Proposed Rules. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

880 words·~4 min read·/register/2002/07/31/02-19318

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request *Upon Written Request, Copies Available From:* Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. *Extension:* Rule 15c2-5; SEC File No. 270-195; OMB Control No. 3235-0198; Rule 15Ba2-5 SEC File No. 270-91; OMB Control No. 3235-0088. 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 requests for extension of the previously approved collections of information discussed below.

Rule 15c2-5 (17 CFR 240.15c2-5) prohibits a broker-dealer from arranging or extending a loan to customers, not subject to Regulation T (12 CFR 220), in connection with the offer or sale of securities unless, before entering the transaction, the broker-dealer:

(1)Delivers to the customer a written statement containing specific information concerning the terms, obligations, risks and charges of the loan;

(2)obtains from the customer sufficient financial information to determine that the entire transaction is suitable for the customer; and

(3)retains on file and makes available to the customer a written statement setting forth the broker-dealer's basis for determining that the transaction was suitable. The collection of information required by the rule is necessary to execute the Commission's mandate under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, and deceptive acts and practices by broker-dealers. There are approximately 50 respondents that require an aggregate total of 600 hours to comply with the rule. Each of these approximately 50 registered broker-dealers makes an estimated 6 annual responses, for an aggregate total of 300 responses per year. Each response takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Thus, the total compliance burden per year is 600 burden hours. The approximate cost per hour is $24.00 (based on an annual salary of $32,050 for clerical labor plus an additional 35% to account for overhead costs, totaling $43,268), resulting in a total compliance cost of $14,400 (600 hours @ $24.00 per hour). Although Rule 15c2-5 does not specify a retention period or record keeping requirement under the rule, nevertheless broker-dealers are required to preserve the records for a period no less than six years pursuant to Rule 17a-4(c). The information required under Rule 15c2-5 is necessary for broker-dealers to engage in the lending activities prescribed in the rule. Rule 15c2-5 does not assure confidentiality for the information retained under the rule. 1 1 The records required by Rule 15c2-5 would be available only to the examination of the Commission staff, state securities authorities and the SROs. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 522, and the Commission's rules thereunder (17 CFR 200.80(b)(4)(iii)), the Commission does not generally publish or make available information contained in any reports, summaries, analyses, letters, or memoranda arising out of, in anticipation of, or in connection with an examination or inspection of the books and records of any person or any other investigation. On July 7, 1975, effective July 16, 1975 ( *see* 41 FR 28948, July 14, 1975), the Commission adopted Rule 15Ba2-5 (17 CFR 240.15Ba2-5) under the Exchange Act to permit a duly-appointed fiduciary to assume immediate responsibility for the operation of a municipal securities dealer's business. Without the rule, the fiduciary would not be able to assume operation until it registered as a municipal securities dealer. Under the rule, the registration of a municipal securities dealer is deemed to be the registration of any executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receiver, trustee in insolvency or bankruptcy, or other fiduciary, appointed or qualified by order, judgment, or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction to continue the business of such municipal securities dealer, provided that such fiduciary files with the Commission, within 30 days after entering upon the performance of his duties, a statement setting forth as to such fiduciary substantially the same information required by Form MSD or Form BD. The statement is necessary to ensure that the Commission and the public have adequate information about the fiduciary. There is approximately 1 respondent per year that requires an aggregate total of 4 hours to comply with this rule. This respondent makes an estimated 1 annual response. Each response takes approximately 4 hours to complete. Thus, the total compliance burden per year is 4 burden hours. The approximate cost per hour is $20, resulting in a total cost of compliance for the respondent of approximately $80 ( *i.e.,* 4 hours x $20). Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Written comments regarding the above information should be directed to the following persons:

(i)Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10202, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; and

(ii)Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this notice. Dated: July 23, 2002. Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 02-19318 Filed 7-30-02; 8:45 am]

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