Unit Investment Trust

SagePoint Financial Broker, Gary Bowman, Suspended by FINRA for Short-Term Trading of Unit Investment Trusts in Customer Accounts

Published on: July 7, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Gary Bowman from the securities industry for three months and fined him $10,000. FINRA alleged that between February 2013 through December 2017, Mr. Bowman engaged in an unsuitable pattern of short-term trading of Unit Investment Trusts in customer accounts.

Mr. Bowman has been a stockbroker at SagePoint Financial, Inc. in Corona, CA, since February 2013.

Iorio Altamirano LLP has also been investigating SagePoint Financial, Inc. over Unit Investment Trusts (UIT) early rollover practices.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Merrill Lynch Over Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Early Rollover Practices

Published on: June 28, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) customers who invested in Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). If you have lost money with Merrill Lynch, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your legal rights.

On June 25, 2021, Merrill Lynch and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2017053437701 (“AWC”) over allegations that between January 2011 and December 2015, Merrill Lynch violated NASD and FINRA rules for failing to maintain an adequate supervisory system and written procedures to monitor Unit Investment Trusts transactions.

As part of the AWC, Merrill Lynch was censured and agreed to a fine of $3.75 million. Merrill Lynch also agreed to pay over $8.43 million in restitution to customers.

Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. Customer in Layton, Utah Filed FINRA Arbitration Complaint About REITs and BDCs

Published on: January 14, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

A Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. customer has recently filed a complaint with FINRA Dispute Resolution Services alleging that former broker Robyn D. Simons recommended unsuitable investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business development companies (BDCs). The investments were reportedly purchased between 2014 and 2016. The complaint also alleges that Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. failed to supervise Robyn Simons’ actions. The customer has alleged $200,000 in damages.

This complaint is not the first securities arbitration claim filed against Robyn Simons and Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. arising out of Robyn Simons’ investment recommendations. In 2015, a customer filed a FINRA arbitration complaint alleging that investments made in her accounts between 2013 and 2015 were unsuitable. The customer also alleged that Robyn Simons misrepresented the securities to her at the time of purchase. Reportedly, the investments included a REIT, BDC, Unit Investment Trust (UIT), and equities. According to Robyn Simons’ BrokerCheck Report, Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. settled the matter with the aggrieved customer for $21,500.

Robyn Simons was registered with Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. in Layton, Utah, from February 2008 until September 2017.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Former Oppenheimer Broker Frederick Levine and Oppenheimer Over Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Early Rollover Practices

Published on: December 16, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Oppenheimer customers who invested in Unit Investment Trusts (UITs) at the firm through former Oppenheimer broker Frederick Levine and other financial advisors. If you have lost money with Oppenheimer or former Oppenheimer broker Frederick Levine contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Financial Advisor Frederick Levine (CRD#: 1765119)

FINRA has suspended financial advisor Frederick Levine from the securities industry for the 3-month period ending on December 20, 2020. He was also fined $5,000.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Over Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Early Rollover Practices

Published on: December 16, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company customers who invested in Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). If you have lost money with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Stifel and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) on May 27, 2020, over allegations that between January 2012 and December 2016, Stifel violated FINRA rules. Specifically, that it:

Failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system, and failed to establish, maintain, and enforce written supervisory procedures (“WSPs”) that were reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA’s suitability rule as it pertains to early rollovers of UITs.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates SagePoint Financial, Inc. Over Unit Investment Trust (UIT) Early Rollover Practices

Published on: December 16, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of SagePoint Financial customers who invested in Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). If you have lost money with SagePoint, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

SagePoint and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) on June 10, 2020, over allegations that between January 2013 and December 2017, SagePoint violated FINRA rules. Specifically, that it:

Failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system, and failed to establish, maintain, and enforce written supervisory procedures (WSPs) that were reasonably designed to supervise the suitability of representatives’ recommendations to customers for early rollovers of Unit Investment Trusts (UITs).

Former Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. Financial Advisor Kurt Gunter Suspended by FINRA for Short-Term Trading of Unit Investment Trusts in Customer Accounts

Published on: November 23, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended financial advisor Kurt Jason Gunter (CRD No. 2747789) from the securities industry for three months and fined him $10,000.

FINRA alleged that between July 2013 through December 2016, Kurt Gunter engaged in an unsuitable pattern of short-term trading of Unit Investment Trusts in customer accounts. FINRA also alleged that Mr. Gunter signed switch letters that were sent to customers that contained inaccurate or missing information about the costs that the customers’ incurred due to early rollovers of Unit Investment Trusts.

Kurt Gunter was a stockbroker at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. from June 2013 through August 2017. He was registered with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.’s branch offices in St. Louis, Missouri, and Austin, Texas.

Oppenheimer Financial Advisor Ivan Shore (CRD# 1012943) SUSPENDED by FINRA for Short-Term Trading of Unit Investment Trusts in Customer Accounts – New York, NY

Published on: November 6, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended financial advisor Ivan Shore from the securities industry for three months and fined him $5,000. Ivan Shore has been a stockbroker at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. since 1997.

FINRA alleged that between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, Ivan Shore engaged in an unsuitable pattern of short-term trading of Unit Investment Trusts in customer accounts.

If you have lost money with Ivan Shore, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your accounts.