The Internet has greatly facilitated the ease and speed with which securities transactions can occur. The above URL will take you to a page on the SEC's Web site that presents interpretive guidelines issued by the SEC on the use of electronic media in transactions governed by federal securities laws.

Question One: Scroll down to the "Introduction" section of the article.

a) How many people invest in the U.S. securities markets through online brokerage accounts today?

b) Generally, how has the availability of Internet communications affected the securities industry?