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SEC Approves FINRA Proposal to Give Investors Permanent Option of All Public Arbitration Panels

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) today announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved its proposed rule change to provide customers in all FINRA arbitrations the option of having an all public panel. Historically, in cases with three arbitrators, the panels have been comprised of two public arbitrators and one arbitrator with […]

FINRA Fines HSBC For CMO Sales to Retail Customers

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced today that it has fined HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. $375,000 for recommending unsuitable sales of inverse floating rate Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) to retail customers. HSBC failed to adequately supervise the suitability of the CMO sales and fully explain the risks of an inverse floating rate or other […]

FINRA Issues Regulatory Notice Aimed at Principal Protected Notes

FINRA has issued a regulatory notice this month that stresses the need for brokerage firms to disclose the risk to investors in so-called Principal-Protected Notes. The notice, which may be viewed here, cautions firms from overstating the level of protection inherent in this structured product. When marketing this product, firms may overstress the principal protection […]

FINRA – Private Placement Enforcement Cases to Come

James Shorris, executive director of enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has been quoted by Investment News as saying that enforcement cases on multiple private placement deals can be expected to begin by next year. Private placement memorandum (PPM) deals, also known as Reg D offerings, have come under increased scrutiny after enjoying […]

Citigroup Fined by FINRA for Tax Evasion Strategies

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Citigroup Global Markets Inc. $600,000 and censured the brokerage firm for tax evasion trading strategies found to be operating among its affiliates. The first scheme involved international clients of Citigroup circumventing US tax laws, allowing them to increase their respective returns. The second scheme was a complex […]