Securities Department Promotes Financial Literacy Month With Investor Education Resources

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Securities Department (ASD) announced its support of Financial Literacy Month, a time in April concentrated on promoting financial literacy and investor education. During this year’s Financial Literacy Month campaign, the ASD highlights its series of investor advisories, including its newest advisory focused on reassigned investment accounts, available on the ASD’s website. This topic is designed to help investors address issues related to an adviser who may have retired or left a firm, and how best to get the answers needed to ensure a successful adviser transition.

“Financial and investment literacy is the cornerstone of investor education. It is also a key weapon in the fight against investment fraud,” said Campbell McLaurin, ASD interim commissioner. “Educating investors of all ages, particularly older investors, empowers them to make sound financial decisions.”

McLaurin encouraged investors, or those thinking about investing, to visit the agency’s website (securities.arkansas.gov), which offers a variety of free investor awareness and protection resources.

Many of the financial literacy tools found on The ASD’s website were developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association’s Investor Education Section Committee to help support state and provincial securities regulators’ investor education efforts.

Investors also are encouraged to contact the ASD before making an investment decision to learn more about the investment product and the person offering it for sale.

“We urge all investors to be cautious when getting investment pitches, especially from people they don’t know,” McLaurin said. “Give us a quick call to determine an investment advisor or broker-dealer’s registration status and disciplinary history.”

Investors may also research the background and experience of financial brokers, advisers and firms using Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) and FINRA BrokerCheck.

The ASD cautions citizen investors of all ages and experiences to thoroughly scrutinize and research any investment opportunity or offer.  Contact the ASD at 1-800-981-4429 to check out any person or financial professional offering an investment opportunity or investment advice for a fee and the products they offer for proper registration.  Contact the ASD to report suspected fraud, inappropriate securities business practices, or to obtain consumer information. The ASD provides free investor education and fraud prevention materials in print and through educational presentations upon request.