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

FINRA Cracks Down On UBS and Berthel Fisher

Posted on May 4th, 2022 at 1:35 PM
FINRA Cracks Down On UBS and Berthel Fisher

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a $350,000 fine to UBS for failing to report trades in TRACE-eligible securities. 

UBS failed to report at least 3,850 trades between July 2018 and September 2021, according to FINRA. The trades included nearly 340 large-block transactions in corporate debt securities as well as 424 large-block transactions in agency debt securities. UBS failed to timely report the trades, which constituted 4.72% of the firm’s large-block corporate debt transactions and 9.3% of the firm’s large-block agency debt transactions, according to FINRA. FINRA additionally alleged that UBS failed to timely report at least 1,830 transactions in securitized products. 

Additionally, FINRA has issued a $100,000 fine to Berthel Fisher & Co. for failing to adequately supervise options trades in a client’s account. Last summer, FINRA initiated an examination sweep evaluating the supervision, communications and diligence relating to the opening of options accounts. According to FINRA, Berthel Fisher failed to exercise due diligence to verify a client’s investment experience and knowledge when the firm was reviewing a client’s request for approval to trade options in August 2015. Berthel Fisher additionally recommended options trades to the client between August 2015 and February 2018 absent a reasonable belief that the transactions were suitable for the client, according to FINRA. FINRA additionally alleged that Berthel Fisher failed to create and implement a supervisory system to effectively evaluate the suitability of options trading in client accounts. 

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

 
 

Tags: eccleston law, ubs, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I am grateful to have found an outstanding law firm that specializes in securities matters. My lawyers were extremely knowledgeable, diligent, and are skilled litigators. No stone was left upturned. As a result of their experience and tenacity, the arbitration proceeding was dismissed in my favor.

Michael E.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1774884494 Law
March 30, 2026
SEC and CFTC Plan Coordinated Examinations and Enforcement Efforts

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plan to coordinate examinations and enforcement actions involving firms that fall under both agencies' jurisdiction, signaling a renewed effort to streamline regulatory oversight, according to AdvisorHub.

1774622627 Law
March 27, 2026
FINRA Charges Former Pruco Securities Representative With Forging Dozens of Customer Signatures on Annuity Applications

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filed a disciplinary complaint against former Pruco Securities representative Avinesh Shankar alleging he forged customer signatures on annuity paperwork to obtain commissions, according to ThinkAdvisor.

1774540693 Law
March 26, 2026
FINRA Bars Former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor After Refusal to Cooperate with Investigation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred former Morgan Stanley financial advisor Gregory V.