Which organization is responsible for regulating the securities industry in the U.S.?

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the primary federal regulatory body for the securities industry in the United States. Established in 1934, the SEC's primary mission is to protect investors, maintain fair and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. It achieves this by enforcing securities laws, overseeing the securities exchange markets, and ensuring that public companies provide full and fair disclosure of financial information to investors.

While organizations such as the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), which is now part of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) play significant roles in the regulatory landscape, they operate under the overarching authority of the SEC. The SEC has the final say in regulatory matters regarding securities, making it the most authoritative body in this context.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is unrelated to the securities industry, focusing instead on broadcasting and communications. Therefore, the SEC is the correct choice as the entity responsible for regulating the securities industry in the U.S.