In an article from the New York Times, October 18th., 2011, John Wasik writes that if you’re concerned about whether an adviser’s parent firm is going to survive a crisis or if you’re not happy with your portfolio, there are some important questions to ask before you make a change to a new wealth manager. […]

David Angelo Maltese (CRD #2562471, Registered Representative, Boca Raton, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.   The article states that without admitting or denying the findings, Maltese consented to the described sanction and to the entry of […]

The following article appeared on Ambac Financial Group, Inc.'s website. NEW YORK--Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABK) today announced the closing of 6.15% $400 million Directly-Issued Subordinated Capital Securities (DISCS(SM)). The DISCs were sold at a discount to par to yield 6.199%. The article goes on to say that Ambac will use all of the net proceeds […]

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, announced that they are currently investigating the sale of the Laeroc Funds, including the Laeroc 2002 Income Fund LP, Laeroc 2004-2005 Income Fund LP, Laeroc 2005-2006 Income Fund LP, Laeroc Edge Fund LP and Laeroc Income Fund 2007, LP. These Laeroc funds were sold as real estate private placements (under Regulation D).  […]

In an article from InvestmentNews.com, Mark Schoeff Jr., writes that broker-dealers have been engaging in sales practices for structured securities products that hurt retail investors, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) report released in July. The article goes on to say that in an examinations of 11 broker-dealers, the SEC found that the firms […]

The following article was posted on FINRA's website: WASHINGTON — It was announced that The Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) have issued an investor alert called Structured Notes with Principal Protection: Note the Terms of Your Investment to educate investors about the risks […]

Recently, a FINRA arbitration panel made a monetary award  in the case of Stone & Youngberg v. Kay Family Revocable Trust, No. 3:11-cv-00198 (N.D. Cal., 6/22/11),  which was appealed by the defense and lost.    This case involved the challenge by a broker-dealer to a $750,000 award to a former customer, who was advised by Stone & […]

The following information was posted on Raymond James' website: Raymond James Offer to purchase eligible auction rate securities After providing ready liquidity to investors for over 23 years, in mid-February 2008 the Auction Rate Securities (ARS) market reacted to the unprecedented contractions in the credit markets, resulting in widespread auction failures. While some issuers have […]