Cybersecurity

Wall Street Penalties Have Fallen in Trump’s First Year, Study Says

SEC sought $3.4 billion in sanctions, lowest total since 2013
Number of enforcement cases also fell to lowest in four years

A Wall Street sign hangs in front of American flags outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 31, 2017. U.S. stocksfluctuated to end a month of gains spurred by corporate results and growing optimism in the strength of the global economy.Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg

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By Matt Robinson and Benjamin Bain

November 14, 2017 at 2:09 PM UTC

Updated on

November 14, 2017 at 4:36 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

In its latest fiscal year, Wall Street’s top regulator sought the smallest amount of penalties since 2013, a drop that took place as the agency went months without permanent leadership and could show a softer approach to policing wrongdoing.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission tried to obtain $3.4 billion in fines and disgorgement from companies and individuals during the 12 months ended in September, according to data collected by Urska Velikonja, a Georgetown University law professor. The SEC filed 612 enforcement cases, also the fewest in four years, Velikonja’s research shows.