In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York panel has decided that three ex-General Electric Co. bankers charged with conspiring to bilk cities in a muni bond bid rigging scam can go free because the US government waited too long to prosecute them. Reversing last…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. says that J.P. Turner & Co. has to pay restitution of $707,559 to 84 clients over the sale of inverse and leveraged ETFs that were unsuitable for them, as well as for excessive mutual fund switches. The SRO says that the broker-dealer did not…
Five regulatory agencies in the US have voted to approve the Volcker Rule. The measure establishes new hurdles for banks that engage in market timing and will limit compensation arrangements that previously provided incentive for high risk trading. While the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation voted…
According to The Wall Street Journal, Puerto Rico has been engaging in a budget-stretching maneuver, known as the “scoop & toss” for some time now. The tactic, which has been employed by financially strapped local governments, including states, municipalities and other entities for years, is now under closer examination. Scoop…
The US Securities and Exchange Commission is looking at whether proxy advisers have become so influential when it comes to corporate elections that rules should be imposed in them to create greater transparency. At a recent SEC-hosted meeting, brokers, institutional investors, business groups, and unions debated about the role that…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is barring ex-JPMorgan Chase Securities, LLC (JPM) brokers Jimmy E. Caballero and Fernando L. Arevalo from the securities industry for allegedly stealing $300,000 from an elderly widow who suffers from diminished mental capacity. Although the bank reportedly was not involved in the misconduct, it has…
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Institute of International Bankers, and Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. are suing the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission over rules that they believe are hurting its members’ businesses, which includes among the biggest broker-dealers in the world. The plaintiffs contend that the agency…
A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority panel says that National Planning Corp. must pay a $6.2 million REIT arbitration award to Minnesota investors Stacy and Ronnie Erickson. The Erickson and trusts on their behalf accused the independent brokerage firm and its ex-brokers Christopher R. Olson of negligence, breach of fiduciary duty,…
The Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA) is working with consumer rights group Public Citizen to get the US Securities and Exchange Commission to release documents about its oversight of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s selection of the arbitrators who preside over disputes between broker-dealers and investors. According to PIABA…
If you are an investor who is thinking of backing a closed-end fund, it is important that you understand what this type of fund is and what are its accompanying risks before you decide to invest. While closed-end funds have been known to pay off-their high distribution rate is one…