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

Massachusetts Regulators Say Fidelity Rubber-Stamped Options Applications

Posted on January 27th, 2022 at 2:16 PM
Massachusetts Regulators Say Fidelity Rubber-Stamped Options Applications

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

Massachusetts securities regulators have filed suit against Fidelity Brokerage Services alleging unethical practices relating to the firms’ rubber-stamping of options trading applications.

Massachusetts’ securities division has emphasized Fidelity’s “failure to properly vet customers who applied to be approved for options and margin trading”, and has scrutinized the firm’s “half-hearted and lackadaisical attitude” toward protecting retail clients. Massachusetts regulators allege that Fidelity’s application review protocol enabled clients to submit several applications with altered information until the clients satisfied the account requirements. 

The administrative compliant discusses examples of repetitive applications with inaccurate financials, investment experience and employment information. The complaint further alleges that Fidelity failed to review and subsequently notice the contradictions even though the firm possessed accurate client information in its system. The complaint seeks to censure Fidelity and compels the firm to hire an independent compliance consultant to remedy the oversight failures. 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, Fidelity Brokerage Services

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I just received this letter from the CFP Board. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

David Y

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1777479103 Law
April 29, 2026
Hightower Advisors Faces Class Action Over Alleged Data Breach

Hightower Holding LLC is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that the firm failed to protect sensitive personal information following a data breach affecting thousands of individuals, according to reporting by Financial Advisor News.

1777391003 Law
April 28, 2026
Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Faces Trial Over Alleged Scheme Targeting NBA Players

A former Morgan Stanley financial advisor is charged with defrauding professional basketball players through complex investment transactions involving viatical settlements, according to reporting by InvestmentNews.

1777309136 Law
April 27, 2026
Blackstone's Private Credit Fund (BCRED) Meets Record Redemption Demand

Blackstone Inc.