From the Investment Fraud Blawg
Darren Barbee of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has written a good article that outlines various ways investors can reduce the risk of being defrauded by a financial or investment adviser.  
This is a “must read” article that anyone who is dealing with an investment adviser.  In addition, The Kueser Law Firm’s website contains an Investor Resource Center that provides helpful links to several sources that investors can utilize to do a background check on their financial …

From the Investment Fraud Blawg
For the first time, FINRA has publicly stated that it “makes sense” that broker-dealers who provide investment advice should be held to the same fiduciary standard that applies to Registered Investment Advisers.
This is a significant development because broker-dealers and their representatives have relied upon an exemption in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to escape these duties. The Investment Advisers Act exempts “any broker or dealer whose performance of such services is solely incidental to the …

From the Investment Fraud Blawg
Jim Rendon of SmartMoney Magazine recently authored an article entitled “10 Things Your Bank Won’t Tell You.”
With all of the turmoil in the banking industry, this article provides insight that consumers should consider. For example, the article reveals that “the average ATM service charge doubled between 1998 and 2007,” and that the federal government found that a significant number of banks failed to disclose information required by law.
To find out what other businesses and professionals aren’t …

From the Investment Fraud Blawg
Earlier today, it was reported through several media outlets (i.e., Reuters, FT.com, CNBC.com) that the federal government pressured Bank of America to acquire Merrill Lynch in late 2008.  
To make matters worse, it appears that the government’s threats may have occurred after Bank of America realized that Merrill Lynch was not a good acquisition.  Based upon the reports, Bank of America’s CEO Ken “Lewis testified in February that former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman …

From the Investment Fraud Blawg
On April 26, The New York Times reported that in 2009, “workers at the largest financial institutions are on track to earn as much money this year as they did before the financial crisis began.”  (See article here).  In fact, the article reports that six of the largest banks have “set aside over $36 billion in the first quarter to pay their employees.”   At Goldman Sachs, the average compensation per employee could equal as much …

From the Securities Arbitration Blawg

The Securities Arbitration Blawg will contain information and commentary related to securities arbitration and, to a lesser extent, securities litigation.  I am currently developing this blog, as well as the Investment Fraud Blawg, the Stockbroker Fraud Blawg, the Securities Fraud Blawg, and the Consumer Fraud Blawg.  Please bear with me while I finish a few administrative matters.  I expect to have these blawgs officially up and running within the next few days.
Until then, feel free to visit The Kueser Law …

From the Stockbroker Fraud Blawg

The Stockbroker Fraud Blawg will contain information and commentary related to fraud and other misconduct committed by stockbrokers and other financial professionals.  I am currently developing this blog, as well as the Investment Fraud Blawg, the Securities Fraud Blawg, the Securities Arbitration Blawg, and the Consumer Fraud Blawg.  Please bear with me while I finish a few administrative matters.  I expect to have these blawgs officially up and running within the next few days.
Until then, feel free to visit The …