FINRA Files Complaint Against Bay Mutual Financial Broker For Alleged Unsuitable Recommendations

Christopher Ariola, of Santa Monica, California, was named a respondent in a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) complaint alleging that he made unsuitable recommendations to elderly retirees to invest in gold and energy stocks.  As a result of his unsuitable recommendations, FINRA alleges that his customers suffered combined losses totaling approximately $140,000. Formerly registered with Bay Mutual Financial, LLC, a Santa Monica, California based broker dealer, the now unlicensed Christopher B. Ariola is alleged to have recommended to three elderly retirees to invest a substantial portion of their limited retirement assets in gold and energy stocks.  Mr. Ariola’s alleged recommendations were unsuitable in light of the customers’ financial circumstances, investment objectives, and low to moderate risk tolerances. 

Continue Reading

American Portfolios Financial Services Fined By FINRA for Unsuitable Mutual Fund Switches

American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (American Portfolios) submitted a letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) in which it was censured and fined $50,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for failing to supervise the unsuitable mutual fund switches by two of its registered representatives. According to FINRA, American Portfolios, based out of Holbrook New York, engaged in unsuitable mutual fund switching through two of its registered representatives which resulted in its customers incurring nearly $91,000 in unnecessary sales charges. During the relevant time period, FINRA found that the two American Portfolios representatives recommended 78 unsuitable mutual fund switch transactions in 15 customer accounts.

Continue Reading