12884 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 1997 / Notices

(202) 874–5274 or by Internet mail to

REGS.COMMENTS@OCC.TREAS.GOV.

Comments will be available for

inspection and photocopying at the E

Street, SW, location. Appointments for

inspection of comments can be made by

calling (202) 874–4700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Suzette Greco, Senior Attorney,

Securities and Corporate Practices

Division, (202) 874–5210 or Stuart

Feldstein, Assistant Director, Legislative

and Regulatory Activities Division,

(202) 874–5090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCC

has been asked to determine whether

certain provisions of the Rhode Island

Financial Institution Insurance Sales

Act (FIISA), pertaining to sales of

insurance by financial institutions, are

preempted by provisions of Federal law.

On January 14, 1997, the OCC sought

comment on this request by notice

published in the Federal Register (62

FR 1950). The deadline for submission

of comments was February 13, 1997.

As the Federal Register notice and

request for comment indicated, the

Rhode Island law imposes a number of

requirements upon financial institutions

engaged in the solicitation and sale of

insurance that differ from the

requirements that apply to other

insurance agents and agencies. The

request for a preemption determination

contends that these special

requirements prevent or significantly

interfere with the ability of a national

bank to exercise its authority under 12

U.S.C. 92. See Barnett Bank of Marion

County, N.A. v. Bill Nelson, Florida

Insurance Commissioner, et al., 116

S.Ct. 1103, 1109 (1996) (stating that

state laws are applicable to national

banks provided they do not ‘‘prevent or

significantly interfere’’ with national

banks’ exercise of their powers).

Section 92 authorizes a national bank

‘‘located and doing business in any

place the population of which does not

exceed five thousand * * * [to] act as

the agent for any fire, life, or other

insurance company,’’ to ‘‘solicit[] and

sell[] insurance,’’ to ‘‘collec[t]

premiums,’’ and to ‘‘receive for services

so rendered * * * fees or

commissions,’’ subject to rules and

regulations prescribed by the

Comptroller of the Currency. The FIISA

special requirements include a

provision prohibiting banks from

requiring or implying that the purchase

of insurance products from a bank is

related to receiving another banking

product or service, a provision

restricting where a bank’s licensed agent

can solicit the sale of insurance, a

provision prohibiting certain bank

employees from soliciting and selling

insurance, a provision requiring

separate applications for loans and

insurance, and a provision limiting the

ability of a bank to use its customer

information to solicit and sell insurance.

The OCC is reopening the comment

period until May 15, 1997, to allow

interested parties the opportunity to

consider the effect, if any, of a pending

Rhode Island regulation that would

implement the FIISA. On December 13,

1996, the Rhode Island Department of

Business Regulation (DBR), Insurance

Division, published notice of its

proposal to promulgate Regulation 90, a

rule that would apply to the sale of

insurance by financial institutions in

Rhode Island. Copies of the proposed

regulation are on file at the DBR.

Subsequently, on February 10, 1997, the

DBR held a public hearing on proposed

Regulation 90. The DBR has stated that

it intends to file Regulation 90, as

amended to reflect any changes from the

proposed rule, with the Rhode Island

Secretary of State in early April, 1997.

The final regulation is expected to take

effect in mid-1997.

In addition, the comments received to

date on this matter raise certain points

on which additional information would

be helpful to the OCC. Specifically, the

OCC invites commenters to address the

following issues:

1. How would national banks have to

change the way they conduct their

insurance sales activities to conform to

the provisions of the FIISA that are

described in the January 14, 1997

Federal Register notice? Commenters

should address with specificity any

business or operational adjustments,

and associated costs, involved in

conforming their operations to the FIISA

provisions.

2. The FIISA contains certain

requirements intended to address the

potential for customer confusion with

regard to bank sales of insurance. What

other approaches, including other

formal mechanisms, are available to

ensure that consumers are adequately

protected?

3. Would any of the provisions of the

FIISA described in the OCC’s previous

notice disproportionately impact

community banks with respect to

personnel or other costs?

4. To what extent would any of the

FIISA provisions impact the ability of

banks to use streamlined physical

facilities which employ fewer staff and

rely on technology to a greater extent

than a traditional branch? To the extent

there was any impact, how would

customer convenience be affected?

Would any of the provisions have a

detrimental affect on convenient

availability of a full line of products to

customers?

5. Banks operating in low-income

areas increasingly are seeking to

develop more efficient, low-overhead

facilities and delivery systems when

providing products and services in these

areas. Would compliance with any

provisions of the FIISA result in

operating costs and burdens that would

deter banks from providing insurance in

low-income areas and thereby lessen

access to a full line of financial products

and services in low-income

communities?

