Celebrating our anniversary championing and fighting for burned Main Street investors, Securities Arbitration offers, as we do annually, our exclusive "How to Select a Good Stockbroker – At a Glance" ten point program to the media for wide distribution. This copyrighted, educational tool was designed by the Securities Arbitration Hotline in 1990 to provide individual investors a set of questions and cross-checks so that they do NOT have occasion to be part of that large group of embarrassed burned investors. The Goal: To help those burned by Wall Street and prevent others from being burned in the future.
From a rural tenant farmer in Tennessee to a retired, wealthy lawyer from Beverly Hills – and all types and demos in-between – our expertise in securities arbitration is a given; what stands out is our commitment, dedication, and real-world application, setting us apart from the “here is the next file” type of mentality that is reflected in so much of the Main Street-Wall Street battles. No two investors are alike, ergo no two cases of investment misconduct can possibly be alike.
“LET US BE CLEAR,” says Securities Arbitration’
The simple 10-point program below is as true and timely today as it was when first written in 1989 and published for the first time in 1990. The lessons are obvious but not often employed.
As we ask each year, we strongly urge the media to distribute and get the word out on the 10 Points. And it is needed now far more than ever.
Paul Young, fully media experienced all platforms, is available as a guest, source or interview to background or front a print, air, or Internet story. He is as close as a phone. Or, instead, please disseminate the 10 Points to your readers/audience.
How to Select a Good Stockbroker – At a Glance
1. Ask your friends and business associates for the names of brokers and firms they use with success.
2. Interview prospective brokers and firms. Do not be tempted to go with the first broker you interview. Remember, the broker will be working for you and you will be paying the broker for services.
3. Check out the broker and the firm. How long has the firm been in business? What is the background of the broker? How about complaints against the firm and broker? Ask these questions and also get the official report on the broker and the firm at www.finra.org - for free, or from your state securities office. This report is one tool of many.
4. Interview the broker’s branch manager. Ask him or her the same questions you’ve asked the broker. If the manager is “too busy” to speak with you, go someplace else. If the manager is busy now, what would happen if you had a complaint later?
5. References are important. Ask the broker for the names of 12 current clients. Call them all. Ask a lot of questions. Good brokers will provide references on your promise not to ask references the particulars of their own finances.
6. Broker product knowledge is critical. Does the broker want to sell you one certain type of product or will the broker propose, in writing, a comprehensive strategy tailored to your specific needs, now and in the future? How about a 3, 5, 10-year PLAN OF ACTION – insist on it.
7. Commissions count. You are entitled to know, before you invest in anything, the total fees and commissions you will be paying. Ask!
8. Contact your broker regularly. At least once every two weeks by phone, in-person once a month, if possible. Do a “status” check on your account often, particularly when a major change in your life circumstances takes place. Don’t delay in informing the broker of a job loss, a family illness, or other significant alteration of your situation. Life is not static.
9. Statements can be difficult to read. Go over your statement each month. If you do not understand it, call the broker. If you still don’t understand it or you see something that appears out of line, call the branch manager.
10. Take responsibility for your money. Be involved in all phases of your investments. Keep informed. Make investment changes as the changing world and your life circumstances warrant.
© 1990, 2008 by Paul N. Young. Reprinted with permission of Securities Fraud Hotline (1-800-222-4724)
One area of special interest is that of recovery if and when Main Street investors are burned by Wall Street. And more are each day as the economy gets gloomier and some brokers and firms may become more anxious to obtain commissions and/or fees. Securities arbitration provides the one feasible and reasonable means of time effective, cost efficient non-court binding resolution for real people in all 50 states. Securities arbitration works.
For Burned Investors: The SECURITIES FRAUD HOTLINE is free 24/7 at 1-800-222-4724. Services nationwide.
MEDIA ONLY: 1-310-
WHO WE ARE: Paul Young is a nationally recognized and experienced rep and advocate for burned investors who has personally recovered millions for burned investors via securities arbitration and mediation, case by case by case. Also a veteran MONEY MATTERS broadcast commentator, writer and columnist for print and Internet (Paul founded the Main Street Money webzine in 2000), who accurately forecast (in July, 06) this recession and earlier U.S. financial scandals and disasters, Paul is the founder of Securities Arbitration Group and of the non-govt. and fully free Securities Fraud Hotline @ 1-800-222-4724. Our national team’s job is to get money back for burned Main Streeters from Wall Street when and if they have been burned by their stockbroker, registered investment advisor, brokerage or other financial services firm.
Unaffiliated with any Wall Street or any financial or investment company of any kind, Securities Arbitration’
CHECK US OUT on our full page listing in your issue of the hard copy YEARBOOK OF EXPERTS, AUTHORITIES & SPOKESPERSONS and/or hit the link below for information on media experienced Paul Young and Securities Arbitration. Headquarters in Los Angeles with services nationwide.
“Dedicated to recovery for burned investors via arbitration.”
