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disb

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

Securities Bureau

Senayet Meaza, Acting Associate Commissioner for Securities

The Securities Bureau:

  • regulates securities professionals in the District of Columbia;
  • licenses broker-dealer firms and their agents, agents of issuers, and investment advisers and their representatives;
  • protects investor/consumers by enforcing the legal requirements applicable to securities entities and representatives operating in the District; 
  • conducts investor education through outreach activities in the community; and
  • is a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association Inc. also known as NASAA. The association is the voice of state securities agencies responsible for grass-roots investor protection and efficient capital formation.

The Securities Bureau has one office and three divisions:

  • Office of Securities Associate Commissioner 
  • Licensing Division
  • Corporate Finance Division 
  • Examinations Division

Office of Securities Associate Commissioner:

  • oversees the daily operations of the Securities Bureau;
  • plans and directs a refined and well-coordinated securities regulatory program;
  • makes final determinations on the licensing status of regulated securities entities and individuals;
  • plans and maintains creative outreach programs to meet the informational needs of DC investors; and
  • recommends securities programs and courses to develop and train Securities Bureau personnel.

Licensing Division:

  • administers the licensing requirements applicable to investment advisers, investment adviser representatives, broker-dealers and broker-dealer agents, and agents of issuers operating in the District of Columbia; and
  • monitors the Continuing Education program applicable to licensed securities professionals.

Corporation Finance Division:

  • administers registration filings and notice filings of securities offerings; and
  • reviews and analyzes financial statements of issuers to achieve full disclosure in DC-registered securities offerings.

Examinations Division

  • conducts on-site inspections of investment advisers and broker-dealers to ensure compliance with applicable rules and statutes;
  • investigates and resolves complaints regarding allegations of misconduct by Securities Professionals operating in the District of Columbia; and
  • refers suspected illegal activities to the Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division for investigation.