E5-2754. 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 17a-22; SEC File No. 270-202; OMB Control No. 3235-0196.

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

• Rule 17a-22 Supplemental Material of Registered Clearing Agencies Rule 17a-22 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) ^[1] requires all registered clearing agencies to file with the Commission three copies of all materials they issue or make generally available to their participants or other entities with whom they have a significant relationship. The filings with the Commission must be made within ten days after the materials are issued, and when the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency, the clearing agency must file one copy of the material with its appropriate regulatory agency. The Commission is responsible for overseeing clearing agencies and uses the information filed pursuant to Rule 17a-22 to determine whether a clearing agency is implementing procedural or policy changes. The information filed aides the Commission in determining whether such changes are consistent with the purposes of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. Also, the Commission uses the information to determine whether a clearing agency has changed its rules without reporting the actual or prospective change to the Commission as required under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act.

The respondents to Rule 17a-22 generally are registered clearing agencies. The frequency of filings made by clearing agencies pursuant to Rule 17a-22 varies, but on average there are approximately 200 filings per year per clearing agency. Because the filings consist of materials that have been prepared for widespread distribution, the additional cost to the clearing agencies associated with submitting copies to the Commission is relatively small. The Commission staff estimates that the cost of compliance with Rule 17a-22 to all registered clearing agencies is approximately $3,000. This represents one dollar per filing in postage, or a total of $2,000. The remaining $1,000 is the estimated cost of additional printing, envelopes, and other administrative expenses.

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 shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency'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.

Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Chief Information Officer, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: May 13, 2005.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.