Consent Agreement and Order: Keystone Investment Advisors, LLC — DOBS — US-PA

FILED
2024 FEB 23 AM 8:52
PA DEPARTMENT OF
BANKING AND SECURITIES

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND
SECURITIES, BUREAU OF SECURITIES
COMPLIANCE AND EXAMINATIONS
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Docket No.: 230047(SEC-OSC) v.
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KEYSTONE INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
CHRISTOPHER S. CAMPANELLA¹
GREGORY A. BURD
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The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of Banking and Securities (“Department”), Bureau of Securities Compliance and Examinations (“Bureau”), has conducted an investigation of the business practices of Keystone Investment Advisors, LLC (“KIA”) and its officers and employees. Based on the results of its investigation, the Bureau has concluded that KIA has operated in violation of the Pennsylvania Securities Act of 1972, 70 P.S. § 1-101 et seq. (“1972 Act”). KIA, in lieu of litigation, and without admitting or denying the allegations herein, and intending to be legally bound, hereby agrees to the terms of this Consent Agreement and Order (“Order”).

BACKGROUND

The Department is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s administrative agency authorized and empowered to administer and enforce the 1972 Act.

¹ This Consent Agreement Order is only applicable to Keystone Investment Advisors, LLC.

The Bureau is primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the 1972 Act for the Department.
Respondent Keystone Investment Advisors, LLC (“Respondent KIA”), CRD # 150622, was, at all material times herein, a Pennsylvania limited liability company with an address at 10521 Perry Highway, Suite 310, Wexford, Pennsylvania 15090.
From on or about July 10, 2009 until the present, Respondent KIA was registered pursuant to Section 301(c) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-301(c), as an investment adviser.
From in or about May 2022 through June 2023, KIA did not maintain a reasonable system for applying and enforcing written procedures pertaining to the purchase, sale and exchange of inverse and leveraged exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) on behalf of its clients who were residents of Pennsylvania.

VIOLATION

By engaging in the acts and conduct set forth in paragraphs 3 through 5 above, Respondent KIA failed to establish and maintain written procedures with respect to leveraged ETFs and a system for applying and enforcing those written procedures which are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the 1972 Act and other securities laws and regulations, and failed to keep a copy of the written procedures with respect to leveraged ETFs at each location where it conducted business, which acts and conduct form a basis to deny, suspend, revoke, or condition the registration of Respondent KIA or to censure Respondent KIA pursuant to Section 305(a)(v) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-305(a)(v), and Regulation 305.011(a), (c), 10 Pa. Code § 305.011(a), (c), promulgated thereunder.

RELIEF

KIA shall pay the Department an administrative assessment in the amount of $20,000.00. Payment shall be made by certified check or money order made payable to the “Department of Banking and Securities” and shall be mailed or delivered in person to the Bureau of Securities Compliance and Examinations located at 17 N. Second Street, Suite 1300, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101. The assessment shall be paid as follows:

a. $2,000.00 on or before April 1, 2024;

b. $3,000.00 on or before July 1, 2024;

c. $3,000.00 on or before October 1, 2024;

d. $3,000.00 on or before January 1, 2025;

e. $3,000.00 on or before April 1, 2025;

f. $3,000.00 on or before July 1, 2025; and

g. $3,000.00 on or before October 1, 2025.

This Order is not intended to indicate that KIA or any of its affiliates or current or former employees should be subject to any disqualification contained in the federal securities laws, the rules and regulations thereunder, the rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations or various states’ securities laws, including the provisions of the 1972 Act and regulations promulgated thereunder; and any disqualification from relying upon the registration exemptions or safe harbor provisions, and this Order is not intended to form the basis of any such disqualification.
KIA is ORDERED to comply with the 1972 Act, and Regulations adopted by the Department, and in particular Section 305(a)(v) of the 1972 Act, 70 P.S. § 1-305(a)(v).
Should KIA fail to pay the assessment as set forth in paragraph 7 above, the sanctions set forth elsewhere in the Order shall continue in full force and effect until full payment is made. However, this provision shall not be construed as affording KIA the option of either paying the assessment or being indefinitely subject to the sanctions.
Should KIA fail to comply with any and/or all provisions of this Order, the Department may impose additional sanctions and costs and seek other appropriate relief subject to KIA’s right to a hearing pursuant to the 1972 Act.

FURTHER PROVISIONS

Consent. KIA hereby knowingly, willingly, voluntarily and irrevocably consents to the entry of this Order pursuant to the Bureau’s authority under the 1972 Act and agrees that it understands all of the terms and conditions contained herein. KIA, by voluntarily entering into this Order, waives any right to a hearing or appeal concerning the terms, conditions, and/or penalties set forth in this Order.
Entire Agreement. This Order contains the entire agreement between the Department and KIA. There are no other terms, obligations, covenants, representations, statements, conditions, or otherwise, of any kind whatsoever concerning this Order. This Order may be amended in writing by mutual agreement by the Department and KIA.
Binding Nature. The Department, KIA, and all officers, owners, directors, employees, heirs and assigns of KIA intend to be and are legally bound by the terms of this Order.
Counsel. This Order is entered into by the parties upon full opportunity for legal advice from legal counsel.
Effectiveness. KIA hereby stipulates and agrees that the Order shall become effective on the date the Bureau executes the Order (“Effective Date”).
Other Enforcement Action.

(a) The Department reserves all of its rights, duties, and authority to enforce all statutes, rules, and regulations under its jurisdiction against KIA in the future regarding all matters not resolved by this Order.

(b) KIA acknowledges and agrees that this Order is only binding upon the Department and not any other local, state or federal agency, department, or office regarding matters within this Order.

Authorization. The parties below are authorized to execute this Order and legally bind their respective parties.
Counterparts. This Order may be executed in separate counterparts, by facsimile and/or by PDF.
Titles. The titles used to identify the paragraphs of this document are for the convenience of reference only and do not control the interpretation of this document.
Finding. The Department finds that it is necessary and appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1972 Act to issue this Order.

WHEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, including the recital paragraphs, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Banking and Securities, Bureau of Securities Compliance and Examinations and Keystone Investment Advisors, LLC, intending to be legally bound, do hereby execute this Consent Agreement and Order.

FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND SECURITIES
BUREAU OF SECURITIES COMPLIANCE AND EXAMINATIONS

Redacted
Eric Pistilli, Deputy Secretary for Securities Date: 02/22/2024

FOR KEYSTONE INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC

Redacted
Christopher S. Campanella, Owner

Redacted
Gregory A. Burd, Owner
Date: 02/22/2024