July 21, 2011

Massachusetts is Suing RBC Capital, and Former Representative over Leveraged ETF Sale

business man holding his head with text asking questions about stock broker misconduct

In a June 20, 2011, article from Bloomberg News, it was reported that Massachusetts' top securities regulator is suing RBC Capital Markets LLC and one of its former registered representatives over the sale of leveraged exchange-traded funds, saying they sold them to clients who didn't understand how the investments worked.

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, William F. Galvin, said RBC Capital and Michael Zukowski, a former agent, used “dishonest practices” in selling the funds, according to a statement e-mailed today. Galvin is seeking restitution to Massachusetts investors, a cease and desist order, and an administrative fine.

“The point of the complaint is not that the investors lost money,” Galvin said in the statement. “The dishonesty here is that the investors, and indeed the agent soliciting their investment, did not understand the workings of these funds.”

The Bloomberg article adds Galvin said that Zukowski, who worked in the firm's Osterville office, sold clients “non-traditional” leveraged and inverse ETFs. Leveraged ETFs use swaps or derivatives to amplify daily index returns, while the inverse funds are designed to move in the opposite direction of their benchmark. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority warned investors and fund sellers in June 2009 that such ETFs might not be a good fit for long-term investors. Galvin opened a probe into the products in July 2009.

It was noted that RBC Capital is a subsidiary of Toronto-based Royal Bank of Canada.

Securities Attorney, Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law, PLLC, has represented clients nationwide. If you or a family member feel you have become a victim of the sale of non-traditional ETFs by broker Michael Zukowski or RBC Capital Markets, LLC, of Massachusetts, call a Securities Arbitration Lawyer for a free consultation on how to potentially recover your losses.  To speak with an attorney, call 888-760-6552, or visit www.securitieslawyer.com.  

Soreide Law Group, PLLC., representing investors nationwide before FINRA  the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

S H A R E   T H I S   P O S T

Recent Posts

October 6, 2026
John Alex Settled Customer Disputes At Morgan Stanley And UBS

John Alex (CRD: 2020710) settled customer disputes at Morgan Stanley and UBS Financial Services between 2011 and 2025, according to BrokerCheck, which lists him as John L. Alex.

October 6, 2026
Sam Bhushan Of Cabin Securities Named In Pending Private Placement Claims

Sam Bhushan (CRD: 4884717) is named in several pending customer complaints and one settled dispute, according to his BrokerCheck report.

October 6, 2026
Sterling Louviere Of Cabin Securities Named In Pending Private Placement Claim

Sterling Louviere (CRD: 2021328), listed on BrokerCheck as Sterling Vaughn Louviere, is named in a pending customer claim over Reg D private placements, with Cabin Securities as the firm named.

Contact us Nationwide USA
2401 E. Atlantic Blvd., Suite 305, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Helping clients recover money across the USA
search
Copyright © 2026 Soreide Law Group, PLLC  |  All Rights Reserved