Cissy Hutchinson: Synovus Securities Fires Athens Advisor

Former Athens, Georgia broker Cissy Hutchinson (CRD# 2067670) was recently fired from Synovus Securities in connection with alleged rule violations. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission records show that she is currently registered as an investment advisor with Lanier Financial Group.

Ms. Hutchinson’s BrokerCheck report discloses her termination from Synovus Securities. Filed in October 2023, the disclosure states that the firm fired her in connection with allegations that she failed to comply with its “Customer Signatures policy.” It provides no additional context regarding the allegations.

A second disclosure on her BrokerCheck report concerns an investor complaint against her. Filed in 2009, it alleged that as a representative of Synovus Securities, she recommended an unsuitable variable annuity switch. The complaint reached a settlement of $350,000.

Lanier Financial Group’s website contains a profile of Ms. Hutchinson. “Cissy became the first female broker in Athens with J.C. Bradford & Co in 1990,” it states. “Years later she began a 26 year tenure with a regional bank’s securities division. Cissy now serves as an Investment Advisor Representative with Lanier Financial Group where she shares her passion for the financial markets with clients.” As the website notes elsewhere, the firm was founded in 2009 and offers investment management, personal financial planning, divorce planning, and business planning and valuation.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cissy Hutchinson holds 33 years of securities industry experience. Based in Athens, Georgia, she has been an investment advisor with Lanier Financial Group since November 2023. Her past registrations include Synovus Securities (1997-2023) and JC Bradford & Company (New York, New York; 1990-1997). Her 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. She is licensed in Georgia. (Information current as of December 4, 2023.)

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