The Watchdog Keeping an Eye on the “Cop on the Wall Street Beat”
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) implements and enforces the nation’s laws that govern the securities markets to protect investors, maintain fair and efficient markets, and help businesses raise capital to grow. The SEC is responsible for writing rules to ensure that our trading markets remain stable, fair, and transparent; that investors are protected from fraud and abuse; and that companies disclose important information about their handling of environmental, social, and corporate governance challenges. The SEC is also responsible for enforcing the securities laws and regulations. Often referred to as the “cop on the Wall Street beat,” it is supposed to police the securities markets and, like cops on Main Street, catch lawbreakers, punish them, and deter others from violating the law. Better Markets comments on the full range of SEC rule proposals, including cutting-edge investor protection issues like payment for order flow and high-frequency trading. Better Markets also pushes prosecutors and regulators, including the SEC, to aggressively investigate misconduct and enforce the law, whenever and wherever appropriate and without fear or favor.