Funds & SavingsRegulators

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is the United States federal agency responsible for enforcing securities laws and regulating the securities industry, established in 1934.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government, created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash.[1] Its mission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.[1]

Mandate

The SEC enforces federal securities laws, oversees stock exchanges, broker-dealers, investment advisers and mutual funds, and requires public companies to file periodic disclosures such as the annual Form 10-K and quarterly Form 10-Q.[2]

Enforcement

The agency investigates insider trading, accounting fraud and market manipulation, and can bring civil enforcement actions; criminal matters are referred to the Department of Justice.[2]

International counterparts

The SEC's role parallels that of the Israel Securities Authority and Australia's ASIC.[3]

Sources

  1. [1] U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — SEC Primary source

    Cited for: Created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; mission to protect investors and maintain fair markets

  2. [2] U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Wikipedia

    Cited for: Oversees exchanges, broker-dealers, advisers; requires 10-K and 10-Q filings

  3. [3] Israel Securities Authority — ISA Primary source

    Cited for: Role parallels the Israel Securities Authority and ASIC