Paul S. Atkins is the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He was sworn in as SEC Chair in April 2025 and previously served at the SEC as a Commissioner (2002–2008) and in senior staff roles.
AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe) is a trade association representing wholesale capital- and investment-market participants across Europe (major global and European banks and market firms). AFME events, including its Annual Financial Services Policy Dinner, typically attract senior bank executives, capital-market firms, industry trade associations, investors, and European regulators and policymakers.
Chairman Atkins addressed topics in remarks posted by the SEC; the full transcript is available on the SEC website at the linked remarks page: https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/atkins-remarks-afme-020426
No. The SEC posting of the remarks and the text of the speech show Chairman Atkins’s views but do not by themselves enact new SEC rules or formal enforcement actions; the speech does not appear to include immediate rulemakings or enforcement announcements. Official rule changes or enforcement actions require separate rulemaking or enforcement orders recorded on the SEC’s docket.
Speeches by the SEC Chair at industry events reflect the Chair’s statements but are not automatically identical to formal SEC policy; only Commission votes, rule releases, or official staff guidance adopt binding SEC policy. Chairs often signal priorities in public remarks, but formal policy requires the Commission’s rules, orders, or staff releases.
Yes. When SEC officials speak at industry-hosted events they normally include a disclaimer in the published text noting whether remarks represent their views or the SEC’s; SEC staff and officials must follow federal ethics rules and agency disclosure requirements (financial-conflict rules apply). Exact disclosures vary by event and are typically included with the posted speech or in agency guidance.