SEC Charges First Horizon Advisors for Regulation Best Interest Violations

Posted on October 15th, 2024 at 4:09 PM
SEC Charges First Horizon Advisors for Regulation Best Interest Violations

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged First Horizon Advisors, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, with violating Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). The charges stem from the firm’s failure to maintain and enforce policies designed to ensure compliance with Reg BI, particularly regarding recommendations of structured notes.

In 2021, First Horizon merged with another broker-dealer, which resulted in the transfer of 5,000 customer brokerage accounts. However, due to system incompatibility between the two firms, First Horizon lacked the necessary customer data to properly review structured note recommendations for Reg BI compliance. Additionally, registered representatives from the merging firm were unable to access First Horizon’s exception reporting system, which prevented them from reviewing flagged transactions as required by the firm's procedures.

Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, First Horizon agreed to a cease-and-desist order, a censure, and a $325,000 civil penalty. This case highlights the importance of maintaining robust compliance systems, particularly during mergers.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

The work that you and your team have performed on my behalf is exemplary.

JT

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 20, 2024
Hightower Drops Claims Against Former Advisor Amid Non-Compete Dispute

Hightower, a Chicago-based RIA firm, recently dropped its lawsuit against former advisor Lars Knudsen just days before a federal judge in Illinois was set to rule on the firm’s injunction request.

November 19, 2024
Osaic Services Fined $250,000 for Supervisory Failures in Options Trading

Osaic Services, formerly SagePoint Financial, recently agreed to pay a $250,000 fine and accept censure for failures in supervising excessive and unsuitable options trading from June 2018 to August 2019.

November 18, 2024
Wahed Invest Settles SEC Charges Over Undisclosed Endorsements and Ad Rule Violations

The SEC recently settled charges with Wahed Invest, a faith-based robo-advisor that markets itself to Muslim clients, over violations of the SEC’s marketing rule.