2018-20592. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-2736

Extension:

Rule 17Ad-15; SEC File No. 270-360, OMB Control No. 3235-0409

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 17Ad-15 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-15) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Rule 17Ad-15 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-15) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (the “Act”) requires the approximately 373 registered transfer agents to establish written standards for the acceptance or rejection of guarantees of securities transfers from eligible guarantor institutions. Transfer agents are required to establish procedures to ensure that those standards are used by the transfer agent to determine whether to accept or reject guarantees from eligible guarantor institutions. Transfer agents must maintain, for a period of three years following the date of a rejection of transfer, a record of all transfers rejected, along with the reason for the rejection, identification of the guarantor, and whether the guarantor failed to meet the transfer agent's guarantee standard. These recordkeeping requirements assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule.

There are approximately 373 registered transfer agents. The staff estimates that each transfer agent will spend about 40 hours annually to comply with Rule 17Ad-15, or a total of 14,920 hours for all transfer agents (373 × 40 hours = 14,920 hours). The Commission staff estimates that compliance staff work at each registered transfer agent will result in an internal cost of compliance (at an estimated hourly wage of $283) of $11,320 per year per transfer agent (40 hours × $283 per hour = $11,320 per year). Therefore, the aggregate annual internal cost of compliance for the approximately 373 registered transfer agents is approximately $4,222,360 ($11,320 × 373 = $4,222,360).

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents; 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.

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

Please direct your written comments to: Pamela Dyson, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Candace Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: [e-mail].

Dated. September 18, 2018.

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.