The Division of Examinations (formerly OCIE) runs the SEC’s National Exam Program: it conducts risk‑based on‑site and off‑site exams of SEC‑registered firms and individuals (broker‑dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, clearing agencies, exchanges, etc.) to improve compliance, prevent fraud, monitor risk, and inform SEC policy and enforcement.
The Director oversees and manages the Division’s programs and staff, sets examination priorities and strategies, directs exam operations (including the National Exam Program and Technology Controls Program), represents the Division to the Commission and other agencies, and provides information used to shape SEC policy and enforcement — all within the Commission’s staff structure.
The Division Director is a senior SEC staff position appointed by Commission leadership (internal appointment); it is not a presidentially nominated, Senate‑confirmed position (unlike SEC Commissioners).
Cassidy joined the SEC in 2010 as an attorney advisor in the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, served as Deputy Director and then Director of that office, was named Associate/National Associate Director of the Division’s Technology Controls Program (TCP) in 2017, served as Deputy Director of the Division of Examinations, and was Acting Director from May 2024 before his 2026 appointment.
“Acting Director since May 2024” means Cassidy was performing the Director’s duties and exercising the authority of the Division head on an interim basis (running operations, setting exam priorities, and representing the Division) pending a permanent appointment; acting status is an internal temporary staffing arrangement rather than requiring Senate action.
SEC press release and Cassidy’s official SEC biography are available at the SEC website: https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026-6-keith-e-cassidy-named-director-division-examinations and https://www.sec.gov/biography/keith-cassidy