Community bank B-D fined for selling seniors unsuitable investments

Massachusetts orders Investment Professionals Inc. to pay $100,000 fine.
MAR 23, 2017

Investment Professionals Inc., a broker-dealer based in San Antonio, Texas, has been ordered by the Massachusetts Securities Division to pay a $100,000 fine for having sold unsuitable investment products to senior citizens. IPI, whose representatives work on the premises of community banks in Massachusetts, has agreed to offer restitution to the clients, the division said in a release. The firm also will retain an independent compliance consultant to review its policies governing supervision of its financial consultants in the state and its sales of securities to persons over 65. The review also will include IPI's compliance with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. rules on networking arrangements, non-cash compensation, and gifts and gratuities. Last November, the Massachusetts Securities Division charged IPI with using high-pressure sales contests and selling unsuitable investment products to senior citizens who were bank depositors.

Latest News

Investors wins lawsuit against Atlanta B-D over tax shelter investment, potentially a first
Investors wins lawsuit against Atlanta B-D over tax shelter investment, potentially a first

InvestmentNews reported in 2017 that the IRS was scrutinizing the tax shelter land deals, called syndication conservation easements.

Pontera unveils non-discretionary advice tools in continued retirement platform buildout
Pontera unveils non-discretionary advice tools in continued retirement platform buildout

Advisors gain a second workflow for 401(k) guidance as the fintech expands beyond bulk rebalancing, backed by new policy research on advice access.

HSA balances hit record high, but are clients using them wrong?
HSA balances hit record high, but are clients using them wrong?

New data shows most people do not have enough saved to cover costs and are not fully utilizing their accounts.

Advisor moves: LPL, Cetera, Raymond James, NewEdge Wealth
Advisor moves: LPL, Cetera, Raymond James, NewEdge Wealth

Firms announce new recruits this week, with teams overseeing hundreds of millions in client assets switching affiliations.

Stratos Wealth adds $400M with RPI Financial Life Planners
Stratos Wealth adds $400M with RPI Financial Life Planners

It’s the 12th deal for Stratos since SEI's investment and follows 11 acquisitions worth $4.8B in 2025.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income