[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19334-19335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07321]


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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 
20549-0213.

Extension:
    Rule 17Ad-10, SEC File No. 270-265, OMB Control No. 3235-0273.

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (``PRA''), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the existing 
collection of information provided for in Rule 17Ad-10, (17 CFR 
240.17Ad-10), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a 
et seq.). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of 
information to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for 
extension and approval.
    Rule 17Ad-10 generally requires registered transfer agents to: (1) 
Create and maintain current and accurate securityholder records; (2) 
promptly and accurately record all transfers, purchases, redemptions, 
and issuances, and notify their appropriate regulatory agency if they 
are unable to do so; (3) exercise diligent and continuous attention in 
resolving record inaccuracies; (4) disclose to the issuers for whom 
they perform transfer agent functions and to their appropriate 
regulatory agency information regarding record inaccuracies; (5) buy-in 
certain record inaccuracies that result in a physical over issuance of 
securities; and (6) communicate with other transfer agents related to 
the same issuer. These requirements assist in the creation and 
maintenance of accurate securityholder records, enhance the ability to 
research errors, and ensure the transfer agent is aware of the number 
of securities that are properly authorized by the issuer, thereby 
avoiding over issuance.
    The rule also has specific recordkeeping requirements. It requires 
registered transfer agents to retain certificate detail that has been 
deleted for six years and keep current an accurate record of the number 
of shares or principal dollar amount of debt securities that the issuer 
has authorized to be outstanding. These mandatory requirements ensure 
accurate securityholder records and 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.
    There are approximately 464 registered transfer agents. We estimate 
that the average number of hours necessary for each transfer agent to 
comply with Rule 17Ad-10 is approximately 80 hours per year, which 
generates an industry-wide annual burden of 37,120 hours (464 times 80 
hours). This burden is of a recordkeeping nature but also includes a 
small amount of third party disclosure and SEC reporting burdens. At an 
average staff cost of $50 per hour, the industry-wide internal labor 
cost of compliance (a monetization of the burden hours) is 
approximately $1,856,000 per year (37,120 x $50). In addition, we 
estimate that each transfer agent will incur an annual external cost 
burden of $18,000 resulting from the collection of information. 
Therefore, the total annual external cost on the entire transfer agent 
industry is approximately $8,352,000 ($18,000 times 464). This cost 
primarily reflects ongoing computer operations and maintenance 
associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing 
certain information required by the rule.
    The amount of time any particular transfer agent will devote to 
Rule 17Ad-10 compliance will vary according to the size and scope of 
the transfer agent's business activity. We note, however, that at least 
some of the records, processes, and communications required by Rule 
17Ad-10 would likely be maintained, generated, and used for transfer 
agent business purposes even without the rule.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper

[[Page 19335]]

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 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 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: March 25, 2013.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-07321 Filed 3-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P