Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 4108-4109 [2019-02310]

Download as PDF 4108 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 31 / Thursday, February 14, 2019 / Notices Within 10 days of becoming an Access Person, a dated initial holdings report that sets forth certain information with respect to the Access Person’s securities and accounts; (ii) dated quarterly transaction reports within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter providing certain information with respect to any securities transactions during the quarter and any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter; and (iii) dated annual holding reports providing information with respect to each Covered Security the Access Person beneficially owns and accounts in which securities are held for his or her benefit. In addition, rule 17j–1 requires investment personnel of a fund or its investment adviser, before acquiring beneficial ownership in securities through an initial public offering (IPO) or in a private placement, to obtain approval from the fund or the fund’s investment adviser. The requirements that the management of a rule 17j–1 organization provide the fund’s board with new and amended codes of ethics and an annual issues and certification report are intended to enhance board oversight of personal investment policies applicable to the fund and the personal investment activities of Access Persons. The requirements that Access Persons provide initial holdings reports, quarterly transaction reports, and annual holdings reports and request approval for purchases of securities through IPOs and private placements are intended to help fund compliance personnel and the Commission’s examinations staff monitor potential conflicts of interest and detect potentially abusive activities. The requirement that each rule 17j–1 organization maintain certain records is intended to assist the organization and the Commission’s examinations staff in determining if there have been violations of rule 17j–1. We estimate that annually there are approximately 75,316 respondents under rule 17j–1, of which 5,316 are rule 17j–1 organizations and 70,000 are Access Persons. In the aggregate, these respondents make approximately 107,038 responses annually. We estimate that the total annual burden of complying with the information collection requirements in rule 17j–1 is approximately 368,094 hours. This hour burden represents time spent by Access Persons that must file initial and annual holdings reports and quarterly transaction reports, investment transaction reports with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Feb 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 personnel that must obtain approval before acquiring beneficial ownership in any securities through an IPO or private placement, and the responsibilities of Rule 17j–1 organizations arising from information collection requirements under rule 17j–1. These include notifying Access Persons of their reporting obligations, preparing an annual rule 17j–1 report and certification for the board, documenting their approval or rejection of IPO and private placement requests, maintaining annual rule 17j–1 records, maintaining electronic reporting and recordkeeping systems, amending their codes of ethics as necessary, and, for new fund complexes, adopting a code of ethics. We estimate that there is an annual cost burden of approximately $5,000 per fund complex, for a total of $3,915,000, associated with complying with the information collection requirements in rule 17j–1. This represents the costs of purchasing and maintaining computers and software to assist funds in carrying out rule 17j–1 recordkeeping. These burden hour and cost estimates are based upon the Commission staff’s experience and discussions with the fund industry. The estimates of average burden hours and costs are made solely for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act. These estimates are not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study of the costs of Commission rules. Compliance with the collection of information requirements of the rule is mandatory and is necessary to comply with the requirements of the rule in general. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Rule 17j–1 requires that records be maintained for at least five years in an easily accessible place.7 Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission’s estimate of the burden of the collections of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burdens of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or 7 If information collected pursuant to the rule is reviewed by the Commission’s examination staff, it will be accorded the same level of confidentiality accorded to other responses provided to the Commission in the context of its examination and oversight program. See section 31(c) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a–30(c)). PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 Charles Riddle, Acting Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Candace Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549; or send an email to: PRA_ Mailbox@sec.gov. Dated: February 11, 2019. Eduardo A. Aleman, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–02308 Filed 2–13–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549–2736 Extension: Rule 206(4)–7, SEC File No. 270–523, OMB Control No. 3235–0585 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 title for the collection of information is ‘‘Investment Advisers Act rule 206(4)–7 (17 CFR 275.206(4)–7), Compliance procedures and practices.’’ Rule 206(4)–7 requires each investment adviser registered with the Commission to (i) adopt and implement internal compliance policies and procedures, (ii) review those policies and procedures annually, (iii) designate a chief compliance officer, and (iv) maintain certain compliance records. The rule is designed to protect investors by fostering better compliance with the securities laws. The collection of information under rule 206(4)–7 is necessary to assure that investment advisers maintain comprehensive internal programs that promote the advisers’ compliance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information collected under this rule may also assist Commission staff in E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 31 / Thursday, February 14, 2019 / Notices assessing investment advisers’ compliance programs. This collection of information is mandatory. The Commission’s examination staff review the information collected pursuant to the rule 206(4)–7; it will be accorded the same level of confidentiality accorded to other responses provided to the Commission in the context of its examination and oversight program. The respondents to this information collection are investment advisers registered with the Commission. Our latest data indicate that there were 13,249 advisers registered with the Commission as of October 31, 2018. The Commission has estimated that compliance with rule 206(4)–7 imposes an annual burden of approximately 87 hours per respondent. Based on this figure, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 1,152,663 hours for this collection of information. Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number. Please direct your written comments to Charles Riddle, Acting Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Candace Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549; or send an email to: PRA_ Mailbox@sec.gov. Dated: February 11, 2019. Eduardo A. Aleman, Deputy Secretary. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–85083; File No. SR–FINRA– 2019–005] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Implementation Date of Certain Amendments to FINRA Rule 4210 Approved Pursuant to SR–FINRA– 2015–036 February 8, 2019. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on January 29, 2019, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. FINRA has designated the proposed rule change as constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 under the Act,3 which renders the proposal effective upon receipt of this filing by the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change FINRA is proposing to extend, to March 25, 2020, the implementation date of the amendments to FINRA Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements) pursuant to SR–FINRA–2015–036, other than the amendments pursuant to SR–FINRA– 2015–036 that were implemented on December 15, 2016. The proposed rule change would not make any changes to the text of FINRA rules. The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA’s website at https://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, FINRA included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed [FR Doc. 2019–02310 Filed 2–13–19; 8:45 am] 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 2 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Feb 13, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4109 rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose On October 6, 2015, FINRA filed with the Commission proposed rule change SR–FINRA–2015–036, which proposed to amend FINRA Rule 4210 to establish margin requirements for (1) To Be Announced (‘‘TBA’’) transactions, inclusive of adjustable rate mortgage (‘‘ARM’’) transactions; (2) Specified Pool Transactions; and (3) transactions in Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (‘‘CMOs’’), issued in conformity with a program of an agency or GovernmentSponsored Enterprise (‘‘GSE’’), with forward settlement dates, as defined more fully in the filing (collectively, ‘‘Covered Agency Transactions’’). The Commission approved SR–FINRA– 2015–036 on June 15, 2016 (the ‘‘Approval Date’’).4 Pursuant to Partial Amendment No. 3 to SR–FINRA–2015–036, FINRA announced in Regulatory Notice 16–31 that the rule change would become effective on December 15, 2017, 18 months from the Approval Date, except that the risk limit determination requirements as set forth in paragraphs (e)(2)(F), (e)(2)(G) and (e)(2)(H) of Rule 4210 and in new Supplementary Material .05, each as respectively amended or established by SR–FINRA– 2015–036 (collectively, the ‘‘risk limit determination requirements’’), would become effective on December 15, 2016, six months from the Approval Date.5 Industry participants sought clarification regarding the implementation of the requirements pursuant to SR–FINRA–2015–036. Industry participants also requested additional time to make system changes necessary to comply with the requirements, including time to test the system changes, and requested additional time to update or amend margining agreements and related 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78081 (June 15, 2016), 81 FR 40364 (June 21, 2016) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 3 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to a Proposed Rule Change to Amend FINRA Rule 4210 (Margin Requirements) to Establish Margin Requirements for the TBA Market, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1, 2, and 3; File No. SR–FINRA–2015–036). 5 See Partial Amendment No. 3 to SR–FINRA– 2015–036 and Regulatory Notice 16–31 (August 2016), both available at: www.finra.org. E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM 14FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4108-4109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02310]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549-2736

