There are many real estate investors attracted to Tenant-In-Common (TICs) for the purported tax savings through the like kind exchange provisions in the IRS code Section 1031, which allows for the investor a deferral of capital gains. Up until 2013, the capital gains rate was only 15%. Investors need to calculate the net amount of […]

Tenant in Common (TIC) investments, or 1031 exchanges, are a form of real estate ownership in which multiple investors own fractional interests in a property. Many brokers and brokerage firms sold billions of these products to investors across the country allegedly charging high fees, and doing little or no due diligence. They were investments with […]

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., also known as FINRA, is proposing to tighten its definition of “public” arbitrator. FINRA would like to exclude people associated with a mutual fund or hedge fund from its pool of public arbitrators and require others to wait for two years after ending an industry affiliation before being classified […]

With the stock market crash of 2008-2009 there has been an onslaught of investors filing lawsuits against their stock brokers and brokerage firms for providing them with unsuitable advice. There is a direct inverse correlation with stock index averages and new case filings. In other words, in a down market more cases are filed. Many […]

Reverse convertibles, are often called "trigger notes," "phoenixes," or "auto-callables." These structured products promised high yields of 6% to 12% or more, but trigger a conversion to Apple common stock if the price falls, usually on average 15% to 20%. With Apple down more than 25% from its high of last fall in 2012, many […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today, January 29th., 2013, on it's website announced that it has charged a former managing director of Jefferies & Co., Inc. (Jefferies), a New York-based broker-dealer, with making misrepresentations and engaging in misleading conduct while he sold mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in the wake of the financial crisis. The SEC […]

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., also known as FINRA, is proposing a new rule that would allow investors to access information about a financial advisor’s business and disciplinary history directly from the firm’s web page. FINRA filed a regulatory notice in the Jan. 25 edition of the Federal Register. FINRA said the rule would […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, January, 2013.” Alison Marie Janke (CRD #4409155, Registered Representative, Port Richey, Florida) was fined $11,600, which includes the disgorgement of financial benefit received of $6,600, and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for three months. Without admitting or […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, January, 2013.” Charles Tuttle Mason aka Chip Mason (CRD #2206257, Registered Principal, St. Pete Beach, Florida) and Darren Duane Gibson (CRD #2311950, Registered Representative,Oceanside, California) were each fined $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for three […]