According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Ian Deliz Morales (Deliz Morales), previously associated with Morgan Stanley, has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 3 customer complaints, alleging that Deliz Morales recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $500,000.00 on October 27, 2020.
Claimant alleges that Financial Consultant investment recommendations to purchase and to hold P.R. Securities were unsuitable in light of the clients’ risk tolerance. Claimants also allege that recommendations made by the Financial Consultant were particularly egregious in light of Puerto Rico’s well known deteriorating financial condition.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $65,000.00 on October 13, 2020.
Claimant alleges that Financial Consultant’s investment recommendations to purchase and to hold P.R. Securities were unsuitable in light of the clients’ risk profile causing loses estimated at over $65,000.00.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on May 28, 2020.
Claimant alleges, inter alia, unsuitability with respect to recommendation to hold Puerto Rico municipal bonds investments – August 2014 to May 2020
Brokers are required to adhere to the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) standard of care under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which establishes a ‘best interest’ standard for broker-dealers and associated persons. This standard applies when brokers make recommendations to retail customer for any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities, including recommendations of types of accounts. This standard applies when brokers make recommendations to retail customer for any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities, including recommendations of types of accounts.
The care obligation also requires the broker to address the client’s specific needs through obtaining specific investment profile information on the client. The associated person typically will ask the customer for information such as the investor’s risk tolerance or ability to withstand account value declines or increases; experience with investments available; investment objectives and goals; investment time horizon; liquidity needs; assets such as investment accounts held at other financial institutions; tax information; their age and retirement plans; and other information that a customer may want to provide to the advisor to help them to properly address the services needed. Reg BI is drawn from fiduciary principles that include an obligation to act in the retail investor’s best interest and the broker is prohibited from placing their own interests ahead of the investor’s interest. There are different sub-parts of the Reg BI rule that financial professionals must comply with when providing advice. Among those is the duty of care obligation that mandates associated persons to evaluate investment options, review and be knowledgeable the risks and rewards of the investment or service, compare alternative investment products, and ensure that the overall investment strategy aligns with the client’s goals and is in their best interests.
The care obligation also requires the broker to address the client’s specific needs through obtaining specific investment profile information on the client. The associated person typically will ask the customer for information such as the investor’s risk tolerance or ability to withstand account value declines or increases; experience with investments available; investment objectives and goals; investment time horizon; liquidity needs; assets such as investment accounts held at other financial institutions; tax information; their age and retirement plans; and other information that a customer may want to provide to the advisor to help them to properly address the services needed. Finally, the advisor must use their knowledge of the first two elements to consider reasonably available investment option alternatives and come to the conclusion that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation or advice being provided is in the retail investor’s best interest. Brokerage firms and advisors must also understand the features and limitations of various account types as part of meeting Reg BI’s care obligations. Firms typically offer a variety of account options and services with different trading costs, services, such as account and activity monitoring. An advisor’s recommendation as to what type of securities account to open can alter the customers’ overall costs and investment returns. The advisor must determine that the client can benefit from the type of account being recommended to be opened and in the investor’s best interest taking into account the costs, benefits, and needs of the client.
Deliz Morales has been in the securities industry for more than 13 years. Deliz Morales has been registered as a Broker with Morgan Stanley since 2014.
Investors who have suffered losses are encouraged to contact us at (800) 810-4262 for consultation. At Gana Weinstein LLP, our attorneys are experienced representing investors who have suffered securities losses due to the mishandling of their accounts. Claims may be brought in securities arbitration before FINRA. Our consultations are free of charge and the firm is only compensated if you recover.