Proposed Exchange Act Rule 701
provides a conditional exemption from the definition of broker
under Exchange Act Section 3(a)(4). This proposed rule would
require a broker or dealer (as part of a written agreement between
the bank and the broker or dealer) to notify the bank if the broker
or dealer makes certain determinations regarding the financial
status of the customer, a bank employees statutory
disqualification status, and compliance with suitability or
sophistication standards. This proposed rule also would require
banks that wish to utilize the exemption to make certain
disclosures to high net worth or institutional customers when a
bank employee receives a referral fee for making a referral to a
broker or dealer. In addition, the bank would be required to
provide its broker or dealer partner with the name of the bank
employee receiving the referral fee and certain other identifying
information. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the
Commission) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the Board) propose that the information collections and
burden estimates discussed above will be associated with the Board
for banks and with the Commission for brokers or dealers.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.