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: Rule 206(4)-7.

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 collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval.

The title for the collection of information is “Investment Advisers Act rule 206(4)-7 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-7), Compliance procedures and practices.” Rule 206(4)-7 requires each investment adviser registered with the Commission to (i) adopt and implement internal compliance policies and procedures, (ii) review those policies and procedures annually, (iii) designate a chief compliance officer, and (iv) maintain certain compliance records. The rule is designed to protect investors by fostering better compliance with the securities laws. The collection of information under rule 206(4)-7 is necessary to assure that investment advisers maintain comprehensive internal programs that promote the advisers' compliance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information collected under this rule may also assist Commission staff in assessing investment advisers' compliance programs.

This collection of information is mandatory. The information collected pursuant to the rule 206(4)-7 is reviewed by the Commission's examination staff; it will be accorded the same level of confidentiality accorded to other responses provided to the Commission in the context of its examination and oversight program.

The respondents to this information collection are investment advisers registered with the Commission. Our latest data indicate that there were 12,026 advisers registered with the Commission as of November 1, 2015. The Commission has estimated that compliance with rule 206(4)-7 imposes an annual burden of approximately 87 hours per respondent. Based on this figure, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 1,046,262 hours for this collection of information.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 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 a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 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 OMB control number.

Please direct your written comments to Pamela Dyson, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Remi Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549; or send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.