It is well known that the greatest-yielding investments usually carry the highest levels of risk. One high yielding interest-paying investment is the promissory note. The notes are  means by which companies raise capital. Legitimate promissory notes are marketed to sophisticated or corporate investors that have the resources to research thoroughly the companies issuing the notes. They then determine whether the issuers have the capacity to pay the promised interest and principal.

Promissory notes can be a good investment for sophisticated or corporate investors. These notes provide a reasonable reward for those who are willing to accept the risk. However, promissory notes that are marketed to the general public often turn out to be scams.  Even legitimate notes carry some risk that the issuers may not be able to meet their obligations.

There have been many instances of unscrupulous individuals pushing bogus promissory notes. They’re being sold as instruments that guarantee above-market, fixed interest rates, while safeguarding their principal. While fraudulent promissory notes appear to give investors the two things they desire most — higher returns and safety — they may not be worth the paper they’re printed on. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fraud Can Cost Some Investors Their Life Savings

Here are two unfortunate examples of how investors lost their money:

Fraud. Investors in Georgia lost more than $2.5 million after purchasing promissory notes that, according to the salespersons promoting the product to earn high commissions, would pay for new ambulances for a start-up company. The investors were told that their investments were “risk free.” After the ambulances were purchased, they would be leased to pay back the money the company borrowed. The ambulances would also be used as collateral for each investor’s promissory note. But the company never purchased the ambulances with the money it received. Instead, it pledged the same fictitious ambulance as collateral.

Business Risk. At least 100 investors nationwide invested more than $4 million in promissory notes that promised to pay an interest rate of 13 percent over nine months. The funds were for a company selling premium coffee at drive-through kiosks. Savvy, slick marketing materials hyped the company and its products. The promissory notes were sold by individuals who were neither registered or licensed to sell securities. The company collapsed, defaulting on its notes. Investors lost all of their principal, including $200,000 in life savings of an Oregon resident.

In both cases, the notes were sold by unregistered salespersons. The law requires that anyone selling securities must be registered or licensed. (Some states require licensing while others require registration.) That’s why you should verify the registration or license of the person who wants you to invest with them.

How Does a Promissory Note Work?

The legitimate promissory notes are a form of debt that is similar to a loan or even an IOU. Companies issue these notes to finance any aspect of their business, from launching new products to repaying more expensive debt. In return for the loan, companies agree to pay investors a fixed return over a set period of time.

Even legitimate promissory notes are not risk-free. These notes are only as sound as the companies or projects they’re financing. Promising, smart public companies can stumble because of competition, bad management decisions, or unfavorable market conditions. If a company’s financial health weakens suddenly, it may not be able to pay interest and principal to investors.

Who Can Sell Promissory Notes?

The salespeople who market promissory notes include securities brokers, insurance agents, financial planners, and investment advisers. Since promissory notes are usually securities, they must be sold by salespeople who have the appropriate securities license or registration.

Do Promissory Notes Need To Be Registered?

Most promissory notes must be registered as securities with the SEC and the states in which they’re being sold. But remember that some promissory notes, such as those that have nine-month or shorter terms, may be “exempt.” That means that they don’t have to be registered. Since these notes fly under the radar screen of securities regulatory review, they have been the major source of investor complaints and fraudulent activity.

Registration is important because the process generally involves what is known as “due diligence.” In short, that means that financial professionals, including lawyers and accountants, have looked into the notes and companies behind the notes. While due diligence does not guarantee that you will be repaid, it means that you are much more likely to be given accurate information that will help you make an informed decision.

How Promissory Note Scams Work

Promissory notes have become a vehicle for fraud primarily because there is a growing investor appetite for above-market interest rates with little risk. The sellers of bogus notes promise high, fixed-rate returns — ranging as high as 15 percent to 20 percent — coupled with “guaranteed safety.” They market these notes to individual investors, hoping to lure buyers who won’t ask how such a high-yield investment could carry such low risk.

In a far-reaching regulatory crackdown on the fraudulent sales of promissory notes in mid-2000, securities regulators nationwide brought 370 actions against firms that defrauded more than 4,500 investors out of $170 million. It’s important to remember that in many of these cases, investors won’t get their money back because the fraudsters have already spent it.

