Mario Arthur Romano Audit (2023) – A Scam or Legit Broker?

Mario Arthur Romano  – and the firm that employs him or her – is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

If you are like most people, before you go out to dinner at a new restaurant, you probably take a quick look at the reviews. This makes sense; you are going to pay for an expensive dinner, and you need to be sure that you are getting a good value.

Yet, when choosing a financial advisor, many people fail to conduct this same level of due diligence. Before turning over access to your money, you need to be sure that you have found a financial advisor that you can trust. Here, our audit report, including details of allegations, complaints, and sanctions will help you decide whether or not to invest with Mario Arthur Romano.

BrokerComplaints.com is currently investigating allegations related to Mario Arthur Romano. We provide a free platform for investors to help them in their claims against negligent brokers and brokerage firms.

About Mario Romano

Mario Arthur Romano is an Investment Adviser. Mario Arthur Romano’s Central Registration Depository (CRD) number is 1578054 and the FINRA Profile can be found at – https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/1578054.

Click here to download a Detailed Audit Report for Mario Arthur Romano.

Mario Arthur Romano has previously been reprimanded and has disclosures and/or client dispute(s) listed at FINRA BrokerCheck.

Accusations and Disclosures

You can find below, a quick snapshot of Mario Arthur Romano’s regulatory actions, arbitrations, and complaints.

DISCLOSURE 1 – 

• Event Date: 12/20/2000
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA: C10000216
• DocketNumberAAO: 10000216
• Initiated By: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC.
• Allegations: 01-03-01, NASD RULES 2110, 2510(B) – RESPONDENT EFFECTED TRANSACTIONS IN THE ACCOUNT OF A PUBLIC CUSTOMER WITHOUT THE CUSTOMER’S WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION TO EXERCISE DISCRETIONARY POWER IN THE ACCOUNT AND WITHOUT HIS MEMBER FIRM’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE ACCOUNT AS DISCRETIONARY.
• Resolution: Acceptance, Waiver & Consent(AWC)
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Monetary/Fine
• Sanction Details :: Amount: $17,008.00 Sanctions: Censure
• Sanction Details: CENSURED AND FINED $17,008 WHICH INCLUDES THE DISGORGEMENT OF $7,008 IN COMMISSIONS EARNED. 03-09-01, $17,000 PAID 1/18/01.

DISCLOSURE 2 – 

• Event Date: 6/27/2000
• Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
• Disclosure Resolution: Award / Judgment
• Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: >08/20/01 BREACH OF CONTRACT AND FIDUCIARY DUTY, NEGLIGENCE, FRAUD
• Damage Amount Requested: $58,328.10
• Arbitration Claim File Detail: 00-02724
• Arbitration Docket Number:

DISCLOSURE 3 – 

• Event Date: 9/9/1998
• Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
• Disclosure Resolution: Award / Judgment
• Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: UNAUTHORIZED TRADES, FRAUD, FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION AND UNSUITABILITY
• Damage Amount Requested: $300,000.00
• Damages Granted: $40,000.00
• Arbitration Claim File Detail: 98-03313
• Arbitration Docket Number:

DISCLOSURE 4 – 

• Event Date: 4/2/1998
• Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
• Disclosure Resolution: Award / Judgment
• Disclosure Detail :: Allegations: SUITABILITY, UNAUTHORIZED TRADES, BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY, ACCOUNT RELATED BREACH OF CONTRACT.
• Damage Amount Requested: $950,000.00
• Damages Granted: $150,000.00
• Arbitration Claim File Detail: 98-00900
• Arbitration Docket Number:

DISCLOSURE 5 – 

• Event Date: 5/7/1993
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
• Initiated By: ILLINOIS SECURITIES DEPARTMENT
• Allegations: ILLINOIS ALLEGED THE RESPONDENT’S SALESPERSON REGISTRATION WAS SUBJECT TO REVOCATION UNDER SECTION 8.E(2)(J) OF THE ILLINOIS SECURITIES LAW OF 1953, PREMISED UPON ENTRY OF A DECISION ORDER IN NASD/NBCC CASE C10910193 IN WHICH RESPONDENT WAS SUSPENDED FOR FIVE BUSINESS DAYS FOR VIOLATIONS OF ARTICLE III, SECTIONS 1 AND 18.
• Resolution: Consent
• Sanction Details ::
• Sanction Details: CONSENT ORDER OF DISMISSAL ISSUED AUGUST 17, 1993. RESPONDENT HAS EXECUTED AN AFFIDAVIT WHICH HE AGREES TO PARTICIPATE IN AND COMPLY WITH THE PROGRAM OF ENHANCED SUPERVISION AND EDUCATION SET OUT IN THE AFFIDAVIT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.
• Broker Comment: SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS

