Advisors Face Scrutiny After Selling $2 Billion In GWG Junk Bonds

Posted on February 2nd, 2022 at 3:15 PM
Advisors Face Scrutiny After Selling $2 Billion In GWG Junk Bonds

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law: 

An alternative asset manager that had issued a collection of high-yield bonds known as L Bonds, GWG Holdings Inc., has struggled to cover its interest payments. 

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), GWG is permitted a 30-day period to catch up on payment before a default is triggered. Grant Thornton, GWG’s auditor, resigned late in 2021; however, Grant Thornton stated that there was no disagreement between the auditor and GWG, according to the SEC. GWG has delayed its filing of its financial statement with the SEC, which has restricted the firm’s ability to raise additional capital. 

Additionally, GWG’s stock price has dropped from $10.55 in November to $3.81 this past week, which constitutes a 63.9% decline. According to an unnamed industry source, GWG issued nearly $2 billion worth of high-yield bonds over the past few years. The 7-year bonds featured yields of 8.5%, which constitutes an attractive investment amidst the low-interest-rate era. GWG is evaluating its options and intends to avoid a fire sale, according to CEO Murray Holland, who informed investors that the company has “paused L Bond sales retroactively to January 10, 2022, while [it] works with its advisors to identify and evaluate options available to the company.”

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I just wanted to say thanks again for preparing and executing my case in such a professional manner. It was a pleasure to watch two professionals take such pride in their work, as well as becoming personally in tune with your client (Me). I would personally recommend you and your firm to anyone.

John O.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 5, 2026
FINRA Fines Broker-Dealer for Repeated Form CRS Disclosure Failures

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined VSI Securities Inc., formerly known as Venecredit Securities Inc., $20,000 for failing to accurately disclose the firm’s disciplinary history in its customer relationship summary, known as Form CRS.

February 4, 2026
Investor Redemptions Rise in Nontraded BDCs Amid Credit Concerns

Financial advisors and their clients have increased redemptions from nontraded business development companies (BDCs) following a series of high-profile corporate bankruptcies, according to InvestmentNews. The surge highlights growing investor concern about liquidity and credit exposure within these high-yield but often risky investment ...

February 3, 2026
FINRA Accuses Spartan Capital of Widespread Churning That Allegedly Harmed Customers

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has brought a disciplinary complaint against Spartan Capital Securities and several senior leaders of the New York City–based broker-dealer, alleging that the firm facilitated excessive trading that generated millions of dollars in revenue while causing substantial losses to customers.