FINRA Fines LPL Financial $950,000 for Violation Related to Sales of Alternative Investment Products

Posted on April 4th, 2014 at 9:00 AM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law Offices:

FINRA has fined LPL Financial $950,000 for supervisory deficiencies related to its sales of a wide range of alternative investment products including nontraded REITs, oil and gas partnerships, business development companies, hedge funds, managed futures and other illiquid investments. This is the second time for LPL Financial is in trouble with regulators for deficiencies in supervision of sales of alternative investments, as LPL Financial has spent the past year and a half tangling with securities regulators.

Alternative investments, including REITs, may have concentration limits for investors in their offering documents. Even though LPL reportedly also has concentration limits, it exposed customers to unacceptable risks by not having an adequate system in place to accurately review whether a transaction had complied with suitability requirements imposed by the states, the product issuers and the firm itself. The firm also failed to train its registered representatives to apply all the suitability guidelines appropriately.

The attorneys of Eccleston Law Offices represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 50 years in delivering the highest quality legal services.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags:

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

December 3, 2024
Wells Fargo Terminates Advisor Over $60 Personal Expense

Wells Fargo Advisors recently terminated Charles J. Kraft, a 30-year industry veteran, over a $60 expense account infraction.

November 27, 2024
Class Action Suits Target Major Banks Over Cash Sweep Programs

Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley face class action lawsuits alleging they exploited cash sweep programs to generate “massive revenue” at clients' expense.

November 26, 2024
Arizona Revokes Advisor's License for Misrepresenting High-Risk GPB Capital Investments

The Arizona Corporation Commission has revoked the license of Scottsdale-based investment advisor representative Luke M. Johnson, who sold over $10 million in high-risk private placements by GPB Capital Holdings.