An AWC was issued in which the firm was censured and fined $250,000. Without admitting or denying the findings, the firm consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that it failed to supervise certain of its registered representatives to ensure their compliance with FINRA rules relating to outside business activities, private securities […]
An AWC was issued in which the firm was censured and required to provide FINRA with a remediation plan to remediate eligible customers who qualified for, but did not receive, an applicable mutual fund sales-charge waiver. As part of this settlement, the firm agreed to pay restitution to eligible customers, which is estimated to total […]
The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a subpoena enforcement action against 235 limited liability companies (the “LLCs”) based in Delaware and Colorado seeking an order requiring the production of documents. According to the SEC’s application and supporting papers, filed in federal court in Miami: The SEC is investigating whether Woodbridge or others have violated, […]
A Williamsville financial adviser is facing charges that he stole $200,000 from one of his clients. Michael Giokas, founder of Giokas Wealth Advisors, was arrested on fraud charges Wednesday and later released on bail by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno said Giokas led his client to believe the […]
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved a proposal from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to streamline the process for prospective broker-dealer reps to meet their proficiency requirements, FINRA announced Thursday. The proposal aims to reform the industry exam process, with an eye on expanding opportunities for brokers to enter, or return to, […]