In a February 16th., 2012, article in InvestmentNews.com, Jason Kephart writes that John Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group Inc., believes low-cost, passive indexes are the best way to invest — as long as they're not offered through an exchange-traded fund. “There's no question that ETFs are the greatest trading innovation of the 21st century,” […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Andrew James Aragona (CRD #1320844, Registered Representative, Deerfield Beach, Florida)   was named as a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he recommended variable annuity switches to an elderly customer who had a moderate risk tolerance and a primary investment objective […]

In a February 17th., 2012, article for InvestmentNews.com, Bruce Kelly writes that a broker formally affiliated with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Berthel Fisher & Co. Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC was arrested in Oregon this month for allegedly stealing $584,000 from three investors. The now ex-broker, James Scott McKee, was charged Feb. 9 […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Tyge Thomas Tuccillo (CRD #3075541, Registered Representative, Venice, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Tuccillo consented to the […]

In a February 14th., 2012, article in InvestmentNews.com, Bruce Kelly writes that LPL Financial, LLC, is on the hook for a $1.4 million arbitration awarded to an elderly couple who bought real estate deals. According to the attorney for the plaintiffs, the property investments relied on “tricks” to boost their yields before they collapsed. Heinrich […]

The following appeared on FINRA's website's 'Disciplinary Actions, November, 2011: Tom Douglas Hamsher (CRD #1708793, Registered Supervisor, Webb City, Missouri) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hamsher consented to the described sanction and […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Marcela Zamora Erana (CRD #4450935, Registered Principal, Key Biscayne, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which she was fined $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for one month.   Without admitting […]

Bruce Kelly writes in a February 9th., 2012 article for InvestmentNews.com that securities regulators are taking a close and careful look at a fast-growing alternative investment known as a nontraded business development company. The InvestmentNews.com article states that the North American Securities Administrators Association is “gearing up to draft a statement of policy” on nontraded […]

In an article for InvestmentNews.com, on February 1st, 2012, Mark Schoeff Jr. writes that in a market defined by low interest rates, investors are searching for higher returns. But brokers better be careful how they try to deliver those results, according to their primary regulator. In a 16 page letter posted on its website, the Financial Industry […]