2022-09845. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Extension:

Rule 17a-7

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ) (“PRA”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 17a-7 (17 CFR 240.17a-7) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq. ) (“Exchange Act”). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Rule 17a-7 requires a non-resident broker-dealer (generally, a broker-dealer with its principal place of business in a place not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States) registered or applying for registration pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act to maintain—in the United States—complete and current copies of books and records required to be maintained under any rule adopted under the Exchange Act and furnish to the Commission a written notice specifying the address where the copies are located. Alternatively, Rule 17a-7 provides that non-resident broker-dealers may file with the Commission a written undertaking to furnish the requisite books and records to the Commission upon demand within 14 days of the demand.

There are approximately 30 non-resident brokers and dealers. Based on the Commission's experience, the Commission estimates that the average amount of time necessary to comply with Rule 17a-7 is one hour per year. Accordingly, the total industry-wide reporting burden is approximately 30 hours per year. Assuming an average cost per hour of approximately $319 for a compliance manager, the total internal cost of compliance for the respondents is approximately $9,570 per year.^[1]

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 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 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 by July 8, 2022.

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: May 3, 2022.

J. Matthew DeLesDernier,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  $319 per hour for a compliance manager is from SIFMA's Management & Professional Earnings in the Securities Industry 2013, modified by Commission staff for an 1800-hour work-year, multiplied by 5.35 to account for bonuses, firm size, employee benefits, and overhead, and adjusted for inflation.