Mark Katz: Western International Advisor Lands $358K Complaint

Pasadena, California financial advisor Mark Katz (CRD# 3055019) recently received an investor complaint alleging that he effected unauthorized transactions. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is currently registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Western International Securities.

Mr. Katz’s BrokerCheck report discloses several investor complaints. The most recent, filed in February 2024, alleges that as a representative of Western International Securities, he made unsuitable and unauthorized transactions involving fixed-income securities. The pending complaint alleges damages of $358,162.96.

An earlier investor complaint, filed in 2020, alleged that as a Hilltop Securities representative, he recommended unsuitable master limited partnerships and non-traded real estate investment trusts, misrepresented material facts, breached his fiduciary duty, and recommended investments that performed poorly. In 2021 the complaint reached a settlement of $75,000.

A third investor complaint, filed in 2020, alleged that as a Hilltop Securities representative, he made unauthorized trades, recommended unsuitable investments, misrepresented material facts, engaged in excessive trading and self-dealing, and financially exploited the customer. The complaint alleged damages exceeding $357,000 and was denied by the firm.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Mark Katz holds 25 years of securities industry experience. Based in Pasadena, California, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Western International Securities since 2019. His past registrations include Hilltop Securities (San Diego, California; 2008-2019), ML Stern & Company (San Diego, California; 1998-2008), and Fortress Financial Group (Isle of Palms, South Carolina; 1998). His credentials include the passage of four securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65. He is licensed in Arizona, California, Utah, and Washington. (Information current as of April 6, 2024.)

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