CFTC Staff Letter 98-15: Exemptive Relief for CPO to Accept Non-QEP Investment and Exceed 10% Limitation

98-15
CFTC Letter No. 98-15
February 27, 1998
Division of Trading & Markets
Re: Rule 4.7(a); -- Request for Exemptive Relief to Treat a Prospective Investor as a Qualified Eligible Participant and for Exemptive Relief from the Ten Percent Limitation on Assets Invested in Exempt Pools Dear :
This is in response to your letter dated November 17, 1997 to the Division of Trading and Markets ("Division") of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("Commission"), as supplemented by telephone conversations with Division staff. By your correspondence, you request relief on behalf of "X", a registered commodity pool operator, so that an investor in (the "Fund"), may be treated as if he satisfies the qualified eligible participant ("QEP") criteria of Rule 4.7(a).1 You also seek relief from the ten percent investment limitation of Rule 4.7(a)(1)(ii) (B)(2)(xi) in connection with "X's" operation of the Fund. Based upon your representations, we understand the pertinent facts to be as follows. The Fund is being operated pursuant to the criteria of Rule 4.7(a).2 Accordingly, interests in the Fund have been sold only to QEPs. "X" now seeks to admit "A" who, since 1988, has been a trader and analyst for "Y", a securities broker-dealer that provides brokerage services for the Fund. "A" is also a computer analyst for "Z", the CTA for the Fund. As an analyst for the Fund, "A" implements analytical trading models and works with the traders who execute trades on behalf of the Fund. "A" previously worked as the comptroller for "Y" from 1985 until 1988, and as a repo trader for "Y" from 1982 until 1985. Though he is not a QEP, "A" is an accredited investor under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933. In support of your request, you represent that "A" will consent to being treated as a QEP. You also agree that "A" will be given access to the books and records of the Fund. Based upon the foregoing, it appears that granting the requested relief would not be contrary to the public interest or the purposes of Rule 4.7(a). Accordingly, by the authority delegated to it under Rule 140.93(a)(1), the Division hereby grants "X" an exemption such that it may treat "A" as a QEP and continue to claim relief pursuant to Rule 4.7(a) notwithstanding his investment. "X" is further permitted, notwithstanding "A's" investment, to invest more than ten percent of the fair market value of the Fund's assets in Rule 4.7(a) exempt pools. The relief granted by this letter does not excuse "X" from compliance with any otherwise applicable requirements contained in the Commodity Exchange Act (the "Act") or in the file:///S|/Website%20Management/LegacyDataCopyasof2010-04-21/tm/letters/98letters/tm98-15.htm (1 of 2) [5/6/2010 7:30:23 PM]