[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 50520-50521] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-24649] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Rel. No. IC-22234; 811-8832] Harcourt-Symes, Ltd f/n/a First August Financial Corporation; Notice of Application September 19, 1996. AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC''). ACTION: Notice of application for exemption under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act''). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- APPLICANT: Harcourt-Symes, Ltd. RELEVANT ACT SECTION: Section 8(f). SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicant requests an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. FILING DATES: The application was filed on March 11, 1996 and amended on June 6, 1996 and September 9, 1996. HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An order granting the application will be issued unless the SEC orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the SEC's Secretary and serving applicant with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the SEC by 5:30 p.m. on October 15, 1996, and should be accompanied by proof of service on applicant in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Hearing requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the SEC's Secretary. ADDRESSES: Secretary, SEC, 450 5th Street NW., Washington, DC 20549. Applicant, 1550 SW. Allen Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Eisenstein, Senior Counsel, (202) 942-0552, or Alison E. Baur, Branch Chief, (202) 942-0564 (Office of Investment Company Regulation, Division of Investment Management). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the application. The complete application may be obtained for a fee at the SEC's Public Reference Branch. Applicant's Representations 1. Applicant was organized as a business corporation in Oregon in 1984 under the name Brandenfels Industries, Inc. The original business of applicant was the manufacture and marketing of butcher tables, cutting blocks and refillable spice grinders. Applicant was not successful in its operations and was involuntarily dissolved on July 29, 1986. Applicant was inactive until July 19, 1988, when it was reinstated in the state of Oregon. After a number of name changes, applicant reorganized as a business development company under the name of First August Financial Corporation in August 1994. 2. On October 25, 1994, applicant filed a notification of registration on Form N-8A pursuant to section 8(a) of the Act to register as a closed-end management investment company. Applicant then filed a registration statement on Form 10 on January 23, 1995 pursuant to section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the registration of applicant's common stock. SEC records indicate that the registration statement was declared effective on March 24, 1995. 3. On February 1, 1995, applicant filed its notification of election to be regulated as a business development company on Form N- 54A pursuant to section 54(a) of the Act. 4. On January 15, 1996, the Board of Directors of applicant unanimously consented, without a meeting, to submit a proposed liquidation and reorganization to the shareholders for their approval. On February 16, 1996, at a special meeting of shareholders, the shareholders approved a plan for the cessation of the business of applicant and its liquidation. 5. On February 16, 1996, applicant changed its name to Mortgage Bankers Service Corporation, and pursuant to an agreement (``Agreement'') transferred all [[Page 50521]] of its assets to Executive Business Services, Inc. (``Executive'') in consideration for the assumption by Executive of all outstanding liabilities of applicant. The aggregate value of the outstanding liabilities of applicant. The aggregate value of the assets transferred was $54,000 and the liabilities assumed totaled approximately $184,000. Applicant was negotiating to acquire Mortgage Bankers Service Corp., a Pennsylvania Corporation. However the acquisition was abandoned. On April 26, 1996, applicant changed its name to Harcourt-Symes, Ltd. 6. Applicant had no assets or debts as of the time of the filing of the application and was not a party to any litigation or administrative proceeding. Applicant has approximately 317 shareholders. Applicant's Legal Analysis Applicant believes that an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company is appropriate. Applicant states that it mistakenly filed its notification of registration under section 8(a) because it believed that such registration was required in order for applicant to act as a business development company. Applicant states that (a) it is not engaged, does not hold itself out as being engaged, and does not propose to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities as referred to in section 3(a)(1) of the Act; (b) it is not engaged and does not propose to engage in any of the activities described in section 3(a) (2) and (3) of the Act; and (c) it has withdrawn its election to be regulated as a business development company and is not seeking any assurances from the SEC as to its future status as an investment company under the Act. For the SEC, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 96-24649 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-M