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

FINRA Suspends Long Island Advisor Over Inaccurate Client Contact Notes

Posted on March 29th, 2023 at 2:31 PM
FINRA Suspends Long Island Advisor Over Inaccurate Client Contact Notes

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a two-month suspension to a Long Island-based advisor, Derek Rehill, for allegedly recording inaccurate notes related to four phone calls with clients.

Rehill allegedly “prepared” notes that falsely reflected clients’ investment objectives and risk tolerances between 2019 and 2020, according to FINRA. Rehill, who previously worked at Joseph Stone Capital, falsely claimed that his client had agreed to a “speculative” risk tolerance on three occasions. In a fourth case, Rehill failed to ask the client about his risk tolerance, according to FINRA. Joseph Stone required Rehill to “periodically” confirm investment objectives for client accounts that were “actively traded”, according to FINRA. Rehill departed the firm voluntarily in 2021 for VCS Venture Securities in New York. Also, FINRA decided to forego imposing monetary sanctions on Rehill as he demonstrated an inability to pay, according to the settlement.

FINRA imposed the suspension as firms have been strengthening client documentation requirements in an effort to respond to regulatory scrutiny as well as avoid potential litigation. Some firms, including Merrill Lynch, have instructed advisors to conduct investment performance reviews for 100% of their clients. The initiative is included in Merrill’s “Client Experience Standard”, which encourages advisors to document financial reviews and log client retirement goals into the firm’s wealth planning software. However, while the program is not considered to be mandatory, Merrill is considering imposing penalties, such as probation, for advisors that fail to meet notetaking requirements, according to a veteran advisor at Merrill.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

As a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience, I feel fortunate to call Jim my attorney and friend. He is a fantastic lawyer and trusted advisor. He is skilled in the matters necessary to do the job well. He uses his thoughtful approach and calm demeanor to achieve a positive outcome for the client. If you want to feel confident that nothing will be missed and that you will be represented in a highly professional manner, call Jim Eccleston.

Bill C. and Dan M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1778997041 1772158975 1744208044 521862 Chicago Skyline Reimagined
May 15, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Merrill Broker for Misrepresentations in Proof of Funds Letters

FINRA has disciplined a former Merrill Lynch representative after determining that he issued inaccurate and misleading statements about a client’s financial ability to complete a home purchase.

1778685786 Law
May 13, 2026
FINRA Fines J.P. Morgan Securities $3.25 Million Over Supervisory Failures in High-Risk Strategy

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has sanctioned J.P.

1778601835 Law
May 12, 2026
UBS Shifts SMA Oversight In-House, Discloses Potential Conflicts

UBS Wealth Management USA has begun restructuring how it manages separately managed accounts ("SMAs"), moving key oversight functions in-house and aligning its model more closely with competitors, according to reporting by AdvisorHub.