Financial Firms

RBC Capital Markets Broker Joseph Chu Accused of Overconcentrating Customers’ Accounts in Oil and Gas Investments

Published on: December 18, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Connecticut Investment Advisor is Also Part of RBC Team Chu, Philipps, and Associates

Joseph Ijong Chu, an RBC Capital Markets stockbroker, has been named in a number of customer disputes this year. Chu is also a registered investment advisor with the broker-dealer. He is part of the RBC team known as Chu, Phillips, and Associates, which offers products and services through City National Bank in Stamford, Connecticut.

Chu’s customers are blaming him for the investment losses they suffered when he allegedly overconcentrated their accounts in risky oil and gas investments that were unsuitable for them.

Broker Tamber Proctor Accused of Unsuitably Recommending FS Energy & Power Fund and the Northstar REIT

Published on: December 16, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-LPL Broker Marketed Non-Traded Investments To Mississippi Retiree

A retired investor has filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against LPL Financial and its former broker, Tamber King Proctor, seeking up to $100K in damages.

The claimant contends that LPL Financial and Proctor should have never recommended that he invest in the business development company (BDC), FS Energy & Power Fund (FSEP), and the Northstar Healthcare Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Spirit of America Energy Investors May Have Grounds for Unsuitability Claims Against David Lerner Associates

Published on: December 8, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Proprietary, Non-Traded Oil, Gas and Energy Investments Plunged In Value

If your David Lerner Associates broker recommended and sold you any of the firm’s proprietary non-traded oil and gas investments and you sustained significant losses, you may have grounds for an investor fraud claim for damages.

The privately-held broker-dealer exclusively sold investments and mutual funds to customers in its Spirit of America Energy Fund (NASDAQ: SOAEX), as well as its Energy 11 LP and Energy Resources 12 LP.

Texas Wells Fargo Broker Kurt Gunter Is Sanctioned Over Allegedly Unsuitable UIT Sales

Published on: December 4, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

FINRA Suspends Texas Broker For Three Months

Kurt Jason Gunter, a Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WRET) registered representative in Bee Cave, Texas, was recently sanctioned by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

The self-regulatory organization (SRO) contends that he allegedly made unsuitable unit investment trust (UIT) sales to customers. In addition to having to pay a $10K civil fine, Gunter is suspended for three months beginning December 20, 2020. The broker, who is also a registered Wells Fargo investment adviser, consented to the sanctions but is not denying or admitting to the findings.

OCC Orders JPMorgan Chase Bank to Pay $250M For Inadequate Risk Management Practices

Published on: December 3, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Accuses Bank of Inadequate Internal Controls

JPMorgan Chase Bank has been ordered to pay a $250M penalty. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) contends that the bank engaged in “unsafe and unsound practices” related to its internal controls and an internal audit of fiduciary duties.

With fiduciary assets of $29.1 trillion, JPMorgan has one of the biggest and complex fiduciary businesses. It offers many types of investment strategies via different investment vehicles to its clients. The Bank is not denying or admitting to the agency’s findings.

Fired Morgan Stanley Brokers May Have Grounds for Wrongful Termination Claims

Published on: December 1, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Morgan Stanley Fires Financial Advisors After Inherited Account Credits Investigation

Morgan Stanley (MS) announced recently that it has terminated a number of financial advisors after a months-long investigation into payments being made to retired Morgan Stanley financial advisors under Morgan Stanley’s own Legacy Account Payments Program.

Morgan Stanley’s “sunset plan” allows brokers who are retiring from the firm to split fees and commissions with brokers who inherit the retiring broker’s accounts.

Hannes Financial Services’ Ronald Hannes Allegedly Defrauded Woodbury Financial Customers

Published on: November 20, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Banned Woodbury Financial Broker Allegedly Sold Fake Investments, Converted Client Monies

Ronald Walter Hannes, a Spokane, Washington-based investment advisor and former Woodbury Financial Services broker, is accused by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions of defrauding 19 clients of over $2.9M.

Hannes had operated out of Hannes Financial Services and he was also a registered Woodbury Financial Services broker for 25 years until 2019. He has 33 years of experience working in the industry. Hannes was fired by Woodbury Financial Services last December. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred him in February.

Sierra Income Investors are Losing Money

Published on: November 17, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Risky, Illiquid Business Development Company Was Not Suitable for Many Investors

If you are someone who invested in the Sierra Income Corporation, you may have lost money. This business development company (BDC) is a non-traded investment.

Earlier this year, Sierra Income suffered losses after its announced merger with Medley Capital Corp. and Medley Management Inc. was terminated because of the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Not long after that, the company announced that it was suspending monthly distributions.

Widow Blames David Lerner Associates, Broker Gary Isler For Retirement Losses

Published on: October 7, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Retiree Alleges Overconcentration in Spirit of America Energy Fund

David Lerner Associates and its registered representative, Gary Walter Isler, are once again the subject of a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim. The claimant, an elderly widow, is accusing them of causing her to suffer significant retirement losses by unsuitably overconcentrating her portfolio in the Spirit of America Energy Fund.

This is not the first customer dispute naming Isler, who has been a David Lerner Associates stockbroker for almost 30 years.

SEC Says Fired LPL Financial Broker Stole $300K From 73-Year Old Retiree

Published on: October 6, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former LPL Financial Investment Advisor Was Also Was Let Go By Integrated Wealth Concepts

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed civil charges accusing former LPL Financial (LPLA) registered representative, Matthew O. Clason, of defrauding an older investor of over $300K.

In August, Clason, who worked out of Glastonbury, Connecticut, was let go by LPL Financial. He also was fired by Integrated Wealth Concepts, where he was an investment advisor. In September, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred Clason.