Ben Lowder: FINRA Bars Charlotte, North Carolina Financial Advisor

A disciplinary action taken by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority against former Charlotte, North Carolina broker Ben Lowder (CRD# 3014106) barred him after finding he failed to provide testimony connected with its investigation into alleged deceptive trade practices. A former representative of MSI Financial Services, Lowder was barred from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with a broker-dealer firm.

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (No. 2017054137001) dated October 2019, Ben Lowder was registered with MSI Financial Services from 2000 until February 2017. In May 2018, the firm filed a disclosure reporting that Lowder was “the subject of two civil lawsuits alleging unfair and deceptive trade practices and state securities fraud regarding investments in fictitious entities.” The firm later amended his disclosure form to reflect new lawsuits detailing similar allegations “filed by additional plaintiffs.” FINRA sent him a request on September 3, 2019 to provide on-the-record testimony before FINRA. On September 16, 2019, Lowder indicated to FINRA via counsel that he would not comply with the request by appearing for testimony “at any time.” FINRA found this refusal to constitute violations of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. As a result of the foregoing alleged conduct, he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.

Ben Lowder’s FINRA disclosure records also list seven pending customer complaints against him, all alleging he engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices while acting as a representative of MSI Financial Services. A July 2019 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; a March 2019 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; a January 2019 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; a December 2018 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; an October 2018 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; a May 2018 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000; and an April 2018 complaint alleges damages in excess of $25,000.

Ben Lowder is currently not registered as a broker or investment advisor. His employment history includes MSI Financial Services in Charlotte, North Carolina; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Jefferson Pilot Securities Corporation in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He currently holds zero state licenses and has passed three securities industry qualification examinations.