Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Securities and Exchange Commission

*Upon Written Request, Copies Available From:*                     Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.                

*Extension:*

Rule 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7; SEC File No. 270-151; OMB Control No. 3235-0291. 

                    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”) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) a request for approval of extension of the existing collection of information provided for in the following rules: Rule 17Ad-6 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-6) and Rule 17Ad-7 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-7) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a*et seq.*) (“Exchange Act”).                

Rule 17Ad-6 under the Exchange Act requires every registered transfer agent to make and keep current records about a variety of information, such as: (1) Specific operational data regarding the time taken to perform transfer agent activities (to ensure compliance with the minimum performance standards in Rule 17Ad-2 (17 CFR 240.17Ad-2)); (2) written inquiries and requests by shareholders and broker-dealers and response time thereto; (3) resolutions, contracts or other supporting documents concerning the appointment or termination of the transfer agent; (4) stop orders or notices of adverse claims to the securities; and (5) all canceled registered securities certificates.

Rule 17Ad-7 under the Exchange Act requires each registered transfer agent to retain the records specified in Rule 17Ad-6 in an easily accessible place for a period of six months to six years, depending on the type of record or document. Rule 17Ad-7 also specifies the manner in which records may be maintained using electronic, microfilm, and microfiche storage methods.

                    These recordkeeping requirements are designed to ensure that all registered transfer agents are maintaining the records necessary for transfer agents to monitor and keep control over their own performance and for the Commission to                           ( print page 2576)                        adequately examine registered transfer agents on an historical basis for compliance with applicable rules.                

The Commission estimates that approximately 473 registered transfer agents will spend a total of 236,500 hours per year complying with Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7 (500 hours per year per transfer agent).

The retention period for the recordkeeping requirements under Rule 17Ad-6 is six months to one year. In addition, such records must be retained for a total of two to six years or for one year after termination of the transfer agency, depending on the particular record or document. The recordkeeping requirements under Rules 17Ad-6 and 17Ad-7 are mandatory to 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.

The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a valid OMB control number.

                    The public may view the background documentation for this information collection at the following Web site,                     *www.reginfo.gov.*                     Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, or by sending an email to:                     *Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov;*                     and (ii) 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.*                     Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice.                

Dated: January 11, 2011.

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2012-780 Filed 1-17-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P