Office of the Investor Advocate
The Office of the Investor Advocate was established at the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2014, when Rick A. Fleming was appointed as the Commission's first Investor Advocate.
Core Functions
The Office has four core functions:
- To Provide a Voice for Investors. We work to ensure that the needs of investors are considered as decisions are made at the SEC, at self-regulatory organizations (SROs), and in Congress. We analyze the potential impact on investors of proposed regulatory changes, identify problems that investors have with investment products and financial service providers, and recommend changes to statutes and regulations for the benefit of investors.
- To Assist Retail Investors. The Investor Advocate appoints an Ombudsman who acts as a liaison to assist retail investors in resolving problems they may have with the Commission or an SRO. See more about the services of the Ombudsman.
- To Study Investor Behavior. Under the leadership of Dr. Brian Scholl, the Office of the Investor Advocate is responsible for investor research. The research may encompass surveys, focus groups, and other methods to gain insight into investor behavior and provide data regarding policy choices. In addition, the Office reviews the economic analyses of rulemakings to ensure that they appropriately reflect the impact on investors from proposed rule changes.
- To Support the SEC's Investor Advisory Committee. The Office provides staff and operational support for the Committee, and the Investor Advocate serves as a statutory member. See more about the Committee.
Independent Role and Reports to Congress
While the Investor Advocate reports to the Chair of the SEC, the position nonetheless involves a measure of independence. The Office was established pursuant to a Congressional mandate, and the law requires the Investor Advocate to submit reports directly to Congress, without any prior review or comment from the Commissioners or SEC staff.
The Investor Advocate files two reports to Congress each year:
- A Report on Objectives, due each June 30, which sets forth the objectives of the Investor Advocate for the following fiscal year, and
- A Report on Activities, due each December 31, which describes the activities of the Investor Advocate during the immediately preceding fiscal year.
- See submitted reports.
Office Priorities
We identify a short list of top policy priorities each year. These priorities are outlined in both our Reports on Objectives and Reports on Activities. For details, please follow the link on the left side of this page titled “Reports to Congress,” or click HERE.
Speeches, Public Statements, and White Papers
- Investor Protection in the Age of Gamification: Game Over for Regulation Best Interest?
- (October 13, 2021)
- More Data, More Problems
(April 26, 2021) - Comment: Making Mandatory Sustainability Disclosure a Reality
(August 2020) - Dual Class Shares: A Recipe for Disaster
(October 15, 2019) - Statement Regarding the SEC’s Rulemaking Package for Investment Advisers and Broker-Dealers
(June 2019) - How the SEC Works to Protect Senior Investors
(May 2019) - Important Issues for Investors in 2019
(April 8, 2019) - See all Speeches, Public Statements, and White Papers
Reports to Congress
- Report on Objectives FY 2023 (filed June 30, 2022)
- Report on Activities for FY 2021 (filed Dec. 16, 2021)
- Report on Objectives for FY 2022 (filed Jun. 28, 2021)
- Report on Activities for FY 2020 (filed Dec. 29, 2020)
- Report on Objectives for FY 2021 (filed June 29, 2020)
- Report on Activities for FY 2019 (filed Dec. 19, 2019)
- Report on Objectives for FY 2020 (filed June 27, 2019)
- Report on Activities for FY 2018 (filed Dec. 20, 2018)
- See All Reports to Congress.
Recommendations
The Investor Advocate has submitted Recommendations:
- Letter to NASDAQ on listing standards for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (April 21, 2022)
- Letter to NYSE and NYSE American on listing standards for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (April 21, 2022)
- Comment: FASB Supplier Finance SEC Investor Advocate (March 2022)
- Comment: PCAOB Advisory Groups (February 2022)
- To the SEC on a Proposal from EDGA for Liquidity Provider Protection (Asymmetric Speedbump) (Dec. 13, 2019)
- To the SEC on the Concept Release on Harmonization of Securities Offering Exemptions (July 11, 2019)
- Draft Amendments to MSRB Rules on Primary Offering Practices (Sept. 17, 2018)
- See all Recommendations
Contact Information
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
Office of the Investor Advocate
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
(202) 551-3302
InvestorAdvocate@sec.gov
Modified: Feb. 8, 2017