will examine such important areas as how firm compliance and operations work together, special issues related to fixed-income and derivative products, the CCO’s role in a changing environment, and the examination risk assessment processes. Reviewing the effectiveness of a firm’s compliance programs is a fundamental part of our examinations. We are pleased by the interest of CCOs in the CCOutreach Program and the role it plays in enhancing effectiveness.”

Andrew J. Donohue, Director of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, said, “I am pleased to work with OCIE again in sponsoring the CCOutreach National Seminar. Since its establishment three years ago, the CCOutreach Program has greatly assisted us in developing regulatory policies for the investment management industry. I am certain the National Seminar will provide a day of stimulating and thoughtful conversation on many important policy and compliance topics.”

The CCOutreach National Seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the Commission’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Attendance is limited to 500, with CCOs given priority on a first-come, first-served basis. The seminar also will be webcast at www.sec.gov.

Registration materials and other information for the CCOutreach National Seminar are available at: http://www.sec.gov/info/ccoutreach.htm. The SEC’s Division of Investment Management can answer additional questions, and can be reached at (202) 551-6733.

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-188.htm