Next month’s annual conference for state and provincial securities regulators will focus on the challenges of protecting senior investors, high-frequency trading and crowdfunding, the group said today.

The North American Securities Administrators Association’s (NASAA) 97th annual conference, which is slated for Sept. 14-16 in Indianapolis, is to feature three special discussions: the challenge of protecting investors with diminished capacity and other cognitive impairments, particularly seniors; the impact of high-frequency trading (HFT) on investor confidence and market integrity; and, equity crowdfunding as a way to raise capital for small businesses.

The session on seniors will include medical and financial experts, securities regulators, industry representatives and seniors advocates, and will be moderated by Illinois Securities Department director, Tanya Solov. The HFT discussion will feature New York Investor Protection Bureau chief, Chad Johnson, and University of Notre Dame professor of finance, Robert Battalio. The crowdfunding session will hear insights from entrepreneurs and look at how state and provinces can help promote small business capital formation.

In addition to these major topics, the conference will also include open discussions with NASAA committees on subjects related to broker-dealers, investment advisers, corporate finance, enforcement, investor education, and registration issues.

“We are pleased to present an exciting program this year to provide regulators and industry alike with fresh thoughts and insights to help meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said NASAA president and Ohio Securities Commissioner, Andrea Seidt.