Notices. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

477 words·~2 min read·/register/2004/02/11/04-2949

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BILLING CODE 7905-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. Extension: Rule 17a-12, SEC File No. 270-442, OMB Control No. 3235-0498. 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 collection of information summarized below.

The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Rule 17a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is the reporting rule tailored specifically for OTC derivatives dealers, and Part IIB of Form X-17A-5, the Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single Report, is the basic document for reporting the financial and operational condition of OTC derivatives dealers. At this point there are three registered OTC derivatives dealers and the staff expects that three additional firms will register as OTC derivatives dealers within the next three years.

Rule 17a-12 requires OTC derivatives dealers to file quarterly Part IIB of the Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single Report (“FOCUS” report)—Form X-17A-5. 1 Rule 17a-12 also requires that OTC derivatives dealers file audited financial statements annually. The staff estimates that the average amount of time necessary to prepare and file the quarterly reports required by the rule is eighty hours per OTC derivatives dealer 2 and that the average amount of time for the annual audit report is 100 hours per OTC derivatives dealer, for a total of 180 hours per OTC derivatives dealer annually.

Thus the staff estimates that the total number of hours necessary for six OTC derivatives dealers to comply with the requirements of Rule 17a-12 on an annual basis is 1,080 hours. 1 Form X-17A-5 [17 CFR 249.617]. 2 Based upon an average of 4 responses per year and an average of 20 hours spent preparing each response. 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. Direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Dated: February 4, 2004. Margaret F. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 04-2949 Filed 2-10-04; 8:45 am]