Bank of America to pay $9.8M to reimburse California ARS investors

Bank of America Corp of Charlotte, N.C. has joined the ever-growing list of firms that are being required to repay investors who bought auction rate securities.
JUN 10, 2009
Bank of America Corp of Charlotte, N.C. has joined the ever-growing list of firms that are being required to repay investors who bought auction rate securities. Yesterday, the California Department of Corporations announced a $9.8 million settlement with Banc of America Securities LLC and Banc of America Investment Services Inc., the company’s investment banking and securities broker-dealer arms, that ends the department’s investigation into charges BofA misrepresented the securities to investors. Sold a safe cash equivalent product, the products failed after the market froze in February 2008, and firms have been reimbursing suffering investors ever since. As part of the settlement, Bank of America has made repurchase offers to all individuals, small businesses and charitable institutions in California that bought securities from it, the Department of Corporations said in a statement. In addition, the bank is required to pay administrative penalties to California and agree to refrain from violations of California's securities law, the statement said. The repurchase offers apply to investors who bought the securities before Feb. 13, 2008. In total, the bank owes $50 million to investors in several different states. The $9.8 million that California investors are receiving from BofA is only a part of the $3 billion in outstanding ARS sold to Californians by firms such as Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. and UBS Financial Services Inc., both headquartered in New York.

Latest News

Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says
Married retirees could be in for an $18,100 Social Security cut by 2032, CRFB says

A new analysis finds long-running fiscal woes coupled with impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stand to erode the major pillar for retirement income planning.

SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families
SEC bars New Jersey advisor after $9.9M fraud against Gold Star families

Caz Craffy, whom the Department of Justice hit with a 12-year prison term last year for defrauding grieving military families, has been officially exiled from the securities agency.

Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?
Navigating the great wealth transfer: Are advisors ready for both waves?

After years or decades spent building deep relationships with clients, experienced advisors' attention and intention must turn toward their spouses, children, and future generations.

UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock
UBS Financial loses another investor lawsuit involving Tesla stock

The customer’s UBS financial advisor allegedly mishandled an options strategy called a collar, according to the client’s attorney.

Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors
Trump's one big beautiful bill reshapes charitable giving for donors and advisors

An expansion to a 2017 TCJA provision, a permanent increase to the standard deduction, and additional incentives for non-itemizers add new twists to the donate-or-wait decision.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.