SEC Chairman Jay Clayton to Step Down After Historic Tenure

Jay Clayton, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced today that he will step down from his role at the end of the year. Serving since May 4, 2017, Clayton will conclude a tenure marked by significant advancements in investor protection, capital growth, and market integrity.

Highlights of Clayton’s Tenure

1. Focus on Main Street Investors

Under Clayton’s leadership, the SEC prioritized initiatives aimed at benefiting Main Street investors:

• Promoted economic growth and investment opportunities.
• Strengthened market integrity and investor protections.

2. Capital Formation

Clayton facilitated businesses of all sizes in raising capital in public and private markets, maintaining robust investor protections.

Achievements and Records

During his tenure, the SEC achieved:

1. Enforcement Success

• Over $14 billion in monetary remedies obtained, including a record $4.68 billion in fiscal year 2020.
• Approximately $3.5 billion returned to harmed investors.
• Paid $565 million to whistleblowers, including a historic $114 million single award.

2. Examinations

• Conducted 10,000+ exams, including a record number of investment adviser exams in 2018.

3. Rulemaking Productivity

• Advanced more than 65 final rules, modernizing decades-old regulations.
• Achieved timely advancement of 86% of initiatives on the SEC’s near-term agendas.

Clayton’s Reflections

Expressing gratitude, Clayton stated:

“Working alongside the incredibly talented and driven women and men of the SEC has been the highlight of my career. I am proud of our collective efforts to advance each part of the SEC’s tripartite mission, always with an eye on the interests of our Main Street investors.”

Clayton also extended thanks to:

• President Trump for the opportunity to lead the SEC.
• Collaborators across federal financial regulatory agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, and CFTC.

A Legacy of Transparent Rulemaking

Clayton emphasized transparency in the SEC’s agenda-setting process:

• Introduced the use of congressionally mandated near-term agendas as a roadmap for the agency’s regulatory work.
• Oversaw modernization efforts to adapt outdated rule sets for contemporary market needs.

Conclusion

Jay Clayton’s tenure as SEC Chairman has been a period of historic productivity and significant progress in protecting investors, promoting capital formation, and enhancing market transparency. As he steps down, the SEC remains well-positioned for continued success, driven by the foundations laid during his leadership.

For more updates on financial regulations and leadership changes, explore our article on SEC milestones.