Retired Morgan Stanley rep fined for unsuitable advice

Timothy Gibbons over-concentrated elderly clients in energy investment.
NOV 20, 2017

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has fined retired Morgan Stanley rep Timothy Thomas Gibbons $20,000, suspended him for 18 months, and required that he pay almost $717,000 in restitution to five elderly clients. Finra said that Mr. Gibbons recommended that the five customers invest 65% to 79% of their account values in a single high-risk energy stock. The customers were between 72 and 90 years of age, and Finra said some of Mr. Gibbons' recommendations were unsuitable for each customer based on their age, risk tolerance, investment objectives and financial circumstances. In all, the broker's recommendations resulted in collective realized and unrealized losses of over $960,000 in the five customers' accounts. Mr. Gibbons accepted and consented to Finra's findings without admitting nor denying them. He began his career in 1973 at Howard Weil Labouisse Friedrichs and moved to Legg Mason in 1988. That firm's retail business was moved to Citigroup in 2006, which in turn was incorporated into Morgan Stanley in 2009.

Latest News

DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week
DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week

Medicare scam, pandemic benefit theft, offshore tax evasion — federal prosecutors are casting a wide net.

Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout
Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout

Report finds that pension income acts as a financial lifeline for retirees facing late-life shocks and raises urgent questions about the DC-only future.

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

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