According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Magruder (Magruder), previously associated with Raymond James & Associates, INC., has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, one regulatory event, alleging that Magruder recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on June 27, 2025.
Without admitting or denying the findings, Magruder consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he failed to provide information and documents requested by FINRA in connection with its investigation into whether he had obtained loans from customers without notice to, or approval from, his member firms. The findings stated that FINRA requested documents and information material to its investigation, such as financial account statements. Initially, Magruder submitted an incomplete response that did not substantially comply with FINRA’s request. Ultimately, Magruder failed to produce the complete information or documents requested.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $686,552.00 on June 12, 2025.
Former client alleges FA convinced him to lend FA money and exercised discretion in former client’s account to sell securities to fund loan.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $150.00 on May 29, 2025.
Claimant alleges he loaned money to FA and FA failed to repay it.
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 Reg BI standard of care applies to registered representatives making recommendations to customers in the purchase, sale, or exchange of securities or the implementation of investment strategies involving securities and non-securities. The rule also applies to the handling of opening accounts such as account transfers and types of accounts being recommended to be opened. 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 several different aspects of the rule that brokers must comply with. One of which is the care obligations which requires brokers to form a reasonable belief that their investment advice and recommendations are in the retail investor’s best interest. The care obligations includes three components. First, the advisor must have an understanding of the potential risks, rewards, and costs associated with a product, investment strategy, account type, or series of transactions. 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 associated person must then apply both their reasonable diligence into various investment options as well as the information gathered as to the investor’s specific needs when considering the investment recommendation. The broker must explore various alternative investment options available to address these needs and determine that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation or service being recommended 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.
Magruder has been in the securities industry for more than 21 years. Magruder has been registered as a Broker with Raymond James & Associates, INC. since 2021.
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.