SEC seeks comment on extending Rule 489 Form F-N collection

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a 60-day notice proposing to extend the information-collection requirement under Rule 489 and Form F-N. The rule obligates foreign banks, foreign insurance companies, their holding companies and finance subsidiaries that are exempt from the definition of "investment company" to file Form F-N to appoint an agent for service of process when making a public offering of securities in the United States.

The notice appears in the Federal Register Vol. 91, No. 167 (August 31, 2026) as FR Doc 2026-17679 and carries OMB Control No. 3235-0411. Written comments are to be directed to Austin Gerig, Director/Chief Data Officer, SEC, by October 30, 2026; a second 30-day comment period will follow the publication of a subsequent notice.

The Commission reports an average of 20 Form F-N filings per year for the three-year period 2023-2025 and estimates a one-hour burden per filing, yielding a total annual burden of 20 hours. The burden estimate is provided solely for Paperwork Reduction Act purposes and is not based on a comprehensive cost survey.

Commenters are asked to address whether the proposed collection is necessary for the SEC's functions, the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways to improve the quality and clarity of the information, and options to minimize respondent burden through automated or electronic collection techniques. Responses will not be kept confidential.

Compliance with the collection remains mandatory to obtain the exemption benefit, and no collection may be conducted without a currently valid OMB control number.