02-26022. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 10b-17, SEC File No. 270-427, OMB Control No. 3235-0476

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”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below.

• Rule 10b-17, Untimely announcements of record dates (17 CFR 240.10b-17)

Rule 10b-17 requires any issuer of a class of securities publicly traded by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange to give notice of the following actions relating to such class of securities: (1) A dividend; (2) a stock split; or (3) a rights or other subscription offering. Notice shall be (1) given to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; (2) in accordance with the procedures of the national securities exchange upon which the securities are registered; or (3) may be waived by the Commission.

The information required by Rule 10b-17 is necessary for the execution of the Commission's mandate under the Exchange Act to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, and deceptive acts and practices by broker-dealers. The consequence of not requiring the information collection pursuant to Rule 10b-17 is that sellers who have received distributions as recordholders may dispose of the cash or stock dividends or other rights received as recordholders without knowledge of possible claims of purchasers.

It is estimated that, on an annual basis, there are approximately 29,430 respondents and that each response takes about 10 minutes to complete, thus imposing approximately 4,905 burden hours annually (29,430 × 10 minutes). It is believed that the average hourly cost to produce and file a response under the rule is about $50. Therefore, the annual reporting cost burden for complying with this rule is about $245,250 (4,905 × $50).

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. Written comments regarding the above information should be directed to the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; and (ii) Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Dated: October 3, 2002.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.