Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

Candius J. Bannister, of Sarasota, Florida, was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that she borrowed over $30,000 from a customer in violation of Edward Jones’ procedures and FINRA’s rules. The complaint alleges that Bannister has failed to repay the loans or otherwise comply with the terms of…

Global Strategic Investments, LLC, of Miami, Florida, was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that it failed to investigate or report, where appropriate, unusual activity related to bond transactions and subsequent money transfers relating to a new business line. The FINRA complaint alleges that the firm launched a…

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the first bank in a multi-defendant class action lawsuit to settle claims relating to allegations that the banks rigged the foreign exchange market.  Commonly referred to as the Forex market, over 5 trillion dollars a day is traded as investors rely on the honesty of…

Cantella & Co., Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts, submitted an AWC with FINRA in which the firm was censured, fined $50,000 and required to pay $81,973.65, plus interest, in restitution to customers for allegations relating to excessive commissions. Without admitting or denying the findings, Cantella consented to the sanctions and to…

Last week, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filed charges against Newport Coast Securities, Inc. (“Newport Coast”) and some of its current and former registered representatives, accusing them of using margin and risky securities to artificially generate huge commissions for themselves while wiping out most of their customers’ investment capital.…

In July 2013, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued a lifetime ban upon Carl Birkelbach, the founder and principal of Birkelbach Investment Securities (headquartered in Chicago, Illinois), which prevents him from participating in any working capacity in the securities industry.  Mr. Birkelbach appealed the SEC’s ban, claiming in…

If the Connecticut Department of Banking (the “Department”) has its way, Meyers Associates and its owner, Bruce Meyers, will be barred from selling securities in Connecticut. A February 2014 Order to Cease and Desist issued by the Department, charges Meyers Associates and Bruce Meyers (“Respondents”) with numerous violations of Connecticut…

Of all the guarantees, bells and whistles associated with variable annuities, perhaps the biggest guarantee is the steep up-front commission the financial advisor can earn for selling the product. According to a recent Reuters’ article, variable annuity sales in the U.S. totaled $142.8 billion last year, and brokers can earn…

UBS Financial Services of Puerto Rico has come under the scrutiny of a leading bond market commentator, The Bond Buyer in yesterday’s article titled, UBS Puerto Rico Faces Surge in Arbitration Claims.  Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch’s credit ratings agencies downgraded Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds to junk bond…

The Stifel Nicolaus & Company story about financial advisors’ lack of training and supervision concerning exchange traded funds (ETFs) is not much different than other Wall Street giants, including Morgan Stanley, UBS, Citigroup and Wells Fargo who were fined for similar violations.  On December 17, 2013 Stifel Nicolaus & Company…