Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

CFP Board Suspends Advisor Over Improper GWG Bond Sales

Posted on July 14th, 2022 at 12:25 PM
CFP Board Suspends Advisor Over Improper GWG Bond Sales

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) has issued an interim suspension against Patrick Egan, who is an advisor at Western International Securities, a firm recently charged by the SEC for violating Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). 

In June, the SEC charged Western International Securities (Western) as well as five of its advisors, including Egan, with violating Reg BI when they recommended and sold GWG L Bonds to some retirees and other investors. GWG Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failing to timely file its audited financial statements with the SEC in April 2022. According to the SEC, Western and the advisors recommended the L bonds to several retail investors who relied on fixed incomes and employ moderate risk tolerances. However, GWG noted in its prospectus that the L bonds were illiquid, high-risk, and only suitable for investors with substantial financial resources. 

Egan and the other Western advisors violated Reg BI’s “care obligation” by failing to exercise reasonable due diligence and skill required to understand the risks, rewards, and costs associated with the L bonds, according to the SEC. The SEC additionally alleged that Egan and the other Western advisors recommended the investments without a reasonable basis for believing that the bonds were in the clients’ best interests. The CPF Board subsequently suspended Egan’s ability to use the CFP certification marks after discovering the SEC’s lawsuit and investigation. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors in GWG L Bond cases as well as financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, CFP Board, Western

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I have the best legal firm in the country to defend me. Awesome job!

Cindy C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1780415363 Law
June 2, 2026
SEC Charges California Trader in Alleged $43 Million Ponzi-Like Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a civil action against a California day trader accused of operating a $43 million Ponzi-like scheme that allegedly defrauded more than 400 investors.

1780328948 Law
June 1, 2026
Massachusetts Regulators Fine Fidelity $1.25 Million Over Data Breach Allegations

Massachusetts regulators has fined Fidelity Brokerage Services $1.25 million over allegations that the firm failed to adequately protect customer information and properly notify all affected individuals following a significant data breach.

1780079651 Law
May 29, 2026
SEC Investigating Fraud Allegations in Private Credit Industry

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) actively is investigating allegations of fraud involving private credit firms, signaling continued regulatory scrutiny of the rapidly expanding sector.