00-23602. Proposed Renewal of Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Treasury.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The OCC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the OCC is soliciting comment concerning its renewal, without change, of an information collection titled, “Disclosure of Financial and Other Information by National Banks—12 CFR Part 18.”

DATES:

You should submit written comments by November 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

You should direct all written comments to the Communications Division, Attention: 1557-0182, Third Floor, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219. In addition, you may send comments by facsimile transmission to [phone], or by electronic mail to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

You can request additional information or a copy of the collection from Jessie Dunaway or Camille Dixon, [phone], Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division (1557-0182), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219. You can inspect and photocopy the comments at the OCC's Public Reference Room, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on business days. You can make an appointment to inspect the comments by calling [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The OCC is proposing to extend OMB approval of the following information collection:

Title: Disclosure of Financial and Other Information by National Banks—12 CFR 18.

OMB Number: 1557-0182.

Form Number: None.

Abstract: This submission covers an existing regulation and involves no change to the regulation or to the information collections embodied in the regulation. The OCC requests only that OMB renew its approval of the information collections in the current regulation.

This disclosure of information is needed to facilitate informed decisionmaking by existing and potential customers and investors by improving public understanding of, and confidence in, the financial condition of an individual national bank. The disclosed information is used by depositors, security holders, and the general public in evaluating the condition of, and deciding whether to do business with, a particular national bank. Disclosure and increased public knowledge complements OCC's efforts to promote the safety and soundness of national banks and the national banking system.

The information collections contained in part 18 are found in sections 18.4(c) and 18.8. Section 18.4(c) permits a bank to prepare a optional narrative for inclusion in its annual disclosure statement. Section 18.8 requires that a national bank promptly furnish materials in response to a request.

Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,800.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,800.

Frequency of Response: Annual.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,400 burden hours.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information of information unless the collection displays a valid OMB control number.

Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. 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 has practical utility;

(b) The accuracy of the agency'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;

(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

(e) Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Dated: September 8, 2000.

Mark J. Tenhundfeld,

Assistant Director, Legislative & Regulatory Activities Division.