FINRA Arbitrators Award Nearly $470,000 To Investors in UBS YES Product

Posted on September 21st, 2022 at 1:23 PM
FINRA Arbitrators Award Nearly $470,000 To Investors in UBS YES Product

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered UBS to pay nearly $470,000 to clients who invested in a complex options strategy, known as the YES or Yield Enhancement Strategy.

The dispute revolved around Barbara Estay, who serves as the trustee of a trust in her name. Barbara and her husband, Dan Estay, a former executive at Abbott Laboratories, were clients in a UBS Chicago office. In February 2018, UBS advisors recommended that the couple invest stock options in the trust in YES. The strategy involved borrowing against an existing portfolio to subsequently purchase and sell S&P 500 options.

According to FINRA, the Estay Trust held the YES investments between early 2018 and summer 2019, which resulted in substantial losses. Barbara Estay filed a FINRA arbitration claim in April 2020 alleging fraud, misrepresentation and unsuitability, according to the award. A unanimous three-person FINRA arbitration panel held UBS liable and ordered the firm to pay compensatory damages, costs, and attorney’s fees, which totaled $468,126. UBS previously agreed to a $25 million regulatory settlement this past summer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over YES investment recommendations.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, finra, ubs

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I learned two important things working with Eccleston Law. First, I made a friend and ally with Jim and Steph for life. Secondly, and this is a crucial life lesson - if you need counsel, then seek out the very best. Jim was referred to me by a most trusted source. I've never had to hire an attorney for anything. Now, I know the value of hiring an important partner. Meticulous, thorough and detailed in preparation is the best way to describe Jim. Brilliant too, I might add. Bottom line, I would highly highly recommend Jim and Stephany for your legal needs. One of the best life decisions I've ever made.

Howard S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 17, 2025
FINRA Launches Targeted Probe into Small-Cap Foreign IPO Underwriters

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has launched a targeted investigation into broker-dealer firms that helped small foreign companies go public in the U.S., marking its latest move to combat pump-and-dump schemes.

November 14, 2025
FINRA Bars Former Edward Jones Broker in Crypto-Related Investigation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred former Edward Jones representative Robert David Bienvenu for refusing to provide requested information and documents related to outside accounts and investments.

November 13, 2025
Conservation Easement Crackdown: Understanding IRS Enforcement and Investor Risk

Conservation easements can serve as powerful legal tools that protect open land, preserve wildlife habitats, and offer legitimate tax benefits to property owners.