FINRA fines Wells Fargo unit $3M for repeatedly pushing ‘unsuitable’ investments
By 
Aaron Nicodemus2024-09-17T14:27:00
A Wells Fargo subsidiary will pay nearly $3 million to settle allegations that it failed to properly supervise an employee attempting to sell unsuitable investment products to retail investors–the fifth time it has been penalized for similar supervisory failings since 2020.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) said in a disciplinary action Thursday that Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WFCS) will pay a $400,000 fine, $600,000 in restitution, and $2 million in disgorgement for failing to prevent an employee from engaging in unsuitable, short-term trading in several investment products for retail investors in 2017 and 2018.
The firm also failed to properly follow up on red flags of the employee’s trading in these products, like by restricting his ability to make new sales in those products.
THIS IS MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT
You are not logged in and do not have access to members-only content.
If you are already a registered user or a member, SIGN IN now.
Related articles
-
News BriefFINRA ends year with string of fines against Jefferies, UBS, Citi, Barclays
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority issued fines against four large banks to end 2024, all for different alleged misconduct, but all related to the firms’ failures to implement a supervisory system reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA rules.
-
News BriefDrexel Hamilton to pay $1.1M, four employees fined for ‘flipping’ municipal bonds
New York-based investment firm Drexel Hamilton will pay more than $1.1 million in penalties, with four current and former employees paying fines as well over committing hundreds of violations of rules regarding the sale of municipal bonds.
-
News BriefWells Fargo agrees with OCC to shore up BSA/AML, sanctions program deficiencies
The Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ordered Wells Fargo to make “comprehensive corrective actions” to its Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering and U.S. sanctions programs, along with receive permission from the OCC to offer new products and services or enter new geographic markets with “medium or high” ...
More from Regulatory Enforcement
-
News BriefCFPB pullback signals further shift toward industry-friendly regulation
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau continues to unravel amid pressure from Trump administration officials to shutter the agency. Not only has the agency informed its employees that it will no longer be a watchdog for the financial services industry, it has also laid off employees despite court orders blocking ...
-
News BriefTrump’s CFPB, dismissing Comerica case, continues to cut down Biden-era lawsuits
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped yet another consumer protection lawsuit against a bank or fintech provider since Donald Trump was sworn in as president in January. This time, it was with Comerica Bank.
-
News BriefCash App parent to pay $40 million for alleged BSA/AML violations in New York
Block Inc., maker of the popular Cash App, has been hit with a $40 million fine by New York for its alleged failure to report suspicious activity. The move marks the latest in a string of recent state and federal enforcement actions against the company.