On July 12, 2017, newly appointed SEC Chairman Jay Clayton delivered a speech at the non-partisan Economic Club of New York wherein he set forth several high-level guiding principles for the agency.  In general, these remarks focused on (i) ensuring protections for retail investors, (ii) positioning the SEC as a regulator which is able to evolve on pace with industry, and (iii) taking a more measured and effects-focused approach to rulemaking.   In addition, Chair Clayton stated that he opposed any wholesale changes to the SEC’s fundamental regulatory approach.