SLCG Research: Mutual Fund's Term
(Apr 2010)
SLCG released today 'What Does a Mutual Fund's Term Tell Investors?'
Bond mutual funds are classified by Morningstar as ultra short, short, intermediate or long-term. Bond mutual funds have found a way to hold long-term bonds while being classified as ultra-short or short.
In this paper, we demonstrate how the losses suffered by these funds in 2008 can be explained by the increasing credit risks of holding long-term bonds. Furthermore, we find that the classification of these funds as...
FINRA Press Release: Provident Asset Management
(Mar 2010)
Dallas-based Provident Asset Management Expelled for Marketing Fraudulent Private Placements Offered by Affiliate in Massive Ponzi Scheme
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a press release today announcing that
"it has expelled Provident Asset Management, LLC, a Dallas-based broker-dealer, for marketing a series of fraudulent private placements offered by its affiliate, Provident Royalties, LLC, in a massive Ponzi scheme."
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent scheme...
FINRA Fines H&R Block Financial Advisors
(Feb 2010)
FINRA Fines H&R Block Financial Advisors $200,000 for Inadequate Supervision of Reverse Convertible Notes Sales, Suspends and Fines Broker for Unsuitable Sales to Retired Couple
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a press release today announcing that it had
[fined] H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc., (n/k/a Ameriprise Advisor Services, Inc.) $200,000 for failing to establish adequate supervisory systems and procedures for supervising sales of [reverse convertible...
FINRA Regulatory Notice: Reverse Convertibles
(Feb 2010)
FINRA Reminds Firms of Their Sales Practice Obligations With Reverse Exchangeable Securities (Reverse Convertibles)
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) published Regulatory Notice 10-09 reminding financial firms selling reverse convertibles notes (RCN) to provide fair and balanced sales materials and communications, including proper statement on the risks associated with such notes.
In an upcoming SLCG study on RCN, we have found that investors of RCNs have been...