• May 9, 2022
• Independent Financial Group

Jerry Tuma (CRD#: 730104) is a dually registered Broker and Investment Advisor at Independent Financial Group, LLC in Dallas, TX.

Broker’s Background

He entered the securities industry in 1981 and previously worked for Independent Financial Group, LLC; Cambridge Legacy Securities, LLC; AIG Financial Advisors, Inc.; SunAmerica Securities, Inc.; Anchor National Financial Services, Inc.; and Waddell & Reed, Inc.

Current And Past Allegations Of Conduct Leading To Investment Loss

According to publicly available records released by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in January 2022, a customer dispute was filed against Jerry Tuma. The allegation states, “Claims investment was not suitable and was not in line with stated objectives.” The customer dispute is pending, and damages of $200,000 are requested.

In addition, Jerry Tuma has been the subject of four customer complaints, including the following:

• December 2018 — “The client engaged CFS in an advisory relationship beginning in 12/2017. The client alleged her account was not managed in accordance with her best interests. The client further alleged that certain management and product fees were excessive, in addition to claiming that she was invested in inappropriate products given her risk profile.” The customer dispute was settled for $14,906.
• April 2017 — “CLIENT ALLEGES MISMANAGEMENT OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY PORTFOLIO FROM 2013 TO 2016.” The customer dispute was denied.
• November 2009 — “UNSUITABILITY OF INVESTMENTS MADE IN 2005-2007.” The customer dispute was denied.
• October 2005 — “CUSTOMER ALLEGES THAT REPRESENTATIVE MADE UNSUITABLE RECOMMENDATION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENT PRODUCT.” The customer dispute was denied.

For a copy of Jerry Tuma’s FINRA BrokerCheck, click here.

We Help Investors Recover Investment Losses

Financial advisors have a legal and regulatory obligation to recommend only suitable investments that are appropriate for their clients’ needs and objectives. Their employing brokerage firm has a legal and regulatory obligation to supervise the Financial Advisors’ sales practices and dealings with clients. To the extent any of these duties are breached, the customer may be entitled to a recovery of his or her investment losses.

Reasonable basis suitability requires that a recommended investment or investment strategy be suitable or appropriate for at least some investors. Reasonable basis suitability requires an advisor to conduct adequate due diligence so that he or she can determine the risks and rewards of the investment or investment strategy.

Quantitative suitability requires a brokerage firm or financial advisor with actual or de facto control over a customer’s account to have a reasonable basis for believing that a series of recommended transactions – even if suitable when viewed in isolation – is not excessive and unsuitable for the customer when taken together in light of the customer’s investment profile. No single test defines excessive activity, but factors such as the turnover rate, the cost-equity ratio, and the use of in-and-out trading in a customer’s account may provide a basis for a finding that a member or associated person has violated the quantitative suitability obligation.

Customer-specific suitability requires that a member or associated person have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation is suitable for a particular customer based on that customer’s investment profile. Among the criteria that a financial advisor must evaluate to satisfy his or her customer-specific suitability obligations include the investor’s age, tax status, time horizon, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance; a client’s other investments, financial situation and needs, investment objectives, and any other information disclosed by the customer should also be considered.

The Wolper Law Firm, P.A. represents investors nationwide in securities litigation and arbitration on a contingency fee basis.  Matt Wolper, the Managing Principal of the Wolper Law Firm, P.A., is a trial lawyer who has handled hundreds of securities cases during his career involving a wide range of products, strategies and securities. Prior to representing investors, he was a partner with a national law firm, where he represented some of the largest banks and brokerage firms in the world in securities matters. We can be reached at (800) 931-8452 or by email at mwolper@wolperlawfirm.com.