02-24353. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 17f-2(c), SEC File No. 270-35 OMB Control No. 3235-0029

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 requests for approval of extension of Rule 17f-2(c).

Rule 17f-2(c) allows persons required to be fingerprinted pursuant to section 17(f)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to submit their fingerprints through a national securities exchange or a national securities association in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved by the Commission. Plans have been approved for the American, Boston, Chicago, New York, Pacific, and Philadelphia stock exchanges and for the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

It is estimated that 85,000 registered broker-dealers submit approximately 275,000 fingerprint cards to exchanges or a registered security association on an annual basis. It is approximated that it should take 15 minutes to comply with Rule 17f-2(c). The total reporting burden is estimated to be 68,750 hours.

Because the Federal Bureau of Investigation will not accept fingerprint cards directly from submitting organizations, Commission approval of plans from certain exchanges and national securities associations is essential to the Congressional goal of fingerprint personnel in the security industry. The filing of these plans for review assures users and their personnel that fingerprint cards will be handled responsibly and with due care for confidentiality.

Submission of fingerprint plans under Rule 17f-2(c) is mandatory for self-regulatory organizations. 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 10202, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; and (ii) Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.

Dated: September 18, 2002.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.