SEC bars California adviser, imposes $400,000 penalty

SEC bars California adviser, imposes $400,000 penalty
The agency settles with Sacramento-based Keith Springer and his firm, Springer Investment Management, over fraud charges.
OCT 18, 2022

The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained a final judgment against Sacramento, California-based investment adviser Keith Springer and his firm, Springer Investment Management. Springer agreed to settlements that included a associational bar and paying $400,000 in penalties against him and the firm.

The SEC’s complaint, filed in December 2019, alleged that Springer had defrauded hundreds of clients, many nearing or in retirement. Many of the clients had learned about Springer through his radio show, "Smart Money with Keith Springer."

The SEC alleged that Springer and his firm engaged in deceptive practices while soliciting new clients, including falsely claiming that they did not receive any incentives to recommend particular investments when they actually received compensation for recommending certain products.

The complaint also alleged that Springer and the firm breached their fiduciary duty by failing to disclose these arrangements and the conflicts of interest that resulted, filed false reports with the commission, and failed to maintain an adequate compliance program and required books and records.

Latest News

RIA dealmaking accelerates as three firms hit AUM milestones
RIA dealmaking accelerates as three firms hit AUM milestones

Wealth Consulting Group, Coastline and Maridea report fresh capital, acquisitions and asset growth as advisor M&A keeps climbing

VastAdvisor closes $1 million SAFE round from advisor-side backers
VastAdvisor closes $1 million SAFE round from advisor-side backers

Carson Group's Dani Fava, Jason Pereira of Woodgate Financial, and Sally George of Convergency Partners led the raise as the growth-tech startup builds out its AI platform and leadership bench.

Wells Fargo adds three advisor practices as recruiting rebound continues
Wells Fargo adds three advisor practices as recruiting rebound continues

New teams from William Blair, Ameriprise and UBS bring more than $560 million in combined client assets to the firm's employee and independent channels.

UBS will pay advisors 'handsomely' for banking starting next year
UBS will pay advisors 'handsomely' for banking starting next year

Regulators this year approved UBS Bank USA’s conversion to a nationally chartered bank.

SEC accuses Tricolor executives of hiding $800 million collateral hole
SEC accuses Tricolor executives of hiding $800 million collateral hole

How a subprime lender’s car-loan bonds allegedly unraveled before bankruptcy.

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