The new plan outlines three major goals:

Goal 1:

The SEC will focus on the long-term interests of Main Street investors. In recent years, the questions every day investors face have become increasingly complicated. In addition, the distinction between investment professionals who sell securities versus those who provide investment advice can be unclear. The SEC has identified five initiatives to mitigate and respond to challenges in the changing marketplace:

1. Improve understanding of the channels retail and institutional investors use to access capital markets so as to more effectively tailor policies.

2. Enhance outreach, education, and consultation efforts with the diversity of investors in mind.

3. Pursue enforcement and examination initiatives that are focused on identifying and addressing misconduct that impacts retail investors.

4. Modernize the design, delivery, and content of financial disclosure to allow investors to make informed, timely choices.

5. Identify ways to increase the number and range of long-term, cost-effective investment options available to retail investors, potentially by expanding the number of companies that are registered with SEC and listed on exchanges.

Goal 2:

The SEC will recognize significant developments and trends in capital markets and adjust its efforts to ensure efficient allocation of its resources. To this end, the Commission has proposed the following:

1. Expand market knowledge and oversight capabilities to identify, understand, analyze, and respond effectively to market changes and risks.

2. Identify and address outdated SEC rules and policies.

3. Address cyber and other system/infrastructure risks that could impact capital markets and market participants.

4. Promote emergency preparedness within the SEC.

Goal 3:

The SEC will evaluate its own performance through enhancing its analytical capabilities and human capital development. The Commission’s success depends on wise use of its resource, particularly the talent and experience gained through its employees. In addition, data and technology must be leveraged to uncover risks to the markets and investors, as well as to conduct activities more efficiently. To meet this goal, the SEC proposes to:

1. Focus on its workforce to increase its capabilities and promote diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity among its staff.

2. Expand the use of risk and data analytics to inform how we set regulatory priorities and focus staff resources, including developing a data management program that treats data as an SEC-wide resource with appropriate protections.

3. Enhance the Commission’s analysis of market and industry data to detect, prevent, and prosecute inappropriate behavior.

4. Improve the Commission’s internal control and risk management capabilities, including developing a program for dealing with threats to the security, integrity, and availability of the SEC’s systems and sensitive data.

5. Promote collaboration within and across SEC offices to provide for effective communication

The 2018-2022 Strategic Draft Plan was prepared in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010, which requires federal agencies to outline their missions, planned initiatives, and strategic goals for a four-year period. The public comment period will remain open for thirty days from the draft plan’s publication in the Federal Register. To send a comment, email PerformancePlanning@sec.gov or send paper comments to Nicole Puccio, Branch Chief, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549–2521. 

Sources:

Investors, Innovation, and Performance Top SEC's Draft Strategic Plan (www.sec.gov)
Draft 2018–2022 Strategic Plan for Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov)
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2018–2022 Draft For Comment (www.sec.gov)