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Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order to Summarily Suspend Investment Adviser Registration, Notice of Proposed Order to Revoke Investment Adviser Registration, Cease and Desist Order, Notice of Civil Penalties, Order for Rescission, Notice of Reservation of Commissioner's Authority to Amend Order, and Notice of Right to Request a Hearing

Stop Order Summarily Suspending the Offer and Sale of Federal Covered Securities, Cease and Desist Order, Notice of Civil Penalties, and Notice of Right to Request a Hearing

With interest rates on the rise, more investors may be considering an investment in bonds or bond funds, and in researching alternatives or talking to a financial adviser, may have come across bond credit ratings.  Credit ratings usually appear in the form of alphabetical letter grades (for example, ‘AAA’ and ‘BBB’) and are an estimate of the relative level of credit risk of a bond, company or government.  Credit ratings are issued by third parties and are not an assessment by the issuer of the bond or by securities regulators.

Credit ratings can be useful when evaluating an investment.  But when considering credit ratings, you should understand their limitations.  You should not base your investment decision solely on a credit rating or treat a credit rating as if it were investment advice.
 

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the North Dakota Securities Department reminds financial professionals and the public throughout North Dakota to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse.

Governor Burgum Issues Proclamation Recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.

Many investors are becoming more conscious of whether a company in which they are investing has considered environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. This is resulting in an investor-driven push to get corporate managers to pay greater attention to ESG issues. Some corporations are responding by altering their management philosophies and business plans.

Don't get swept away by a romance scam.

Dating apps and social media platforms may be a popular way to meet new people, but be cautious if someone turns an online romance into an opportunity to solicit an investment or asks to borrow money. Scammers are increasingly posing as potential romantic partners to lure people into fraudulent investment schemes. This alert discusses common tactics fraudsters use in investment-related romance scams and gives you steps to take to protect yourself from these schemes.