DISCLOSURE 6 – 

• Event Date: 10/18/1991
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA: C10910193
• DocketNumberAAO: 10910193
• Initiated By: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC.
• Resolution: Consent
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Monetary/Fine
• Sanction Details :: Amount: $7,500.00 Sanctions: Censure Sanctions: Suspension
• Broker Comment: THE APPLICANT GAVE 4 ORDER TICKETS TO THE FIRM TRADER TO GUY SHARES OF TONS OF TOYS. TWO DAYS LATER, THE TRADER INFORMED THE APPLICANT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND TO GIVE HIM 4 NEW TICKETS WITH THE NEW TRADE DATE AND HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. COMPLIANCE CANCELLED THE TRADE, AS THE TRADER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE LOWER PURCHASE PRICE OF 2 DAYS EARLIER. THAT WAS THE LAST THE APPLICANT HEARD UNTIL THE APPLICANT RECEIVED A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT.

DISCLOSURE 7 – 

• Event Date: 10/22/1990
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
• Initiated By: MI;CSLD;ENFORCEMENT DIV; BSA
• Allegations: TRANSACTING BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN WHILE UNREGISTERED.
• Resolution: Order
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Revocation/Expulsion/Denial Sanctions: Censure Sanctions: Cease and Desist/Injunction
• Sanction Details: FINAL ORDER
• Broker Comment: I WAS TRANSACTING SECURITIES BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT MY FORMER EMPLOYER WHALE SECURITIES HAD REGISTERED ME IN MICHIGAN.

DISCLOSURE 8 – 

• Event Date: 1/30/1990
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
• Initiated By: MASSACHUSETTS
• Resolution: Consent
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Monetary/Fine
• Sanction Details :: Amount: $400.00
• Broker Comment: MY FORMER FIRM, WHALE SECURITIES, FAILED TO REGISTER ME IN THE STATE. I REQUESTED REGISTRATION IN MASSACHUSETTES AND WAS UNAWARE THAT WHALE FAILED TO DO SO.

DISCLOSURE 9 – 

• Event Date: 10/25/1989
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
• Initiated By: ALABAMA
• Resolution: Decision
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Cease and Desist/Injunction
• Broker Comment: MY FORMER FIRM, WHALE SECURITIES, FAILED TO REGISTER ME IN THE STATE. I REQUESTED REGISTRATION IN ALABAMA AND WAS UNAWARE THAT WHALE FAILED TO DO SO.

DISCLOSURE 10 – 

• Event Date: 9/28/1989
• Disclosure Type: Regulatory
• Disclosure Resolution: Final
• Disclosure Detail :: DocketNumberFDA:
• Initiated By: MARYLAND DIVISION OF SECURITIES
• Allegations: GROUNDS FOR DENIAL BASED ON RESPONDENT OFFERING AND SELLING SECURITIES WHILE NOT A REGISTERED AGENT.
• Resolution: Decision
• Sanction Details :: Sanctions: Revocation/Expulsion/Denial
• Sanction Details: FINAL ORDER OF DENIAL ISSUED AFTER RESPONDENT FAILED TO REQUEST HEARING BASED ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.
• Broker Comment: MY FORMER FIRM, WHALE SECURITIES, FAILED TO REGISTER ME IN THE STATE. I REQUESTED REGISTRATION IN MARYLAND AND WAS UNAWARE THAT WHALE FAILED TO DO SO.

According to a study prepared for the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 80 percent of American investors report that they have been solicited to participate in a fraud scheme, while 11 percent of American investors report that they personally lost money as a result of fraud.

FINRA notes that the rate of investment fraud is most likely much higher than it is reported. This is because many victims of financial advisor scams are too ashamed to come forward. Further, the study also found that a significant number of investors do not know how to spot common red flags of investment fraud. The least you should do is share your experience with other potential victims of investment scams.

Previous Associations

Under federal securities law and securities industry regulations, registered investment firms have a legal duty to supervise their financial advisors. Section 15(b)(4)(E) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 makes a securities firm liable for the conduct of representatives.

