01-3004. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

SUMMARY:

Background

On June 15, 1984, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delegated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) its approval authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act, as per 5 CFR 1320.16, to approve of and assign OMB control numbers to collection of information requests and requirements conducted or sponsored by the Board under conditions set forth in 5 CFR 1320 Appendix A.1. Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the OMB 83-Is and supporting statements and approved collection of information instruments are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Request for Comment on Information Collection Proposal(s)

The following information collection(s), which is/are being handled under this delegated authority, has/have received initial Board approval and is/are hereby published for comment. At the end of the comment period, the proposed information collection(s), along with an analysis of comments and recommendations received, will be submitted to the Board for final approval under OMB delegated authority. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Federal Reserve's functions; including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Federal Reserve's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, which should refer to the OMB control number or agency form number, should be addressed to Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC 20551, or mailed electronically to [e-mail]. Comments addressed to Ms. Johnson may be delivered to the Board's mail room between 8:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., and to the security control room outside of those hours. Both the mail room and the security control room are accessible from the courtyard entrance on 20th Street between Constitution Avenue and C Street, NW. Comments received may be inspected in room M-P-500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., except as provided in section 261.14 of the Board's Rules Regarding Availability of Information, 12 CFR 261.14(a).

A copy of the comments may also be submitted to the OMB desk officer for the Board: Alexander T. Hunt, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 3208, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

A copy of the proposed form and instructions, the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission (OMB 83-I), supporting statement, and other documents that will be placed into OMB's public docket files once approved may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears below.

Mary M. West, Federal Reserve Board Clearance Officer (202-452-3829), Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users may contact Diane Jenkins (202-452-3544), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551.

Proposal To Approve Under OMB Delegated Authority the Extension for Three Years, Without R revision, of the Following Report

1. Report title: Transfer Agent Registration and Amendment Form.

Agency form number: FR TA-1.

OMB control number: 7100-0099.

Frequency: On occasion.

Reporters: State member banks and their subsidiaries, bank holding companies, and certain nondeposit trust company subsidiaries of bank holding companies.

Annual reporting hours: 12.

Estimated average hours per response: 1.25 (registration), 0.17 (amendment).

Number of respondents: 7 (registrations), 15 (amendments). Small businesses are not affected.

General description of report: This information collection is mandatory (sections 17A(c), 17(a), and 23(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (15 U.S.C. 78q-1(c)(1) and (2), 78q(a)(3), and 78w(a)(1)) and is not given confidential treatment.

Abstract: The Securities Exchange Act requires any person acting as a transfer agent to register as such and to amend registration information when it changes. State member banks and their subsidiaries, bank holding companies, and certain nondeposit trust company subsidiaries of bank holding companies register with the Federal Reserve System by submitting form TA-1. The information collected includes the company name, all business addresses, and several questions about the registrant's proposed activity as a transfer agent. The Federal Reserve uses the information to act upon applications and to aid in performing its supervisory duties.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, January 31, 2001.

Jennifer J. Johnson,

Secretary of the Board.