About Security Traders Association

Carrying the Members’ Message

5,200 Members Strong

While it is crucial that market professionals be armed with the latest information on laws, regulations and technology advances affecting their work, it is even more important to have a role in shaping these forces that will change our industry.

That’s why STA officers meet regularly with industry and government officials. From the self-regulatory organizations that govern the stock exchanges and markets to elected officials at the higher levels of the federal government, STA ensures that its members’ positions are taken into account as the laws, rules, regulations and technology make their way from the drawing board to reality.

Among those with whom STA has frequent contact are the chairmen and members of the Senate Banking Committee, its Subcommittee on Securities and Investment, the House Committee on Financial Services and its Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises. Officers and Board Members of STA regularly present written and oral testimony at hearings held by these bodies to ensure our members’ positions are heard and acted upon.

Similarly, STA officials provide member feedback on proposed and existing rules to the executives of exchanges and market centers, as well as those responsible for their oversight activities.

STA communicates directly with high-level officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure that members’ best interests are represented as new regulations are promulgated or existing ones modified.

The Association plays a vital role in all stages of the legislative and regulatory process, from the drafting of bills, rules and regulations to generating constituency support for initiatives.

Recent STA Accomplishments

2006

  • STA University is launched through the STA Foundation
  • Comment Letters issued on Reg SHO, OTCBB, and the Three Quote Rule
  • In May, Congress cuts Section 31 fees, an initiative that STA spearheaded for a decade
  • STA supports NASD and NYSE in regulatory consolidation effort
  • Membership Recruitment survey conducted
  • Advertising Program becomes theme based
  • Website Redesign Begins
  • STA issues first CD of its DC conference

2005

  • STA hires Thomson ProMetric to conduct first in-depth survey
  • STA conducts the first survey of Annual Conference participants
  • Comment Letters are issued on:  Soft Dollars, NYSE Reg Early Opening, NASDAQ Exchange Registration
  • STA actively involved in NYSE Hybrid, Reg NMS Implementation, and Market Center Merger discussions
  • STA actively endorses President Bush’s nominees for SEC Chairman and Commissioners
  • Compliance Committee established
  • STA Charity surpasses $1.5 million

2004

  • STA plays key role in Reg NMS Debate:  Issues Comment Letters, Testifies on Capital Hill and before the SEC.  There is broad STA Committee participation in the comment writing process.
  • STA sets the theme for the year:  “Balancing Competition and Regulation”
  • STA Launches the Traders Advocate Program
  • Education Committee Established
  • Produced the Affiliate President’s Handbook
  • Reset the Vision

2003

  • STA Issues White Paper:  Fulfilling the Promise of the National Market System

2002

  • First Strategy Meeting Conducted
  • STA Vision Set

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