The stock exchange on Wall Street—that started out in 1817 bearing the name New York Stock and Exchange Board and since 1863 the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)—is not the oldest in North America.

In Germany two bourses developed, in Berlin and Frankfurt. The Berlin stock exchange goes back to 1696, when Prussia was a small country with an agrarian economy, its influence not comparable with that of England, Russia, France or Austria.

Most stock markets have quite a few dramatic stories to tell. In the Netherlands wild speculation with tulip bulbs—the bubble burst in the space of a few weeks.

During the 1400s the capital markets grew significantly.

Stock markets exert a fascination over everyone. Outsiders watch with bewildered awe how share prices move up and down of no apparent rhyme or reason.

Fundamental securities analysts (as opposed to technical securities analysts) look at particular industries to see which are likely to fare best as the economy proceeds along its upward or downward course.

After the 1907 Panic, congress formed the Pugo Hearings that by December 1913 resulted in the creation of Federal Reserve System (the Fed).

The Securities Act of 1933 regulates new issues of corporate securities sold to the public. The act is also referred to as the Full Disclosure Act, the New Issues Act, the Truth in Securities Act and the Prospectus Act.

There are a variety of published averages and indexes to gather data on price movements and trading volumes.

During last several years of the great dot-com bubble (approximately 1998-2000) many Wall Street experts promoted four ideas that have became conventional wisdom on Main Street.

by Bart Ward For most investors working with a brokerage firm, commissions are the most obvious costs that one is concerned with.

by Bart Ward U.S. Treasury bills or T-bills are the most marketable of all money market instruments. T-bills represent the simplest form of borrowing: the government raises money by selling bills to the public

by Bart Ward With the advent of the 2008 financial crisis, we heard more about the word “securitization” than anytime before. What is it, what does it mean and how did it affect the economy leading into 2008?

by Bart Ward Before a stock or bond certificate that has been sold can be delivered, it must be in good delivery form.

by Bart Ward Several steps are involved in processing a transaction in a brokerage house. The process begins when the client places an order with the broker.

by Bart Ward Before you open a new account at a brokerage firm, the broker-dealer and registered representative (stockbroker) must evaluate you as to character and credit references, financial reliability and specific financial goals and objectives.

by Bart Ward I have seen many a stock come and go on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). It is a sad day when the iconic tic symbol “EK” will no longer stand for Eastman Kodak.

by Bart Ward A quick flip through today’s newspapers is likely to lead even the most ardent advocates of free markets to acknowledge that professional standards in the banking and securities industry have eroded considerably over the past five years to a new low. In reality this is not true.

by Bart Ward The securities industry in the United States is regulated in two ways, self regulation and by regulatory agencies created through legislative acts.

by Bart Ward The end of the year is upon us. It’s often a time to reflect about who we are and where we are going. Most often, we say that we are going to make changes – but we don’t.

by Bart Ward Each day on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) approximately 1.2 billion shares of stock worth about $25 billion changes hands directly on the floor.

by Bart Ward Every year the Museum of American Finance, located at 48 Wall St., hosts its annual gala. This year the 2012 Gala will honor Felix Rohatyn.