Document ID: SEC-2016-0320-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Transfer Agent Regulations; Comment Period Extension
Posted Date: 2016-02-23T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 8867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03733]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 240

[Release No. 34-77172; File No. S7-27-15]
RIN 3235-AL55

Transfer Agent Regulations; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; Concept release; Request 
for comment; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is 
extending the comment period for the Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, Concept Release and Request for Comment with respect to 
transfer agent regulations. The original comment period is scheduled to 
end on February 29, 2016. The Commission is extending the time period 
in which to provide the Commission with comments by 45 days, until 
April 14, 2016. This action will allow interested persons additional 
time to analyze the issues and prepare their comments.

DATES: Comments on the document published December 31, 2015 (80 FR 
81948) must be in writing and received by April 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/concept.shtml);
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number S7-27-15 on the subject line; or
     Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov). Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments to: Brent J. Fields, Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number S7-27-15. This file number 
should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help us 
process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one 
method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's 
Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/concept.shtml). Comments 
are also available for Web site viewing and printing in the 
Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. All comments received will be posted without change; the 
Commission does not edit personal identifying information from 
submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make 
publicly available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Moshe Rothman, Branch Chief, Thomas 
Etter, Special Counsel, Catherine Whiting, Special Counsel, Mark 
Saltzburg, Special Counsel, or Elizabeth de Boyrie, Counsel, Office of 
Clearance and Settlement, Division of Trading and Markets, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-7010 at 
(202) 551-5710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has requested comment in its 
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Concept Release and Request for 
Comment (``Release'') with respect to transfer agent regulations.\1\ 
The Release identifies and seeks comment in various areas, including 
registration and reporting requirements, safeguarding of funds and 
securities, standards for restrictive legends, and cybersecurity. 
Additionally, the Release generally seeks comment on a broad range of 
topics in the transfer agent space, including the processing of book 
entry securities, recordkeeping for beneficial owners, administration 
of issuer plans, and the role of transfer agents to mutual funds and 
crowdfunding. The Release originally provided that comments must be 
received by February 29, 2016. The Commission has received requests to 
extend the comment period.\2\ The Commission believes that extending 
the comment period would be appropriate in order to provide the public 
additional time to consider and comment on the issues addressed in the 
Release. Therefore, the Commission is extending the public comment 
period for 45 days, until April 14, 2016.
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    \1\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76743 (December 22, 
2015), 80 FR 81948 (December 31, 2015).
    \2\ See letters from Todd May, President, Securities Transfer 
Association, dated January 7, 2016; Martin McHale, President, U.S. 
Equity Services, Computershare, dated January 15, 2016; Cristeena G. 
Naser, Vice President and Senior Counsel, Center for Securities, 
Trust & Investment of the American Bankers Association, dated 
January 22, 2015; Alvin Santiago, President, Shareholder Services 
Association, dated January 27, 2016; Thomas F. Price, Manager 
Director, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, 
dated February 2, 2016.

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    By the Commission.

    Dated: February 18, 2016.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-03733 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P