Mutual funds must file rule exemptions online

Mutual funds and other companies that seek regulatory-rule exemptions will have to submit their applications electronically under a rule adopted today by the Securities and Exchange Commission. “This change will enable investors to access these filings sooner and the commission to consider them more quickly,” the SEC said in a statement. The requirement is to take effect Jan. 1 for applications for exemptions under the Investment Company Act and Regulation E filings of small-business investment companies and business development companies. The applications will be available on the SEC’s public Edgar electronic-document system.