In one case, promoters of fraudulent promissory notes said the funds were earmarked for projects that ranged from the digging of sandpits to developing resorts in the Caribbean, but the investors’ dollars were used instead to finance the high-flying lifestyles of the individuals behind the issuers and to pay high commissions.

Some Telltale Signs of Promissory Note Fraud

What are the red flags you should look for when being offered a promissory note investment?

Here’s a list:

“Insured” or “guaranteed” returns. To create a false sense of safety, the sellers of these notes may say they “insure” the payment of interest and principal, using either nonexistent insurers or those that reside offshore and may not be legitimate or registered to offer insurance within the United States.

“Risk-free” notes. Your risk with promissory notes is that the issuing company will not be able to make principal and interest payments. Since risk and reward are intrinsically related, it pays to remember that there is no such thing as a low-risk, high-reward investment.

A start-up’s notes that are labeled “prime quality.” In the securities industry, prime quality investments require that a company have an established history of operations and earnings. So if the company issuing the so-called “prime” notes is a start-up or new company, steer clear.

Short-term notes. Notes with a nine-month term may be exempt from securities registration.  

The promise of above-market returns. Returns that are higher than those of similar investments should raise questions.

Notes from a stranger. A call or visit from a stranger hawking promissory notes is usually a good sign that the investment is fraudulent. But, remember, too, that only an investment professional familiar with your financial situation is in a position to determine if this investment is appropriate for you.

Investment checklist:

Steer clear of nine-month promissory notes.These short-term notes, which are sometimes exempt from securities registration, have been the source of most – but not all – of the fraudulent activity unearthed by securities regulators in the promissory note area. Since these notes are sometimes exempt from registration, you might not be entitled to some of the redress that the securities laws or regulators provide.

Buy only from licensed or registered securities brokers. Insurance agents, financial planners, and investment advisers cannot sell securities – including promissory notes – without a securities license or registration. You should make sure the broker selling the note is registered or licensed by contacting your state securities regulator or the Public Disclosure Program of NASD Regulation. Call 800-289-9999 or log on to www.nasdr.com and click on “About Your Broker” to verify a broker’s license or registration and obtain a background report on the broker detailing any existing legal or regulatory problems. 

Ask yourself: Does this investment make sense for me? Before making any investment, determine what you are looking for and whether it fits into your portfolio. Investigate before you invest. And don’t forget to consider the risk-reward ratio the investment is offering – a higher yield generally means higher risk. Then comparison-shop. Look for similar or nearly as high returns with less risk whenever possible.

Fully research each opportunity.Check with your state securities regulator or the SEC’s EDGAR database (www.sec.gov) to determine if a promissory note is properly registered – or whether it’s exempt from registration. To find your state regulator, check with the North American Securities Administrators Association (www.nasaa.org).  If you suspect that your investment is a fraud, be sure to alert your state regulators or the SEC.

This information comes from the SEC’s website.

Call a Securities arbitration lawyer for a free consultation on how to recover your losses.  To speak with an attorney, call 888-760-6552, or visit www.stockmarketlawsuit.com. Soreide Law Group, PLLC., representing investors nationwide before FINRA  the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

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Washington, D.C., Aug. 13, 2010 — It was announced on the SEC’s website that the Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) today updated a joint report that outlines practices being used by financial services firms to strengthen their policies and procedures for serving senior investors as they approach and begin retirement.

The report goes on to say that the SEC, FINRA and NASAA first published the report in 2008 to highlight proactive steps being taken by some financial services firms in serving senior customers. It was intended to assist the overall industry in enhancing compliance, supervisory and other practices related to older investors. The 2010 Addendum being released today summarizes additional practices now being used by financial services firms and securities professionals in serving senior investors.

Almost 40 million Americans are 65 or older, and this number is expected to more than double to 89 million by 2050. As a result of the economic downturn, many older investors find themselves with smaller nest eggs than they anticipated. Estimates show that total retirement assets decreased by $4.5 trillion (25 percent) from 2007 to the first quarter of 2009. In light of these demographic trends, securities regulators continue to view the protection of senior investors as a top priority.

