Merrill Lynch Settles for $39M Class Action Lawsuit Alleging It Didn’t Pay Enough Interest to Clients With Cash in Retirement Accounts

Published on: November 2, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Our Broker Fraud Lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Are Continuing To Investigate

Following a $39 million class action settlement where Merrill Lynch was accused of paying near-zero interest on retirement cash accounts, our Broker Fraud Lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas are continuing to investigate affected investors. These securities attorneys help clients evaluate whether to remain part of a class action or pursue individual FINRA arbitration to maximize their recovery for mismanaged cash sweep programs.

In a class action settlement, Merrill Lynch agreed to pay $39M over allegations that it didn’t pay enough interest to brokerage clients holding cash. Instead, contend the plaintiffs, the brokerage firm paid close-to-zero interest rates rather than market rates on the cash in their retirement accounts.

Are You An Investor Who Suffered Losses in TriLinc Global Impact Fund?

Published on: October 12, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Contact Our Broker Negligence Lawyers Today To Explore Your Legal Options

This news article highlights potential claims for investors who suffered losses in the TriLinc Global Impact Fund, a high-risk emerging-market SME lender that recently stopped paying dividends and failed to file required financial reports. Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Negligence Lawyers are investigating broker-dealers for potential negligence, misconduct, or failure to disclose these risks to clients, offering representation in FINRA arbitration to recover damages.

If your broker sold you TriLinc Global Impact Fund (TGIF) as an investment opportunity, and you are concerned about your money after it stopped paying dividends, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) wants to talk to you. Our securities law firm is investigating claims of stockbroker misconduct and negligence that may warrant you suing your financial advisor for your losses.

Why Are CAI Investments Manufacturing Essential Asset DSTs Investors Exploring Their Legal Options

Published on: October 12, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Allegations of Financial Troubles, as Well as Unsuitable Investment Recommendations by Brokers, Raise Concerns

The law firm Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas is investigating brokers for potentially unsuitable recommendations and due diligence failures related to the $182M CAI Investments Manufacturing Essential Asset DST. The investigation follows reports that the real estate offering suspended monthly dividend payouts, requested additional capital from investors, and faces a foreclosure lawsuit on its primary Illinois facility.

If you are an investor who suffered losses in a CAI Investments Manufacturing Essential Asset Delaware Statutory Trust (DST), contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) today. We are looking into allegations of unsuitability and due diligence failures by the brokers that recommended and sold this Regulation D offering to customers.

Elderly Investor Sues Charles Schwab For Up To $5,000,000 After Hackers Steal Her Money

Published on: October 1, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Is Representing This Claimant

A nonagenarian investor represented by Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas has filed a FINRA arbitration claim seeking up to $5 million from Charles Schwab after hackers stole her seven-figure retirement savings. Despite the firm’s written security guarantee, Schwab has refused to compensate her, blaming her for falling for the scam and prompting the lawsuit alleging negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.

A nonagenarian widow has filed a FINRA arbitration claim against Charles Schwab & Co. after her account at the brokerage firm was infiltrated by hackers. She is seeking up to $5M in damages now that the theft has left her almost penniless. Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) is representing this elderly investor.

Why Should Velocis Fund III Investors Explore Their Legal Options?

Published on: September 27, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Our Broker Negligence Lawyers Are Here To Help

Velocis Fund III investors who suffered significant losses may have grounds for FINRA arbitration against brokerage firms that misrepresented the fund as a safe, liquid investment. The law firm Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas offers free case evaluations to help retail investors and retirees recover damages caused by potential broker negligence or overconcentration.

If you are someone whose broker-dealer recommended that you invest in the Velocis Fund III, you may want to explore your legal options. This vintage real estate value-added fund, which has commercial real estate assets in the US Southwest and Southeast, is a high-risk investment.

