The Commission intends to use the
collected information as factual background for evaluating the
current legal and regulatory environment for the provision of
financial products and services to individual investors by
broker-dealers and investment advisers and for determining,
consistent with the Commission's investor protection mission, the
most effective legal and regulatory approach to regulating
investment professionals in today's marketplace.
The Commission has engaged a
contractor to undertake an empirical study that will involve
collecting, categorizing, and analyzing data regarding the
marketing, sale and delivery of financial products, accounts,
programs and services offered to individual investors by
broker-dealers and investment advisers.
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.