Extension:
    Rule 206(4)-7, SEC File No. 270-523, OMB Control No. 3235-0585

    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 title for the collection of information is ``Investment 
Advisers Act rule 206(4)-7 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-7), Compliance procedures 
and practices.'' Rule 206(4)-7 requires each investment adviser 
registered with the Commission to (i) adopt and implement internal 
compliance policies and procedures, (ii) review those policies and 
procedures annually, (iii) designate a chief compliance officer, and 
(iv) maintain certain compliance records. The rule is designed to 
protect investors by fostering better compliance with the securities 
laws. The collection of information under rule 206(4)-7 is necessary to 
assure that investment advisers maintain comprehensive internal 
programs that promote the advisers' compliance with the Investment 
Advisers Act of 1940. The information collected under this rule may 
also assist Commission staff in

[[Page 4109]]

assessing investment advisers' compliance programs.
    This collection of information is mandatory. The Commission's 
examination staff review the information collected pursuant to the rule 
206(4)-7; it will be accorded the same level of confidentiality 
accorded to other responses provided to the Commission in the context 
of its examination and oversight program.
    The respondents to this information collection are investment 
advisers registered with the Commission. Our latest data indicate that 
there were 13,249 advisers registered with the Commission as of October 
31, 2018. The Commission has estimated that compliance with rule 
206(4)-7 imposes an annual burden of approximately 87 hours per 
respondent. Based on this figure, the Commission estimates a total 
annual burden of 1,152,663 hours for this collection of information.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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. An 
agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be 
subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB 
control number.
    Please direct your written comments to Charles Riddle, Acting 
Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, 
C/O Candace Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549; or send an 
email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

    Dated: February 11, 2019.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-02310 Filed 2-13-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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