WASHINGTON, DC, December 2, 2008—The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) will convene a public roundtable discussion next week to outline changes in the financial services regulatory structure that are necessary to promote Main Street investor protection, which state securities regulators have provided for nearly 100 years.

“At this critical time in our nation’s history, it is imperative that our system of financial services regulation be improved to better protect our investors, our markets and our economy. The unique experiences of state securities regulators on the front lines of investor protection provide the framework of NASAA’s five-point plan for regulatory reform,” said NASAA President and Colorado Securities Commissioner Fred Joseph.

The Roundtable is scheduled for Thursday, December 11 at the Phoenix Park Hotel, 520 North Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC. On-site registration and a light lunch begin at noon, with the program following from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Commissioner Joseph will moderate the Roundtable and participants will discuss each of NASAA’s five core principles of regulatory reform and offer specific recommendations for building a collaborative, efficient, comprehensive and strong system of financial services regulation. Participants include:

• Denise Voigt Crawford, Texas Securities Commissioner, will address the importance of preserving the system of state/federal collaboration while streamlining where possible.
• Tanya Solov, Illinois Securities Department Director, will discuss the necessity of closing regulatory gaps by subjecting all financial products and markets to regulation.
• Melanie Senter Lubin, Maryland Securities Commissioner, will address strengthening standards of conduct and using “principles” to complement rules, not replace them.
• Joseph P. Borg, Alabama Securities Commission Director, will highlight the need for improved oversight through better risk assessment and interagency communication.
• James Ropp, Delaware Securities Commissioner, will discuss toughening enforcement and shoring up private remedies.

The Roundtable is free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve a seat, please contact Lonnie Martin, at lm@nasaa.org or 202-737-0900, by December 9. For directions, visit www.phoenixparkhotel.com.

NASAA is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. Its membership consists of the securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Mexico.

For more information:
Bob Webster, Director of Communications
202-737-0900