MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Christopher J. Singer

TORONTO, July 28, 2016 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced disciplinary proceedings in respect of Christopher J. Singer (the "Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated June 23, 2016, Staff of the MFDA alleges that the Respondent engaged in the following conduct contrary to the By-laws, Rules and/or Policies of the MFDA:

Allegation #1: Between June 2011 and March 17, 2014, the Respondent failed to use due diligence to learn the essential facts relative to client AO and accurately record the essential facts on the client's New Account Application Forms, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1(a) and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Between June 2011 and March 17, 2014, the Respondent failed to ensure that an investment recommendation he made to client AO was suitable having regard to the client's Know-Your-Client ("KYC") factors including her investment objectives, investment knowledge, risk tolerance, time horizon, and failed to ensure appropriate diversification of her investment portfolio, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #3: Between June 2011 and March 17, 2014, the Respondent misrepresented or failed to adequately explain the risks, benefits, material assumptions and features of exempt securities he recommended to client AO, thereby failing to present the investment to the client in a fair and balanced manner, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

Allegation # 4: Between November 17, 2011 and March 17, 2014, the Respondent failed to comply with the Member's directions requiring the Respondent to review client AO's investment in exempt securities regarding the concentration limits, risk tolerance and time horizon for determining suitability of the investments, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

The first appearance in this proceeding will be held by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Pacific Regional Council on August 17, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific), or as soon thereafter as the appearance can be held, in order to schedule a date for the commencement of the hearing on the merits and to address any other procedural matters. The first appearance will take place in the hearing room at the MFDA offices, located at 650 West Georgia Street, Suite 1220, Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters. The hearing on the merits will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia at a time and venue to be announced.

A copy of the Notice of Hearing is available on the MFDA website at www.mfda.ca. During the period described in the Notice of Hearing, the Respondent carried on business in White Rock, British Columbia.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its Members and their approximately 83,000 Approved Persons with a mandate to protect investors and the public interest. For more information about the MFDA's complaint and enforcement processes, as well as links to 'Check an Advisor' and other Investor Tools, visit the For Investors page on the MFDA website.

SOURCE Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada

Charles Toth, Director, Litigation, 416-943-4619, [email protected]; Jeff Mount, Vice-President, Pacific Region, 604-694-8846, [email protected]