NASAA Targets Unpaid Arbitration Awards With Proposed New Model Rules

Posted on October 14th, 2021 at 1:46 PM
NASAA Targets Unpaid Arbitration Awards With Proposed New Model Rules

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has proposed new rules in an attempt to reduce the large number of arbitration awards that go unpaid to investors who prevail as claimants in arbitration proceedings.


The proposal would allow regulators to seek to revoke state-issued licenses of registrants and firms that refuse to pay arbitration awards in states that choose to adopt the model rules. The revised model rules include a failure to pay arbitration awards within the list of dishonest or unethical business practices of advisory firms and insurance agents. While the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) can bar advisors from registering with FINRA member firms for unpaid arbitration awards, advisors still can pursue registration under other state regulatory authorities. In essence, the NASAA model rules attempt to provide state regulators with a common rule to enforce in their individual jurisdictions.


The revision comes after a recently-released Public Investor Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) report claiming that the amount of unpaid arbitration awards has grown. According to the report, nearly three in ten of FINRA’s publicly available arbitration awards in 2020 remain unpaid. Under current rules, an advisor or firm is obligated to pay an arbitration award within 30 days absent a reasonable defense; however, NASAA’s revised rules will enable firms to agree to “alternative payment arrangements” in writing with award-winning claimant investors. NASAA has submitted the model rules for public comment, which remains open until November 5.


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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, nasaa, new rules

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Thank you for your professional assistance with this matter. You are very good at what you do.

John T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 11, 2024
Macquarie Investment Management to Pay $79.8 Million for Overvalued CMOs and Unlawful Cross Trades

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT) with overvaluing collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and executing unlawful cross-trades that favored certain clients. 

October 10, 2024
Merrill Lynch and Harvest Volatility Management Fined $9.3 Million for Exceeding Client Investment Limits

According to SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., and Harvest Volatility Management LLC for exceeding clients’ designated investment limits, resulting in higher fees, increased market exposure, and financial losses. 

October 9, 2024
Charles Schwab Faces Lawsuit Over Failure to Prevent Elder Fraud in Computer Hack

A new lawsuit claims that Charles Schwab failed to protect an elderly client from a fraudulent scheme that drained her retirement savings.