Regulators Call For Increased Scrutiny of Brokers with Disclosures By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. WHETHER JUSTIFIED OR NOT, the hiring and continued employment of brokers with disclosable events on their Central Registration Depository (CRD) reports is an increasing concern. Just last year, a report issued by regulators recommended stringent […]
Analysis
Promissory Note Fraud
NASDR Warns Investors and Brokers of Promissory Note Fraud Schemes. Investors Beware. By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. The NASD has issued a regulatory alert to broker-dealers regarding the significant number of fraudulent promissory note schemes that have been offered to investors and to remind members and registered persons of the […]
One More Fund Scandal?
Is Paying for Shelf Space a Fraud? Another SEC Investigation Into the Mutual Fund Industry By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. While the market timing “scandal” may turn out to be not such a scandal after all (See Market Timing Is Legal) the publicity hurt the industry – and the […]
Who Needs to Register
By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. I am often asked by readers and visitors to my web site whether particular people have to register with the NASD. The question is not so easy to answer, and, like most things regulatory, often changes. So, while I attempt to discuss the categories of […]
Too Much Information
The NASD May Soon Protect Investors at Broker’s Expense By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. This time the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) has gone too far. On November 27, 1996, the association proposed to make full disclosure of the entire contents of the disciplinary and litigation section of a […]
Appellate Court Strikes Hedge Fund Registration Rule
Rule Determined to be Arbitrary, Sent Back to SEC By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. In a decision issued on June 23, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has thrown out the SEC’s controversial rule requiring the registration of hedge funds. The SEC’s rule, which […]
Doing Business Abroad
Making sure your overseas business complies with foreign as well as US laws By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. We all know that the Internet has made the world smaller, and opened numerous opportunities for various businesses to conduct business with persons and entities residing in foreign countries. With those opportunities […]
Welcome to the Millennium
Changes for the New Century By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Last year was the last of something of an incredible century for the world, and no less so than for the financial markets. The changes in the financial markets over the last 100 years have obviously been significant, but it […]
Internet Touting – SEC Seeks Cease and Desist Order
Cease and Desist Order Sought Against Internet Investor Relations Firm and its President On February 24, 1999 the SEC issued an order to institute cease-and-desist proceedings against a Minnesota-based investor relations company, alleging that it and its president violated the anti-touting provision of the Securities Act of 1933 by publishing […]
