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Investors Allege Maria Johnson Failed to Consider Their Best Interests

Maria Johnson (CRD #: 2495165), a broker registered with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, allegedly failed to act in clients’ best interests, according to her BrokerCheck record, accessed on October 31, 2022. Keep reading to learn more about her conduct as a broker.

Investor Dispute

On September 19, 2022, several investors filed a dispute alleging that Maria Johnson failed to take their best interests into consideration when a loan was taken out against their Chevron stock in July 2020. This dispute is pending.

Regulation Best Interest

Regulation Best Interest (Reg-BI) is an SEC regulation that requires brokerage firms to put their client’s best interests first. Among other things, firm must conduct reasonable diligence when making investment recommendations and disclose to their clients any conflicts of interest they have in a transaction.

FINRA Rules 2010

FINRA Rule 2010 holds brokers to high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Violations of Best Interest also violate this rule. 

Background Information

Maria Johnson has passed the following exams:

  • Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
  • Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
  • SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination
  • Series 7 – General Securities Representative Examination

Maria Johnson is a registered broker in 26 states and the District of Columbia. She is also a registered investment adviser in Louisiana and Texas.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you worked with Maria Johnson and you have concerns about your investments, please contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.

For over 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated on behalf of investors who want to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm and exclusively represents investors against brokers and brokerage firms on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf. 

 

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