Broker Investigation: Advisor Bassam Salem

shutterstock_176283941The securities lawyers of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating a customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Bassam Salem (Salem).  According to BrokerCheck records Salem has been subject to at least two customer complaints.  The customer complaints against Salem allege securities law violations that including unsuitable investments, unauthorized trading, and breach of fiduciary duty among other claims.   The most recent claim involves allegations over oil and gas investments and UITs and was filed in May 2016 seeking $281,000 in damages.

Brokers have a responsibility treat investors fairly which includes obligations such as making only suitable investments for the client.  In order to make a suitable recommendation the broker must meet certain requirements.  First, there must be reasonable basis for the recommendation the product or security based upon the broker’s investigation and due diligence into the investment’s properties including its benefits, risks, tax consequences, and other relevant factors.  Second, the broker then must match the investment as being appropriate for the customer’s specific investment needs and objectives such as the client’s retirement status, long or short term goals, age, disability, income needs, or any other relevant factor.

Salem entered the securities industry in 1986.  From 1992 through January 2011 Salem was registered with UBS Financial Services, Inc.  Finally, from January 2011 until August 2016 Salem was associated with Wunderlich Securities, Inc. out of the firm’s Birmingham, Michigan office location.

The number of events listed on Salem brokercheck is high relative to his peers.  According to InvestmentNews, only about 12% of financial advisors have any type of disclosure event on their records.  Brokers must publicly disclose certain types of reportable events on their CRD including but not limited to customer complaints.  In addition to disclosing client disputes brokers must divulge IRS tax liens, judgments, and criminal matters.  However, FINRA’s records are not always complete according to a Wall Street Journal story that checked with 26 state regulators and found that at least 38,400 brokers had regulatory or financial red flags such as a personal bankruptcy that showed up in state records but not on BrokerCheck.  More disturbing is the fact that 19,000 out of those 38,400 brokers had spotless BrokerCheck records.

The investment fraud attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP represent investors who have suffered securities losses due to the mishandling of their accounts.  The majority of these claims may be brought in securities arbitration before FINRA.  Our consultations are free of charge and the firm is only compensated if you recover.

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