Securities Lawyers Blog
According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Karen Boykin (Boykin), currently associated with LPL Financial LLC, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Boykin recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a award / judgment customer complaint with a damage request of $500,000.00 on April 02, 2020.
Karen Boykin was a subject of the customers’ complaint against her member firms that asserted the following causes of action: breach of fiduciary duty, violation of Missouri’s Securities Act \\u00a7 409-5.501 et al, common law fraud, breach of contract, negligence/negligent misrepresentation/omission, unjust enrichment, and negligent supervision.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a award / judgment customer complaint with a damage request of $500,000.00 on April 02, 2020.
Karen Boykin was a subject of the customers’ complaint against her member firms that asserted the following causes of action: breach of fiduciary duty, violation of Missouri’s Securities Act \\u00a7 409-5.501 et al, common law fraud, breach of contract, negligence/negligent misrepresentation/omission, unjust enrichment, and negligent supervision.
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. This standard applies when a registered representative is providing investment advice through making recommendations customers and covers securities transaction, investment strategies, and recommendations concerning advice on opening of an account or 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. The Reg BI rule applies a fiduciary principles and requires an associated person to act in the retail investor’s “best interests” while barring the broker from placing their own financial interests and compensation incentives ahead of the investor’s best 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.
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. Finally, an advisor must also analyze the specific account features offered and determine whether their client can benefit from them in order to meet their care obligations. While securities and investments come with costs that must be considered, the type of securities account also has changes the cost equation for the investor and can change the retail customers’ future investment returns. The associated person must consider the different types of securities accounts for their client and determine whether or not the cost or features are reasonably needed for the client or if the customer’s current account costs and features are superior to solutions available to the advisor. In any event, the type of account and services recommended must be in the investor’s best interest.
Boykin entered the securities industry in 2002. Boykin has been registered as a Broker with LPL Financial LLC since 2025.
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.