Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: August 9, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 154)]

[Notices]

[Page 51854-51855]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09au02-82]

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

ACTION: Notice

SUMMARY: Background: On June 15, 1984, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delegated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) its approval authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act, as per 5 CFR 1320.16, to approve of and assign OMB control numbers to collection of information requests and requirements conducted or sponsored by the Board under conditions set forth in 5 CFR 1320 Appendix A.1. Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the OMB 83-I'N and supporting statements and approved collection of information instruments are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Request for Comment on Information Collection Proposal(s):The following information collections, which are being handled under this delegated authority, have received initial Board approval and are hereby published for comment. At the end of the comment period, the proposed information collections, along with an analysis of comments and recommendations received, will be submitted to the Board for final approval under OMB delegated authority. Comments are invited on the following:

1. whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Federal Reserve's functions; including whether the information has practical utility;

2. the accuracy of the Federal Reserve's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Ms. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20551. However, because paper mail in the Washington area and at the Board of

[[Page 51855]]

Governors is subject to delay, please consider submitting your comments by e-mail to regs.comments@federalreserve.gov, or faxing them to the Office of the Secretary at 202-452-3819 or 202-452-3102. Comments addressed to Ms. Johnson may also be delivered to the Board's mail facility in the West Courtyard between 8:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., located on 21st Street between Constitution Avenue and C Street, N.W. Members of the public may inspect comments in Room MP-500 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays pursuant to 261.12, except as provided in 261.14, of the Board's Rules Regarding Availability of Information, 12 CFR 261.12 and 261.14.

A copy of the comments may also be submitted to the OMB desk officer for the Board: Joseph F. Lackey, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the proposed form and instructions, the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission (OMB 83-I), supporting statement, and other documents that will be placed into OMB's public docket files once approved may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears below. Mary M. West, Federal Reserve Board Clearance Officer (202-452-3829), Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users may call 202-263-4869, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551.

Proposal to approve under OMB delegated authority the extension for three years, without revision, of the following reports:

1. Report title: Recordkeeping and Disclosure Requirements in Connection with Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity)

   Agency form number: Reg B.

   OMB control number: 7100-0201.

   Frequency: Event-generated.

   Reporters: State member banks, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than federal branches, federal agencies, and insured state branches of foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act.

   Annual reporting hours: 169,603 hours.

   Estimated average hours per response: Notice of action, 2.50 minutes; credit history reporting, 2 minutes; monitoring data, 0.50 minutes; appraisal report upon request 5.00 minutes; notice of right to appraisal, 0.25 minutes; recordkeeping of self-test, 2 hours; and recordkeeping of corrective action for self-test, 8 hours

   Number of respondents: 1,350

   Small businesses are affected.

   General description of report: This information collection is mandatory (15 U.S.C. 1691(a)(1)). The adverse action disclosure is confidential between the institution and the consumer involved. Since the Federal Reserve does not collect any information, no issue of confidentiality normally arises. However, the information may be protected from disclosure under the exemptions (b)(4), (6), and (8) of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522 (b)).

   Abstract: The Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B prohibit discrimination in any aspect of a credit transaction because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or other specified bases. To aid in implementation of this prohibition, the statute and regulation also subject creditors to various mandatory disclosure requirements, notification provisions, credit history reporting, monitoring rules, and recordkeeping requirements. These requirements are triggered by specific events and disclosures must be provided within the time periods established by the Act and regulation.

2. Report title: Recordkeeping and Disclosure Requirements in Connection with Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfer)

   Agency form number: Reg E.

   OMB control number: 7100-0200.

   Frequency: Event-generated.

   Reporters: State member banks, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches, Federal agencies, and insured state branches of foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act

   Annual reporting hours: 48,868 hours

   Estimated average hours per response: Initial terms disclosure, 1.5 minutes; change in terms disclosure, 1 minute; periodic disclosure, 7 hours; and error resolution rules, 30 minutes

   Number of respondents: 1,289

   Small businesses are affected.

   General description of report: This information collection is mandatory (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.). Since the Federal Reserve does not collect any information, no issue of confidentiality arises. However, the information, if made available to the Federal Reserve, may be protected from disclosure under exemptions (b)(4), (6), and (8) of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 552 (b)(4), (6), and (8)). The disclosures required by the rule and information about error allegations and their resolution are confidential between the institution and the consumer.

   Abstract: The Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E are designed to ensure adequate disclosure of basic terms, costs, and rights relating to electronic fund transfer (EFT) services provided to consumers. Institutions offering EFT services must disclose to consumers certain information, including: initial and updated EFT terms, transaction information, periodic statements of activity, the consumer's potential liability for unauthorized transfers, and error resolution rights and procedures. EFT services include automated teller machines, telephone bill payment, point-of-sale transfers in retail stores, fund transfers initiated through the internet, and preauthorized transfers to or from a consumer's account.

   Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, August 5, 2002. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board.

   [FR Doc. 02-20168Filed8-8-02; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6210-01-S