6. What effect do recent amendments

to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15

U.S.C. 1681 et seq., have on the FIISA

provisions limiting the ability of a bank

to use its customer information to solicit

and sell insurance? The OCC welcomes

comments on these issues and on any

aspect of the FIISA on which the OCC

has been asked to consider preemption.

Dated: March 11, 1997.

Eugene A. Ludwig,

Comptroller of the Currency.

[FR Doc. 97–6708 Filed 3–17–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810–33–P

Customs Service

Proposed Collection; Comment

Request; Certificate of Registration

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent

burden, Customs invites the general

public and other Federal agencies to

comment on an information collection

requirement concerning the Certificate

of Registration. This request for

comment is being made pursuant to the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.

L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES: Written comments should be

received on or before May 19, 1997 to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments

to U.S. Customs Service, Information

Services Group, Room 6216, 1301

Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,

D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or

copies of the form(s) and instructions

should be directed to U.S. Customs

Service, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, Room

6216, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW,

Washington, D.C. 20229, Tel. (202) 927–

1426.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Customs

invites the general public and other

Federal agencies to comment on
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 1997 / Notices 12885

proposed and/or continuing information

collections pursuant to the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13;

44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments

should address: (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 estimates 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 including

the use of automated collection

techniques or the use of other forms of

information technology; and (e)

estimates of capital or start-up costs and

costs of operations, maintenance, and

purchase of services to provide

information. The comments that are

submitted will be summarized and

included in the Customs request for

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) approval. All comments will

become a matter of public record. In this

document Customs is soliciting

comments concerning the following

information collection:

Title: Certificate of Registration.

OMB Number: 1515–0014.

Form Number: Customs Forms 4455

and 4457.

Abstract: The Certificate of

Registration is used to expedite free

entry or entry at a reduced rate on

foreign made personal articles which are

taken abroad. There articles are dutiable

each time they are brought into the

United States unless there is acceptable

proof of prior possession.

Current Actions: There are no changes

to the information collection. This

submission is being submitted to extend

the expiration date.

Type of Review: Extension (without

change).

Affected Public: Individuals, travelers.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

200,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 3

minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden

Hours: 10,000.

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on

the Public: N/A.

Dated: March 10, 1997.

J. Edgar Nichols,

Information Services Group.

[FR Doc. 97–6722 Filed 3–17–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–02–P

Proposed Collection; Comment

Request; Declaration of Free Entry of

Returned American Products

(Customs Form 3311)

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent

burden, Customs invites the general

public and other Federal agencies to

comment on an information collection

requirement concerning the Declaration

of Free entry of Returned American

Products. This request for comment is

being made pursuant to the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13;

44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

DATES: Written comments should be

received on or before May 19, 1997 to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments

to U.S. Customs Service, Information

Services Group, Room 6216, 1301

Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,

D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or

copies of the form(s) and instructions

should be directed to U.S. Customs

Service, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, Room

6216, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW,

Washington, D.C. 20229, Tel. (202) 927–

1426.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Customs

invites the general public and other

Federal agencies to comment on

proposed and/or continuing information

collections pursuant to the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13;

44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments

should address: (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 estimates 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 including

the use of automated collection

techniques or the use of other forms of

information technology; and (e)

estimates of capital or start-up costs and

costs of operations, maintenance, and

purchase of services to provide

information. The comments that are

submitted will be summarized and

included in the Customs request for

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) approval. All comments will

become a matter of public record. In this

document Customs is soliciting

comments concerning the following

information collection:

Title: Declaration of Free entry of

Returned American Products

OMB Number: 1515–0043

Form Number: Customs Form 3311

Abstract: This collection of

information is used as a supporting

documents which substantiates the

claim for duty free status for returning

American products.

Current Actions: There are no changes

to the information collection. This

submission is being submitted to extend

the expiration date.

Type of Review: Extension (without

change)

Affected Public: Businesses,

Individuals,

Estimated Number of Respondents:

12,000

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 6

minutes

Estimated Total Annual Burden

Hours: 51,000

Estimated Total Annualized Cost on

the Public: $198,000.

Dated: March 10, 1997

J. Edgar Nichols,

Information Services Group.

[FR Doc. 97–6723 Filed 3–17–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–02–P

Proposed Collection; Comment

Request; Protest

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent

burden, Customs invites the general

public and other Federal agencies to

comment on an information collection

requirement concerning the Protest.

This request for comment is being made

pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C.

3505(c)(2)).

DATES: Written comments should be

received on or before May 19, 1997, to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments

to U.S. Customs Service, Information

Services Group, Room 6216, 1301

Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,

D.C. 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or

copies of the form(s) and instructions

should be directed to U.S. Customs

Service, Attn.: J. Edgar Nichols, Room

6216, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW,

Washington, D.C. 20229, Tel. (202) 927–

1426.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Customs

invites the general public and other

Federal agencies to comment on

proposed and/or continuing information