February 2019 – Austin, Texas
FINRA recently sanctioned Austin-based Kestra Investment Services (formerly NFP Advisor Services) for over charging more than 3,000 who qualified for waiver of front end sales fees on certain mutual fund purchase.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.
According to the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent #2016048404601 recently entered into by Kestra, FINRA alleged that from July 2009-February 2018, Kestra disadvantaged certain retirement plan and charitable organization customers that were eligible to purchase Class A shares in mutual funds without a front-end sales charge or Class B or C shares with back-end sales charges and higher ongoing fees and expenses.
As a result Kestra violated NASD Conduct Rule 3010, FINRA Rules 3010 and 2010.
FINRA censured Kestra and assessed a regulatory fine of $225,000. In addition Kestra agreed to provide remediation to eligible customers on or before March 31, 2019.
If you have questions about an account with Kestra Investment Services , contact us for a no charge consultation to discuss how you may be able to recover damages for those losses.
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.
Nationwide Representation
TollFree: 877-224-3199
Florida-561 391 1900
Texas-512-329-2870