H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc. dba H.D. Vest Investment Services (H.D. Vest) of Irving, Texas submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly failing to timely and/or accurately report customer complaints, and failing to adequately supervise variable annuity transactions to be sure the products were suitable for customers.
FINRA alleges that during the period September 2012 through July 2015, H.D. Vest failed to accurately and/or timely report seven customer complaints in FINRA’s 4530 Complaint Reporting System. According to FINRA, H.D. Vest failed to accurately report three customer complaints by failing to select the most egregious problem code; identifying the wrong registered representative in its reporting of another customer complaint; and failing to timely report an initial customer complaint.
FINRA also found that H.D. Vest failed to properly supervise variable annuity transactions. From May 2010 through September 2012, H.D. Vest’s principals approved at least 18 variable annuity transactions without sufficient documents and information to determine the products were suitable for customers. Consequently, H.D. Vest was censured and fined $100,000.
FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a reasonable supervisory system to protect customers from the risks associated with investing. The implementation of the rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, as well as the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be held liable to account holders for investment losses which stem from their employees’ misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses due to a brokerage firm’s failure to supervise the acts and omissions of its representatives can bring forth claims to recover damages against firms, like H.D. Vest Investment Services, which have a duty to supervise employees in order to protect their customers’ interests.
Have you suffered losses in your H.D. Vest Investment Services account due to any broker misconduct? If so, call Robert Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce is accepting clients with valid claims against H.D. Vest Investment Services stockbrokers who may have engaged in misconduct and caused investors losses.
The most important of investors’ rights is the right to be informed! This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over 40 years, Attorney Pearce has tried, arbitrated, and mediated hundreds of disputes involving complex securities, commodities and investment law issues. The lawyers at our law firm are devoted to protecting investors’ rights throughout the United States and internationally! Please visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.
Robert Wayne Pearce
Robert Wayne Pearce of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been a trial attorney for more than 40 years and has helped recover over $125 million dollars for his clients. During that time, he developed a well-respected and highly accomplished legal career representing investors and brokers in disputes with one another and the government and industry regulators. To speak with Attorney Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or Contact Us online for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with Attorney Pearce about your case.
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