WASHINGTON — Richard G. Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) released the following statement on the announcement of the resignation of Mary L. Schapiro, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the appointment of Elisse B. Walter as her successor:
"Chairman Schapiro took over the SEC at an extremely challenging time, both for the agency and for the markets. Ms. Schapiro's commitment to investors and investor protection is unwavering. She significantly improved the Commission's enforcement division, boosted agency morale and streamlined the Commission's processes. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
"I would also like to congratulate Elisse Walter in her new position as Chairman. Her depth of knowledge of securities regulation and the markets and abiding concern for American investors will provide her a sound foundation as she leads the agency forward."
FINRA is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business - from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms, writing rules, enforcing those rules and the federal securities laws, informing and educating the investing public, providing trade reporting and other industry utilities, and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and firms. For more information, please visit www.finra.org.