Press Releases

For Immediate Release
September 20, 2005

DFI's Patricia Struck Takes Office as President of International Securities Group

(Madison) Patricia D. Struck, Administrator of the Division of Securities with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, has begun a one-year term as President of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). NASAA is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. Its membership consists of the securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.

As she took office at the organization's annual conference, Struck said, "For those of you in the securities business, compliance with securities laws is a reflection of your respect for investors and the systems in place for their protection. We expect you to play by the rules.” Struck said NASAA will be engaged on several fronts in its efforts to protect investors during the coming year. She highlighted three areas upon which NASAA expects to focus: variable annuities, investment advice, and arbitration.

Struck has been with the state of Wisconsin for more than 20 years and with DFI since its formation in 1996. She has been the securities administrator since that time. The agency regulates more than 1,800 licensed broker dealer firms, over 97,000 registered securities agents, and nearly 200 licensed investment advisers. DFI Secretary Lorrie Keating Heinemann said, "Patty Struck has been an asset to the Department of Financial Institutions, and it is an honor for the State of Wisconsin to have a representative at the head of this international organization."

Before her career in state securities regulation, Struck worked as an attorney with a large regional bank. She has been a visiting lecturer in securities law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and has served as chair of the business law section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. She also is a frequent speaker on issues relating to investor education as well as broker-dealer and investment-adviser compliance.