Securities Lawyers Blog
According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Farrukh Kazmi (Kazmi), currently associated with Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, INC., has at least 4 disclosable events. These events include 4 customer complaints, alleging that Kazmi 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 $350,000.00 on July 24, 2020.
The clients allege the investments they purchased between 2013-2014 were unsuitable and misrepresented to them by the representative. The clients also allege the firm failed to supervise the actions of the representative and failed to conduct adequate due diligence.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $165,000.00 on July 16, 2020.
The client alleges the investments he purchased between 2013-2014 were unsuitable and misrepresented by the representative. The client also alleges the firm failed to supervise the actions of the representative and failed to conduct adequate due diligence.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $350,000.00 on July 24, 2020.
The clients allege the investments they purchased between 2013-2014 were unsuitable and misrepresented to them by the representative. The clients also allege the firm failed to supervise the actions of the representative and failed to conduct adequate due diligence.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $165,000.00 on July 16, 2020.
The client alleges the investments he purchased between 2013-2014 were unsuitable and misrepresented by the representative. The client also alleges the firm failed to supervise the actions of the representative and failed to conduct adequate due diligence.
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. Reg BI applies when brokers recommend a retail investor engage in securities transaction or an investment strategy involving one or more securities. Reg BI also applies to financial advice concerning the transfer of funds and opening 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 broker must understand the investor’s investment background and profile. A customer’s profile includes information that describes the investor’s financial situation and needs. Information here will include their outside securities accounts and investments; relevant assets and debts; tax bracket; age; liquidity needs; risk tolerance; investment time horizon; experience with investing; investment objectives; and any other relevant information that the investor may choose to disclose pertinent to their situation. Reg BI was meant to enhance the duties that registered representatives have to their clients by applying fiduciary principles to transactions and investment strategies by prohibiting brokers from placing their own financial interests ahead of the best interests of their client – the investor. Reg BI comes with different core obligations that brokers must comply with. There is the duty of care obligation requiring financial advisors to form a reasonable belief that their investment advice and recommendations are in the retail investor’s best interest among other duties. In order to do that the broker must evaluate the potential risks, rewards, and costs associated with a product, account type, or series of transactions being recommended.
Next, the broker must understand the investor’s investment background and profile. A customer’s profile includes information that describes the investor’s financial situation and needs. Information here will include their outside securities accounts and investments; relevant assets and debts; tax bracket; age; liquidity needs; risk tolerance; investment time horizon; experience with investing; investment objectives; and any other relevant information that the investor may choose to disclose pertinent to their situation. 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. 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.
Kazmi entered the securities industry in 1997. Kazmi has been registered as a Broker with Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, INC. since 2010.
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.