[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 3291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1167]


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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 17Ac2-2 and Form TA-2, SEC File No. 270-298, OMB Control 
No. 3235-0337.

    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 existing 
collection of information provided for in Rule 17Ac2-2 (17 CFR 
240.17Ac2-2) and Form TA-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (``Exchange Act''). Rule 17Ac2-2 and Form TA-2 
require transfer agents to file an annual report of their business 
activities with the Commission.
    These reporting requirements are designed to ensure that all 
registered transfer agents are providing the Commission with sufficient 
information on an annual basis about the transfer agent community and 
for the Commission to effectively monitor business activities of 
transfer agents.
    The amount of time needed to comply with the requirements of 
amended Rule 17Ac2-2 and Form TA-2 varies. From the total 473 
registered transfer agents, approximately 30 registrants would be 
required to complete only Questions 1 through 4 and the signature 
section of amended Form TA-2, which the Commission estimates would take 
each registrant about 30 minutes, for a total burden of 15 hours (30 x 
.5 hours). Approximately 111 registrants would be required to answer 
Questions 1 through 5, 10, and 11 and the signature section, which the 
Commission estimates would take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, for a 
total of 166.5 hours (111 x 1.5 hours). The remaining registrants, 
approximately 332, would be required to complete the entire Form TA-2, 
which the Commission estimates would take about 6 hours, for a total of 
1,992 hours (332 x 6 hours). The aggregate annual burden on all 473 
transfer agents registered with the Commission as of January 1, 2012, 
is thus approximately 2,174 hours (15 hours + 166.5 hours + 1,992 
hours).
    We estimate that the total cost of reviewing and entering the 
information reported on the Forms TA-2 for respondents is $41.50 per 
hour. The Commission estimates that the total internal labor cost of 
complying with the rule and form requirements would be $90,221 annually 
($41.50 x 2,174). This, however, is solely a monetization of the hour 
burden and is not a separate cost burden.
    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.
    The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management 
and Budget (``OMB'') 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 OMB control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: Thomas Bayer, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312 or 
send an email to: [email protected].

    Dated: January 17, 2012.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-1167 Filed 1-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P