NOTE: Stipulations of Fact and Consent to Penalty (SFC); Offers of Settlement (OS); and Letters of Acceptance Waiver, and Consent (AWC) are entered into by Respondents without admitting or denying the allegations, but consent is given to the described sanctions & to the entry of findings. Additionally, for AWCs, if FINRA has reason to believe a violation has occurred and the member or associated person does not dispute the violation, FINRA may prepare and request that the member or associated person execute a letter accepting a finding of violation, consenting to the imposition of sanctions, and agreeing to waive such member's or associated person's right to a hearing before a hearing panel, and any right of appeal to the National Adjudicatory Council, the SEC, and the courts, or to otherwise challenge the validity of the letter, if the letter is accepted. The letter shall describe the act or practice engaged in or omitted, the rule, regulation, or statutory provision violated, and the sanction or sanctions to be imposed.

Catherine Laura Baker
AWC/2009021029618

Baker requested, received and distributed answer keys for long-term care (LTC) continuing education (CE) exams to member firm representatives, and asked other firm representatives to distribute LTC CE answer keys to outside financial advisors.

Certain states implemented an LTC CE requirement that obligated financial advisors to complete an LTC CE course and exam before selling LTC insurance products, including the product Baker sold, to customers who resided in that state. In order to help financial advisors obtain the LTC CE requirement, Baker’s firm provided them with vouchers that allowed financial advisors to take CE exams for free through a specific company. In addition to providing financial advisors with the vouchers, certain firm employees improperly created, requested, received and distributed answer keys for state LTC CE exams.

Catherine Laura Baker : Fiend $5,000; Suspended 1 month

Tags: Testing