FINRA Orders National Securities Corp. to Pay $9 Million for Regulatory Violations

FINRA announced today that it has sanctioned National Securities Corporation (NSC) approximately $9 million, including disgorgement of $4.77 million in net profits the firm received for underwriting 10 public offerings in which NSC attempted to artificially influence the market for the offered securities.

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FINRA also ordered NSC to pay more than $625,000 in restitution for failing to disclose material information to customers who purchased GPB Capital Holdings, LLC private placements. In addition, FINRA imposed a $3.6 million fine for this misconduct and various other supervisory and operational violations.

"Investors are entitled to rely on a market that is free from artificial price movement created by underwriters,"said Jessica Hopper, Executive Vice President and Head of FINRA's Department of Enforcement."We will continue to vigilantly enforce rules designed to prevent underwriters from influencing the market for an offered security, including supporting the offering price by creating a perception of aftermarket demand."

FINRA found that between June 2016 and December 2018, NSC, while acting as an underwriter for three initial public offerings and seven follow-on offerings, violated Rule 101 of Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by unlawfully inducing or attempting to induce certain customers to purchase stock in the aftermarket of the offerings prior to their completion.

NSC's conduct was aimed at artificially stimulating demand and supporting the price of the offered securities, which tended to be thinly traded, in the immediate aftermarket. The aftermarket performance of NSC's underwritten offerings was important to the firm's reputation and ability to generate future investment banking revenue.

The settlement resolves multiple other charges against NSC. In settling this matter, NSC consented to the entry of FINRA's findings without admitting or denying the charges.