Investors Capital Corporation Fined $250,000 by Securities Regulators

Investors Capital Corporation Fined $250,000 by Securities Regulators

Investors Capital Corporation Fined $250,000 by Securities Regulators 150 150 Robert Rex, Esq.

October 2014

The FINRA records of  Investors Capital Corp.,  a  broker dealer headquartered in Lynnfield, MA,  that employs about 640 people in 313 branch offices nationwide, disclose a recent regulatory matter.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.

In October 2016, Investors Capital Corp. (ICC) entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with FINRA to resolve allegations that certain of its brokers recommended unsuitable short term trading of unit investment trusts (UITs) and Steepener Notes in the accounts of 74 customers. In addition FINRA alleged that ICC failed to apply sales charge discounts on certain purchases.

One example cited by FINRA is a 68 year old customer with an investment objective of income was sold 59 UITs with two year maturities. The average holding period was three months resulting in losses of over $32,000.

Steepeners are complex, structured products that allow investors to bet on the shape of the yield curve. The return is linked to the spread between the longer and shorter-term interest rates, ie; the steepness curve. Steepeners have long maturities generally, from 20-30 years, and the secondary market for these investments may be limited or nonexistent, making them unsuitable generally for retirees.

ICC consented to a censure, a fine of $250,000 and to pay restitution of $841,000 to the affected customers.

Investors Capital Corp. Is Winding Down

 In June 2016, ICC notified FINRA of its intent to wind down its business and to withdraw its broker dealer registration. If you have questions about how your account was handled at Investors Capital Corp, call to discuss your legal options.

INVESTORS CAPITAL CORP. SUBJECT OF 21 REGULATORY MATTERS–CEASES OPERATIONS FALL 2016

Investors Capital Corp. withdrew its registration with FINRA in fall 2016. Investors Capital has been named in 21 regulatory matters and a number of customer arbitrations. For more information on Investors Capital Corp, follow this link. 

 

Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL,  and  Austin, TX,   provides representation to  investors  nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.

Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

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Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

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