Even though the number of disciplinary actions from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has dropped just slightly this year, fines paid to the SRO are expected to be 41% lower from what was assessed in 2012. In its Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions report for the first half of 2013,…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is refining its new policy for looking into its arbitrators. The move is seen as even more essential in the wake of a court’s decision to dismiss an arbitration ruling that was decided on in part by someone who was indicted during a case against…
Goldman Sachs Wants Third Circuit To Look at Vacated Arbitration Award Goldman Sachs (GS) wants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to look at a decision by a lower court to vacate a FINRA securities award issued by a panel member that included arbitrator Demetrio Timban, who…
A FINRA arbitration panel has decided that Citigroup (C) and Edward J. Mulcahy, one of the firm’s ex-branch managers, has to pay $11 million to investor John Fiorilla. Fiorilla is a legal adviser to the Holy See who went to Citigroup because he wanted to de-risk a $16 million stock…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority says that Thornes & Associates Inc. Investment Securities President John Thomas Thornes lent $4.2 million in client assets to two friends. Following the resolution of the FINRA arbitration case, the California broker is barred from the securities industry and his broker-dealer has been suspended, as…
Last month, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority put out its yearly report for 2012. According to the results, the self-regulatory organization is hurting. Its operating losses are huge-nearing $90 million for the second year straight. Meantime, its staff has grown 13%, with benefits and compensation rising 41% in the last…
Should investors have the option to resolve their securities claims not just in arbitration but also in court? Recently, Senator Al Franken (D-Minn) voiced his opinion that offering investors both options would be fairer. His comment came weeks after SEC Commissioner Luis Aguilar publicly spoke out against mandatory arbitration, noting…
FINRA Wants Broker-Firms to Provide More Data About Social Media Use The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has sent target examination letters to broker dealer members regarding their use of social media. The SRO warned that electronic and written communication may be subject to spot checks and it wants to know…
According to former broker David Evansen, he is the reason that Mitchel C. Atkins, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc.’s District 7 region director, resigned. His claim differs from the SRO’s statement about how Atkins decided to step down “pursue other interests.” Aktins, as FINRA regional director, was in charge…
FINRA Issues Sweep Letters About Alternative Trading Systems The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has put out a new round of sweeps letters asking for more information about its review of alternative trading systems. The SRO’s Trading Examinations Unit is reviewing the off-exchange trading venues. FINRA wants firms to provide information…