Cetera fined $125,000 over privacy issues

Cetera fined $125,000 over privacy issues
Finra also censured the firm in connection with privacy breaches that occurred during transfers of new clients.
JUN 30, 2021

Cetera Advisor Networks will pay a $125,000 fine and accept a censure from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. in connection with customer privacy breaches.

In a letter of acceptance, waiver and consent, Finra said that between October 2019 and July 2020, Cetera used a third-party vendor to help with brokers transitioning to the firm and failed to take steps to verify whether the reps or their former broker-dealers had notified customers about the disclosure of their nonpublic personal information to the vendor.

In all, 26 recruited representatives took nonpublic personal customer information from their broker-dealers and disclosed it to the vendor. By doing this, Finra said, Cetera caused the other broker-dealers to violate Regulation S-P.

Restarting firm culture post-pandemic

Latest News

Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale
Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale

RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.

Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human
Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up
Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up

Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.

UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin
UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin

UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.

'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds
'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds

New director David Woodcock puts firms on notice over fees, conflicts, and liquidity risk as private credit shows signs of stress.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline