Finra bars IFS Securities executive linked to reported $10 million trading loss

Keith Wakefield did not testify in Finra investigation of 'trading improprieties' at IFS.
SEP 26, 2019
The IFS Securities Inc. executive at the center of a bond trade that resulted in a reported $10 million loss for the firm has been barred from the securities industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. Keith Wakefield, the former municipal securities principal at IFS Securities, was fired Aug. 9 amid allegations of "fraud" and "placing fictitious trades," according to his BrokerCheck report. The product in question was government debt. [Recommended video: Advisers should discuss ESG with wealthy clients before someone else does] Finra began investigating Mr. Wakefield at that time for "among other things, possible trading improprieties at IFS," according to Finra's consent order dated Wednesday. Mr. Wakefield "refused to appear for testimony," which violates industry rules and triggers Finra barring a broker or registered executive. Mr. Wakefield agreed to being barred without admitting to or denying Finra's findings. His attorney, Jeff Eberhard, did not return a call to comment. A spokeswoman for IFS Securities, Juliann Kaiser, did not return a call to comment. In August, IFS Securities reported to Finra and the Securities and Exchange Commission that the firm had "recently suffered substantial losses as a result of unauthorized securities transactions — not involving customers' assets — perpetrated by one of IFS' Securities most trusted senior employees," according to a statement from the company. News reports at the time said the loss was $10 million. Since then, brokers and managers of IFS Securities have been looking for employment elsewhere in the wake of the trading loss. The firm's brokers and advisers are talking to other broker-dealers, and its management is jumping ship to another broker-dealer that is owned by the same executive and investor who owns IFS Securities, Alexys McKenzie. IFS Securities has 160 financial advisers, according to its website. It also operates an advisory firm, IFS Advisory, which has $600.7 million in client assets, according to its Form ADV.

Latest News

Florida investor hits real estate syndicator with fraud suit over $750K
Florida investor hits real estate syndicator with fraud suit over $750K

Six apartment deals, one "big account," and $2.7M in undocumented insider loans. Now the lawsuit lands

Chicago’s 'Mr. Finance' posed as advisor in loan scheme, according to Illinois regulators
Chicago’s 'Mr. Finance' posed as advisor in loan scheme, according to Illinois regulators

The Illinois order refers to Brandon Ellington’s investment program as a “Ponzi-like scheme.”

Bezos calls for zero income tax on bottom half of earners
Bezos calls for zero income tax on bottom half of earners

But the Amazon executive chair seems to want it both ways, arguing that taxing the ultra-wealthy won't help struggling Americans.

Why the Charity Parity Act matters for retired clients in 401(k)s
Why the Charity Parity Act matters for retired clients in 401(k)s

Northern Trust planning leader sees the bill extending qualified charitable distributions to employer plans as a potential positive step — but advisors shouldn't overlook bigger holes in the strategy.

Trust is built before volatility arrives
Trust is built before volatility arrives

Markets will always create reasons for investors to worry. The advisor’s role is not to predict uncertainty, but to help clients understand why volatility should not derail a well-built financial plan.

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