Statement of FINRA CEO Mary L. Schapiro Regarding Treasury Secretary's Blueprint...

Statement of FINRA CEO Mary L. Schapiro Regarding Treasury Secretary's Blueprint on Revamping Financial Services Regulation

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
"This blueprint marks an important beginning to a debate that is
critical to the future of investor protection.

"Today's increasingly complex financial services landscape and
fragmented regulatory environment has made it nearly impossible for
the average investor to navigate the marketplace and fully understand
the risks they may be exposed to and the protections they are entitled
to.

"Investors shouldn't be left exposed and confused. Retail
investors should get the same basic regulatory safeguards and
protections no matter which investment product they choose.

"I applaud Secretary Paulson's leadership in raising these issues
for debate and look forward to working with Treasury and others to
address them."

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest
non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in
the United States. Created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD
and NYSE Member Regulation, FINRA is dedicated to investor protection
and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and
complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches
virtually every aspect of the securities business--from registering
and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms;
writing and enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing
and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and
other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute
resolution forum for investors and registered firms. For more
information, please visit our Web site at www.finra.org.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Nancy Condon, 202-728-8379
or
Herb Perone, 202-728-8464

Copyright Business Wire 2008