Robert Steven Clarke – and the firm that employs him or her – is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
If you are like most people, before you go out to dinner at a new restaurant, you probably take a quick look at the reviews. This makes sense; you are going to pay for an expensive dinner, and you need to be sure that you are getting a good value.
Yet, when choosing a financial advisor, many people fail to conduct this same level of due diligence. Before turning over access to your money, you need to be sure that you have found a financial advisor that you can trust. Here, our audit report, including details of allegations, complaints, and sanctions will help you decide whether or not to invest with Robert Steven Clarke.
The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient… Warren Buffet
BrokerComplaints.com is currently investigating allegations related to Robert Steven Clarke. We provide a free platform for investors to help them in their claims against negligent brokers and brokerage firms.
About Robert Clarke
Robert Steven Clarke is an Investment Adviser. Robert Steven Clarke’s Central Registration Depository (CRD) number is 735940 and the FINRA Profile can be found at – https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/735940.
Click here to download a Detailed Audit Report for Robert Steven Clarke.
Robert Steven Clarke has previously been reprimanded and has disclosures and/or client dispute(s) listed at FINRA BrokerCheck.
Accusations and Disclosures
You can find below, a quick snapshot of Robert Steven Clarke’s regulatory actions, arbitrations, and complaints.
DISCLOSURE 1 –
- Event Date: 2/27/2020
- Disclosure Type: Regulatory
- Disclosure Resolution: Final
- Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
- Initiated By: Kentucky
- Allegations: Clark operated as an unregistered Registered Rep.
- Resolution: Order
- Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Civil and Administrative Penalty(ies)/Fine(s)
- Sanction Details :: Amount: $3,000.00 Sanctions: Suspension
- Sanction Details :: Registration Capacities Affected: All Capacities
- Duration: 5 Months
- Start Date: 3/1/2020
- End Date: 4/30/2020
- Broker Comment: The terms of this Agreed Order do not constitute an admission on behalf of Clarke.
DISCLOSURE 2 –
- Event Date: 12/24/2018
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Disclosure Resolution: Settled
- Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: Mortgage backed securities were not suitable for client.
- Damage Amount Requested: $100,000.00
- Settlement Amount: $30,000.00
- Arbitration Docket Number:
DISCLOSURE 3 –
- Event Date: 3/28/2018
- Disclosure Type: Judgment / Lien
- Disclosure Resolution:
- Disclosure Detail :: Judgment/Lien Amount: $49,744.00
- Judgment/Lien Type: Civil
- Broker Comment: I was offered and accepted an internal loan modification from Central Bank on a home equity loan. This lowered my interest rate and my monthly payment. Central Bank requested my home equity loan be taken out on the refi but Shell Point would not do this as it was a o Cash Out\ modification. Central Bank converted the loan to a 2nd mortgage and filed a lien as the loan was not secured.
DISCLOSURE 4 –
- Event Date: 8/30/2017
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Disclosure Resolution: Settled
- Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: Claimants allege misrepresentation of CMO product and purchases of the product in the claimant accounts.
- Damage Amount Requested: $500,000.00
- Settlement Amount: $125,000.00
- Arbitration Docket Number: 17-02253
DISCLOSURE 5 –
- Event Date: 3/4/2016
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Disclosure Resolution: Settled
- Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: Between August 2010 and January 2011 customer alleges registered representative misrepresented and made an unsuitable recommendation for the customer to invest in collateralized mortgage obligations.
- Damage Amount Requested: $250,000.00
- Settlement Amount: $120,000.00
- Arbitration Docket Number: 16-00537
DISCLOSURE 6 –
- Event Date: 4/30/2014
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Disclosure Resolution: Settled
- Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: BRIEF SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF CLAIM: UNSUITABLE INVESTMENT, TRANSFER OF ACCOUNTS HANDLED NEGLIGENTLY, LACK OF FIDUCIARY DUTY AND LACK OF SUPERVISION. APPROXIMATE TIMEFRAME IS 12/11 TO 9/13. CLAIMANT REFERENCES THE ABOVE NEGLIGENCE OCCURRED WHILE INVESTING IN CMOS.
- Damage Amount Requested: $500,000.00
- Settlement Amount: $77,205.00
- Arbitration Docket Number: 14-01250
- Broker Comment: This agreement to settle is the result of the compromise of disputed claims and shall never at any time for any purpose be considered an admission of the truth of the allegations, claims, or contentions of claimant.
