SEC Goes Viral to Educate Investors

   

Posted: Nov 18, 2009

The Securities and Exchange Commission isn't just for high-finance aficionados anymore. With the launch of its new website — www.investor.gov — the SEC is reaching out to average Americans who are interested in learning more about investing.

This is the SEC's first-ever site devoted exclusively to investor education; it offers
in-depth information and "top tips" on how to invest wisely, plan for the future and avoid being scammed.

"Investing information is available from thousands of online resources — some good, some not so good. Through Investor.gov, we are adding our own online voice to provide investors with unbiased and factual investing information," says SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro in a welcome video on the home page of the new site. "You'll find resources that can help you analyze your current holdings or even check the background of a registered financial professional."

The information on Investor.gov is presented in a user-friendly format and includes sections specifically designed for people who are new to investing, parents saving for a child's education, those who are planning for retirement, and senior citizens and their caregivers. There's also a section written in Spanish.

"Investor.gov will help you if you are invested in the market, are considering investing, or care for a relative who has retirement savings," says Lori Schock, Director of the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. "Investor.gov provides an extensive collection of investor education materials, tools, calculators, checklists, as well as valuable investor alerts."

Future enhancements, including additional investor education resources, are planned for the coming weeks and months.

Investor.gov is the latest in a series of social media initiatives undertaken by the SEC, which also reaches out to investors online through other social media channels, like Twitter and YouTube.