SEC to Hold National Compliance Event for Broker-Dealers

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the opening of registration for its National Compliance Outreach Program for Broker-Dealers that will take place in Washington D.C. on April 9.

The event is sponsored by the SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations in coordination with the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). It provides a forum for open discussions about effective compliance practices for broker-dealers and will focus on topics of interest to compliance, risk, and audit officers of large broker-dealers with multiple and complex business lines.

"To be effective, compliance and ethics programs cannot exist in silos. They need to be ingrained in the DNA of the organization and the decision-making framework of the organization. They need to be part of the way business is done," said Carlo di Florio, Director of the SEC's National Examination Program. "Compliance and risk management programs add tremendous business value. They protect the business. They enhance the brand. They ensure that reputation is protected. Our National Compliance Outreach Program is one of the ways that we try to support and enhance the compliance and risk management functions of firms."

FINRA Member Regulation EVP Susan Axelrod added, "FINRA is pleased to continue the partnership with the SEC to provide this opportunity for broker-dealer compliance professionals and regulators to foster two-way communication and work together to protect investors. Given the pace of change in the industry, face-to-face meetings of this kind are more valuable than ever."

There is no cost to attend the event, which will be held at the SEC's headquarters at 100 F Street NE in Washington. Registration for in-person attendance is limited to 500 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be a maximum of 10 attendees per firm. The event also will be webcast on the SEC website.

To register for the 2013 National Compliance Outreach Program for Broker Dealers, visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov/info/complianceoutreach-bd.htm.