E9-5769. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request  

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    Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

    Extension:

    Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7, OMB Control No. 3235-0291, SEC File No. 270-151.

    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 (“OMB”) a request for approval of extension of the existing collection of information provided for in the following rules: Rule 17Ad-6 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-6) and Rule 17Ad-7 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-7) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (“Exchange Act”).

    Rule 17Ad-6 under the Exchange Act requires every registered transfer agent to make and keep current records about a variety of information, such as: (1) Specific operational data regarding the time taken to perform transfer agent activities (to ensure compliance with the minimum performance standards in Rule 17Ad-2 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-2); (2) written inquiries and requests by shareholders and broker-dealers and response time thereto; (3) resolutions, contracts or other supporting documents concerning the appointment or termination of the transfer agent; (4) stop orders or notices of adverse claims to the securities; and (5) all canceled registered securities certificates.

    Rule 17Ad-7 under the Exchange Act requires each registered transfer agent to retain the records specified in Rule 17Ad-6 in an easily accessible place for a period of six months to six years, depending on the type of record or document. Rule 17Ad-7 also specifies the manner in which records may be maintained using electronic, microfilm, and microfiche storage methods.

    These recordkeeping requirements are designed to ensure that all registered transfer agents are maintaining the records necessary for transfer agents to monitor and keep control over their own performance and for the Commission to adequately examine registered transfer agents on an historical basis for compliance with applicable rules.

    The Commission estimates that approximately 600 registered transfer agents will spend a total of 300,000 hours per year complying with Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7 (500 hours per year per transfer agent).

    The retention period for the recordkeeping requirements under Rule 17Ad-6 is six months to one year. In addition, such records must be retained for a total of two to six years or for one year after termination of the transfer agency, depending on the particular record or document. The recordkeeping requirements under Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7 are mandatory to assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule. This rule does not involve the collection of confidential information.

    Please note that 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.

    Comments should be directed to: (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 or by sending an e-mail to: Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Charles Boucher, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an e-mail to PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted within 30 days of this notice.

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    Dated: March 11, 2009.

    Florence E. Harmon,

    Deputy Secretary.

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    [FR Doc. E9-5769 Filed 3-17-09; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Document Information

Published:
03/18/2009
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
E9-5769
Pages:
11617-11617 (1 pages)
PDF File:
e9-5769.pdf