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History of Securities Regulation Shown in Timeline

Editor: Alan Gray, NewsBlaze

Washington, D.C., November 3, 2008 - With the crush of events in the financial and investment sector hitting nearly every day, it's hard to see the big picture in the world of securities regulation.

Now, thanks to an expanded online timeline of securities regulation history, it is easier to see. The timeline runs from the 1930s to the present on www.sechistorical.org.

The timeline is one of the most-visited sections of this virtual museum and archive of the history of securities regulation. It now highlights more than 150 significant securities developments in relation to U.S and world events from 1930 to 2008.

"Major events on the national and world stage have a profound effect on the securities industry and the investments of institutions and individuals," says Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Historical Society Executive Director Carla Rosati, CFRE.

"This timeline pulls it all together to offer big-picture perspective at a time when securities regulation is at the forefront of the national news."

The virtual museum and archive at www.sechistorical.org is administered by the SEC Commission Historical Society, a non-profit institution independent of and separate from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The virtual museum and archive, free and accessible worldwide, is on track to welcome 100,000 visitors and users this year.

The improved timeline highlights the significance of many organizations to securities regulation, including federal and state government agencies, and the exchanges and self-regulatory organizations. Its growth will also permit timely additions to reflect current regulatory activities. For example, developments in the current U.S. and world financial crisis will be added to the timeline later this year.

The timeline expansion was made possible by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to honor Christopher A. "Kit" Taylor, who served as Executive Director-President of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board from 1978 to 2007.

The Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society is a non-profit organization, independent of and separate from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which preserves and shares the history of securities regulation through its virtual museum and archive at www.sechistorical.org. The Fireside Chat on the SEC Division of Enforcement, along with previous online programs, will be archived in the virtual museum after broadcast in audiotape, audio podcast and transcript formats for on-demand access.