Introduction When disputes arise between investors and brokerage firms, they are usually resolved through arbitration. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) offers a streamlined and cost-effective dispute resolution forum for resolving disputes in the securities industry. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into FINRA arbitration, its key…
In an annual report more than two decades ago, Warren Buffett dispensed some wise words of knowledge: “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.” Reportedly, Mr. Buffett was referring to knowing what risks a company is taking until it faces adverse conditions. Mr. Buffett…
On November 8, 2021, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis Capital”) entered into Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2016051704305 (the “AWC”). After conducting an investigation, FINRA alleged in the AWC that from July 2014 through December 2018, Aegis Capital failed to establish, maintain,…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred a former Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. stockbroker from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into whether he, among other things, exercised discretion without written authorization in a customer’s account. The investigation was launched after Cambridge Investment Research,…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended stockbroker Joseph Lianzo from the securities industry for eight months. Mr. Lianzo consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that from March 2016 through November 2019, while associated with Laidlaw & Company (UK) LTD. and SW Financial, Mr. Lianzo excessively traded four…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Donald Fowler from the securities industry. Mr. Fowler consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that from December 2014 through December 2018, while associated with Worden Capital Management LLC, Mr. Fowler churned and excessively traded four customers’ accounts in violation of…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Debasish Hajra from the securities industry for 30 calendar days. Mr. Hajra consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that, while associated with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC in Marietta, GA, Mr. Hajra executed nine unauthorized trades with a total…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor John Cangialosi from the securities industry for nine months. Mr. Cangialosi consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that from October 2014 through December 2014, while associated with Legend Securities, Inc., and then Worden Capital Management LLC, Mr. Cangialosi excessively…
On August 3, 2021, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and former Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. stockbroker Eugene McAdams entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2020066887801 whereby Mr. McAdams consented to a bar from the securities industry. Mr. McAdams consented to the expulsion after refusing to…
In an arbitration award published by FINRA on July 30, 2021, Boca Raton, Florida financial advisor William Friedman was ordered to pay $250,000 in damages to a Claimant. Notably, Mr. Friedman was suspended by FINRA on July 2, 2021, over his failure to respond to a FINRA request for information.…