DISCLOSURE 7 –
- Event Date: 8/30/1999
- Disclosure Type: Regulatory
- Disclosure Resolution: Final
- Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
- Initiated By: ALABAMA SECURITIES COMMISSION
- Allegations: ON 10/28/99, A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER WAS ISSUED TO ROSS SINCLAIRE & ASSOCIATES, INC., AND 2 OF ITS AGENTS, ROBERT STEVEN CLARKE AND MARK JOSEPH DURKET, INASMUCH AS REVIEW OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IN ALABAMA DISCLOSED THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 514 TRANSACTIONS EFFECTED IN THE ACCOUNTS OF 4 ALABAMA RESIDENTS.
- Resolution: Consent
- Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Monetary/Fine
- Sanction Details ::
- Sanction Details: RESCISSION OFFERS WERE ORDERED AND ACCOMPLISHED. THE VIOLATIONS OF SECTIONS 8-6-3-(A), 8-6-3(J)(1), 8-6-3(J)(10), CODE OF ALABAMA 1975, AND COMMISSION RULE 830-X-3-.13, FOR EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WITHOUT BENEFIT OF REGISTRATION, FILING AN APPLICATION CONTAINING A FALSE STATEMENT AND FAILURE TO DILIGENTLY SUPERVISE AGENTS, WERE RESOLVED BY ENTERING INTO A CONSENT ORDER WITH THE ENTITY AND AGENTS, AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT OF $10,000 AND INVESTIGATIVE COSTS OF $3,000 WERE LEVIED.
- Broker Comment: ROSS, SINCLAIRE & ASSOCIATES, INC. HAS DISCOVERED SEVERAL DEFECTS IN THEIR STATE REGISTRATION COMPLIANCE SOFTWARE. BECAUSE OF THOSE DEFECTS, IN CONCERT WITH A MASSIVE TAPE-TO-TAPE TRANSFER OF ACCOUNTS FROM A PREVIOUS NASD BROKER DEALER THAT INCLUDES ACCOUNTS OPENED NEARLY 17 YEARS AGO, RSA HAS LAUNCHED A THROUGH AND EXHAUSTIVE EXAMINATION OF THE SYSTEMS. THIS SEARCH FOUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY REGISTERED AFTER OHIO RESIDENTS HAD RELOCATED. AS A RESULT, RSA IS ENGAGED IN THE RESOLUTION OF A CEASE & DESIST ORDER, IN ADDITION TO RECTIFYING THE DEFECTS BY INSTALLING NEW SOFTWARE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS NEW PROCEDURES TO ENSURE TOTAL COMPLIANCE.
DISCLOSURE 8 –
- Event Date: 2/11/1998
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Disclosure Resolution: Award / Judgment
- Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: $75,000 COMPENSATORY, $300,000 PUNITIVE, COST AND ATTORNEY FEES
- Damage Amount Requested: $75,000.00
- Damages Granted: $21,548.09
- Arbitration Claim File Detail: 97-02500
- Broker Comment: AWARD TO [CUSTOMER IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000 AND TO [CUSTOMER IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,548.09. PAYMENT DUE IN 30 DAYS NOT PROVIDED
According to a study prepared for the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 80 percent of American investors report that they have been solicited to participate in a fraud scheme, while 11 percent of American investors report that they personally lost money as a result of fraud.
FINRA notes that the rate of investment fraud is most likely much higher than it is reported. This is because many victims of financial advisor scams are too ashamed to come forward. Further, the study also found that a significant number of investors do not know how to spot common red flags of investment fraud. The least you should do is share your experience with other potential victims of investment scams.
Previous Associations
Under federal securities law and securities industry regulations, registered investment firms have a legal duty to supervise their financial advisors. Section 15(b)(4)(E) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 makes a securities firm liable for the conduct of representatives.
- NATALLIANCE SECURITIES, LLC (CRD#: 39455) :: 7/19/2017 – 11/16/2021 :: AUSTIN, TX
- ROSS, SINCLAIRE & ASSOCIATES, LLC (CRD#: 25440) :: 9/5/1995 – 7/19/2017 :: CINCINNATI, OH
- MESIROW FINANCIAL, INC. (CRD#: 2764) :: 1/30/1995 – 9/28/1995 :: CHICAGO, IL
- THE G.M.S. GROUP, INC. (CRD#: 8000) :: 1/5/1995 – 2/6/1995 :: EAST HANOVER, NJ
- GENEVA SECURITIES,INC. (CRD#: 16178) :: 7/30/1990 – 1/4/1995 :: SCHAUMBURG, IL
- RUAN SECURITIES CORPORATION (CRD#: 16276) :: 10/18/1988 – 2/11/1992
- JW CHARLES SECURITIES, INC. (CRD#: 6631) :: 3/11/1989 – 6/6/1990 :: BOCA RATON, FL
- WESTCAP SECURITIES, INC. (CRD#: 7301) :: 7/15/1987 – 10/27/1988
- TMA GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, LTD. (CRD#: 15196) :: 2/23/1987 – 6/19/1987
- FIRST INVESTMENT SECURITIES, INC. (CRD#: 13459) :: 9/23/1985 – 2/24/1987
- LASATER & COMPANY (CRD#: 8268) :: 5/27/1983 – 5/21/1984
- CREWS & ASSOCIATES, INC. (CRD#: 8052) :: 10/11/1982 – 5/9/1983
- BACHE HALSEY STUART SHIELDS INCORPORATED (CRD#: 7471) :: 8/17/1981 – 10/1/1982
The duty to supervise securities representatives is a strong legal requirement. Registered investment firms must take many different steps to ensure that they are protecting their customers from irresponsible and criminal financial advisors.
