[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2575-2576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-780]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 
20549-0213.

Extension:
    Rule 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7; SEC File No. 270-151; OMB Control No. 
3235-0291.

    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 
(``OMB'') a request for approval of extension of the existing 
collection of information provided for in the following rules: Rule 
17Ad-6 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-6) and Rule 17Ad-7 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-7) under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (``Exchange 
Act'').
    Rule 17Ad-6 under the Exchange Act requires every registered 
transfer agent to make and keep current records about a variety of 
information, such as: (1) Specific operational data regarding the time 
taken to perform transfer agent activities (to ensure compliance with 
the minimum performance standards in Rule 17Ad-2 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-2)); 
(2) written inquiries and requests by shareholders and broker-dealers 
and response time thereto; (3) resolutions, contracts or other 
supporting documents concerning the appointment or termination of the 
transfer agent; (4) stop orders or notices of adverse claims to the 
securities; and (5) all canceled registered securities certificates.
    Rule 17Ad-7 under the Exchange Act requires each registered 
transfer agent to retain the records specified in Rule 17Ad-6 in an 
easily accessible place for a period of six months to six years, 
depending on the type of record or document. Rule 17Ad-7 also specifies 
the manner in which records may be maintained using electronic, 
microfilm, and microfiche storage methods.
    These recordkeeping requirements are designed to ensure that all 
registered transfer agents are maintaining the records necessary for 
transfer agents to monitor and keep control over their own performance 
and for the Commission to

[[Page 2576]]

adequately examine registered transfer agents on an historical basis 
for compliance with applicable rules.
    The Commission estimates that approximately 473 registered transfer 
agents will spend a total of 236,500 hours per year complying with 
Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7 (500 hours per year per transfer agent).
    The retention period for the recordkeeping requirements under Rule 
17Ad-6 is six months to one year. In addition, such records must be 
retained for a total of two to six years or for one year after 
termination of the transfer agency, depending on the particular record 
or document. The recordkeeping requirements under Rules 17Ad-6 and 
17Ad-7 are 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.
    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 Paperwork Reduction Act that 
does not display a valid OMB control number.
    The public may view the background documentation for this 
information collection at the following Web site, www.reginfo.gov. 
Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and 
Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office 
Building, Washington, DC 20503, or by sending an email to: [email protected]; and (ii) Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief Information 
Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 
6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an email to: [email protected]. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of 
this notice.

    Dated: January 11, 2011.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-780 Filed 1-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P