[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 22424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9639]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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

Extension:
    Rule 17Ab2-1, Form CA-1, SEC File No. 270-203, OMB Control No. 
3235-0195.

    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 approval of extension of the previously 
approved collection of information provided for in Rule 17Ab2-1 (17 CFR 
240.17Ab2-1) and Form CA-1: Registration of Clearing Agencies (17 CFR 
249b.200) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et 
seq.).
    Rule 17Ab2-1 and Form CA-1 require clearing agencies to register 
with the Commission and to meet certain requirements with regard to, 
among other things, a clearing agency's organization, capacities, and 
rules. The information is collected from the clearing agency upon the 
initial application for registration on Form CA-1. Thereafter, 
information is collected by amendment to the initial Form CA-1 when 
material changes in circumstances necessitate modification of the 
information previously provided to the Commission.
    The Commission uses the information disclosed on Form CA-1 to (i) 
determine whether an applicant meets the standards for registration set 
forth in Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange 
Act''), (ii) enforce compliance with the Exchange Act's registration 
requirement, and (iii) provide information about specific registered 
clearing agencies for compliance and investigatory purposes. Without 
Rule 17Ab2-1, the Commission could not perform these duties as 
statutorily required.
    The Commission staff estimates that each initial Form CA-1 requires 
approximately 130 hours to complete and submit for approval. This 
burden is composed primarily of a one-time reporting burden that 
reflects the applicant's staff time (i.e. internal labor costs) to 
prepare and submit the Form to the Commission. Hours required for 
amendments to Form CA-1 that must be submitted to the Commission in 
connection with material changes to the initial CA-1 can vary, 
depending upon the nature and extent of the amendment. Since the 
Commission only receives an average of one submission per year, the 
aggregate annual burden associated with compliance with Rule 17Ab2-1 
and Form CA-1 is 130 hours. The main cost to respondents is associated 
with generating, maintaining, and providing the information sought by 
Form CA-1. The external costs associated with such activities include 
fees charged by outside lawyers and accountants to assist the 
registrant collect and prepare the information sought by the form 
(though such consultations are not required by the Commission) and are 
estimated to be approximately $18,000. The rule and form do not involve 
the collection of confidential information.
    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 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 60 days of this publication.
    The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No 
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Chief 
Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an 
e-mail to: [email protected].

    Dated: April 12, 2011.
Cathy H. Ahn,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-9639 Filed 4-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P