Regions Bank has agreed to a $1 million fine to settle SEC allegations that it helped defraud some 14,000 investors. Most of the affected investors are based in Latin America.
According to the SEC, Regions Bank helped two unregistered broker-dealers, U.S. College Trust Corp. and U.S. Pension Trust Corp., commit securities fraud against Latin American investors.
Beginning October 2001, Regions Bank played the role of “trustee” to the broker-dealers’ investment plans. It continued to accept USPT clients until January 2008. The SEC contends that this affiliation with a US bank gave the securities fraud scheme an aura of “legitimacy” and became a big draw for Latin American investors.
The SEC says that by taking on the role of trustee, Regions Bank formed individual trust relationships with investors, processed client contributions, and bought mutual funds on their behalf.
Investor had the option of paying one lump sum or making yearly contributions. Investors were not notified until March 2006 that USPT deducted substantial chunks of investors’ contributions-up to 85% of initial contributions made by investors who took part in an annual plan and up to 18% of single contributions-and used the money to pay for commissions and other fees.
The SEC says that Regions Bank either knew or should have known about USPT’s deceptive sales practices. The Commission is accusing Regions Bank of dispatching representatives to Latin America to meet prospective investors and allowing USPT to use the bank’s name in marketing and promotional materials.
The $1 million penalty will be placed in a Fair Fund to compensate investment fraud victims. Regions bank has also agreed to a cease-and-desist order.
SEC charges Regions Bank for role in Latin American fraud scheme, Investment News, September 21, 2009
Read the SEC Complaint (PDF)
Please contact our stockbroker fraud lawyers about your case. Shepherd, Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP represents investors in the US and abroad.