Major stock indexes swung lower Tuesday after President Donald Trump‘s son released an e-mail exchange that showed him setting up a meeting with a Russian lawyer to obtain damaging information about Hillary Clinton. Source: See Markets React to Donald Trump Jr. E-Mails in 6 Charts – MoneyBeat – WSJ Get […]
Investors
Bored Traders on Tinder
A Symptom of Wall Street Revenue Dip One bond trader says he’s been slipping out early to watch his kids play sports. A fund manager says his office just staged a golf retreat. A trading supervisor at another bank confides he’s swiping through a lot of profiles on Tinder, the […]
Was the Account Churned?
Churning is excessive trading in a customer’s account by a broker taken in the context of the customer’s financial situation and investment objectives. While no one test is available to determine if an account has been churned, churning requires three elements, first, excessive trading, and second, control of the account […]
Time for a Portfolio Audit?
Investment Audits – Detecting Inappropriate Investments Before They Turn To Losses Having an independent financial adviser review your investments periodically may save you thousands of dollars in the future. Sure, we know and understand that YOUR adviser is honest and hard working. Madoff’s investors undoubtedly felt the same way about […]
FINRA, States enact new rules to fight elder abuse
FINRA is following many states in pressing forward with a rule that aims to give advisers more tools to combat elder abuse, a large and growing problem that many financial professionals are struggling to address. FINRA has developed a rule that aims to better protect elderly clients and also give […]
How To Become A Millionaire By 65
Becoming a millionaire can seem like a pretty lofty goal — or even just a fantasy — but according to financial adviser David Bach in his book “Smart Couples Finish Rich,” all it takes is a little planning.It might seem impossible, but starting off saving just $2 a day when you’re […]
Congress Still Trading On Non-Public Information?
Even a looming scandal wouldn’t deter some of Congress’ most eager stock traders.” This article from Politico details the outrageous trading patterns of some members of Congress, who despite the STOCK Act, continue to trade in the securities of companies who are the influenced by their investigations and legislation. The […]
Everyone Does It Defense Falls Short
Even coupled with the ever popular “I didn’t know it was a crime” defense, an Investment Advisor loses. Lessons in securities regulation for the self-help minded. By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Too often I hear clients, or more appropriately, potential clients, explain to me that they did not use an […]
Typical Customer Arbitration Claims
There are thousands of complaints filed every year, and they fall into categories. UPDATED November 19, 2021. The trial of customer arbitration claims is a large part of my legal practice. I have been representing customers and brokers in securities arbitration matters since 1982. In those 35 years, I have […]
Enforcing Arbitration Awards
You may need a court order to enforce an arbitrator’s award By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Arbitration awards are not, by themselves, enforceable in a court of law. The prevailing party must have the award “confirmed” by a court. The procedure is relatively simple and is governed by state and […]