Reports to be Made by Certain Brokers and Dealers

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
17 CFR Part 240
(Release No. 34-39858; IC-23112; IA-1716; File No. S7-7-98)
RIN 3235-AH36
Reports to be Made by Certain Brokers and Dealers

Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Action: Proposed rule; extension of comment period

Summary: The Securities and Exchange Commission is extending the comment period for a release proposing temporary rule amendments under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Release No. 34-39724) which was published in the Federal Register on March 12, 1998 (63 FR 12056). The comment period for Release Nos. 34-39724; IC-23059; IA-1704, is being extended to April 27, 1998.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before April 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission"), 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Comments also may be submitted electronically at the following E-mail address: rule-comments@sec.gov. Comment letters should refer to File No. S7-7-98; this file number should be included on the subject line if E-mail is used. All comments received will be available for public inspection and copying at the Commission's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Electronically submitted comment letters will be posted on the Commission's Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Macchiaroli, Associate Director, 202/942-0132; Lester Shapiro, Senior Accountant, 202/942-0757; or Christopher M. Salter, Staff Attorney, 202/942-0148, Division of Market Regulation, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Mail Stop 2-2, Washington, D.C. 20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 5, 1998, the Commission issued for comment Release No. 34-39724; IC-23059; IA-1704 soliciting comment on temporary rule amendments to Rule 17a-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that would require certain broker-dealers to file with the Commission and their designated examining authority two reports regarding Year 2000 compliance. The reports would enable the Commission staff to report to Congress in 1998 and 1999 regarding the industry's preparedness; supplement the Commission's examination module for Year 2000 issues; help the Commission coordinate self-regulatory organizations on industry-wide testing, implementation, and contingency planning; and help increase broker-dealer awareness that they should be taking specific steps now to prepare for the Year 2000. Additionally, the Commission issued an advisory notice on its books and records rules relating to the Year 2000.

The Commission has recently received requests from interested persons to extend the comment period for this release. The Commission believes that extending the comment period is appropriate in order to give the public additional time to comment on the matters the release addresses. Therefore, the comment period is extended from April 13, 1998, to April 27, 1998.

By the Commission.

Jonathan G. Katz

Secretary

Dated: April 14, 1998