Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 19135-19136 [E5-1671]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 12, 2005 / Notices
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Consideration will be given
to comments and suggestions submitted
in writing within 60 days of this
publication.
Please direct your written comments
to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief
Information Officer, Office of
Information Technology, Securities and
Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20549.
Dated: March 31, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–1668 Filed 4–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Proposed Extension of Existing
Collection; Comment Request
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and
Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
Extension:
Rule 17a–13; SEC File No. 270–27; OMB
Control No. 3235–0035.
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
on the collection of information
summarized below. The Commission
plans to submit this existing collection
of information to the Office of
Management and Budget for extension
and approval. The Code of Federal
Regulations citation to this collection of
information is the following rule: 17
CFR 240.17a–13 Quarterly Security
Counts to be Made by Certain Exchange
Members, Brokers, and Dealers.
Rule 17a–13(b) generally requires that
at least once each calendar quarter, all
registered brokers and dealers
physically examine and count all
securities held and account for all other
securities not in their possession, but
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16:48 Apr 11, 2005
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subject to the broker-dealer’s control or
direction. Any discrepancies between
the broker-dealer’s securities count and
the firm’s records must be noted and,
within seven days, the unaccounted for
difference must be recorded in the
firm’s records. Rule 17a–13(c) provides
that under specified conditions, the
securities counts, examination and
verification of the broker-dealer’s entire
list of securities may be conducted on
a cyclical basis rather than on a certain
date. Although Rule 17a–13 does not
require filing a report with the
Commission, security count
discrepancies must be reported on Form
X–17a–5 as required by Rule 17a–5.
Rule 17a–13 exempts broker-dealers that
limit their business to the sale and
redemption of securities of registered
investment companies and interests or
participation in an insurance company
separate account and those who solicit
accounts for federally insured savings
and loan associations, provided that
such persons promptly transmit all
funds and securities and hold no
customer funds and securities.
The information obtained from Rule
17a–13 is used as an inventory control
device to monitor a broker-dealer’s
ability to account for all securities held,
in transfer, in transit, pledged, loaned,
borrowed, deposited or otherwise
subject to the firm’s control or direction.
Discrepancies between the securities
counts and the broker-dealer’s records
alert the Commission and the Self
Regulatory Organizations (‘‘SROs’’) to
those firms having problems in their
back offices.
Currently, there are approximately
5,907 respondents that must comply
with Rule 17a–13. However, given the
variability in their businesses, it is
difficult to quantify how many hours
per year each respondent spends on the
rule. As noted, the rule requires a
respondent to account for all securities
in its possession. Many respondents
hold few, if any, securities; while others
hold large quantities. Therefore, the
time burden of complying with the rule
will depend on respondent-specific
factors, including size, number of
customers, and proprietary trading
activity. The staff estimates that the
average time spent per respondent on
the rule is 100 hours per year. This
estimate takes into account the fact that
more than half the 5,907 respondents—
according to financial reports filed with
the SEC—may spend little or no time in
complying with the rule, given that they
do not do a public securities business or
do not hold inventories of securities.
For these reasons, the staff estimates
that the total compliance burden per
year is 590,700 hours (5,907
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19135
respondents × 100 hours/respondent). It
should be noted that most brokerdealers would engage in the activities
required by Rule 17a–13 even if they
were not required to do so.
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Consideration will be given
to comments and suggestions submitted
in writing within 60 days of this
publication.
Please direct your written comments
to R. Corey Booth, Director/CIO, Office
of Information Technology, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 450 5th
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.
Dated: March 30, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–1669 Filed 4–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Proposed Collection; Comment
Request
Upon written request, copies available
from: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and
Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
Extension:
Rule 17Ac3–1(a), SEC File No. 270–96,
OMB Control No. 3235–0151;
Form TA–W(1669), SEC File No. 270–96,
OMB Control No. 3235–0151.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
on the collection of information
summarized below. The Commission
plans to submit this existing collection
of information to the Office of
Management and Budget for extension
and approval.
Subsection (c)(4)(B) of Section 17A of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Exchange Act’’) authorizes transfer
agents registered with an appropriate
regulatory agency (‘‘ARA’’) to withdraw
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12APN1
19136
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 12, 2005 / Notices
from registration by filing with the ARA
a written notice of withdrawal and by
agreeing to such terms and conditions as
the ARA deems necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for
the protection of investors, or in the
furtherance of the purposes of Section
17A.
In order to implement Section
17A(c)(4)(B) of the Exchange Act the
Commission, on September 1, 1977,
promulgated Rule 17Ac3–1(a) and
accompanying Form TA–W. Rule
17Ac3–1(a) provides that notice of
withdrawal from registration as a
transfer agent with the Commission
shall be filed on Form TA–W. Form TA–
W requires the withdrawing transfer
agent to provide the Commission with
certain information, including: (1) The
locations where transfer agent activities
are or were performed; (2) the reasons
for ceasing the performance of such
activities; (3) disclosure of unsatisfied
judgments or liens; and (4) information
regarding successor transfer agents.
The Commission uses the information
disclosed on Form TA–W to determine
whether the registered transfer agent
applying for withdrawal from
registration as a transfer agent should be
allowed to deregister and, if so, whether
the Commission should attach to the
granting of the application any terms or
conditions necessary or appropriate in
the public interest, for the protection of
investors, or in furtherance of the
purposes of Section 17A of the
Exchange Act. Without Rule 17Ac3–1(a)
and Form TA–W, transfer agents
registered with the Commission would
not have a means for voluntary
deregistration when necessary or
appropriate to do so.
