Document ID: SEC-2012-1575-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Regulation R, Rule 701
Posted Date: 2012-09-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 59029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23539]

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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:
    Regulation R, Rule 701, OMB Control No. 3235-0624, SEC File No. 
270-562.

    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 Regulation R, Rule 
701 (17 CFR 247.701) 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.
    Regulation R, Rule 701 requires a broker or dealer (as part of a 
written agreement between the bank and the broker or dealer) to notify 
the bank if the broker or dealer makes certain determinations regarding 
the financial status of the customer, a bank employee's statutory 
disqualification status, and compliance with suitability or 
sophistication standards.
    The Commission estimates that brokers or dealers would, on average, 
notify 1,000 banks approximately two times annually about a 
determination regarding a customer's high net worth or institutional 
status or suitability or sophistication standing as well as a bank 
employee's statutory disqualification status. Based on these estimates, 
the Commission anticipates that Regulation R, Rule 701 would result in 
brokers or dealers making approximately 2,000 notices to banks per 
year. The Commission further estimates (based on the level of 
difficulty and complexity of the applicable activities) that a broker 
or dealer would spend approximately 15 minutes per notice to a bank. 
Therefore, the estimated total annual third party disclosure burden for 
the requirements in Regulation R, Rule 701 is 500 \1\ hours for brokers 
or dealers.
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    \1\ (2000 notices x 15 minutes) = 30,000 minutes/60 minutes = 
500 hours.
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    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.
    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.
    Please direct your written 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: September 19, 2012.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-23539 Filed 9-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P