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.

Casey W. Smith
AWC/2009018573101/July 2011

Smith improperly accepted $15,300 in cash gifts from a customer and her relative.

The customer and her relative gave Smith cash gifts when they visited their safe deposit boxes. Smith was given and accepted a cash gift during a visit to the customer’s home. At the time Smith accepted the gifts, he was aware that the bank’s code of conduct where he was employed prohibited employees from accepting gifts from customers.

This matter came to light when the customer offered cash to another bank employee after assisting her with her safe deposit box; the employee refused the gift and reported the matter to his supervisor. When Smith’s supervisor questioned him, Smith admitted to accepting gifts from the customer, and his employment was terminated.

Casey W. Smith: Fined $15,000; Suspended 3 months

Tags:  Banks    Gifts     |    In: Cases of Note : FINRA