Respondents file approximately 50
TA–Ws with the Commission annually.
A Form TA–W filing occurs only once,
when a transfer agent is seeking
deregistration. Since the form is simple
and straightforward, the Commission
estimates that a transfer agent need
spend no more than 30 minutes to
complete a Form TA–W. Therefore, the
total average annual burden to covered
entities is approximately 25 hours of
preparation and maintenance time.
In view of the ready availability of the
information requested by TA–W, its
short and simple presentation, and the
Commission’s experience with the form,
we estimate that approximately 30
minutes is required to complete Form
TA–W, including clerical time. The
Commission estimates a cost of
approximately $35 for each 30 minutes.
Therefore, the total average annual cost
burden is approximately $1,750.
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
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16:48 Apr 11, 2005
Jkt 205001
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Consideration will be given
to comments and suggestions submitted
in writing within 60 days of this
publication.
Please direct your written comments
to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief
Information Officer, Office of
Information Technology, Securities and
Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20549.
Dated: March 31, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–1671 Filed 4–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Proposed Collection; Comment
Request
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and
Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
Extension:
Rule 17f–2(e); SEC File No. 270–37; OMB
Control No. 3235–0031.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
on the collection of information
summarized below. The Commission
plans to submit this existing collection
of information to the Office of
Management and Budget for extension
and approval.
Rule 17f–2(e) requires members of
national securities exchanges, brokers,
dealers, registered transfer agents, and
registered clearing agencies claiming
exemption from the fingerprinting
requirements of Rule 17f–2 to prepare
and maintain a statement supporting
their claim exemption.
Notices prepared pursuant to Rule
17f–2(e) must be maintained for as long
as the covered entity claims an
exemption from the fingerprinting
requirements of Rule 17f–2. The
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Sfmt 4703
recordkeeping requirement under Rule
17f–2(e) is mandatory to assist the
Commission and other regulatory
agencies with ensuring compliance with
Rule 17f–2. This rule does not involve
the collection of confidential
information.
It is estimated that approximately 75
respondents will incur an average
burden of 30 minutes per year to
comply with this rule, for a total
approximate burden of 38 hours.
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Consideration will be given
to comments and suggestions submitted
in writing within 60 days of this
publication.
Please direct your written comments
to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief
Information Officer, Securities and
Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20549.
Dated: March 31, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–1672 Filed 4–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Proposed Collection; Comment
Request
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and
Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
Extension:
Rule 15g–2; SEC File No. 270–381; OMB
Control No. 3235–0434.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
on the collection of information
summarized below. The Commission
plans to submit this existing collection
of information to the Office of
Management and Budget for extension
and approval.
E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM
12APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19135-19136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1671]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC
20549.
Extension:
Rule 17Ac3-1(a), SEC File No. 270-96, OMB Control No. 3235-0151;
Form TA-W(1669), SEC File No. 270-96, OMB Control No. 3235-0151.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this
existing collection of information to the Office of Management and
Budget for extension and approval.
Subsection (c)(4)(B) of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') authorizes transfer agents registered with
an appropriate regulatory agency (``ARA'') to withdraw
[[Page 19136]]
from registration by filing with the ARA a written notice of withdrawal
and by agreeing to such terms and conditions as the ARA deems necessary
or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors,
or in the furtherance of the purposes of Section 17A.
In order to implement Section 17A(c)(4)(B) of the Exchange Act the
Commission, on September 1, 1977, promulgated Rule 17Ac3-1(a) and
accompanying Form TA-W. Rule 17Ac3-1(a) provides that notice of
withdrawal from registration as a transfer agent with the Commission
shall be filed on Form TA-W. Form TA-W requires the withdrawing
transfer agent to provide the Commission with certain information,
including: (1) The locations where transfer agent activities are or
were performed; (2) the reasons for ceasing the performance of such
activities; (3) disclosure of unsatisfied judgments or liens; and (4)
information regarding successor transfer agents.
The Commission uses the information disclosed on Form TA-W to
determine whether the registered transfer agent applying for withdrawal
from registration as a transfer agent should be allowed to deregister
and, if so, whether the Commission should attach to the granting of the
application any terms or conditions necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of investors, or in furtherance of
the purposes of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. Without Rule 17Ac3-
1(a) and Form TA-W, transfer agents registered with the Commission
would not have a means for voluntary deregistration when necessary or
appropriate to do so.
Respondents file approximately 50 TA-Ws with the Commission
annually. A Form TA-W filing occurs only once, when a transfer agent is
seeking deregistration. Since the form is simple and straightforward,
the Commission estimates that a transfer agent need spend no more than
30 minutes to complete a Form TA-W. Therefore, the total average annual
burden to covered entities is approximately 25 hours of preparation and
maintenance time.
In view of the ready availability of the information requested by
TA-W, its short and simple presentation, and the Commission's
experience with the form, we estimate that approximately 30 minutes is
required to complete Form TA-W, including clerical time. The Commission
estimates a cost of approximately $35 for each 30 minutes. Therefore,
the total average annual cost burden is approximately $1,750.
Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will
be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60
days of this publication.
Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.
Dated: March 31, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-1671 Filed 4-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
