Students in Financial Markets II class analyze SEC regulation

Students in the business course Financial Markets II learned valuable lessons about administrative law and regulations by analyzing and commenting on a proposed new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation. Their comments were accepted and will be considered as part of the regulatory rulemaking process in the discourse regarding financial markets. Course instructor Frank SanPietro, Ph.D said he was very pleased with how his students “offered a well considered and well intentioned perspective that seeks to inform rather than to advocate.”

Tevin Skeete, a financial economics major with a minor in political science, said working on the SEC public comment project provided him with a unique opportunity to actively engage in the ongoing conversation about financial market regulation. “As I delved into the proposed changes to the Dodd-Frank Act and offered my own perspective, I gained a deeper understanding of the complex issues at play and the impact that regulatory decisions can have on the broader economy. This experience reinforced the importance of public participation in the regulatory process and inspired me to stay informed and engaged in these critical conversations.”

Connor Woods, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in financial economics and a minor in data analytics, said the project was extremely beneficial. “This provided us with valuable research and analytical skills as we looked at the new proposed SEC rule to prohibit conflicts of interest in certain securitizations. The comments submitted analyzed arguments that are in favor of the proposal and arguments that oppose the proposal.” He enjoyed working collaboratively with his classmates to submit arguments for each side. “This also gave us the opportunity to enter the public discourse regarding conduct and regulation of financial markets,” said Woods.

SanPietro was happy to provide his students with an opportunity “to go beyond the textbook on financial markets and regulations and enter the actual public debate.” He found it valuable for students “to see that complex issues often have compelling arguments on both sides. There are few black and white solutions in the real world of the financial markets.” His students researched the issue and then presented their arguments in class. They challenged one another to support their position and provide the factual basis for them. “In many ways, it was exactly the kind of situations in which they will find themselves as they move forward into the world of finance,” said SanPietro.

Virginia H. Rich, associate dean of the School of Business and Computer Science, was very happy that the students had the opportunity to utilize the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab to conduct real-world financial market research and demonstrate the skills that employers value. “The ability to synthesize research and market perspectives, and capture that information succinctly, is a skill that many job applicants lack, yet employers seek. I’m delighted that our students have had this opportunity to showcase their abilities in this way.”