tampa Tag Archives — Page 3 of 7 — Securities Fraud Lawyers Blog

Beware of Federal Retirement Savings Investment Fraud

Published on: August 4, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

The federal government is one of the nation’s largest employers. It employs millions of people; you may even be one of them. One of the largest perks of government employment is access to retirement security. Millions of employees participate in some sort of federal retirement savings or investment plan. The popular Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) has over 5 million participants alone.

However, your federal retirement savings may be vulnerable to fraud. The SEC is warning retirement plan participants and investors, particularly TSP participants to beware of fraudulent activity.

Beware: Federal Retirement Savings Fraud

Retirement Investing: 2 Alternative Options to a 401(k)

Published on: July 28, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

If you’re smart, you are planning for your financial future. Retirement investing is one of the surest methods for building a nest-egg.

Most likely, you’re familiar with the concept of retirement investing. Typically, you can direct funds from your personal income into tax-sheltered or tax-deferred accounts. This is known as a 401(k).

However, there are alternative investment options to a 401(k) available. You can also invest in a 403(b) or a 157(b). These alternative options allow you to invest in certain investment options. It’s important to remember, though, that not every employer offers these plans.

Investor Education: Know Your Order Types Before You Buy and Sell

Published on: July 21, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Maybe you want to make it big as an investor. Maybe you just want a nest egg for retirement or financial security for your family. Whatever the reasons, thousands of Americans everyday make their first steps to becoming active investors.

Before hitting the market though, there’s a lot would-be investors need to know; like understanding the different types of stock and securities investments, and how active an investment approach you’d like to take.

Once you’ve got that down, you’ve got to know the buy-and-sell process of trading. For that, you’ve got to know your order types.

Diversified Portfolio Investor or Salad Bar Investor: Which Are You?

Published on: July 14, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

You’ve probably heard the term “diversified portfolio” before. The term brings to mind the image of a robust, varied assortment of assets and securities that not only generate generous returns, but act as a cushion against any one stock or security’s downturn.

Everyone wants a diversified portfolio, from fledgling investors to seasoned pros. However, there’s a fine line between your portfolio being diversified and it just being a hodge-podge.

Diversified portfolio or salad bar portfolio?

$5.5 Billion Settles One of Two Mortgage-Backed Securities Lawsuits for RBS

Published on: July 7, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) recently reached a settlement sum of $5.5 billion with the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in the agency’s lawsuit.

One down, one to go

This settles at least one of the the two mortgage-baked securities lawsuits against RBS in U.S. courts. Another lawsuit remains pending with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the Reuters article, experts are estimating at least $10 billion will go towards the settlement. It is slated to be the largest fine ever paid by the bank in U.S. courts.

Why Big Banks Have a Financial Doomsday Plan

Published on: June 30, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Amid the fallout of 2008, when the nation’s banking giants toppled and our economy was sent reeling, Federal legislators and regulators decided that changes were needed. Most of these changes took shape as the Dodd-Frank Act, which provide the framework for much of our current banking regulation and oversight.

You’re probably familiar with Dodd-Frank, at least in part. It’s been a near constant topic of discussion on both Wall Street and Capitol Hill since it took effect. And this conversation has only increased during the Trump Administration.

However, did you know that part of Dodd-Frank requires banks to submit a financial doomsday plan outlining how they will dissolve in the event of a catastrophic collapse?

3 Tips for Protecting Your Investments Against Ransomware

Published on: June 23, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

There’s a new wild west. The internet age has brought bank robbers from the prairie plains to the world wide web. As investors and brokerage firms increasingly rely on computers for processing trades and managing portfolios, the risk of your investment data increases too. One of the biggest threats to online data is ransomware.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a computer virus that targets your computers digital files and literally holds them for ransom until a payment is sent for their release. So far this year, we have already experienced two widespread ransomware attacks: the WannaCry virus, back in May, and now the Petya virus in June.

Common Online Trading Myths

Published on: June 19, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

Nowadays, online trading has become a preferred method for many investors. From casual, at-home investors to more seasoned investors, online trading provides an accessible and efficient platform for securities trading.

While online trading has grown in popularity, there are still some common misconceptions about it. You may have heard someone telling you that online trading is not secure or that you don’t have access to actionable investment advice with these platforms.

This is untrue.

Bad Actors: Tips for Spotting the Financial Industry’s Bad Apples

Published on: June 9, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

We’ve all seen bad actors in movies and T.V., but did you know that bad actors can be found on Wall Street and other financial industry institutions? The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently released a statement outlining the need for checks-and-balances against bad actors.

What are bad actors?

FINRA defines a bad actor as one within the financial industry “who seeks to evade regulatory requirements and harm investors for their own personal gain”. Essentially, they’re con artists; fraudsters.

Stand By for the Following Message on Corporate Tax Cuts…

Published on: June 2, 2017 | by Savage Villoch Law, PLLC

A 2016 study by the Tax Policy Center comparing Trump’s then-stated plan and the current tax ratesOne of the big platforms that boosted Trump to the Oval Office was his promise to let business operate unencumbered. Throughout his campaign, he promised a hands-off approach to business, including wide-scale financial deregulation as well as considerable corporate tax cuts.

In fact, Wall Street was riding high post-election on sheer optimism. Financial and industrial stocks soared, reaching record peaks, in anticipation of the big regulatory rollback that was sure to follow.

For businesses, too, hopes were high. The Trump administration promised huge tax cuts for businesses and corporations.