Subject: SEC on 12b-1 Proposal

October 27, 2010

To Whom this may concern,

The bottom line on this proposal is that the average guy on the street is the one that will lose out. Those with money will be able to afford and get help and or advise. The small investor will be out luck. Helping investors takes time and when we move money from one fund to another, unlike most brokers we do not generate new commissions. With more and more compliance issues, record requirements, etc it becomes much harder to make a living. My clients for the most part could not get the time of day from brokerage firms and if 12b-1 fees go away so will my securities related business not because I want it to, I just will not be able to afford to keep it.

• have been a licensed insurance professional and registered representative for over 25 years.
• I support new SEC rule 12b-2, which would continue the 25 basis points fee that is used to ensure investors receive ongoing service and advice, and the SEC's proposed use of the terms "marketing and service fees" and "ongoing sales charge" in place of "12b-1 fees" to improve transparency in disclosure documents.
• However, I strongly object to the SEC permitting mutual funds to issue a new class of shares at net asset value that would allow broker-dealers to set their own sales charge and commission amount.
• Competition based on price and cost sounds good but will come at the expense of needed advice and service for middle market investors.
• As broker-dealers lower their sales charges and fees in an effort to gain market share, it will no longer be financially feasible for registered representatives to continue to provide the level of individualized advice and ongoing service that we currently provide to our middle and lower market clients.
• As a result, only upper-income investors who can afford assets-under-management arrangements or higher cost/higher service classes of shares will continue to receive personalized investment advice.
• Investors with smaller fund account balances will be forced to self-direct their accounts if they wish to continue to own mutual funds because their advisors will no longer be able to afford to spend the time to guide and advise them, leaving discount brokerage fund platforms as the only affordable option for middle and lower market investors.
• The people the SEC is trying to protect the most--middle and lower market investors-will be hurt the most, since they will be deprived of the guidance and service they need and deserve.

Sincerely yours,
John P. Steele