[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7526-7527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02732]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Renewal Without 
Change of Bank Secrecy Act Suspicious Activity Reporting Requirement 
for Residential Mortgage Lenders and Originators

AGENCY: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (``FinCEN''), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FinCEN invites all interested parties to comment on its 
proposed renewal without change of the Bank Secrecy Act (``BSA'') 
Suspicious Activity Reporting requirements for residential mortgage 
lenders and originators. FinCEN intends to submit this requirement for 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') of a three-
year extension of Control Number 1506-0061. This request for comments 
is made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'') of 1995, 
Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 13, 2015 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Policy Division, 
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, U.S Department of the Treasury, 
P.O. Box 39, Vienna, VA 22183. Attention: PRA Comments--BSA Suspicious 
Activity Reporting Requirement for residential mortgage lenders and 
originators. Comments also may be submitted by electronic mail to the 
following Internet address: [email protected] with the caption in 
the body of the text, ``Attention: PRA Comments--BSA Suspicious 
Activity Reporting Requirements 1506-0061.'' It is preferable for 
comments to be submitted by electronic mail. Please submit comments by 
one method only. All submissions received must include the agency name 
and the specific OMB control number for this notice.
    Inspection of comments. Comments may be inspected, between 10 a.m. 
and 4 p.m., in the FinCEN reading room in Vienna, VA. Persons wishing 
to inspect the comments submitted must request an appointment with the 
Disclosure Officer by telephoning (703) 905-5034 (not a toll free 
call).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FinCEN Resource Center at 800-767-
2825 or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BSA, Titles I and II of Public Law 91-
508, as amended, codified at 12 U.S.C. 1829(b), 12 U.S.C.1951-1959, and 
31 U.S.C. 5311-5332, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, among 
other things, to require financial institutions to keep records and 
file reports that are determined to have a high degree of usefulness in 
criminal, tax, and regulatory matters, or in the conduct of 
intelligence or counter-intelligence activities to protect against 
international terrorism, and to implement counter-money laundering 
programs and compliance procedures.\1\
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    \1\ Language expanding the scope of the Bank Secrecy Act to 
intelligence or counter-intelligence activities to protect against 
international terrorism was added by Section 358 of the Uniting and 
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to 
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56.
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    Regulations implementing Title II of the BSA appear at 31 CFR 
Chapter X. The authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to administer 
the BSA has been delegated to the Director of FinCEN. The information 
collected and retained under the regulation addressed in this notice 
assists Federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as regulatory 
authorities in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of 
money laundering and other matters. In accordance with the requirements 
of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), and its implementing regulations, 
the following information is presented concerning the recordkeeping 
requirements listed below.
    Title: Suspicious Activity Report by Residential Mortgage Lenders 
and Originators.
    OMB Number: 1506-0061.

[[Page 7527]]

    Abstract: In accordance with 31 CFR 1029.320, covered financial 
institutions are required to report suspicious activity and maintain 
the records for a period of five years. Covered financial institutions 
may satisfy these requirements by using their internal records 
management system.
    Current Action: Renewal without change to the existing regulations.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved reporting 
requirement.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit institutions, and 
non-profit institutions.
    Burden: The administrative burden of 1 hour is assigned to maintain 
the requirement in force. The burden for actual reporting is reflected 
in OMB Control number 1506-0065.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a valid OMB control number. Records required to be 
retained under the BSA must be retained for five years. Generally, 
information collected pursuant to the BSA is confidential, but may be 
shared as provided by law with regulatory and law enforcement 
authorities.
    Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited 
on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; (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; and (e) 
estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, 
maintenance and purchase of services to provide information.

    Dated: February 3, 2015.
Jennifer Shasky Calvery,
Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
[FR Doc. 2015-02732 Filed 2-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-2P-P