The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. Wins $6 Million Plus Award Against UBS and UBS Puerto Rico

In an arbitration proceeding against UBS Financial Services, Inc. (UBS) and UBS Financial Services, Inc. of Puerto Rico (UBS-PR), the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. won $4.25 million in compensatory damages plus interest at 6.25% from February 28, 2014 and costs of $170,000 for one of the firm’s clients last month. A summary of our clients’ allegations against UBS and UBS-PR are set forth below. If you or any family member received similar unsuitable recommendations from UBS-PR and its stockbrokers, or found yourself with an account overconcentrated in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and/or closed-end bond funds, or if you borrowed monies from UBS and used your investments as loan collateral, we may be able to help you recover your losses. Contact our office as soon as possible for a free consultation about your case. Time is of the essence!

Continue Reading

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Just as the real estate limited partnerships proliferated in the 1980s and 90s, non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) were the real estate investment du jour of the past decade. In many cases handled by The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., the sales solicitations were gross misrepresentations about the sponsors track record, market valuations, rates of return, liquidity, risks and fees. Unfortunately, Attorney Pearce says investors are now realizing they have been duped by the promoters of many non-traded REITs such as the Apple REITs, Cornerstone REITs and others. Representing clients throughout Florida and nationwide. Se habla español Investing in non-traded REITs is not for everyone. Investors must understand that these are complex and risky investments. First, REIT distributions are never guaranteed. The REIT Board of Directors decides when and the amount of any distribution. The lack of a publicly traded market creates illiquidity and valuation issues. Early redemption is usually limited and may be costly. Non-traded REITs can be expensive due to front-end fees and “issuer costs” that may be hidden from investors. Most non-traded REITs start out as blind pools, which have not yet specified the properties to be purchased. The diversification of properties within REITs is not always present which increases the risk of these investments. For more information about REITs and a complete list of our REIT cases and investigations, the links below: Our REIT Blog Archives FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) INVESTMENT DISPUTE ATTORNEYS The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. understands what is at stake in securities, commodities and REIT investment law matters and constantly strives to secure the most favorable possible result. Attorney Pearce provides a complete review of your case and fully explains your legal options. The firm works to ensure that you have all of the information necessary to make a sound decision before any action is taken in your case. For dedicated representation by a law firm with substantial experience in all kinds of securities, commodities and investment disputes, contact the firm by telephone at 561-338-0037 or toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail. We may also be able to arrange a meeting with you at offices located in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida and elsewhere.

Continue Reading

Variable Annuities and Equity Indexed Annuities

Variable and equity indexed annuities are another form alternative investments involving mutual fund type and/or insurance products which occupy a large portion of the attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. caseload. Variable annuities are mutual funds with insurance contracts with a variety of features that have hidden costs. They are not wise investments for many investors. According to Attorney Pearce the suitability of variable annuities for elderly investors and those on the verge of retirement or those seeking to make investments in 401(k) Plans, IRAs or pension plans is highly suspect. Sales of equity-indexed annuities (EIAs) have grown considerably in recent years with the promise of expensive guarantees. EIAs are anything but easy to understand; one of the most confusing features of an EIA is the method used to calculate the gain in the index to which the annuity is linked and there is not one, but several different indexing methods. Because of the variety and complexity of these annuity products, many investors are duped into buying something they don’t need, cannot afford and do not understand. Representing clients throughout Florida and nationwide Variable annuity investments are becoming popular among senior investors who are close to retirement. While a variable annuity can be an appropriate investment under the right circumstances, investors should be aware of their restrictive features and tax consequences. Investors should also be concerned with sales pitches. Before purchasing a variable annuity, investors should carefully investigate the product they are considering as well as the salesman. Investors should start out by reading the prospectus, which contains important information about the annuity contract terms, fees and charges, investment options, and death benefits. In addition, investors should compare the benefit and costs of the annuity to other variable annuities as well as other types of investments such as mutual funds. EIAs are far more complex financial instruments than variable annuities. They have characteristics of both fixed and variable annuities. Their return varies more than a fixed annuity, but not as much as a variable annuity. So EIAs give you more risk (but more potential return) than a fixed annuity but less risk (and less potential return) than a variable annuity. EIAs offer a minimum guaranteed interest rate combined with an interest rate linked to a market index. One of the most confusing features of an EIA is the method used to calculate the gain in the index to which the annuity is linked. To make matters worse, there is not one, but several different indexing methods. FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH VARIABLE ANNUITY & EQUITY INDEXED ANNUITY INVESTMENT DISPUTE ATTORNEYS The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. understands what is at stake in securities, commodities and investment law matters and constantly strives to secure the most favorable possible result. Attorney Pearce provides a complete review of your case and fully explains your legal options. The firm works to ensure that you have all of the information necessary to make a sound decision before any action is taken in your case. For dedicated representation by a law firm with substantial experience in all kinds of Variable Annuity and Equity Indexed Annuity investment law disputes, contact the firm by telephone at 561-338-0037 or toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Continue Reading

Another UBS Puerto Rico Investor Sues Brokerage For Unsuitable Investments

The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. filed another claim against UBS Financial Services Incorporated of Puerto Rico (UBS Puerto Rico). A summary of the allegations the Claimant made against the Puerto Rico based brokerage is below. If you or any family member received similar misrepresentations and/or misleading statements from UBS Puerto Rico and its stockbrokers or found yourself with an account overconcentrated in closed-end bond funds, or if you borrowed monies from UBS Puerto Rico and used your investments as collateral for those loans, we may be able to help you recover your losses. Contact our office for a free consultation about your case.

Continue Reading

The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. Wins $600,000 Plus Interest Award Against UBS Puerto Rico

In an arbitration proceeding against UBS Financial Services, Inc. of Puerto Rico (UBS-PR), the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P. A. won a $600,000 plus interest award for one of the firm’s clients. A summary of Claimant’s allegations against UBS-PR are set forth below. If you or any family member received similar unsuitable recommendations from UBS-PR and its stockbrokers or found yourself with an account overconcentrated in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and/or closed-end bond funds, or if you borrowed monies from UBS and used your investments as collateral for those loans, we may be able to help you recover your losses. Contact our office for a free consultation about your case.

Continue Reading