• LCP CAPITAL CORP. (CRD#: 14469) :: 3/27/1991 – 5/11/2001 :: STATEN ISLAND, NY
• MONMOUTH INVESTMENTS, INC. (CRD#: 14047) :: 1/5/1989 – 9/13/1991
• R.H.DAMON & CO., INC. (CRD#: 23091) :: 9/27/1990 – 2/27/1991
• FIRST FIDELITY CAPITAL CORP. (CRD#: 17967) :: 7/26/1989 – 10/19/1990
• WHALE SECURITIES (CRD#: 13516) :: 8/16/1988 – 12/5/1988
• FIRST INTERREGIONAL EQUITY CORP. (CRD#: 7486) :: 6/15/1988 – 7/5/1988
• COPELAND SECURITIES INCORPORATED (CRD#: 10238) :: 12/8/1987 – 3/14/1988
• F.D. ROBERTS SECURITIES, INC. (CRD#: 693) :: 1/29/1988 – 2/11/1988
• STEINBERG & LYMAN (CRD#: 15704) :: 4/29/1987 – 2/2/1988

The duty to supervise securities representatives is a strong legal requirement. Registered investment firms must take many different steps to ensure that they are protecting their customers from irresponsible and criminal financial advisors.

Legit or Not?

Unfortunately, stockbroker fraud is more common than many investors would like to think. And yes, stockbrokers (including Mario Arthur Romano, but not limited to)  can (and do) steal money from their clients. While it’s rare that a broker will literally steal his client’s money (though that does happen), typically the “theft” of investment funds comes in the form of other fraudulent violations of securities law and FINRA rules which leads to significant investment losses.

Investors generally understand that there are risks associated with buying and selling securities. The market can go up, and the market can go down. No matter how skilled of an investor you are, there are always risks. With that being said, sometimes investment losses cannot be blamed on simple back luck.

There are 10 major types of complaints we receive against Investment Brokers –

• Outright Theft (Conversion of Funds)
• Unauthorized Trading
• Misrepresentation or Omission of Material Facts
• Excessive Trading (Churning)
• Lack of Diversification
• Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
• Failure to Disclose a Personal Conflict of Interest
• Front Running of Transactions
• Breakpoint Sale Violations
• Negligent Portfolio Management

Do your due diligence before investing. Public records are available for everybody to review and decide on the safest bet. 

How to Protect Yourself

We, as citizens, place a great deal of trust in the financial advisors who are tasked with helping us achieve and maintain financial security. Most of the time financial advisors and stockbrokers are honest folks who work diligently in their client’s best interests. However, on occasion financial advisors and the brokerage firms who employ them mess up and cause serious financial harm to their clients. Sometimes these losses are caused by simple negligence. Other times fraud or other serious misconduct is to blame.

Here are 5 signs that your broker needs to be reported –

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, certain investment professionals, known as registered investment advisors (RIAs), owe fiduciary obligations to their customers. Your investment broker must always look out for your best interests. If you lost money because of your broker’s breach of fiduciary duty, you may be entitled to compensation for the full value of your damages.
• Unsuitable Investments: Many financial advisors are not fiduciaries. Instead, they are held to the suitability standard. These stockbrokers and financial advisors can only sell and recommend financial products that are appropriate for a customer’s unique investment profile. If you lost money in unsuitable investments, you should consider reporting them.
• Material Misrepresentations or Omissions: Brokers have a duty to make fair and honest representations to their clients. If they fail to do so, and an investor loses money due to a misrepresentation or a material omission, the broker may be liable for the investor’s losses.
• Lack of Diversification: Brokers must also act with the appropriate level of professional skill. Pushing a customer into over-concentrated investments is highly risky. Brokers can be held liable for losses sustained because of an investor’s inappropriate lack of diversification.
• Excessive Trading (Churning): Stockbrokers and financial advisors must have a well-grounded, reasonable basis to execute all trades. Unfortunately, there are cases in which brokers will frequently trade on a customer’s account, simply to increase their own fees. This unlawful practice is known as churning.
• Unauthorized Trading: Brokers must have the proper legal authority to make transactions on behalf of a client. If you lost money because your broker made trades that you never approved of, you may have been the victim of unauthorized trading. You should consult with an experienced attorney.

Report Mario Romano

In order to prevail in an investment fraud lawsuit or FINRA arbitration cases, you must be able to assert a viable ‘cause of action’.

Mario Arthur Romano – and the firm that employs this broker – is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA provides an online form to allow investors to file a formal complaint against their financial advisor, stockbroker, or brokerage firm.

Click here to go to FINRA’s Online Complaint Form →

This form will ask you for specific information related to your complaint. Be prepared by gathering the following:

• Name and symbol for the investment product in question.
• The CRD number (1578054) for the broker – Mario Arthur Romano
• Your complete contact information.

Remember, it is advised to report your broker to FINRA, only after you have exhausted all of your other remedies and carefully prepared a compelling complaint.  Once you file a complaint against your broker at FINRA, your case will be bound by FINRA’s rules and the arbitration panel’s eventual decision. The time clock will start, and your complaint will be served on your broker or broker-dealer.

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