When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, "it’s smaller broker-dealers and RIAs that may be an opportunity," CEO Dan Arnold said.

'We should have significant upside from rising short-term interest rates,' said Paul Shoukry, the firm's chief financial officer.

Finra said last summer that it was launching an examination sweep probing the opening of options accounts.

For the 12 months ending in March, the company reported a net increase of 188 financial advisers, or a 1.8% gain.

This is the third summer the FPA has offered the program, which fosters new talent and entrants into the profession.

Tony Barouti, a broker registered with Emerson Equity, faces two investor complaints alleging $1.37 million in damages, according to his BrokerCheck profile.

It's an interest-rate play, sources say, reflecting the boost the firm could get as the Federal Reserve embarks on a series of rate hikes.

The SEC's probe of GWG spilled over to include the sales practices of some of the 145 broker-dealers that sold the bonds, according to bankruptcy filings.

The market has been anticipating the move for more than two weeks; the company has struggled of late and repeatedly missed the deadline to file audited financial statements in the past couple of years.

The rep, Philip Riposo of New Bedford, Massachusetts, admitted to creating and providing clients with phony statements.