FINRA Bars Former UBS Advisor For Failing To Cooperate In Investigation

Posted on March 28th, 2022 at 8:45 AM
FINRA Bars Former UBS Advisor For Failing To Cooperate In Investigation

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred a former Minnesota-based UBS advisor after he failed to cooperate with FINRA’s probe into allegations that he recommended that a client invest in “risky” outside businesses, according to the settlement letter. 

The settlement bars former advisor, Paul Koch, from affiliating with FINRA member firms. Koch’s team, which managed nearly $350 million in client assets, departed UBS for RBC Wealth Management in 2018. According to the settlement, Koch failed to provide documents and information requested by FINRA that were pertinent to the investigation. UBS additionally alleged that Koch: “Recommended risky and unsuitable investments in various outside business ventures where his wife was a partial owner. Koch’s wife subsequently misappropriated the investor funds for their own personal gain”, according to the settlement letter, known as an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”). 

In February 2022, RBC informed FINRA and state regulators that Koch had “provided the Firm with information indicating that at the time of his voluntary resignation he was the subject of an investigation by the United States Secret Service concerning possible misconduct”, according to FINRA’s Central Registration Depository (CRD). However, Koch’s attorney noted that he did not have any further knowledge of the Secret Service investigation besides the information that he had provided to RBC. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 
 

Tags: eccleston law, finra, ubs

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 19, 2024
GPB Capital Investors See Progress as Court Confirms Receivership

In a significant development for investors in GPB Capital Holdings, the private equity firm will move into receivership following a prolonged legal battle.

December 18, 2024
SEC Fines Cantor Fitzgerald $6.75 Million for Misleading SPAC Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. with causing two special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) under its control to make misleading statements to investors before their initial public offerings (IPOs). 

December 17, 2024
Former Western Asset Management Co-CIO Charged with Fraud for Cherry-picking Trades

The SEC recently charged Ken Leech, former Co-CIO of Western Asset Management, with fraud.