Matthew Gary Barks (also known as Matt Barks), of New York, New York, a stockbroker registered with Park Avenue Securities LLC, has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity because Barks failed to testify during the time that FINRA investigated the stockbroker for possible forgery. Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2021070740701 (January 19, 2023).
On April 28, 2021, Park Avenue Securities submitted a Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration (Form U5), which indicated that they terminated Barks’ employment due to the discovery of irregularities in customer signatures on account and policy documents.
During the investigation concerning the circumstances surrounding the Form U5 filed by Park Avenue Securities, FINRA sent a letter to Barks on November 4, 2022. The letter requested Barks’ presence for testimony on November 29, 2022. However, Barks did not appear for testimony on the designated date. Subsequently, on November 29, 2022, FINRA sent a second letter to Barks, requesting his appearance for testimony on December 6, 2022. Once again, Barks failed to attend the testimony on the specified date.
As confirmed in his email to FINRA on January 5, 2023, Barks acknowledged receiving FINRA’s requests but declared his refusal to participate in testimony at any time. By declining to appear for testimony as requested by the regulator, Barks violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.
FINRA Public Disclosure shows that Barks was also referenced in a customer initiated investment related complaint that was settled on September 20, 2018, to resolve allegations that Barks committed forgery in connection with the sale of life insurance policies during the period that Barks was associated with Park Avenue Securities LLC.
On February 15, 2021, another customer filed an investment related complaint involving Barks’ conduct in which the customer requested $25,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Barks committed forgery in connection with the sale of variable annuities when Barks was associated with Park Avenue Securities LLC.
Barks was associated with Park Avenue Securities LLC in New York, New York, as a stockbroker from April 12, 2018, to April 28, 2021.
