Mark J. Astarita

Arbitration Primer

Hearing Hearing 

Securities arbitrations, in fact, all arbitrations, are conducted in the same manner that a court trial is held, without some of the formalities. There are opening statements, first by the attorney for the claimant (typically a customer) and then by the respondents (the broker and/or his firm). The openings are […]

Investors

Markets React to Trump Jr. E-Mails

Major stock indexes swung lower Tuesday after President Donald Trump‘s son released an e-mail exchange that showed him setting up a meeting with a Russian lawyer to obtain damaging information about Hillary Clinton. Source: See Markets React to Donald Trump Jr. E-Mails in 6 Charts – MoneyBeat – WSJ   Get […]

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Arbitration

Insight into the FINRA Arbitrator Selection Process

Arbitrator selection has always been one of the most important parts of the arbitration process, and FINRA has strived over the years to make the process fair. Unfortunately, it is not as transparent as it might otherwise be. FINRA’s arbitrator appointment process uses the Neutral List Selection System which FINRA […]

Brokers Investors

Bored Traders on Tinder

A Symptom of Wall Street Revenue Dip One bond trader says he’s been slipping out early to watch his kids play sports. A fund manager says his office just staged a golf retreat. A trading supervisor at another bank confides he’s swiping through a lot of profiles on Tinder, the […]

Brokers

The Wells Notice and Wells Submission

Receiving a subpoena from the SEC, or an 8210 Request from FINRA can be the start of a long investigative process while can ultimately lead to a Wells Notice, and an enforcement proceeding. How you handle that process can dictate the end result, and you need to retain competent securities […]

Churning
Brokers Compliance Investors

Was the Account Churned?

Churning is excessive trading in a customer’s account by a broker taken in the context of the customer’s financial situation and investment objectives. While no one test is available to determine if an account has been churned, churning requires three elements, first, excessive trading, and second, control of the account […]

Investors

How To Become A Millionaire By 65

Becoming a millionaire can seem like a pretty lofty goal — or even just a fantasy — but according to financial adviser David Bach in his book “Smart Couples Finish Rich,” all it takes is a little planning.It might seem impossible, but starting off saving just $2 a day when you’re […]