Securities Lawyers Blog
According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Victor Torres (Torres), previously associated with Equitable Advisors, LLC, has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 3 customer complaints, alleging that Torres 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 $5,000.00 on May 26, 2026.
Clients allege unsuitability and misrepresentation by the RR in connection with two VUL policies purchased in 2022.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $100,000.00 on February 17, 2026.
Claimants allege unsuitability and misrepresentation by the RR in connection with two VUL policies purchased in 2023 and 2024.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $5,000.00 on February 12, 2026.
Client alleges the RR misrepresented the tax benefits of a VUL policy purchased in 2023.
Financial Advisors providing advice to retail investors are required to adhere to the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). Reg BI applies a ‘best interest’ standard for broker-dealers and their associated people. 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 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 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 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. 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.
Another aspect of the care obligation is focusing on the client’s specific needs which brokers must reasonably understand through obtaining information for the client’s investment profile. In completing a customer’s investment profile the advisor should include information such as the investor’s investment time horizon; liquidity needs; risk tolerance; experience with various investment vehicles; investment objectives and financial goals; assets and debts including outside investment accounts; marital status; tax information; age; and other relevant information that may be individual to the investor that the advisor would need to know to properly render advice or provide services. 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. 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.
Torres has been in the securities industry for more than 9 years. Torres has been registered as a Broker with Equitable Advisors, LLC since 2018.
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.