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

SEC Charges Financial Advisor and Firm for Defrauding Clients with Annuity Sales

Posted on March 28th, 2023 at 3:04 PM
SEC Charges Financial Advisor and Firm for Defrauding Clients with Annuity Sales

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged a Massachusetts-based financial advisor, Jeffrey Cutter, and his firm, Cutter Financial Group, for failing to disclose conflicts of interest in connection with annuity sales. 

Since 2014, Cutter sold fixed index annuities to his advisory clients without disclosing financial incentives he and his firm received for recommending the annuities over alternative investments, according to the SEC. While Cutter received an annual asset-based advisory fee of 1.5% to 2% of assets managed by Cutter Financial Group, he additionally received up-front commissions on annuity sales of 7% of the annuity’s total value.

According to the SEC, Cutter failed to disclose the amount of up-front nature of the annuity commissions, which violated Cutter’s fiduciary duty to his advisory clients. The SEC further accuses Cutter of misrepresenting certain clients’ financial information on annuity applications to insurance companies to ensure approval of the applications. The SEC is seeking a permanent injunction against Cutter as well as disgorgement and other civil penalties.

 

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

1793123026 Law
October 27, 2026
CFTC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Crypto Asset Regulatory Framework

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on a potential regulatory framework for retail commodity transactions involving crypto assets, which the agency calls "CTXs." According to the CFTC's press release, the initiative focuses on Section 2(c)(2)(D) of th...

1793034027 Law
October 26, 2026
FINRA Bars Former Wedbush Broker Over $3.5 Million in Complex ETP Losses

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred former Wedbush Securities broker William H.

1792610544 Law
October 21, 2026
FINRA Fines and Suspends Former LPL Broker Over Undisclosed Customer Settlement

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined former LPL Financial broker Gregory W.