SEC Charges Morgan Stanley Smith Barney With Providing Misleading Information to Retail Clients

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (MSSB) has agreed to settle charges that it provided misleading information to clients in its retail wrap fee programs regarding trade execution services and transaction costs. MSSB has agreed to pay a $5 million penalty that will be distributed to harmed investors. Wrap fee programs offer accounts in which clients pay an asset-based “wrap fee” that covers investment advice and brokerage services, including trade execution. According to the SEC’s order, MSSB marketed its wrap fee accounts as offering clients professional investment advice, trade execution, and other services within a “transparent” fee structure.