
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 71460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28947]


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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-16; OMB Control No. 3235-0413, SEC File No. 
270-363.

    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-16 (17 CFR 
240.17Ad-16) 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-16 requires a registered transfer agent to provide 
written notice to the appropriate qualified registered securities 
depository when assuming or terminating transfer agent services on 
behalf of an issuer or when changing its name or address. In addition, 
transfer agents that provide such notice shall maintain such notice for 
a period of at least two years in an easily accessible place. This rule 
addresses the problem of certificate transfer delays caused by transfer 
requests that are directed to the wrong transfer agent or the wrong 
address.
    We estimate that the transfer agent industry submits 3,700 Rule 
17Ad-16 notices to appropriate qualified registered securities 
depositories. The staff estimates that the average amount of time 
necessary to create and submit each notice is approximately 15 minutes 
per notice. Accordingly, the estimated total industry burden is 925 
hours per year (15 minutes multiplied by 3,700 notices filed annually).
    Because the information needed by transfer agents to properly 
notify the appropriate registered securities depository is readily 
available to them and the report is simple and straightforward, the 
cost is relatively minimal. The average internal compliance cost to 
prepare and send a notice is approximately $7.50 (15 minutes at $30 per 
hour). This yields an industry-wide internal compliance cost estimate 
of $27,750 (3,700 notices multiplied by $7.50 per notice).
    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.
    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.
    Please direct your comments to 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: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

    Dated: November 26, 2012.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-28947 Filed 11-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


