Securities and exchange commission (SEC)

The federal agency created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to administer that act and the Securities Act of 1933. The statutes administered by the SEC are designed to promote full public disclosure and protect the investing public against fraudulent and manipulative practices in the securities markets. Generally, most issues of securities offered in interstate commerce or through the mails must be registered with the SEC. (Refer to Maloney Act, Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Securities Exchange Act of 1934)