15c3-1 (Appendix F) 60 day notice

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From:

Securities and Exchange Commission

Office of FOIA Services

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549-2736

Extension: Appendix F to Rule 15c3-1

SEC File No. 270-440, OMB Control No. 3235-0496

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (“PRA”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in appendix F to Rule 15c3-1 (“Appendix F” or “Rule 15c3-1f”) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Under appendix F, a class of broker-dealers known as over-the counter (“OTC”) derivatives dealers may apply to the Commission for authorization to compute net capital charges for market and credit risk in accordance with appendix F in lieu of computing securities haircuts under paragraph (c)(2)(vi) of Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1.

At present, three OTC derivatives dealers have been approved to use appendix F. Two OTC derivatives dealers have applied to use appendix F, and the staff expects that one additional OTC derivatives dealer will apply to use appendix F during the next three years. The Commission estimates that the three approved OTC derivatives dealers and two OTC derivatives dealers with pending applications (if approved) will spend an average of approximately 1,000 hours each per year reporting information concerning their VAR models and internal risk management systems, for an annual burden of 5,000 hours. The Commission estimates that, on average, a firm initially will take approximately 1,000 hours to prepare an application to use appendix F. For the one firm expected to apply, this would result in an annual burden of 333 hours per year amortized over three years. For the two years after it registers, the new registrant would spend an average of approximately 1,000 hours each year reporting information concerning its VAR model and internal risk management system, for an annual burden of 667 hours per year amortized over 3 years.

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 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.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Please direct your written comments to: Charles Riddle, Acting Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Candace Kenner, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, or send an email to: [email protected].

Eduardo A. Aleman

Assistant Secretary