Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
Rule 17Ad–17 requires approximately 825 registered transfer agents to conduct searches using third party database vendors to attempt to locate lost securityholders. The staff estimates that the average number of hours necessary for each transfer agent to comply with Rule 17Ad–17 is five hours annually. The total burden is approximately 4,125 annually for all transfer agents. The cost of compliance for each individual transfer agent depends on the number of lost accounts for which it is responsible. Based on information received from transfer agents, we estimate that the annual cost industry wide is $3.3 million.
The retention period for the recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad–17 is three years. The recordkeeping requirement under Rule 17Ad–17 is mandatory to assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule. This rule does not involve the collection of confidential information. 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.
General comments regarding the estimated burden hours 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 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or by sending an e-mail to: