MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Rhys Martell

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced disciplinary proceedings in respect of Rhys William Douglas Martell ("Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated August 24, 2017 ("Notice of Hearing"), Staff of the MFDA alleges that the Respondent engaged in the following conduct contrary to the By-laws, Rules and/or Policies of the MFDA:

Allegation #1: Between August 2012 and April 2015, the Respondent processed at least 352 transactions in the accounts of at least 78 clients, without obtaining client instructions in respect of the amount of the transaction, the mutual fund being purchase or sold, or timing of the transactions, thereby engaging in discretionary trading, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.3.1 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Between July 23, 2015 and July 25, 2015, the Respondent failed to record and maintain evidence of client trade instructions with respect to at least 20 transactions in 20 client accounts, contrary to the Member's policies and procedures, and MFDA Rules 1.1.2, 2.5.1., 2.1.1, and 5.1(b).

The first appearance in this proceeding will be held by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Pacific Regional Council on October 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific), or as soon thereafter as the appearance can be held, in order to schedule a date for the commencement of the hearing on the merits and to address any other procedural matters. The first appearance will take place in the hearing room at the MFDA offices, located at 650 West Georgia Street, Suite 1220, Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters. The hearing on the merits will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia at a time and venue to be announced.

A copy of the Notice of Hearing is available on the MFDA website at www.mfda.ca. During the period described in the Notice of Hearing, the Respondent carried on business in the Abbotsford, British Columbia area.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its Members and their approximately 83,000 Approved Persons with a mandate to protect investors and the public interest. For more information about the MFDA's complaint and enforcement processes, as well as links to 'Check an Advisor' and other Investor Tools, visit the For Investors page on the MFDA website.

SOURCE Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada