03-3490. 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 204-3—SEC File No. 270-42, OMB Control No. 3235-0047

Rule 203-2 and Form ADV-W—SEC File No. 270-40, OMB Control No. 3235-0313

Rule 203-3 and Form ADV-H—SEC File No. 270-481, OMB Control No. 3235-0538

Rule 0-2 and Form ADV-NR—SEC File No. 270-241, OMB Control No. 3235-0240

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 collections of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit these existing collections of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

The title for the collection of information is “Rule 204-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.” Rule 204-3, the “brochure rule,” currently requires an investment adviser to deliver, or offer, to prospective clients a disclosure statement containing specified information as to the business practices and background of the adviser. The brochure assists the client in determining whether to retain, or continue employing, the adviser. Rule 204-3 also currently requires that an investment adviser deliver, or offer, its brochure on an annual basis to existing clients in order to provide them with current information about the adviser. On April 5, 2000, the Commission proposed amendments to rule 204-3 in conjunction with amendments to Form ADV. The proposed amendments to rule 204-3 would require SEC-registered advisers to deliver their brochure and appropriate brochure supplements at the start of the advisory relationship, and to offer to deliver the brochure and brochure supplements annually. The proposed rule amendments also would require that advisers deliver updates to the brochure and brochure supplements to clients whenever information in the brochure becomes materially inaccurate. The updates could take the form of a reprinted brochure or a “sticker” containing the updated information.

The respondents to this information collection would be each investment adviser registered with the Commission. The Commission has estimated that compliance with proposed rule 204-3 would impose a burden of approximately 694 hours annually based on an average adviser having 670 clients. Based on this figure, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 5,412,643 hours for this collection of information.

The title for the collection of information is “Rule 203-2 and Form ADV-W under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.” Rule 203-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 establishes procedures for an investment adviser to withdraw its registration with the Commission. Rule 203-2 requires every person withdrawing from investment adviser registration with the Commission to file Form ADV-W electronically on the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (“IARD”). The purpose of the information collection is to notify the Commission and the public when an investment adviser withdraws its pending or approved SEC registration. Typically, an investment adviser files a Form ADV-W when it ceases doing business or when it is ineligible to remain registered with the Commission.

The respondents to the collection of information are all investment advisers that are registered with the Commission or have applications pending for registration. The Commission has estimated that compliance with the requirement to complete Form ADV-W imposes a total burden of approximately 0.75 hours (45 minutes) for an adviser filing for full withdrawal and approximately 0.25 hours (15 minutes) for an adviser filing for partial withdrawal. Based on historical filings, the Commission estimates that there are approximately 500 respondents annually filing for full withdrawal and approximately 500 respondents annually filing for partial withdrawal. Based on these estimates, the total estimated annual burden would be 500 hours ((500 respondents x .75 hours) + (500 respondents x .25 hours)).

The title for the collection of information is “Rule 203-3 and Form ADV-H under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.” Rule 203-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 establishes procedures for an investment adviser to obtain a hardship exemption from the electronic filing requirements of the Investment Advisers Act. Rule 203-3 requires every person requesting a hardship exemption to file Form ADV-H with the Commission. The purpose of this collection of information is to permit advisers to obtain a hardship exemption, on a permanent or temporary basis, to not complete an electronic filing. The temporary hardship exemption permits advisers to make late filings due to unforeseen computer or software problems, while the continuing hardship exemption permits advisers to submit all required electronic filings on hard copy for data entry by the operator of the IARD.

The respondents to the collection of information are all investment advisers that are registered with the Commission. The Commission has estimated that compliance with the requirement to complete Form ADV-H imposes a total burden of approximately 1 hour for an adviser. Based on our experience with hardship filings, we estimate that we will receive 10 Form ADV-H filings annually. Based on the 60 minute per respondent estimate, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 10 hours for this collection of information.

The title for the collection of information is “Rule 0-2 and Form ADV-NR under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.” Rule 0-2 and Form ADV-NR facilitate service of process to non-resident investment advisers and their non-resident general partners or non-resident managing agents. The Form requires these persons to designate the Commission as agent for service of process. The purpose of this collection of information is to enable the commencement of legal and or regulatory actions against investment advisers that are doing business in the United States, but are not residents.

The respondents to this information collection would be each non-resident general partner or managing agent of an SEC-registered adviser. The Commission has estimated that compliance with the requirement to complete Form ADV-NR imposes a total burden of approximately 1 hour for an adviser. Based on our experience with these filings, we estimate that we will receive 15 Form ADV-NR filings annually. Based on the 60 minute per respondent estimate, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 15 hours for this collection of information.

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 Kenneth A. Fogash, Acting Associate Executive Director/CIO, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: February 6, 2003.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.