Legit or Not?
Unfortunately, stockbroker fraud is more common than many investors would like to think. And yes, stockbrokers (including Robert Steven Clarke, but not limited to) can (and do) steal money from their clients. While it’s rare that a broker will literally steal his client’s money (though that does happen), typically the “theft” of investment funds comes in the form of other fraudulent violations of securities law and FINRA rules which leads to significant investment losses.
Sometimes investment losses occur because advisors, stockbrokers, and even brokerage firms, commit fraud. Massimo Vignelli
Investors generally understand that there are risks associated with buying and selling securities. The market can go up, and the market can go down. No matter how skilled of an investor you are, there are always risks. With that being said, sometimes investment losses cannot be blamed on simple back luck.
There are 10 major types of complaints we receive against Investment Brokers –
- Outright Theft (Conversion of Funds)
- Unauthorized Trading
- Misrepresentation or Omission of Material Facts
- Excessive Trading (Churning)
- Lack of Diversification
- Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
- Failure to Disclose a Personal Conflict of Interest
- Front Running of Transactions
- Breakpoint Sale Violations
- Negligent Portfolio Management
Do your due diligence before investing. Public records are available for everybody to review and decide on the safest bet.
How to Protect Yourself
We, as citizens, place a great deal of trust in the financial advisors who are tasked with helping us achieve and maintain financial security. Most of the time financial advisors and stockbrokers are honest folks who work diligently in their client’s best interests. However, on occasion financial advisors and the brokerage firms who employ them mess up and cause serious financial harm to their clients. Sometimes these losses are caused by simple negligence. Other times fraud or other serious misconduct is to blame.
Here are 5 signs that your broker needs to be reported –
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, certain investment professionals, known as registered investment advisors (RIAs), owe fiduciary obligations to their customers. Your investment broker must always look out for your best interests. If you lost money because of your broker’s breach of fiduciary duty, you may be entitled to compensation for the full value of your damages.
- Unsuitable Investments: Many financial advisors are not fiduciaries. Instead, they are held to the suitability standard. These stockbrokers and financial advisors can only sell and recommend financial products that are appropriate for a customer’s unique investment profile. If you lost money in unsuitable investments, you should consider reporting them.
- Material Misrepresentations or Omissions: Brokers have a duty to make fair and honest representations to their clients. If they fail to do so, and an investor loses money due to a misrepresentation or a material omission, the broker may be liable for the investor’s losses.
- Lack of Diversification: Brokers must also act with the appropriate level of professional skill. Pushing a customer into over-concentrated investments is highly risky. Brokers can be held liable for losses sustained because of an investor’s inappropriate lack of diversification.
- Excessive Trading (Churning): Stockbrokers and financial advisors must have a well-grounded, reasonable basis to execute all trades. Unfortunately, there are cases in which brokers will frequently trade on a customer’s account, simply to increase their own fees. This unlawful practice is known as churning.
- Unauthorized Trading: Brokers must have the proper legal authority to make transactions on behalf of a client. If you lost money because your broker made trades that you never approved of, you may have been the victim of unauthorized trading. You should consult with an experienced attorney.
Report Robert Clarke
In order to prevail in an investment fraud lawsuit or FINRA arbitration cases, you must be able to assert a viable ‘cause of action’.
Robert Steven Clarke – and the firm that employs this broker – is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA provides an online form to allow investors to file a formal complaint against their financial advisor, stockbroker, or brokerage firm.
Click here to go to FINRA’s Online Complaint Form →
This form will ask you for specific information related to your complaint. Be prepared by gathering the following:
- Name and symbol for the investment product in question.
- The CRD number (735940) for the broker – Robert Steven Clarke
- Your complete contact information.
Remember, it is advised to report your broker to FINRA, only after you have exhausted all of your other remedies and carefully prepared a compelling complaint. Once you file a complaint against your broker at FINRA, your case will be bound by FINRA’s rules and the arbitration panel’s eventual decision. The time clock will start, and your complaint will be served on your broker or broker-dealer.