Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2012)

Federal Register Volume 77, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2012)

Notices

Page 10578

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2012-4009

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Extension:

Rule 15c2-8; OMB Control No. 3235-0481; SEC File No. 270-421.

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 15c2-8 (17 CFR 240.15c2-

8). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval--Rule 15c2-8 (17 CFR 240.15c2-8)--Delivery of Prospectus.

Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (``Exchange Act'') requires broker-dealers to deliver preliminary and/or final prospectuses to certain people under certain circumstances. In connection with securities offerings generally, including initial public offerings (IPOs), the rule requires broker-

dealers to take reasonable steps to distribute copies of the preliminary or final prospectus to anyone who makes a written request, as well as any broker-dealer who is expected to solicit purchases of the security and who makes a request. In connection with IPOs, the rule requires a broker-dealer to send a copy of the preliminary prospectus to any person who is expected to receive a confirmation of sale (generally, this means any person who is expected actually to purchase the security in the offering) at least 48 hours prior to the sending of such confirmation. This requirement is sometimes referred to as the ``48 hour rule.''

Additionally, managing underwriters are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that all broker-dealers participating in the distribution of or trading in the security have sufficient copies of the preliminary or final prospectus, as requested by them, to enable such broker-dealer to satisfy their respective prospectus delivery obligations pursuant to Rule 15c2-8, as well as Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Rule 15c2-8 implicitly requires that broker-dealers collect information, as such; the collection facilitates compliance with the rule. There is no requirement to submit collected information to the Commission. In order to comply with the rule, broker-dealers participating in a securities offering must keep accurate records of persons who have indicated interest in an IPO or requested a prospectus, so that they know to whom they must send a prospectus.

The Commission estimates that broker-dealers will spend a total of 74,010 hours complying with the collection of information required by the rule. The Commission estimates that the total number of responses required by the rule is 6,909. The Commission estimates that the total annualized cost burden (copying and postage costs) is $15,014,400 ($12,300,000 for IPOs + $2,714,400 for other offerings).

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 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 Office of Management and Budget (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, Virginia 22312 or send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.

Dated: February 15, 2012.

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

FR Doc. 2012-4009 Filed 2-21-12; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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