Our firm is investigating LifeMark Securities Corp. financial advisor and stockbroker Michael Pineda (CRD# 2337780) of Denver, Colorado, for potential investment-related misconduct involving alternative investments and related FINRA customer complaints.
Financial Advisor’s Career History
Michael R. Pineda has worked in the securities industry for several decades and has been registered with multiple brokerage firms throughout his career. He has been registered with LifeMark Securities Corp. since August 2017 as both a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative. Prior to LifeMark, his employment history includes roles at Prudential Financial Planning Services, Pruco Securities, LLC, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., MetLife Securities Inc., VALIC Financial Advisors, Transamerica Capital, and other firms dating back to the early 1990s. His registrations have spanned multiple states, including Colorado.
Michael Pineda Fraud Allegations and Investor Complaints Explained
FINRA’s BrokerCheck records disclose multiple reportable events involving Mr. Pineda, including customer disputes and an employment termination. These disclosures arise primarily from allegations connected to alternative or corporate debt investments that later experienced financial distress.
Customer Dispute – Settled (FINRA Arbitration No. 22-01766)
- Filing Date: August 15, 2022
- Product: Corporate Debt / Alternative Investment
- Allegations: Breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, negligent supervision, fraud, breach of contract, and securities law violations after the issuing company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Alleged Damages: $75,000
- Disposition: Settled on July 31, 2023
- Settlement Amount: $45,000 (paid by LifeMark Securities Corp.; no personal contribution by Mr. Pineda)
FINRA records note that Mr. Pineda was not named as a party to the arbitration and did not contribute financially to the settlement, which was resolved without any admission of wrongdoing.
Customer Dispute – Pending (FINRA Arbitration No. 25-02408)
- Filing Date: November 4, 2025
- Investment Date at Issue: March 2021
- Product: Corporate Debt / Alternative Investment
- Allegations: Failure to perform due diligence, unsuitable recommendation, breach of contract/ fiduciary duty, and negligence following issuer bankruptcy
- Alleged Damages: $105,000 plus costs and fees
- Status: Pending as of the most recent BrokerCheck report
LifeMark Securities Corp. has stated that it believes the recommendation was suitable based on the information available at the time and the client’s stated objectives and risk tolerance.
Employment Termination Disclosure (Pruco Securities, LLC)
- Termination Date: June 30, 2017
- Firm: Pruco Securities, LLC
- Allegations: Submission of an annuity replacement form containing a non-genuine client signature and initials
- Disposition: Discharged
Mr. Pineda disputes the firm’s findings and states that the client executed all required documents.
FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) generally requires a broker or financial advisor to have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended investment or investment strategy is suitable for a customer based on that customer’s investment profile. In matters involving alleged unsuitable alternative investment recommendations, this rule is often examined to determine whether the product matched the investor’s risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and objectives.
FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade) is a broad ethical rule that may be implicated when allegations involve misrepresentations, omissions, or conduct inconsistent with fair dealing. Claims that investors were not fully informed of risks associated with complex or illiquid investments may be analyzed under this standard.
FINRA Rule 4511 (Books and Records) requires firms and associated persons to maintain accurate records. Allegations involving improper documentation, non-genuine signatures, or deficient paperwork may raise compliance concerns under this rule, particularly where transaction records are central to the dispute.
For over 45 years, Robert Wayne Pearce has helped investors recover losses caused by broker fraud, negligence, and unsuitable recommendations. His firm, The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., represents clients nationwide on a no-recovery, no-fee basis. Call (800) 732-2889 or email pearce@rwpearce.com for a free case review with an experienced securities attorney.
