B. Riley Wealth and financial advisor Mac McIntyre are currently at the center of a significant investor complaint that highlights broader concerns about investment suitability and fiduciary responsibility. Mac McIntyre (CRD# 2839149) is a seasoned financial advisor based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, with nearly three decades of industry experience across multiple financial firms. The current case underscores how crucial it is for both advisors and clients to understand investment recommendations and to ensure they align with personal financial goals and risk tolerance.
Allegations and Case Information
In February 2026, a client of Mac McIntyre filed a complaint seeking $250,000 in damages. At the heart of the allegation is the claim that Mr. McIntyre recommended a taxable fixed-income portfolio allegedly unsuitable for the investor’s objectives and risk capacity. The complaint—now officially public and still pending—draws attention not only because of the amount of money involved, but also because it challenges the trusted role advisors play in managing other people’s financial futures.
At the time of the alleged improper conduct, Mac McIntyre was registered with National Securities Corporation. According to the claim, the investments were inconsistent with the customer’s stated objectives and did not match their risk profile. In simple terms: the portfolio may have looked reliable on paper, but it did not suit the client’s needs. The allegation centers on the critical regulatory concept known as suitability, governed by FINRA Rule 2111, which requires advisors to ensure that investment recommendations fit the unique circumstances of each client.
Fixed-income investments, such as bonds or treasury notes, are typically seen as lower-risk, steady options—often favored by investors seeking stability rather than high growth. However, even these investments can be unsuitable depending on a client’s age, tax situation, income, time horizon, or risk appetite. Without that tailored approach, even the most stable-seeming recommendations may end up producing losses—financial and otherwise. The complaint in question alleges that the products sold by Mac McIntyre did not appropriately match the client’s financial situation or goals, resulting in substantial losses and broken trust.
| Advisor: | Mac McIntyre |
|---|---|
| CRD Number: | 2839149 |
| Firm: | B. Riley Wealth |
| Location: | Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois |
| Complaint Filed: | February 2026 |
| Alleged Damages: | $250,000 |
| Status: | Pending |
| Product Type: | Taxable fixed-income portfolio |
The specific fixed-income products named in the complaint remain undisclosed. Still, the principal allegation is clear: the client believes that their money was put into investments unfit for their financial circumstances. As cases like this proceed, they typically involve document exchange, interviews, administrative conferences, potential hearings, and sometimes settlements. Until a resolution is reached, the mere existence of such a complaint can have far-reaching consequences for both the advisor and the client’s confidence in the financial system.
Incidents of unsuitable recommendations are not isolated. According to a study published in the Wall Street Journal, about 7% of financial advisors have a misconduct disclosure on their record, and many continue to work in the industry. This makes it all the more critical for clients to research their advisor’s background before investing.
Mac McIntyre’s Background and Professional History
Mac McIntyre has accrued 28 years of experience in the securities industry, highlighting a lengthy career that includes a variety of roles and licenses. He is currently registered with B. Riley Wealth, serving as a broker since 2017 and as an investment advisor since 2022. Prior to his current position, he held registrations with major firms such as National Securities Corporation, US Bancorp Investments, Fifth Third Securities, and PFS Investments. He presently holds licenses in 30 states, reflecting a broad national practice.
Through the years, Mr. McIntyre has passed multiple key industry exams, including:
- Securities Industry Essentials Examination (SIE)
- General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7)
- Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Exam (Series 6)
- Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam (Series 63)
- Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam (Series 65)
- Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Exam (Series 26)
Before the current pending complaint, Mac McIntyre’s record was free of customer disputes, regulatory actions, or financial disclosures such as tax liens or bankruptcies. That said, no matter how many exams are passed or how clean a record appears, credentials alone cannot guarantee that an investor will always get advice suited to their needs. For more information on how to look up a financial advisor’s records, visit Financial Advisor Complaints.
What is Investment Suitability? Understanding FINRA Rule 2111
The concept of suitability is central to every financial advisor’s duty to their clients. Under FINRA Rule 2111, an advisor must have a reasonable basis to believe that an investment recommendation is appropriate for the particular customer, taking into account factors such as age, income, financial goals, investment experience, and risk tolerance. The rule divides suitability into three obligations:
- Reasonable-basis suitability: The advisor understands the larger context of the investment or strategy, ensuring it could make sense for some investors.
- Customer-specific suitability: The advisor ensures the recommendation fits that particular client’s situation.
- Quantitative suitability: The advisor avoids recommending excessive trades, even if each trade individually appears reasonable.
In the case of Mac McIntyre, the pending complaint centers on the second obligation—customer-specific suitability—where the claim alleges that the investments recommended did not match the client’s needs or profile. Such allegations can have major consequences, especially given that, according to Investopedia, the role of a fiduciary is built entirely on trust and putting the client’s best interests first.
Investment Fraud and Advisor Misconduct: A Broader Perspective
While unsuitable recommendations are not the same as outright investment fraud, both can have lasting negative effects on clients. Investment fraud is a well-documented issue in the United States; in 2022 alone, the Federal Trade Commission reported that U.S. investors lost nearly $3.8 billion to investment scams and fraud—including cases involving deceptive advice or a lack of adequate disclosure. Not every loss is fraud, but all cases underscore the need for vigilance. FINRA, the SEC, and other regulators continue to warn consumers to check backgrounds and understand recommendations before investing.
Consequences and Takeaways for Both Investors and Advisors
The outcome of this case involving Mac McIntyre is still pending, and no findings of liability or wrongdoing have been made. B. Riley Wealth, FINRA, and possibly other regulatory bodies may investigate the claim further. The case may result in arbitration, a settlement, or dismissal. Regardless, the issue is a reminder that transparency, communication, and diligence are essential in every advisor-client relationship.
For clients, resources like FINRA BrokerCheck and Financial Advisor Complaints offer detailed advisor records and can help identify warning signs before losses occur. It’s also wise to ask questions, stay informed about products in your portfolio, and only agree to strategies you clearly understand and are comfortable with.
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