Securities Whistleblower Incentives and Protections

The Commission is adopting rules and forms to implement Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act') entitled "Securities Whistleblower Incentives and Protection.' The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted on July 21, 2010 ("Dodd-Frank'), established a whistleblower program that requires the Commission to pay an award, under regulations prescribed by the Commission and subject to certain limitations, to eligible whistleblowers who voluntarily provide the Commission with original information about a violation of the Federal securities laws that leads to the successful enforcement of a covered judicial or administrative action, or a related action. Dodd-Frank also prohibits retaliation by employers against individuals who provide the Commission with information about possible securities violations.