MFDA Hearing Panel issues Reasons for Decision in the matter of Menashe Keshet

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - A Hearing Panel of the Central Regional Council of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MDFA") has issued its Reasons for Decision in connection with a settlement hearing held in Toronto, Ontario, on August 21, 2014, in the matter of Menashe Keshet (the "Respondent").  The Reasons for Decision relate to the Hearing Panel's acceptance of the settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") entered into between the Respondent and Staff of the MFDA. The following sanctions were levied on the Respondent:

• a fine in the amount of $7,500;
• costs of $2,500; and
• in the future shall comply with all MFDA By-laws, Rules and Policies and all applicable securities legislation and regulations made thereunder including MFDA Rule 2.1.1.

In the Settlement Agreement, the Respondent admitted that, between October 2008 and December 2011, he obtained, maintained and/or used to process trades and update Know Your Client information approximately 85 account forms in 22 client accounts which contained photocopies of client signatures, contrary to MFDA Rule 2.1.1.

Copies of the Reasons for Decision and the Settlement Agreement are available on the MFDA website at www.mfda.ca. During the period described in the Reasons for Decision, the Respondent carried on business in North York, Ontario.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its 110 Members and their approximately 80,000 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

Hugh Corbett, Managing Director, Enforcement, 416-943-4685, [email protected]