2011-10852. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Rule 15b6-1 and Form BDW; OMB Control No. 3235-0018; SEC File No. 270-17.

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 to revise the collection of information discussed below. The Code of Federal Regulations citation to this collection of information is 17 CFR 240.15b6-1.

Registered broker-dealers use Form BDW (17 CFR 249.501a) to withdraw from registration with the Commission, the self-regulatory organizations, and the states. On average, the Commission estimates that it would take a broker-dealer approximately one hour to complete and file a Form BDW to withdraw from Commission registration as required by Rule 15b6-1. The Commission estimates that approximately 515 broker-dealers withdraw from Commission registration annually ^[1] and, therefore, file a Form BDW via the Internet with Web CRD, a computer system operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. that maintains information regarding registered broker-dealers and their registered personnel. Therefore, the 515 broker-dealers that withdraw from registration by filing Form BDW would incur an aggregate annual reporting burden of approximately 515 hours.^[2]

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 shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 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.

The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an e-mail to: [e-mail].

Dated: April 28, 2011.

Cathy H. Ahn,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  This estimate is based on Form BDW data collected over the past three years. In fiscal year (from 10/1 through 9/30) 2008, 503 broker-dealers withdrew from registration. In fiscal year 2009, 533 broker-dealers withdrew from registration. In fiscal year 2010, 510 broker-dealers withdrew from registration. (503 + 533 + 510)/3 = 515.

2.  (515 × 1 hour) = 515 hours.