Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with "due diligence" in securities transactions?

The responsibility for ensuring compliance with "due diligence" in securities transactions predominantly falls on the securities professionals involved in those transactions. These professionals, which can include brokers, dealers, and investment advisers, are expected to conduct thorough research and analysis prior to recommending securities to clients or executing trades.

The "due diligence" process involves verifying the accuracy of the information provided about a security, assessing the potential risks associated with it, and ensuring that the investment aligns with the client's financial goals and circumstances. This obligation helps protect investors from making uninformed decisions based on incomplete or misleading information.

While issuers, investors, and regulatory authorities play important roles in the market, their responsibilities differ significantly. Issuers must provide accurate disclosures, investors need to make informed choices, and regulatory authorities enforce compliance and monitor the market. However, it is the securities professionals who are directly responsible for conducting the necessary due diligence to ensure their clients are making well-informed investment decisions.