A major broker-dealer and investment advisor in Boston will cough up $1.8 million to settle charges of placing around 200 Massachusetts clients into unsuitable investments, the attorney general’s office said.

Attorney General Maura Healey filed an assurance of discontinuance against LPL Financial on Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court. Healey’s office alleged violations relating to LPL’s sales, marketing, training and oversight related to leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

According to the Healey’s office, leveraged ETFs are unsuitable for most retail investors and certain Massachusetts clients experienced losses as a result of holding leveraged ETFs for long periods of time.

LPL also failed to supervise its financial advisors who caused clients to hold these investments for extended periods of time and did not consistently adhere to its policy of imposing fines on financial advisors who exceeded concentration limits, the AG’s office said.

Under the terms of the settlement, reached jointly with the Delaware Department of Justice, the $1.8 million LPL will pay covers a $200,000 penalty, as well as $1.6 million to compensate investors and for investor education. The state of Delaware will also receive a total of $200,000 under a parallel agreement with the Delaware Department of Justice.

Attorney General Hits LPL With $1.8M Penalty

by Banker & Tradesman time to read: 1 min
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