Sign of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Charles Lewis Bender III (also known as Chip Bender) of Coral Cables Florida a stockbroker formerly registered with SunTrust Investment Services Inc. has been barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity based upon allegations that Bender did not provide a response to the regulator’s request for information. Case No. 2019062079801 (Aug. 12, 2019).

Bender has been identified in two customer initiated investment related disputes containing allegations of his misconduct while employed with AG Edwards Sons Inc. and SunTrust Investment Services. FINRA Public Disclosure reveals that Bender is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was settled to resolve allegations that unsuitable over-the-counter equities trades were effected in the A.G. Edwards Sons customer’s account and that the customer’s instructions had been disregarded by the stockbroker.

On April 3, 2019, a customer initiated investment related complaint pertaining to Bender’s conduct was settled for $60,000.00 in damages supported by allegations of the customer’s assets not being used for the purchase of Bitcoin like the customer expected when Bender was employed by SunTrust Investment Services.

FINRA Public Disclosure reveals that Bender was issued a Notice of Suspension letter on May 7, 2019 and a Suspension from Association letter dated May 31, 2019. The stockbroker failed to correspond with the regulator regarding the termination of that suspension by an August 11, 2019 deadline.

Bender’s employment with SunTrust Investment Services was terminated on June 1, 2018.