SEC fines 13 brokerages over retail sales of 'junk' bonds issued by Puerto Rican government

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have fined 13 brokerage firms, including Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Securities and TD Ameritrade, accusing them of failing to protect retail investors in sales of high-risk bonds issued by Puerto Rico's debt-strapped government.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the penalties Monday. The amounts are small, from $54,000 to $130,000.

But the action is significant because it is the SEC's first under a rule establishing the smallest amount of municipal bonds that brokerages can sell an investor in a single transaction. Retail investors usually buy securities in smaller amounts, so the rule is designed to ensure that high-risk "junk" bonds are sold only to investors who can purchase bigger quantities and shoulder greater risk.

The SEC said it found sales below the $100,000 minimum for the Puerto Rico bonds.