SEC Snapshot
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission strives to promote a market environment that is worthy of the public’s trust and characterized by transparency and integrity.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is one part law enforcer, protecting investors from securities fraud and enforcing securities laws; one part doctor, promoting healthy capital markets and contributing to America's economic well-being; and one part rule maker, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets. The agency regulates the sale of securities as well as the people and organizations involved in selling them. It also ensures the disclosure of financial information of public companies via its online EDGAR database and is involved in personal investor education. Established in 1934, the agency is overseen by five presidentially appointed commissioners.