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Articles Posted in Real Estate Investment Trusts

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Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy.Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy. Continue reading ›

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Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.

According to Ayala’s CRD Report, published by FINRA, the customer alleged misrepresentation and recommendation of unsuitable investments over the course of 2013-2017 and now seeks $200,000. Ayala denies these allegations. The dispute arises out of private placement investments, including a real estate investment trust (REIT). The dispute is currently pending resolution. Continue reading ›

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Mercer Hicks III (CRD#: 245170, a/k/a “Mercer Hicks,” “Toby Mercer Hicks III,” or “Toby Hicks III”) is a currently registered broker and formerly registered investment advisor currently employed with Southeast Investments, N.C., INC. (CRD#: 43035) of Charlotte, NC. His previous employers include Capital Investment Group, Inc. (CRD#:14752) and Cantella & Co., Inc. (CRD#:13905), both of Pinehurst, NC, and American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#:21111, expelled by FINRA in 2003) of Oklahoma City, OK. He has been in the industry since 1972.Mercer Hicks III (CRD#: 245170, a/k/a “Mercer Hicks,” “Toby Mercer Hicks III,” or “Toby Hicks III”) is a currently registered broker and formerly registered investment advisor currently employed with Southeast Investments, N.C., INC. (CRD#: 43035) of Charlotte, NC. His previous employers include Capital Investment Group, Inc. (CRD#:14752) and Cantella & Co., Inc. (CRD#:13905), both of Pinehurst, NC, and American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#:21111, expelled by FINRA in 2003) of Oklahoma City, OK. He has been in the industry since 1972. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group has filed FINRA arbitration claims on behalf of clients who have invested with Flynn Wealth Management of Greer, South Carolina. Flynn Wealth Management was owned by now-barred broker James Flynn (CRD# 3082615) and operated under FINRA-registered firm Voya Financial Advisors. As the firm that approved the investments Flynn Wealth Management sold to its clients, Voya is responsible for Flynn’s conduct and are the respondent claims are made against. Silver Law Group has filed FINRA arbitration claims on behalf of clients who have invested with Flynn Wealth Management of Greer, South Carolina.

Flynn Wealth Management was owned by now-barred broker James Flynn (CRD# 3082615) and operated under FINRA-registered firm Voya Financial Advisors. As the firm that approved the investments Flynn Wealth Management sold to its clients, Voya is responsible for Flynn’s conduct and are the respondent claims are made against. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group filed another FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of clients against Voya Financial Advisors regarding its former employee James Flynn (CRD# 3082615) of Greenville, South Carolina.The claim requests compensatory damages for our clients, and alleges that Voya failed to supervise Flynn’s conduct while he was working for them relating to the sale of Phillip Edison REIT, Business Development Corp of America (BDC), and other investments.Silver Law Group filed another FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of clients against Voya Financial Advisors regarding its former employee James Flynn (CRD# 3082615) of Greenville, South Carolina.

The claim requests compensatory damages for our clients, and alleges that Voya failed to supervise Flynn’s conduct while he was working for them relating to the sale of Phillip Edison REIT, Business Development Corp of America (BDC), and other investments. Continue reading ›

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Jackie Wadsworth (CRD #2342163) is a barred broker who formerly worked with IMS Securities in Houston, Texas (CRD#: 35567). She previously worked with Retirement Investment Group (CRD#: 7421), also in Houston. She has been in the industry since 1993.Wadsworth is the subject of 9 disclosures, eight of them customer disputes, starting in 1999.Wadsworth was the CEO of IMS Securities, which was the underwriter and wholesaler for United Development Funding IV (UDF IV), a real estate investment trust (REIT). In 2016 the FBI raided the offices of UDF IV, and the price of its shares subsequently collapsed.Jackie Wadsworth (CRD #2342163) is a barred broker who formerly worked with IMS Securities in Houston, Texas (CRD#: 35567). She previously worked with Retirement Investment Group (CRD#: 7421), also in Houston. She has been in the industry since 1993.

Wadsworth is the subject of 9 disclosures, eight of them customer disputes, starting in 1999. Continue reading ›

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American Realty Capital New York City REIT has changed its name, and is now known as New York City REIT (NYCR). The trust recently updated its charter to reflect the new name.Shares of NYCR were initially sold for $25 each. The company’s board recently approved net asset value of $20.26 per share as of June 30, 2018 (published on October 25, 2018.)American Realty Capital New York City REIT has changed its name, and is now known as New York City REIT (NYCR). The trust recently updated its charter to reflect the new name.

Shares of NYCR were initially sold for $25 each. The company’s board recently approved net asset value of $20.26 per share as of June 30, 2018 (published on October 25, 2018.) Continue reading ›

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A new report from FINRA finds that some brokers and brokerage firms are not doing due diligence for their customers when it comes to variable annuities, REITs, and private placements.This new report finds that some firms rely heavily on these types of securities, over-concentrating clients in non-traded investments, including sector-specific investments and complex structured notes.A new report from FINRA finds that some brokers and brokerage firms are not doing due diligence for their customers when it comes to illiquid securities such as variable annuities, REITs, and private placements.

This new report finds that some firms rely heavily on these types of securities, over-concentrating clients in non-traded investments, including sector-specific investments and complex structured notes. Continue reading ›

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Real estate investment company MacKenzie Realty Capital has made an unsolicited mini-tender offer to purchase as many as 2 million shares of the non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) Phillips Edison & Company (PECO). Many independent broker-dealers sold Phillips Edison to retail investors promoting it as a solid investment paying substantial income.Real estate investment company MacKenzie Realty Capital has made an unsolicited mini-tender offer to purchase as many as 2 million shares of the non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) Phillips Edison & Company (PECO). Many independent broker-dealers sold Phillips Edison to retail investors promoting it as a solid investment paying substantial income.

MacKenzie’s offer is for $7.39 per share and it expires on May 3, 2019. Continue reading ›

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A stockholder in The Parking REIT has filed class action lawsuit against the company in Nevada federal court. The lawsuit is related to the proxy statements MVP REIT II filed with the SEC to get shareholder approval to merge with MVP REIT, which created The Parking REIT.A stockholder in The Parking REIT has filed class action lawsuit against the company in Nevada federal court. The lawsuit is related to the proxy statements MVP REIT II filed with the SEC to get shareholder approval to merge with MVP REIT, which created The Parking REIT.

The company is non-traded, but has filed a prospectus with the SEC to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering and list on the NASDAQ with the symbol PARK. Continue reading ›

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