Assembly Democrats News Release PANEL OK'S SCHAER/MILAM BILL TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM BOGUS FINANCIAL ADVISOR 'ENDORSEMENTS'

PANEL OK'S SCHAER/MILAM BILL TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM BOGUS FINANCIAL ADVISOR 'ENDORSEMENTS'

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Gary Schaer and Matt Milam sponsored to prohibit financial advisors from using misleading information to make it appear they have special certifications for advising senior citizens and retirees was released yesterday by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

"Any senior citizen or retired individual seeking the best financial advice and planning needs every assurance that the professional they are trusting to properly handle their money and their future actually has the expertise they say they do," said Schaer (D-Passaic), the committee's chairman. "Anything else is outright fraud."

The bill (A-3913) would prohibit financial advisors from advertising senior-specific certifications or professional designations which:

·        Was not actually earned or that an advisor is otherwise ineligible to use;

·        Is nonexistent or self-conferred;

·        Indicates or implies a level of occupational qualifications obtained through education, training or experience that the person does not have; and

·        Is conferred by any organization that does not meet certain recognized professional criteria.

"Consumers rely on professional designations because they confer a level of trustworthiness and expertise that not everybody has," said Milam (D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May). "Especially in financial matters, these 'seals of approval' mean a lot. We need to take a tough stance against advisors who take advantage of the goodwill these certifications create - especially among seniors and retirees."

Financial advisors found in breach of the bill would be considered in violation of the state's  Uniform Securities Law and could be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

The bill is based on the North American Securities Administrators Association's model rule that prohibits the misleading use of senior and retiree designations.

It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.