Colorado Family Sues KCD Financial and Broker Daniel Rust Over Closed-End Fund Losses

Published on: September 2, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Claimants Are Pursuing Up to $500K in Damage Involving Priority Income Fund, Bluerock Private Real Estate Fund, and TrueLife Companies Elite Fund II

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas is representing a Colorado family in a FINRA arbitration claim seeking up to $500,000 against KCD Financial and broker Daniel Rust. The lawsuit alleges that the firm and broker unsuitably recommended speculative and highly illiquid alternative investments, resulting in significant six-figure losses for the investors’ retirement and family savings.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Misconduct Lawyers (investorlawyers.com) are representing a Colorado couple and their elderly father in their FINRA arbitration claim against KCD Financial and Broker Daniel Rust. The Claimants contend that the broker-dealer and its registered representative unsuitably recommended risky alternative investments, including Priority Income Fund and Bluerock Private Real Estate Fund (BPRE) , as well as private placement real estate fund TrueLife Companies Elite Fund II.

Brokers Under Scrutiny For Selling Phoenix American Hospitality REITs

Published on: August 10, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Questions of Stockbroker Misconduct After SEC Hotel Investment Fund Manager Raises $86M From 2000 Investors

Dallas-based Phoenix American Hospitality and president William Lee “Perch” Nelson were charged by the SEC with fraudulently raising $86M from 2,000 investors through misleading Regulation A REIT claims. Affected investors can work with a qualified Broker Fraud Attorney to pursue FINRA arbitration against financial advisors who unsuitably recommended or misrepresented these risky real estate investments.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Fraud Attorney teams (investorlawyers.com) are looking into claims of investor losses involving Phoenix American Hospitality. The Dallas-based hotel investment fund manager and its president William Lee “Perch” Nelson are accused of fraud by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to two Regulation A investment funds: American Hospitality Properties REIT I and REIT II.

For Velocis Fund III Investors, Suing Your Broker May Be The Way To Recoup Your Losses

Published on: July 21, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Our Investment Loss Recovery Law Firm Wants To Talk To You

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas is investigating brokerage firms, including RBC Capital, for unsuitably recommending Velocis Fund III—a speculative, illiquid commercial real estate private equity fund—to retail investors and retirees. Because market headwinds and high interest rates have heavily impacted the fund’s assets, affected investors are being encouraged to explore legal recovery options against the broker-dealers who failed to perform proper due diligence or adequately disclose risks.

Once again, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Negligence Attorneys (investorlawyers.com) are putting out a call to investors who suffered losses in Velocis Fund III. This is a speculative investment that should not have been sold to retail customers, inexperienced investors, and retirees. Unfortunately, there are brokers that have done exactly that, unsuitably recommending this high-risk real estate investment fund to clients.

I’m A Velocis Fund III Investor Who Suffered Serious Losses. What Damages Might I Be Owed If Broker Fraud Was Involved?

Published on: May 21, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

The Time To Explore Your Legal Options Is Now

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas is actively investigating substantial investor losses tied to Velocis Fund III, a speculative and risky real estate fund that may have been unsuitably marketed to retail investors and retirees. The law firm is offering free consultations to affected investors, noting that individuals may be entitled to financial recovery if brokerage firms like RBC Capital Markets prioritized high commissions over their clients’ best interests.

If you are an investor who sustained losses in the Velocis Fund III, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) wants to talk to you. This speculative, risky investment should not have been sold to retail investors or conservative retirees, yet we have spoken to a number of them who are reporting substantial losses.

What Is An Individual Accredited Investor?

Published on: April 12, 2026 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Our Broker Misconduct Law Firm Represents Accredited Investors Against Financial Advisors

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas provides specialized legal representation for accredited investors seeking to recover losses caused by financial advisor misconduct, negligence, or fraud. The firm leverages over a century of collective experience to help high-net-worth individuals navigate the complexities of FINRA arbitration and hold brokerage firms accountable for unsuitable investment recommendations.

The Broker Misconduct Law Firm of Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) represents investors, including different kinds of accredited investors, in recouping the losses they sustained because their financial advisor engaged in wrongful or negligent conduct when managing their investment accounts.