Scot Barringer

(CRD #1385168, Pinehurst, North Carolina) April 22, 2025 – An AWC was issued in which Barringer was fined $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for three months. Barringer is not required to pay restitution because his member firm has agreed to pay restitution to customers in connection with bond recommendations that he made to them. Without admitting or denying the findings, Barringer consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he recommended that customers invest in a speculative, unrated debt security without having a reasonable basis in light of the customers’ investment profiles. The findings stated that Barringer recommended the bonds without having a reasonable basis to believe that they were in the best interest of three customers, who were all retired individuals, or suitable for a customer, a non-profit entity that invested through a financial committee that was not subject to Reg BI, in light of the customers’ investment profiles. As a result, the customers were overconcentrated in the bonds, either alone or in combination with other alternative investments. None of the customers had experience with alternative investments before investing in the bonds. Moreover, all of the customers had moderate to moderately aggressive risk tolerances, and investment objectives of income. By recommending the bonds without having a reasonable basis to believe they were in the best interest of customers, Barringer willfully violated Reg BI. The findings also stated that Barringer inaccurately completed transaction forms that he submitted in connection with eight customers’ purchases of the bonds, by incorrectly stating the percentage of the customers’ net worth that would be invested in these securities, thereby causing his member firm to maintain inaccurate books and records. Barringer underreported the customers’ net worth concentration percentages—in the bond investments, in alternative investments as a whole, or in both—by failing to include in his calculations the customers’ prior purchases of bonds or their existing holdings in other alternative investments. For five of the customers, Barringer also inaccurately stated that the recommended bond investments did not cause the customers to meet or surpass one or both of the concentration thresholds. The suspension is in effect from May 19, 2025, through August 18, 2025. (FINRA Case #2020068655903) If you have suffered losses as a result of Scot Barringer 's act and/or actions, we would like to hear from you. We are currently investigating claims on behalf of clients who have suffered significant losses in their portfolios that are managed by Scot Barringer . The Schwartz Law Firm represents investors in claims against financial advisors and their firms. If you have questions about your potential claim or need assistance from an investment fraud lawyer, please contact us at 866-618-0545 or email Matthew Schwartz directly at mschwartz@tslfirm.com.