• July 6, 2018
• Wells Fargo Advisors

The Wolper Law Firm is currently investigating claims against Robert Meyers, a former Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo in Columbus, Ohio.  Robert Meyers first entered the securities industry in the 1980s and previously worked for Merrill Lynch, Advest and Shearson Lehman Brothers.

According to publicly available records released by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), on October 17, 2017, Robert Meyers was discharged by Wells Fargo “for recommending to clients that they participate in investments not offered through the firm.”  This practice is referred to as “selling away.”

https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/1409245#disclosuresSection

FINRA strictly prohibits financial advisors from “selling away” or selling securities and investments to clients that are not offered by the brokerage firm with which they are employed. For example, it is illegal and a violation of industry rules for a financial advisor to recommend or even suggest that a client invest in the financial advisor’s own business or a business operated by his or her friends or family. It is not necessary that the financial advisor earn any compensation for recommending an outside investment.

The purpose behind this prohibition is to ensure that a financial advisor only offers to sell securities that have been vetted by his or her employer brokerage firm through a rigorous due diligence process. Most brokerage firms have an approved list of investments, products, and research that can be provided or made available to clients. Any deviation by the financial advisor from the approved product list may constitute selling away.

In addition, Robert Meyers has been the subject of eight (8) customer complaints during his career.  Among the complaints filed against Robert Meyers include allegations of “lack of advice,” “unsuitable recommendation”, “unauthorized” trading and “misrepresentation.”

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.

If you or someone you know was a customer of Robert Meyers and you experienced investment losses, please contact the Wolper Law Firm at 800.931.8452 or by email at mwolper@wolperlawfirm.com to discuss your specific situation and the legal options available.  The Wolper Law Firm represents investors nationwide in securities litigation and arbitration.

Matt Wolper, the Managing Principal of the Wolper Law Firm, is a trial lawyers 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.  Simply put, he knows how the other side evaluates cases, which gives you a competitive advantage.