2012-20099. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

Extension:

Rule 17f-2(a), SEC File No. 270-34, OMB Control No. 3235-0034.

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”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) a request for extension of the previously approved collection of information for Rule 17f-2(a) (17 CFR 240.17-2(a)), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.).

Rule 17f-2(a) (Fingerprinting Requirements for Securities Professionals) requires that securities professionals be fingerprinted. This requirement serves to identify security-risk personnel, to allow an employer to make fully informed employment decisions, and to deter possible wrongdoers from seeking employment in the securities industry. Partners, directors, officers, and employees of exchanges, brokers, dealers, transfer agents, and clearing agencies are included.

The Commission staff estimates that approximately 10,000 respondents will submit fingerprint cards each year. It also estimates that each respondent will submit 55 fingerprint cards per year. The staff estimates that the average number of hours necessary to comply with Rule 17f-2(a) by completing a fingerprint card is one-half hour. Thus, the total estimated annual burden is 275,000 hours for all respondents (550,000 times one-half hour). The average estimated internal labor cost of compliance per hour is approximately $50. Therefore, the total estimated annual internal labor cost of compliance for all respondents is $13,750,000 (275,000 times $50).

Fingerprint cards submitted under Rule 17f-2(a) must be retained for a period of not less than three years after termination of the person's employment relationship with the organization. Submitting fingerprint cards for all securities personnel is mandatory to obtain the benefit of identifying security-risk personnel, allowing an employer to make fully informed employment decisions and deterring possible wrongdoers from seeking employment in the securities industry. Fingerprint cards submitted according to Rule 17f-2(a) will not be kept confidential.

The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 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 OMB control number.

Background documentation for this information collection may be viewed at the following Web site: www.reginfo.gov. 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 email to: [e-mail]; and (ii) Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or send an email to: [e-mail]. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Dated: August 10, 2012.

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.