Antonio L. Betancourt (CRD #7228714) Has a Criminal Disclosure and Customer Dispute Disclosure on FINRA BrokerCheck

Antonio L. Betancourt (CRD #7228714) is a broker with disclosures on FINRA BrokerCheck. We reviewed his BrokerCheck report on March 26, 2026. The report reflects one criminal disclosure and one customer dispute. If you invested with Antonio Betancourt and have concerns, keep reading.

BrokerCheck link: BrokerCheck

BrokerCheck report: BrokerCheck Report (PDF)

Criminal Charges

Antonio Betancourt’s FINRA BrokerCheck Report reflects one criminal disclosure. A summary of the matter is below:

On May 22, 2016, formal charges were brought in a district court in Tyler, Texas. Antonio Betancourt FINRA BrokerCheck says the charge was felony theft involving more than $2,500 and less than $30,000. The report states he entered a guilty plea and received deferred adjudication. It also says the charge was amended to a misdemeanor on December 7, 2016. Betancourt’s statement says the matter was dismissed and was not a conviction.

Investor Disputes / Customer Complaints

Antonio Betancourt’s FINRA BrokerCheck Report reflects one customer dispute disclosure. A summary of the dispute is below:

On December 26, 2025, a customer alleged Antonio Betancourt failed to properly service the account. The customer also alleged delays in corrective paperwork caused lost market gains, tax repercussions, and CPA and legal fees. Antonio Betancourt FINRA BrokerCheck lists the products as a variable annuity and municipal debt, with alleged damages of $72,317.28. The complaint was denied on January 16, 2026. Betancourt’s statement says a third-party company failed to follow the initial instructions and that he was not the representative of record.

Rule Summary #1: FINRA Rule 2330 (Deferred Variable Annuities)

FINRA Rule 2330 sets sales-practice standards for recommended purchases and exchanges of deferred variable annuities. It also requires a reasonable basis to believe the customer was informed about surrender charges, fees, tax penalties, and market risk.

Rule Summary #2: FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability)

FINRA Rule 2111 requires a reasonable basis to believe a recommendation is suitable for the customer. Complaints about product fit, losses, or account handling can raise questions about whether the recommendation matched the investor’s profile and needs.

Why This Matters to Investors (Regulation Best Interest)

Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) is a U.S. securities regulation. It strengthens the standard of conduct that broker-dealers owe to retail investors. It applies when they recommend securities transactions or investment strategies. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Reg BI. It became effective on June 30, 2020. Reg BI aims to protect investors while preserving access to brokerage products and services.

Reg BI requires broker-dealers and financial advisors to act in a retail customer’s best interest at the time of a recommendation. They must not place their own financial or other interests ahead of the customer’s. This standard is higher than the older “suitability” rule. Suitability meant a recommendation only had to be appropriate. It did not have to be the best option or free of conflicts.

Reg BI has four key obligations:

Disclosure Obligation – Broker-dealers must disclose material facts about the relationship and the recommendation. This includes fees, the scope of services, and conflicts of interest.

Care Obligation – Broker-dealers must use reasonable diligence, care, and skill. They must consider costs, risks, and alternatives when making a recommendation.

Conflict of Interest Obligation – Firms must identify conflicts of interest. They must disclose them and mitigate or eliminate them. This includes conflicts that create incentives to favor one product over another.

Compliance Obligation – Firms must maintain policies and procedures. Those policies should be designed to ensure compliance with Reg BI as a whole.

Reg BI applies to each recommendation. It is not a continuous duty like the fiduciary standard for registered investment advisers. Even so, it narrows the gap. It puts more focus on costs, conflicts, and investor-focused decision-making.

Overall, Regulation Best Interest promotes transparency. It also aims to improve the quality of investment recommendations. It is designed to reinforce trust between retail investors and broker-dealers in the U.S. securities markets.

Background Information (from BrokerCheck)

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Antonio Betancourt:

Is currently registered with PlanMember Securities Corporation.

Has passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Antonio Betancourt has also passed Series 7TO and Series 63.

Was previously registered with Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you have worked with Antonio Betancourt and you have concerns about his activity, Kurta Law may be able to help you evaluate your legal options. You can read more about potential claims and investor protections in the resources below. To speak with Kurta Law, call 877-600-0098 or email info@kurtalawfirm.com.

Helpful resources: Securities Attorney | What is Securities Fraud?

For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated for investors and helped hold financial professionals accountable. Our firm represents clients nationwide in securities arbitration and related disputes. If you believe a broker or firm mishandled your account, an attorney can review the facts and explain possible next steps.