Paul Atkins, who has been nominated by President Trump to serve as Chairperson of the Securities & Exchange Commission, last week completed a short confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee.  Despite its brevity, the hearing provided meaningful clues to Mr. Atkin’s plans if he is confirmed by the Senate to lead the SEC, which appears reasonably assured to occur.  On April 3, 2025, the Senate Banking Committee approved his nomination with a vote 13 to 11. 

Paul Atkins previously served on the staff of SEC Chairman Richard Breeden, as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008, and as a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP following the 2008 financial crisis.  Most recently, he founded and ran a regulatory and compliance consulting company.