2022-24880. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension: Rule 17a-14 and Form CRS

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

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 17a-14 [17 CFR 240.17a-14] and Form CRS [17 CFR 249.640], under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Rule 17a-14 and Form CRS require a broker-dealer that offers services to retail investors to prepare and file with the Commission through WebCRD, post to the broker-dealer's website (if it has one), and deliver to retail investors a relationship summary. The relationship summary can assist retail investors in making an informed choice about whether to hire or retain a broker-dealer, as well as what types of accounts and services are appropriate for their needs.

The information that must be collected pursuant to Rule 17a-14 and Form CRS is necessary to provide broker-dealer retail customers, prospective retail customers, and the Commission with information about the relationships and services the firm offers to retail investors, fees and costs that the retail investor will pay, specific conflicts of interest and standards of conduct, legal or disciplinary history, and how to obtain additional information about the firm. The Commission uses the information to manage its regulatory and examination programs. Clients can use the information required in the relationship summary to determine whether to hire or retain a broker-dealer, as well as what types of accounts and services are appropriate for their needs. The information will therefore help establish a framework that protects investors and promotes efficiency, competition, and capital formation.

The aggregate annual hour burden for all respondents to comply with the information collection requirements of Rule 17a-14 and Form CRS is estimated to be approximately 6,098,916 hours per year. Under Rule 17a-14 and Form CRS, respondents will also incur cost burdens. The aggregate annual cost burden for all respondents is estimated to be approximately $181,194 per year.

Written comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed 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 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 by January 17, 2023.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Please direct your written comments to: David Bottom, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o John Pezzullo, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: [e-mail].

Dated: November 9, 2022.

Sherry R. Haywood,

Assistant Secretary.