FINRA disciplinary action update #39

Disciplinary decisions issued November 17 – 23, 2023.

Former securities representative barred for allegedly churning and excessively trading customer accounts and providing false statements and testimony to FINRA

This is an Order Accepting an Offer of Settlement and not an AWC

Exchange Act Rule 10b-5
Exchange Act Rule 15l-1
FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2020
FINRA Rule 8210
Reg BI

Securities representative suspended and fined for allegedly participating in  a private securities transaction without approval from her employer

The representative also violated FINRA’s standards for communication with the public by sending a financial model that included a “prohibited internal rate of return projection for an investment” and did not disclose the risks or limitations that could prevent the projected forecasts being achieved.

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2210
FINRA Rule 3280

Former products representative barred for allegedly refusing to appear for on-the-record testimony

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 8210

Former securities representative suspended and fined for allegedly sharing transaction commissions with an unregistered individual

The individual in question had previously been barred by FINRA from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity.

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2040

Securities representative suspended and fined for alleged negligent misrepresentation connected to variable annuity products

The representative told customers that a guaranteed death benefit was included in the product, but failed to select the optional rider or levy the fee required to trigger this.

In addition the representative falsified customer signatures by electronically signing 13 documents on behalf of three senior customers with their consent.

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 4511

Former securities representative barred for allegedly refusing to appear for on-the-record testimony

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 8210

Former securities representative suspended and fined for allegedly impersonating customers

The representative electronically signed some 12 forms without the permission of the eight customers in question, signed another approximately 110 forms with the permission of 70 customers and copied and reused ink signatures of three customers with their permission.

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 4511

Products representative fined for alleged unsuitable trading in a customer’s account

The trading done by the representative “resulted in a high turnover rate and cost-to-equity ratio, as well as significant losses”. The trading was excessive, unsuitable and not in the customer’s best interest given their investment profiles.

Exchange Act Rule 15l-1
FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2111
Reg BI

Former securities representative barred for refusing to appear for on-the-record testimony

FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 8210

Former securities representative suspended for allegedly making unsuitable investment recommendations

The trading undertaken by the representative “resulted in high turnover rates and cost-to-equity ratios that were well above the traditional guideposts” and resulted in significant customer losses. The trading was “excessive, unsuitable, and not in the best interest of the five customers given their investment profiles”.

A restitution of $58,082.50 plus interest has also been ordered.

Exchange Act Rule 15l-1
FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2111
Reg BI

Unless otherwise noted all respondents accepted and consented to FINRA’s findings without admitting or denying them.