[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 153 (Thursday, August 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 44445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17154]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[SEC File No. 270-360, OMB Control No. 3235-0409]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549-2736

Extension:
    Rules 17Ad-15

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (``PRA'') (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 17Ad-15 (17 CFR 
240.17Ad-15) (``Rule 17Ad-15'') under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (``Exchange Act''). The Commission plans 
to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of 
Management and Budget (``OMB'') for extension and approval.
    Rule 17Ad-15 requires every registered transfer agent to establish 
written standards for the acceptance of guarantees of securities 
transfers from eligible guarantor institutions. Every registered 
transfer agent is also required to establish procedures, including 
written guidelines where appropriate, to ensure that the transfer agent 
uses those standards to determine whether to accept or reject 
guarantees from eligible guarantor institutions. In implementing these 
requirements, the Commission's purpose is to ensure that registered 
transfer agents treat eligible guarantor institutions equitably.
    Additionally, Rule 17Ad-15 requires every registered transfer agent 
to make and maintain records in the event the transfer agent determines 
to reject signature guarantees from eligible guarantor institutions. 
Registered transfer agents' records must include, following the date of 
rejection, a record of the rejected transfer, along with the reason for 
rejection, the identification of the guarantor, and an indication 
whether the guarantor failed to meet the transfer agent's guarantee 
standards.
    Rule 17Ad-15 requires registered transfer agents to maintain these 
records for a period of three years. The Commission designed these 
mandatory recordkeeping requirements to assist the Commission and other 
regulatory agencies with monitoring registered transfer agents and 
ensuring compliance with the rule. This rule does not involve the 
collection of confidential information.
    The Commission estimates that approximately 366 registered transfer 
agents will spend a total of approximately 14,640 hours per year 
complying with recordkeeping requirements of Rules 17Ad-15 (40 hours 
per year per registered transfer agent).
    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 
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.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    Please direct your written comments to: (ii) David Bottom, 
Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, 
c/o Cynthia Roscoe, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or send 
email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

    Dated: August 6, 2021.
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-17154 Filed 8-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


