Securities exchange act of 1934

This law created the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the securities industry. The law outlawed manipulative and abusive practices in the issuance of securities; it required registration of stock exchanges, brokers and dealers, and registration of exchange-listed securities; it also required disclosure of certain financial information and insider activity. The law gave the SEC surveillance authority over exchanges and brokers, and the authority to regulate margin requirements. The law also authorized the SEC to enforce the Securities Act of 1933. In 1938, the law was amended to allow regulation of over-the-counter markets through self-regulated organizations. (Refer to Maloney Act, Securities Act of 1933)