SEC Announces Roundtable on Microcap Securities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2011-186

Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2011 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it will host a public roundtable next month to discuss the unique regulatory issues surrounding the execution, clearance, and settlement of microcap securities.

The roundtable is being sponsored by the SEC’s Microcap Fraud Working Group, a joint initiative of the Division of Enforcement and Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations. The Working Group is the Commission’s primary resource for issues relating to market participants and trading practices concerning securities primarily quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) or OTC Quote (previously Pink Sheets).

The event will take place on October 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the SEC’s Washington D.C. headquarters. It will feature in-depth discussions of key regulatory issues including Anti-Money Laundering monitoring, compliance challenges, and potential changes to the regulatory framework. Panelists will include representatives from The Deposit Trust Company, broker-dealers, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and others.

The roundtable is part of an ongoing SEC effort to focus on the particular challenges facing issuers and regulated entities within the changing business and regulatory climates. The purpose of the roundtable is to enable Commission staff to gather ideas and request input for regulatory measures surrounding the execution, clearance and settlement of low-priced securities.

The event is open to the public with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. The roundtable also will be webcast live on the SEC website and archived for later viewing. For more information about the roundtable, contact the Division of Enforcement at 202-551-6607.

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http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2011/2011-186.htm