Thomas Alexander Hairston (CRD #2353179) Has an Employment Separation and Criminal Disclosure on FINRA BrokerCheck

Thomas Alexander Hairston (CRD #2353179) was previously registered with securities firms. We reviewed his BrokerCheck report on February 23, 2026. It reflects one employment separation and one criminal disclosure. If you invested with Thomas Hairston and have concerns, keep reading.

BrokerCheck link: BrokerCheck

BrokerCheck report: BrokerCheck Report (PDF)

Employment Separation

Thomas Hairston’s FINRA BrokerCheck report reflects one employment separation disclosure. A summary is below:

On November 24, 2025, W&S Brokerage Services, Inc. discharged Thomas Hairston. Thomas Hairston’s FINRA BrokerCheck report states the firm terminated his registration after The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company ended his employment. The report states an HR investigation found he violated company policies, including a code of conduct and an outside business activities policy. BrokerCheck states the matter was not related to any products, including securities, and no customer accounts were affected.

Criminal Charges

Thomas Hairston’s FINRA BrokerCheck report reflects one criminal disclosure. A summary is below:

On July 2, 2001, Thomas Hairston was charged with burglary in Davidson County, North Carolina. Thomas Hairston’s FINRA BrokerCheck report states the charge was reduced to trespassing on May 14, 2002. The report lists the amended charge as a misdemeanor. BrokerCheck states he pled guilty and received probation or a suspended sentence.

Rule Summary #1: FINRA Rule 3270 (Outside Business Activities of Registered Persons)

FINRA Rule 3270 requires registered persons to give their firms prior written notice before engaging in outside business activities. When a firm flags an outside activity issue, it can raise questions about oversight and whether the activity created risks for customers.

Rule Summary #2: FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade)

FINRA Rule 2010 is a broad conduct rule. It requires high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. It is often cited when misconduct involves honesty, ethics, or compliance with firm policies.

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, Thomas Hairston:

Is not currently registered with any firm.

Has passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Thomas Hairston has passed Series 6 and Series 63.

Was previously registered with firms that include W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., Mony Securities Corporation, and Fortis Investors, Inc.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you have worked with Thomas Hairston and you have concerns about his activity, Kurta Law may be able to help you evaluate your legal options. A securities attorney can help you assess potential causes of action and determine whether your losses may be recoverable through FINRA arbitration or other avenues. Contact Kurta Law at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.

Helpful resources: Securities Attorney | Investment 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.