82 FR 14045 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 50 (March 16, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 50 (Thursday, March 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 14045]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05269]


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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:
    Rule 15c3-3, SEC File No. 270-087, OMB Control No. 3235-0078

    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'') is soliciting comments on the existing collection of 
information provided for in Rule 15c3-3 (17 CFR 240.15c3-3), 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 15c3-3 requires that a broker-dealer that holds customer 
securities obtain and maintain possession and control of fully-paid and 
excess margin securities they hold for customers. In addition, the Rule 
requires that a broker-dealer that holds customer funds make either a 
weekly or monthly computation to determine whether certain customer 
funds need to be segregated in a special reserve bank account for the 
exclusive benefit of the firm's customers. It also requires that a 
broker-dealer maintain a written notification from each bank where a 
Special Reserve Bank Account is held acknowledging that all assets in 
the account are for the exclusive benefit of the broker-dealer's 
customers, and to provide written notification to the Commission (and 
its designated examining authority) under certain, specified 
circumstances. Finally, broker-dealers that sell securities futures 
products (``SFP'') to customers must provide certain notifications to 
customers and make a record of any changes of account type.
    A broker-dealer required to maintain the Special Reserve Bank 
Account prescribed by Rule 15c3-3 must obtain and retain a written 
notification from each bank in which it has a Special Reserve Bank 
Account to evidence the bank's acknowledgement that assets deposited in 
the Account are being held by the bank for the exclusive benefit of the 
broker-dealer's customers. In addition, a broker-dealer must 
immediately notify the Commission and its designated examining 
authority if it fails to make a required deposit to its Special Reserve 
Bank Account. Finally, a broker-dealer that effects transactions in 
SFPs for customers also will have paperwork burdens to make a record of 
each change in account type.
    The Commission staff estimates a total annual time burden of 
517,348 hours and an aggregate cost of $1,433,254 to comply with the 
rule.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
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 estimate 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.
    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: Pamela Dyson, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, or send an email 
to: [email protected].

    Dated: March 13, 2017.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-05269 Filed 3-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P