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.

Preston Douglas Runyan
OS/2007007727601

Runyan affixed the signature of a public customer’s spouse to a spousal consent provision on an individual retirement account (IRA) application without the spouse’s permission and authorization. Runyan signed his name on the application as witnessing the spouse’s signature, which he had not. The application that Runyan signed on the spouse’s behalf did not contain any notation evidencing that someone other than the spouse had signed it. Runyan’s member firm maintained a compliance manual prohibiting registered representatives from committing forgery. 

Preston Douglas Runyan: Fined $5,000; Suspended 4 months