02-18645. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 17Ad-17, SEC File No. 270-412, OMB Control No. 3235-0469

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 for extension of the previously approved collection of information discussed below.

• Rule 17Ad-17 Transfer Agents' Obligation to Search for Lost Securityholders

Rule 17Ad-17 [17 CFR 240.17Ad-17] requires approximately 952 registered transfer agents to conduct searches using third party database vendors to attempt to locate lost securityholders. The staff estimates that the average number of hours necessary for each transfer agent to comply with Rule 17Ad-17 is five hours annually. The total burden is approximately 4,760 annually for all transfer agents. The cost of compliance for each individual transfer agent depends on the number of lost accounts for which it is responsible. Based on information received from transfer agents, we estimate that the annual cost industry wide is $3.3 million.

The retention period for the recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-17 is three years. The recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-17 is 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.

General comments regarding the estimated burden hours should be directed to the following persons: (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; and (ii) Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Dated: July 17, 2002.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.