E8-19231. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

Extension: Rule 15c2-5, OMB Control No. 3235-0198, SEC File No. 270-195.

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. The Code of Federal Regulations citation to this collection of information is the following: 17 CFR 240.15c2-5.

Rule 15c2-5 prohibits a broker-dealer from arranging or extending certain loans to persons in connection with the offer or sale of securities unless, before any element of the transaction is entered into, the broker-dealer: (1) Delivers to the person a written statement containing the exact nature and extent of the person's obligations under the loan arrangement; the risks and disadvantages of the loan arrangement; and all commissions, discounts, and other remuneration received and to be received in connection with the transaction by the broker-dealer or certain related persons (unless the person receives certain materials from the lender or broker-dealer which contain the required information); and (2) obtains from the person information on the person's financial situation and needs, reasonably determines that the transaction is suitable for the person, and retains on file and makes available to the person on request a written statement setting forth the broker-dealer's basis for determining that the transaction was suitable. The collection of information required by the rule is necessary to execute the Commission's mandate under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (“Exchange Act”) to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, and deceptive acts and practices by broker-dealers.

The Commission estimates that there are approximately 50 respondents that require an aggregate total of 600 hours to comply with the Rule. Each of these approximately 50 registered broker-dealers makes an estimated 6 annual responses, for an aggregate total of 300 responses per year. Each response takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Thus, the total compliance burden per year is 600 burden hours. The approximate cost per hour is $40.00 for clerical labor, resulting in a total compliance cost of $24,000 (600 hours @ $40.00 per hour).

Although Rule 15c2-5 does not specify a retention period or record keeping requirement under the Rule, nevertheless broker-dealers are required to preserve the records for a period no less than six years pursuant to Rule 17a-4(c). The information required under Rule 15c2-5 is necessary for broker-dealers to engage in the lending activities prescribed in the Rule. Rule 15c2-5 does not assure confidentiality for the information retained under the Rule.^[1] 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.

Written comments regarding the above information 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 or by sending an e-mail to [e-mail]; and (ii) Lewis W. Walker, Acting Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an e-mail to: [e-mail]. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Dated: August 13, 2008.

Florence E. Harmon,

Acting Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  The records required by Rule 15c2-5 would be available only to the examination of the Commission staff, state securities authorities and the SROs. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 522, and the Commission's rules thereunder (17 CFR 200.80(b)(4)(iii)), the Commission does not generally publish or make available information contained in any reports, summaries, analyses, letters, or memoranda arising out of, in anticipation of, or in connection with an examination or inspection of the books and records of any person or any other investigation.