SEC dings Laidlaw and Company over Reg BI lapses

Registered broker-dealer Laidlaw and Company agreed to pay more than $800,000 as part of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) addressing multiple alleged violations of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI).

Laidlaw, which is based in the United Kingdom, with offices in the United States, was fined approximately $223,000 and agreed to pay about $548,000 in disgorgement and $52,000 in prejudgment interest, the SEC announced in an administrative proceeding Monday. The firm was faulted for running afoul of Reg BI’s care and compliance obligations.

Two registered representatives at the firm, Richard Michalski and Michael Murray, also agreed to settlements with the SEC alleging violations of Reg BI. Michalski agreed to pay more than $100,000 in penalties, disgorgement, and interest, while Murray’s total payments fell short of $50,000.