According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker John Suess (Suess), currently associated with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Suess recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $200,000.00 on August 19, 2025.
BREACH OF CONTRACT AND WARRANTIES, PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT, VIOLATION OF STATE SECURITIES STATUTES, COMMON LAW FRAUD, BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY, NEGLIGENCE AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE, FINRA Conduct Rule 2010, FINRA Conduct Rule 2020, FINRA Conduct Rule 2090, FINRA Conduct Rule 2111, FINRA Conduct Rule 2210, FINRA Conduct Rule 3110, MISREPRESENTATION/OMMISSION AND NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION/OMISSION, UNJUST ENRICHMENT, COMMON LAW, STATUTORY CLAIMS AND DAMAGES, and VICARIOUS & CONTROL PERSON LIABILITY
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.
Next, the advisor must have a reasonable understanding of the specific retail investor’s investment profile. The customer’s profile information generally includes an investor’s financial situation and needs; investments; assets and debts; marital status; tax status; age; investment time horizon; liquidity needs; risk tolerance; investment experience; investment objectives and financial goals; and any other information the retail investor may disclose in connection with the recommendation or advice. The SEC has stated that Reg BI is drawn from fiduciary principles that are common to both brokers and investment advisors including an obligation to act in the investor’s best interest and prohibiting an advisor from placing their own interests ahead of the investor’s. 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.
Next, the advisor must have a reasonable understanding of the specific retail investor’s investment profile. The customer’s profile information generally includes an investor’s financial situation and needs; investments; assets and debts; marital status; tax status; age; investment time horizon; liquidity needs; risk tolerance; investment experience; investment objectives and financial goals; and any other information the retail investor may disclose in connection with the recommendation or advice. Using the foregoing information, the associated person then must consider reasonably available investment option to accomplish the investor’s goals as well as alternative investment options that may be cheaper or other important qualities. Finally, the advisor must conclude that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation being provided is in the investor’s best interest. An advisor must understand the type of account, securities, and their client in order to meet their care obligations. The type of securities account has the potential to greatly affect retail customers’ costs and investment returns. Different types of securities accounts can offer different features, products, or services, and not all types of accounts or services would be in every investor’s best interest.
Suess entered the securities industry in 1999. Suess has been registered as a Broker with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated 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.