Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549-0213.

Extension: Rule 15c2-1, SEC File No. 270-418, OMB Control No. 3235-0485.

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 approval of extension on the following rule: Rule 15c2-1.

Rule 15c2-1 (17 CFR 240.15c2-1) prohibits the commingling under the same lien of securities of margin customers (a) with other customers without their written consent and (b) with the broker or dealer. The rule also prohibits the rehypothecation of customers' margin securities for a sum in excess of the customer's aggregate indebtedness. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 2690 (November 15, 1940); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 9428 (December 29, 1971). Pursuant to Rule 15c2-1, respondents must collect information necessary to prevent the rehypothecation of customer securities in contravention of the rule, issue and retain copies of notices of hypothecation of customer securities in accordance with the rule, and collect written consents from customers in accordance with the rule. The information is necessary to ensure compliance with the rule and to advise customers of the rule's protections.

There are approximately 126 respondents (i.e., broker-dealers that carry or clear customer accounts that also have bank loans) that require an aggregate total of 2835 hours to comply with the rule. Each of these approximately 126 registered broker-dealers makes an estimated 45 annual responses. Each response takes approximately 0.5 hours to complete. Thus, the total compliance burden per year is 2835 burden hours.

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.

Comments regarding the estimated burden hours should be directed to: (i) The 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 nfraser@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Lewis W. Walker, Acting Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, Virginia 22312; or send an e-mail to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted within 30 days of this notice.