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FINRA Fines Apex Clearing $3.2 Million for Violations Relating to Fully Paid Securities Lending Program

WASHINGTON—FINRA has fined Apex Clearing Corporation $3.2 million for violations related to its fully paid securities lending program. This is the first time FINRA has charged a firm with violating FINRA Rule 4330, which establishes permissible use of customers’ securities to ensure customer protection.

2024083132901 Santiago J. Torres CRD 5644622 Complaint lp (2025-1740961196396).pdf

The Department of Enforcement alleges: Respondent Santiago J. Torres, Jr. failed to provide information and documents, and appear for on-the-record testimony, that FINRA requested pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210 as part of an investigation into whether he misappropriated funds and falsified customer documents. By failing to provide the requested information, documents, and testimony, Torres violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.

2023077629803 Danielle M. Freeman CRD 6672981 AWC lp (2025-1740961203107).pdf

During August 2023, in anticipation of departing Northwestern, Freeman improperly transferred copies of thousands of files containing customers’ nonpublic personal information from Northwestern’s systems to her personal cloud storage site. The nonpublic personal information included customers’ Social Security and tax identification numbers, state driver’s license and state identification numbers, and financial account numbers. She transferred and retained this information until April 2024 without the customers’ knowledge or consent and in contravention of Northwestern’s procedures.