Willis & Co fined by FSA
The FSA has fined Wills & Co Stockbrokers £49,000 for failing to explain the risks of penny shares to customers and not giving adequate advice on the shares.
17 transactions were reviewed by the FSA, all of which occurred between April and December 2006. In each case the firm was found to have rushed sales of penny shares and not given clear warnings to the custoemrs about the increased risks the shares entailed.
Penny shares have more risks than ordinary shares and this can make them difficult to sell compared with other shares.
The firm also failed to point out that the shares were from its account and were marked up, to the firm’s financial benefit.
The FSA Director of Enforcement, Margaret Cole, explained that the customers of Willis & Co were unable to make a well-informed decision due to the firm’s lack of warnings and proper explanations.
She went on to say that she hoped other smaller businesses would realise that similar practices would not be tolerated or ignored.
Willis & Co settled at an early stage of the investigation and was given a 30% discount from their fine, which otherwise would have reached £70,000.
Category: Financial Services Authority News, Insurance News, Legal News
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