The price of gold bullion-which recently touched an all-time high-has sparked considerable interest in gold investing and, as with every “hot” investment, has spawned a myriad of aggressive advertising and marketing pitching gold as the “must have” investment. Gold, however,

“FINRA’s Chief is testifying before Congress today to make its case for regulation over investment advisers. FINRA currently regulates broker-dealers and now proposes advisers be added to its area of oversight.” http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/finra-makes-its-case-for-more-power/

FINRA-DR reports that new case filings for the first seven months of 2011 are down 12% and adds that customer-initiated filings have decreased, compared to the first seven months of 2010, by 18%. FINRA mediations through July 2011 have been

Desperate to reel in star brokers, the major wirehouses are fishing more than ever in the unlikely and foreign waters of independent-contractor broker-dealers to hook their top representatives. According to clients we have spoken to, the deals that firms such

Over the past decade there was a mad dash for banks to snap up advisory firms, on the belief that there would be substantial cross selling opportunities for banks to sell advisory services and other financial products to their existing

The Billitteri v. Securities America class action has been finalized. That class action resolved claims of thousands of Securities America customers who purchased private placements in Provident Royalty and Med Cap holdings. In addition to the class action litigants, approximately

CapWest Securities, which sold tens of millions of dollars of Medcap and Provident private placements, as well as DBSI real estate deals to its clients ceased operations and filed a notice of termination with FINRA. The firm faced both class

CapWest Securities officially withdraws broker-dealer registration after losing FINRA arbitration claim: http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20110901/FREE/110909997

“Goldman agrees to end bank robo-signing foreclosure practice”

In one more, rather shocking example of how the rich get richer, a new study reveals that some of the best-paid chief executive officers in the U.S. earned more in salary and other compensation in 2010 than their companies’ federal

As investors flock to gold, FINRA warns of gold-related Ponzi schemes: http://www.finra.org/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2011/P124214

Traditional broker-dealer business continues to change rapidly, making it more difficult, and more expensive for the small, as well as large brokerage firms to stay competitive. The combination of technology which offers investors a less expensive way to buy and

The number of investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission has fallen for the first time in 10 years, while the assets they manage have increased sharply, according to a report released today.

Filings are down at FINRA arbitration, reflecting a trend that losses are market driven not the result of poor advice or product failures. New case filings through July reflect a 12% decline when compared to the same period 2010.

Large banks have manipulated Libor interest rates since 2007, claims Schwab:

SEC probes oil and gas companies for details on fracking:

As implementation of the Dodd Frank bill meanders its way through full adoption and the rule making process, it is fairly obvious that all financial advice professionals- RIA’s as well as brokers will be subjected to a federal imposed fiduciary

The firm has seen a recent up-tick in the number of “golden handcuff” promissory note disputes involving large wire house firms, particularly Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Like other large firms, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney entices financial advisors to join the

In California, when registered representatives assert arbitration claims against member firms, we recommend including allegations involving violations of California labor law such as requiring the rep to pay for an assistant or some other cost that legally should be paid

Like the accounting firms, which were once “The Big 8”, now reduced by more than half, brokerage firms are merging, closing shop and being snapped up by private equity firms. Brokers are jumping ship as the beleaguered firms do whatever