Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

legality of personal finance/investing blog

I run a blog that covers online bank interest rates, CD rates, money market rates, mutual funds, etf's, etc. I don't actually recommend people go out any buy anything individually but it do cover the news on it and give my thoughts. Like I'll say ''you might want to avoid this fund because of its benchmark underperformance'' or something to that effect.

I have a disclaimer saying that I'm not a certified financial planner or an investment advisor, and that the entire thing is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be considered advice.

Is that enough to protect myself? My concern is someone buying a fund, it tanks, and then suing me or something.


Asked on 12/05/08, 12:26 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Pepper Pepper Law Group, LLC

Re: legality of personal finance/investing blog

Anyone can call themselves a financial planner. If a financial planner or a firm that does financial planning provides specific investment recommendations concerning securities for a fee, they must register as an investment adviser under New Jersey law, or prove that they are exempt from registration. Investment advisers may be paid a flat fee or a percentage of the value of your account, or they may earn a commission on your investment transactions.

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Answered on 12/05/08, 9:33 am


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