00-23216. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Extension:

Rule 17Ad-13, SEC File No. 270-263, OMB Control No. 3235-0275

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”) is soliciting comments on the collections of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

• Rule 17Ad-13, Annual Study and Evaluation of Internal Accounting Control Rule 17Ad-13 requires approximately 200 registered transfer agents to obtain an annual report on the adequacy of internal accounting controls. In addition, transfer agents must maintain copies of any reports prepared pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 plus any documents prepared to notify the Commission and appropriate regulatory agencies in the event that the transfer agent is required to take any corrective action. These recordkeeping requirements assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule. Small transfer agents are exempt from Rule 17Ad-13.

The staff estimates that the average number of hours necessary for each transfer agent to comply with Rule 17Ad-13 is one-hundred seventy-five hours annually. The total burden is 35,000 hours annually for transfer agents, based upon past submissions. The average cost per hour is approximately $60. Therefore, the total cost of compliance for transfer agents is $1,300,000.

The retention period for the recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-13 is three years following the date of a report prepared pursuant to the rule. The recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad-13 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.

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

Please direct your written comments to Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: August 31, 2000.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.