4/16/2019

Merrill Lynch to Pay $8M to the SEC

In an order against Merrill Lynch, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission found that the brokerage firm failed to prevent securities violations and protect securities laws regarding the pre-release of American Depository Receipts (ADRs). Resulting in a $8 million dollar Merrill Lynch SEC fine.

In the administrative order, the SEC accused Merrill  Lynch of “abusive practices” that should not have occurred.

What are ADRs?

ADRs are issued by U.S. banks. They are securities that represent and correspond to an equal value or amount of foreign shares in a foreign company and remain in custody of the depository U.S. bank. Pre-release means the ADRs are released before the foreign shares are received by way of agreement between the bank and the broker.

Facts of the Case

According to the SEC, ML improperly borrowed pre-released ADRs from other brokers with the knowledge that the brokers did not own the shares required to support the Merrill Lynch ADRs. Due to the mishandling of the ADRs, the SEC accused Merrill Lynch of committing dividend arbitrage and short selling.

When Merrill obtained the pre-released ADRs, the amount of foreign traders’ securities was inflated, thus exploiting the price difference between the different markets, causing Merrill Lynch as the depository bank to receive an undue profit.

Merrill Lynch agreed to the settlement but did not confirm or deny the SECs findings.

Speak with a Securities Fraud Attorney

Our AV-rated* securities fraud lawyers have extensive experience litigating a broad range of securities disputes. We will aggressively pursue claims against the culpable brokerage firm or stockbroker to recover your investment losses.

If you are looking for a securities fraud attorney to review your rights and options, the securities fraud lawyers at Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A. have a proven track record of getting results for clients. We’ve recovered more than $100 million in assets lost to securities fraud and stockbroker misconduct.

Contact Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein Today

Contact an experienced fraud attorney at Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A. to schedule an appointment for a FREE case evaluation.

With offices in Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, West Palm Beach, Naples and Miami, we represent clients across the U.S. and nationwide. Translations services are available.

Share This Story

Share your experience with investment fraud, and contribute to a community dedicated to protection and empowerment. Together, we can unveil strategies, share insights, and build a shield against financial deceit.

Let’s Discuss Your Case Today

When fighting for your rights, you may go up against some dangerous enemies. You want an attorney flying by your side to help navigate you through the twists and turns of the legal system. 

I Want To...
No Recovery, No Fees (888) 578-6255

Subscribe to our email!

Locations
Subscribe to our email!

Subscribe to our email!

uploadmagnifiercross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram