FINRA

The firm misreported over 1 million transactions, according to the regulator.

It’s time for professional planners, as opposed to sales agents, to define themselves accurately in the public mind. To do it, you need to use key words and phrases with crystal clarity.

Meanwhile, the SEC hints that more actions could follow the $425 million in penalties levied against the brokerage firm.

Enforcement actions at the SEC and FINRA highlight emphasis regulators are placing on fees and reverse churning, anti-money laundering programs and variable annuities.

The wirehouse was hit with sanctions from the SEC and FINRA for disregarding securities rules, misusing clients’ cash and not disclosing product costs.

The broker allegedly talked clients into investing $115,000 in a technology startup where his friend worked as a computer programmer.

Robert Cook, an attorney and former SEC director, will have to help the regulator navigate complicated matters , from calls for an industrywide fiduciary standard to heightened congressional scrutiny.

The firm allegedly settled a dispute with two customers on the condition that they would not oppose efforts to expunge the details of the dispute from the Central Registration Depository system.

Robert W. Cook will replace Richard Ketchum, who announced his retirement last year.

A recent agency memorandum cited several legal cases to back up its opinion.

The regulator also says that the firm suffered from supervisory failures during a four-year period.

The adviser claimed she was unjustly fired from First Citizens Bank for allegedly making unauthorized bonus payments to her two sales assistants totaling $9,000.

The firm is facing a lawsuit on behalf of investors who lost money in a $350 million Ponzi scheme.

If you're still thinking about a client who may be suffering from diminished capacity or displays other worrisome signs, then you need to say something, says Dr. Nancy Needell.

Careful steps need to be taken so FINRA won't consider it an outside business activity, says compliance expert Alan Foxman.

Are you using a robo adviser with clients? Be prepared to understand the inner workings of your digital tools, says Hardeep Walia, CEO of Motif Investing.

The elderly have called with technology issues, needing assistance with poorly understood account statements and to report scams. The calls also have helped the regulator identify mistakes and instances of abuse.

Richard Ketchum adds that the regulator needs to take a closer look at the culture of wealth management companies to see if executives are setting the right tone: "It is essential that a firm's leadership own the policies and procedures."

The regulator says the firm had "widespread failures" in its anti-money laundering programs for both its employee and independent channels.

FINRA reprimanded the former rep for allegedly falsifying personal documents as accommodations for HSBC bank customers.