Carlo di Florio, Director of the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, said, “Securities regulators are focused on ensuring a fair market for seniors where sales practices are responsible, the facts are clear, and products are suitable. This report helps firms understand increasing regulatory expectations and effective industry practices that better protect senior investors.”

The report adds that NASAA President Denise Voigt Crawford said, “Securities regulators continue to bring solid enforcement cases to protect our seniors from investment fraud and abuse. Strong regulation coupled with effective industry compliance, supervision and innovative senior-specific practices are essential toward ensuring that our growing population of senior investors is being treated fairly and responsibly by the financial services industry.”

Also, Susan Axelrod, FINRA Executive Vice President and head of Sales Practice, said, “Securities regulators are working to ensure that retiring baby boomers are properly served and protected. For that reason, we continue to encourage firms to adopt practices that result in the fair treatment of senior investors.”

The 2010 Addendum focuses on the following categories when describing the latest practices being used by firms and securities professionals when serving senior investors:

• Communicating effectively with senior investors.
• Training and educating firm employees on senior-specific issues.
• Establishing an internal process for escalating issues and taking next steps.
• Obtaining information at account opening.
• Ensuring appropriateness of investments.
• Conducting senior-focused supervision, surveillance and compliance reviews.

The securities regulators are sharing this updated information as useful suggestions for other securities firms and professionals to ensure that they serve senior investors in an ethical, respectful and informed manner. Financial services firms are urged to continue developing practices that will help them to better serve their senior customers.

This valuable information was obtained from the SEC’s website.

Call a FINRA Securities arbitration lawyer for a free consultation on how to recover stock losses and securities losses.  Call 888-760-6552, or visit www.stockmarketlawsuit.com. Soreide Law Group, PLLC. Representing investors nationwide before FINRA and the NFA.

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Washington, D.C., Aug. 13, 2010 — Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) updated a joint report that outlines practices being used by financial services firms to strengthen their policies and procedures for serving senior investors as they approach and begin retirement.

The SEC, FINRA and NASAA first published the report in 2008 to highlight proactive steps being taken by some financial services firms in serving senior customers. It was intended to assist the overall industry in enhancing compliance, supervisory and other practices related to older investors. The 2010 Addendum being released today summarizes additional practices now being used by financial services firms and securities professionals in serving senior investors.

Carlo di Florio, Director of the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, said, “Securities regulators are focused on ensuring a fair market for seniors where sales practices are responsible, the facts are clear, and products are suitable. This report helps firms understand increasing regulatory expectations and effective industry practices that better protect senior investors.”

Nearly 40 million Americans are 65 or older, and this number is expected to more than double to 89 million by 2050. As a result of the economic downturn, many older investors find themselves with smaller nest eggs than they anticipated. Estimates show that total retirement assets decreased by $4.5 trillion (25 percent) from 2007 to the first quarter of 2009. In light of these demographic trends, securities regulators continue to view the protection of senior investors as a top priority.

NASAA President Denise Voigt Crawford said, “Securities regulators continue to bring solid enforcement cases to protect our seniors from investment fraud and abuse. Strong regulation coupled with effective industry compliance, supervision and innovative senior-specific practices are essential toward ensuring that our growing population of senior investors is being treated fairly and responsibly by the financial services industry.”

FINRA Executive Vice President and head of Sales Practice, Susan Axelrod, said, “Securities regulators are working to ensure that retiring baby boomers are properly served and protected. For that reason, we continue to encourage firms to adopt practices that result in the fair treatment of senior investors.”

The 2010 Addendum focuses on the following categories when describing the latest practices being used by firms and securities professionals when serving senior investors:

• Communicating effectively with senior investors.
• Training and educating firm employees on senior-specific issues.
• Establishing an internal process for escalating issues and taking next steps.
• Obtaining information at account opening.
• Ensuring appropriateness of investments.
• Conducting senior-focused supervision, surveillance and compliance reviews.

It is noted that securities regulators are sharing this updated information as useful suggestions for other securities firms and professionals to ensure that they serve senior investors in an ethical, respectful and informed manner. Financial services firms are urged to continue developing practices that will help them to better serve their senior customers.

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