SBLOC

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Investor Claims Involving SBLOC Losses

Published on: December 30, 2019 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Many SBLOC Investors Not Apprised of Risks

If you are an investor who suffered significant losses from securities-backed line of credits (SBLOCs) and your brokerage firm and their broker neglected to tell you about the risks involved, our investment fraud lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) would like to talk to you. SBLOCs are not for every investor and they are certainly not for those that are unable to handle too much risk.

What are SBLOCs?

Securities-Backed Lines of Credit Are Not For Every Investor

Published on: March 6, 2019 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

In an Investor Alert, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) sought to inform investors about the risks involved in securities-backed lines of credit (SBLOCs). These loans are usually touted as a hassle-free, low-cost way for investors to gain access to money by borrowing against their investment portfolio’s assets without needing to liquidate the investments. Popular among a growing number of securities firms, SBLOCs, however, are not a good match for every investor.

Securities-Backed Lines of Credit – SBLOCs

Typically, to qualify for an SBLOC, an investor must have assets with a “market value of at least $100K.” He or she can then usually borrow anywhere from 50-95% of the value of assets in the portfolio.

FINRA Says Investors Should Consider the Risks Before Investing in SBLOCs

Published on: February 20, 2016 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s’ Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has issued an investor alert recommending that investors get to know the risks before deciding to invest in securities-backed lines of credit, also known as SBLOCs. Although SBLOCs can be a major revenue for securities firms, there is the chance of increased losses, especially during times of market volatility.

SBLOCs
Securities-backed lines of credit are loans that let an investor borrow money using securities that are kept in an investment account as collateral. An SBLOC allows an investor make interest-only payments each month and loans stay outstanding until they are repaid.

SBLOCs are frequently marketed as a low-cost, easy way to gain access to additional money without having to liquidate securities even as an investor borrows against assets in an investment portfolio. However, they come with certain risks, including unintended tax consequences and the possibility that an investor might have to sell his/her holdings, which could affect long-term investment goals.

SBLOCs are similar to home equity credit lines except that they involve securities as collateral rather than the home. An investor is allowed to repay part or all of the outstanding principal at any time and then borrow again in the future.

An SBLOC is a non-purpose loan. This means that the investor is not allowed to use the proceeds to buy or trade securities. However, money from an SBLOC can be utilized to finance almost anything you want, including home renovations, education expenses, or personal travel.
Continue Reading ›