Arthur Levitt

Date of Birth: February 3, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Arthur Levitt Jr. is a distinguished American public servant best known for his tenure as the 25th Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Born into a family with a strong public service background, Levitt has had a significant influence on financial regulation and market transparency. He served as SEC Chairman from July 27, 1993, to February 9, 2001, making him the longest-serving chairman in the Commission’s history. Levitt’s early career began in journalism, but he quickly transitioned to finance, working for various brokerage firms. His expertise and dedication led to his appointment as Chairman of the American Stock Exchange in 1978, where he served until 1989. Levitt’s tenure at the SEC was marked by a focus on improving financial disclosure and protecting the interests of individual investors. He championed several key regulatory initiatives, including the Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) and the Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act. After his time at the SEC, Levitt continued to influence the financial industry through various roles, including serving on boards and as an advisor. He has also been a prolific writer and speaker on financial regulation and ethics.

5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Levitt

1. Arthur Levitt Jr. was the longest-serving Chairman of the SEC, holding the position from 1993 to 2001.

2. Levitt was originally a journalist before transitioning into the financial sector.

3. He was the Chairman of the American Stock Exchange prior to his appointment at the SEC.

4. Levitt is known for his efforts to increase transparency in financial markets, particularly through the implementation of Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD).

5. He has written several books on finance and regulation, including “Take on the Street: What Wall Street and Corporate America Don’t Want You to Know.”