November 2016- New York
Merrill Lynch was fined $7 million by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for inadequately supervising the use of leverage (margin) in customer accounts.
Merrill Loan Management Accounts (LMAs) permit customers to borrow money from an affiliated bank using securities in the account as collateral. From 2010-2014, FINRA found that Merrill’s supervisory procedures were inadequate with regard to the use of the loan proceeds from the LMA’s and that customers were using the loan proceeds to purchase securities in violation of the LMA agreements.
In addition FINRA found that from 2010-2013 Merrill’s supervisory procedures were inadequate to ensure the suitability of transactions in certain Puerto Rican securities, including municipal bonds and closed-end funds, where customer accounts were highly leveraged through LMA or margin borrowing.
Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL, and Austin, TX, provides representation to investors nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.
Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.
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