TIAA Settles SEC Charges for Violating Reg BI

Posted on March 21st, 2024 at 2:02 PM
TIAA Settles SEC Charges for Violating Reg BI

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) has agreed to a $2.2 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of violating Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) in recommending investment options to clients opening individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

According to the SEC, TIAA's broker-dealer, TC Services, failed to inform IRA account holders about lower-cost options available to them, resulting in approximately 6,000 retail clients paying over $900,000 in combined expenses unnecessarily. AdvisorHub reports that TIAA offered two investment menus for IRAs: a pre-selected "core menu" and a "brokerage window" with broader and lower-cost choices. However, clients were not adequately informed about the brokerage window option, leading to the majority investing solely in core products.

The violations occurred from June 2020, when Reg BI was enacted, until November 2021. TIAA, without admitting or denying the findings, agreed to a censure, cease-and-desist order, and monetary penalties totaling $2.2 million, including disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty. Despite TIAA's remedial efforts and disclosure of the issue during an examination, the SEC emphasized the importance of complying with Reg BI and related obligations.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

The work that you and your team have performed on my behalf is exemplary.

JT

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 7, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Wells Fargo Broker Over Unapproved Real Estate Venture

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Wells Fargo broker George J. Cairnes for four months and fined him $25,000 for engaging in unapproved real estate outside business activity, according to a settlement letter issued.

November 6, 2025
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

November 5, 2025
Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.