The following are statistics compiled by FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, posted recently to their website. The statistics show that investor complaints are down while disciplinary action is at a 5 year high. Investor Complaints Received by FINRA In 2007 there were 4,552 complaints received by FINRA. However, in 2011 there were 2,979 down […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, November, 2012.” Ellen Joyce Erenstein (CRD #3244253, Registered Representative, Boynton Beach, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Erenstein consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that […]

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, alleges Roman Sledziejowski, the Polish president and owner of TWS Financial, LLC, in Brooklyn, N.Y., used customer funds for his own use and gave false statements to clients from June, 2009, through August, 2012. FINRA alleges Sledziejowski defrauded three Polish customers of more than $4 million by taking money […]

Soreide Law Group is currently investigating potential claims for clients who lost money in UBS Willow Fund, LLC. The UBS Willow Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund that launched in 2000, and is managed by UBS Willow Management, L.L.C. The Willow Fund primarily invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. […]

Soreide Law Group is currently investigating these collateralized loan obligations (CLOs): Bryn Mawr CLO II Ltd., and LCM VII Ltd(Lyon Capital Management). Bank of America was the underwriter and sold several CLO’s, including Bryn Mawr and LCM VII. Many of these CLOs resulted in huge losses for the investors. The state of Massachusetts is currently […]

Michael John Hester (CRD #3044429, Registered Representative, Tampa, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hester consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he engaged in a private securities transaction by accepting checks totaling $20,000 from individuals to purchase […]

In a recent Reuters article, they write that FINRA, or The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is examining major brokerages regarding potential conflicts of interest and financial incentives associated with the sale of complex securities, said the Wall Street regulator's chief. Richard Ketchum, FINRA's chairman and chief executive, said that FINRA is looking "very closely" at […]

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority also known as FINRA, is hoping to make information about brokers more accessible to the investors, which they feel would hold those in the industry more accountable for their actions. In September, FINRA voted to submit proposals to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would make information in […]

Stephen Paul Tommelleo (CRD #1597585, Registered Principal, Boca Raton, Florida) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was fined $5,000, suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for three months and ordered to pay $14,990, plus interest, in restitution to a customer. Without admitting or denying the findings, […]