The Zoom videoconferencing app has become almost as pervasive as the virus itself; millions of workers, friends and family members now use it daily to communicate in as close to in-person fashion as we can get under the social distancing regime. However, like all technology, there can be some risk. […]
Brokers
Commentary, news and links of interest to financial advisers.
UBS Ordered to Pay Broker $1.6 Million
A former star broker for UBS Financial Services Inc. who was repeatedly called a “bitch” by her boss won a $1.6 million discrimination arbitration award last month. According to InvestmentNews.com, the broker, Chrisine Carona, worked for UBS in Boston from March 2009 through July 2017 and currently is employed by Morgan Stanley. She was […]
This is Your Life – Your CRD Record
CRD, Your Permanent Record, and Your Future By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Note: CRD disclosures can be removed in limited circumstances. To learn more, read Expungement of Customer Complaints, and call Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC at 212-509-6544 When you were young and in high school, a big threat from […]
How Long Does an SEC Investigation Take?
SEC investigations can be a harrowing experience for the witness as well as the targets. One of the first questions my clients ask when faced with a subpoena from the SEC is how long is this going to take? While I hate to give the typical lawyer answer, that answer […]
The Wells Notice SEC/FINRA Investigations
By Mark Astarita Being the subject, target, or even a witness in an SEC or a FINRA investigation is not a pleasant experience. As I discussed in my column “When the SEC Comes Calling” a financial professional’s involvement in a regulatory investigation or proceeding is extremely serious, and can be […]
Brokers Say Moving to RIA Was Positive
A new report from TD Ameritrade Institutional, which gathered data from current and former brokerage reps, illustrates a generally positive attitude toward the RIA channel and signals a continuation of the migration trend.The findings from the 2019 Benchmarking and Independence report showed that 44% of brokers surveyed said the likelihood […]
Overview of the Securities Arbitration Process
Securities Arbitration is not like any other proceeding Nationally known securities attorney Mark Astarita has represented broker-dealers, investment advisers, hedge funds, investment partnerships, individual brokers and investors, across the country for over 30 years in well over 700 securities arbitrations. To find out if he can help you with your […]
U.S. Opens Criminal Probe Into Trading in Fannie, Freddie Bonds
The U.S. has opened a criminal investigation into whether traders manipulated prices in the $550 billion market for unsecured bonds issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to people familiar with the matter.The probe, parts of which were described by four people familiar with it, shows that investigations by […]
UBS Pulls a Fast One on its Own Employees
Only a few months after withdrawing from the Protocol, UBS Financial Services is requiring brokers waiting for their 2017 bonuses to sign agreements that open them to lawsuits and arbitration complaints if they try to contact former clients within 12 months of leaving the U.S. broker-dealer unit of the Swiss bank. […]
Responding to an 8210 Request
By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. FINRA Rule 8210 FINRA Rule 8210 (Provision of Information and Testimony and Inspection and Copying of Books) is the starting point of virtually every FINRA Wells Notice and enforcement proceeding, as it gives FINRA the authority to request documents and testimony from firms, registered persons […]