In a recent Wall Street Journal investigation, they analyzed records of approximately 550,000 stockbrokers, and identified 16 hot spots in the United States where troubled brokers tend to concentrate.
The areas identified were clustered in these seven states: New York, New Jersey. Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, and California.
The article sites in particular, Delray Beach, Florida. Within a 10 mile radius there were approximately 3,000 brokers, and one in 17 had three or more disciplinary problems. These troubled brokers are three times the national average in disciplinary troubles.
Many of these brokers hold luncheons or dinners for prospective clients which can involve high pressured sales techniques.
The Delray Beach area, located in Palm Beach County, has one of the highest rates of brokers with disciplinary issues in the country. It is also one of the country's largest retirement havens which makes it even more attractive for unscrupulous brokers because of the high concentration of potential elderly clients.
In the noted hot spots, the rate of households 65 and older with incomes over $100,000 was 50% higher than the national average. The majority of the hot spots were even better off than the national norm, having 13 of the 16 with incomes of $200,000 or more.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), has offices in the hot spots according to the WSJ. A representative from FINRA told the WSJ that they have dedicated resources to these geographical locations.
A South Florida broker was quoted in the article regarding the dinners given by brokers for prospective clients, “It’s called prospecting, just like you do for gold.”
If you feel you have become the victim of an unscrupulous broker or financial advisor, call the Fort Lauderdale-based Soreide Law Group for a free consultation on how to potentially recover your investment losses at 888-760-6552. We represent clients nationwide before FINRA.
Steven Graham (CRD 1977736) denies the allegations in a pending customer claim filed on August 11, 2026. The disclosure names Western International Securities as the firm, and the claim involves corporate bonds. No arbitrator has ruled on it. His BrokerCheck report also lists a settled bond dispute and a federal court matter from earlier years.
A claim filed on September 11, 2024 names Thomas Hamlin (CRD 2208505) over a 10% Senior Unsecured Note in iCap Fund III. Every disclosure on his BrokerCheck report involves an iCap private placement and names Somerset Securities as the firm. Each one settled, and a settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.
Peter Po's most recent settlement came on June 28, 2026, when a corporate bond claim settled for $40,000. Po (CRD 3106974) appears in several settled customer disputes over corporate and high-yield bonds. The disclosures name NI Advisors or California Securities as the firm, and each matter ended in a settlement, not a finding.
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