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

Market Volatility Sparks Heightened Scrutiny of Complex Products Sales

Posted on June 13th, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Market Volatility Sparks Heightened Scrutiny of Complex Products Sales

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

Market volatility can expose financial advisory firms that fail to supervise and ensure their advisors adhere to Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) rules when they recommend complex products, according to FINRA.

Although structured products have grown in popularity, heightened market volatility applies pressure to some structured retail products, according to Jessica Hopper, head of enforcement at FINRA. Hopper did not pinpoint any specific complex products, but recent FINRA regulatory notices have implicated volatility-linked exchange-traded products, interest rate-based “steepener notes”, defined outcome exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds and ETFs using cryptocurrency-based strategies. While the complex products may appear to be another mutual fund, advisors must make themselves aware of the options-based strategies underlying many of the investments, according to Hopper. 

In one recent enforcement example, FINRA issued a $150,000 fine against Geneos Wealth Management in March. Between November 2016 and February 2018, Geneos “failed to reasonably supervise representatives’ recommendations of an alternative mutual fund” and establish “procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the firm and its representatives had a sufficient understanding” of the risks related to the fund they were recommending, which primarily relied on purchasing uncovered options, according to FINRA. One of the Geneos advisors responsible for selling the fund conceded, “I don’t know how this works”, according to Hopper. 

While FINRA has not announced any plans for rule changes, the regulator issued a notice in May reminding member firms of their supervisory responsibilities with complex products and seeking comments about future potential regulatory proposals as retail purchases have “increased significantly in recent years.”

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

Tags: eccleston law, finra, regulation best interest

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1789490284 Law
September 15, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Northwestern Mutual Broker Over Customer Loans

The Financial industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended and fined a former Northwestern Mutual broker after he solicited two customers for loans to purchase another representative's book of business but instead used most of the money to pay personal expenses and other debt, according to an Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) letter.<...

1789403905 Law
September 14, 2026
SEC Considers Expanding Retail Access to Private Markets

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering a proposal that could expand retail investors' access to private markets and allow investment advisers to charge performance fees to a broader group of clients.

1789155492 Law
September 11, 2026
SEC Considers Investor Test to Expand Accredited Investor Eligibility

The Securities and Exchange (SEC) Chairman Paul S.