SEC Extends OMB Review of Rule 489 and Form F-N Information Collection

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a notice extending the proposed collection of information for Rule 489 and Form F-N under Paperwork Reduction Act OMB Control No. 3235-0411. The public comment period runs for 30 days after publication, ending on December 7, 2026.

Rule 489 (17 CFR 230.489) requires foreign banks, foreign insurance companies, their holding companies and finance subsidiaries - when exempt from the definition of "investment company" under rules 3a-1, 3a-5 and 3a-6 - to file Form F-N (17 CFR 239.43) to appoint an agent for service of process in connection with a public offering of securities in the United States. The information collected enables the SEC and private plaintiffs to serve process on foreign entities in actions and administrative proceedings arising from such offerings.

The SEC reports an average of 20 Form F-N filings per year for the three-year period 2023-2025. The agency estimates the burden at one hour per filing, yielding a total annual burden of 20 hours. These estimates are provided solely for Paperwork Reduction Act purposes and are not derived from a comprehensive cost survey.

Compliance with the Rule 489 and Form F-N information collection is mandatory to obtain the exemption benefit, and responses will not be kept confidential. A valid OMB control number must be displayed on any collection of information.

Comments may be submitted electronically at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202606-3235-009 or by email to the address provided in the notice. The deadline for comments is December 7, 2026.