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Our experts frequently write blog posts about the findings of the research we are conducting.

Displaying 10 out of 13 results for "Structured Products".

SEC Press Release: Structured Products

(Jul 2011)

SEC Staff Issues Summary Report of Sweep Examination of Structured Products Sold to Retail Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today announcing that it had

"issued a report identifying common weaknesses seen in sales of structured securities products and describing measures by broker-dealers to better protect retail investors from fraud and abusive sales practices."

The report is a result of studies in the structured products business of...

FINRA Investor Alert: Asking the Right Questions

(Jul 2011)

The Grass Isn't Always Greener-Chasing Return in a Challenging Investment Environment

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) published an Investor Alert to help retail investors, who are seeking for higher returns through investing in complex securities such as structured products, ask the right questions before making such investment decisions.

Investors are encouraged to read through the FINRA article. The article includes a section on 'Structured Retail Products', since...

In the News: UBS & Morgan Stanley Subpoenaed over Reverse Convertibles

(Jul 2011)

UBS, Morgan Stanley Subpoenaed Over Reverse Convertibles

Bloomberg news reported today that the state of Georgia had sent subpoenas requesting for data and other information from UBS AG, Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise Financial Inc.. The state is investigating whether these brokerage firms violated the securities laws of Georgia in their sale of reverse convertibles to investors of Georgia.

Sales of reverse convertibles have grown, and investors who are being sold these structured...

SEC Press Release: Fraudulent Bidding Practices

(Jul 2011)

SEC Charges J. P. Morgan Securities with Fraudulent Bidding Practices Involving Investment of Municipal Bond Proceeds

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today announcing that it has

"charged J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS) with fraudulently rigging at least 93 municipal bond reinvestment transactions in 31 states, generating millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains."

Here are the SEC Complaint, SEC Final Judgment and the Litigation Release...

SEC Press Release: Morgan Keegan fined in connection with CDOs

(Jun 2011)

Morgan Keegan to Pay $200 Million to Settle Fraud Charges Related to Subprime Mortgage-Backed Securities

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today announcing that

"Morgan Keegan & Company and Morgan Asset Management have agreed to pay $200 million to settle fraud charges related to subprime mortgage-backed securities. Two Morgan Keegan employees also agreed to pay penalties for their alleged misconduct, including one who is now barred from the...

FINRA Press Release: Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

(Jun 2011)

FINRA Fines Northern Trust Securities, Inc. $600,000 for Inadequate Supervision of Sales of Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Certain High-Volume Securities Trades

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a press release today announcing that

"it has fined Northern Trust Securities $600,000 for deficiencies in supervising sales of collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and failure to have adequate systems in place to monitor certain high-volume securities...

Joint SEC and FINRA Press Release: Structured Products

(Jun 2011)

The SEC and FINRA Issue Joint Press Release on Structured Products

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today jointly with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) dealing with structured products with "principal protection" - so called "principal protected notes." This press release announced that an investor alert had been issued to educate and warn investors about the substantial risks associated with investing in structured products.

FINRA's...

FINRA Investor Alert: Stock-Based Loan Programs

(May 2011)

Stock-Based Loan Programs: What Investors Need to Know

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) published an Investor Alert on the risks and rewards of non-recourse stock-based loans, loans which are given to borrowers who pledge fully paid securities as collateral to the lenders. This collateral is the only recourse the lenders have with which to reclaim the loans from the borrowers. The lender holds the securities during the period of the loan and returns them - with profits...

SEC Press Release: Assigned Credit Ratings

(May 2011)

SEC Seeks Public Comment to Assist in Study on Assigned Credit Ratings

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today announcing that it had requested

for public comment on the feasibility of a system in which a public or private utility or a self-regulatory organization would assign a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) to determine credit ratings for structured finance products.

The SEC's effort is mandated by the Dodd-Frank...

SEC Press Release: Fraudulent Bidding Practices

(May 2011)

SEC Charges UBS with Fraudulent Bidding Practices Involving Investment of Municipal Bond Proceeds

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a press release today announcing that it had

"charged UBS Financial Services Inc. (UBS) with fraudulently rigging at least 100 municipal bond reinvestment transactions in 36 states and generating millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains. To settle the SEC's charges, UBS has agreed to pay $47.2 million that will be returned to the...

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