Haselkorn & Thibaut, a respected national securities fraud law firm, is actively investigating Avi J. Bialo, a financial advisor and broker registered with Arete Wealth Management, LLC in Encino, California. If you or someone you care about has invested with Mr. Bialo or through Arete Wealth Management, it is critical to understand his professional background, recent complaints, and your rights as an investor. You may be entitled to a free portfolio review and confidential consultation—no recovery, no fee.
Who is Avi J. Bialo of Encino, CA?
Table of Contents
| Name: | Avi J. Bialo |
| CRD Number: | 6165479 |
| City, State: | Encino, CA |
| Current Broker-Dealer: | Arete Wealth Management, LLC |
| Investment Adviser Registration: | Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC |
Avi J. Bialo is a **licensed stockbroker and financial advisor** with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, and also serves clients as an investment adviser through Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC. His professional experience extends to previous roles in insurance sales and as a partner in an investment-related crypto/NFT fund.
Professional Background and Affiliations
In addition to his core financial services roles, Mr. Bialo is involved with ancillary businesses including:
- Wealth Solutions 360 / Independent Financial Solutions (insurance sales)
- ZAS Capital (crypto/NFT fund partner)
- HealthMarkets Insurance Agency (insurance broker)
- Keystone Legacy Group (insurance sales)
- Prudent Pet (insurance sales)
**Why does this matter for investors?** Multiple professional affiliations can sometimes signal potential conflicts of interest, especially if complex or alternative investments are recommended.
Review of Complaints, Awards, and Settlements
**Avi J. Bialo’s practice has been the subject of multiple customer complaints and FINRA arbitration proceedings** over the past several years. Here’s a detailed look at the most notable filings:
Significant FINRA Arbitration Award
- Case Number: 22-01257
- Date: August 12, 2025
- Allegations: Unsuitable alternative investment recommendations (June and October 2020)
- Award to Customer: $280,000
**Key takeaway:** FINRA arbitration panels will generally only award damages if they find substantial evidence of an advisor’s failure to follow essential industry standards. In this case, the panel found that the recommendations Mr. Bialo made were not suitable for the customer’s needs.
Customer Disputes and Settlements
| FINRA Case No. | Filed | Settlement Amount | Nature of Dispute |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-02548 | Nov 2025 | $36,500 | Alternative investments |
| 23-03622 | Dec 2023 | $12,000 | Alternative investments |
| 22-02621 | Dec 2022 | $47,500 | Alternative/illiquid investments |
| 23-00085 | Jan 2023 | $40,666 | Alternative/illiquid investments |
| 22-02342 | Oct 2022 | $27,500 | Alternative investments |
Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
**Repeated themes emerged across these disputes:**
- Unsuitable investment recommendations—concentrating clients in high-risk, illiquid, or alternative products, with questions as to whether these were truly suitable given the investors’ unique needs and profiles.
- Failure to act in the customer’s best interest—potential conflicts regarding whether product sales maximized the advisor’s compensation over the client’s benefit.
- Insufficient risk disclosure—many alternative investments come with complex or understated risks, including limited liquidity and potentially substantial losses.
These allegations, if proven, may constitute violations of FINRA’s suitability rule (FINRA Rule 2111) and the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), both of which require professionals to put the client’s interests first and offer only investment strategies and products consistent with their goals and risk tolerance.
Current Regulatory Status
According to the most recent **[FINRA BrokerCheck](https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/6165479)** review and publicly available SEC records (as of June 2024):
- No regulatory enforcement actions, fines, or suspensions involving Mr. Bialo.
- No criminal or civil judicial actions or bankruptcy filings reported by regulatory agencies.
- No public news articles, state regulatory alerts, or attorney general warnings naming Mr. Bialo in pending litigation or investigations.
**Investors should be aware** that, while certain complaints may settle confidentially, all material disclosures should appear on a registered advisor’s record.
How Investors Can Protect Themselves
If you have worked with Avi J. Bialo through Arete Wealth Management, LLC, and have experienced unexpected losses—especially in alternative, illiquid or high-risk investments—consider having your account thoroughly reviewed. Even if your account appears stable, changes in regulatory status or a pattern of complaints may indicate you should evaluate your portfolio with a fresh set of eyes.
Haselkorn & Thibaut offers free, confidential consultations to investors nationwide. Their team of attorneys has recovered millions for clients through FINRA arbitration and other legal remedies. No recovery, no fee.
Key Takeaways for Investors in Encino, CA and Beyond
- Multiple customer settlements and a large FINRA arbitration award involving alternative investment recommendations have been made in connection to Avi J. Bialo.
- Investors should be cautious if they were placed in illiquid, high-risk, or unfamiliar products.
- If you feel a product was misrepresented, or unsuitable, or your best interest was not put first, legal support is available to review your account and pursue potential recovery.
If you or your family have suffered investment losses with Avi J. Bialo or Arete Wealth Management, LLC, you may be eligible to recover your damages. Call Haselkorn & Thibaut at 1-888-885-7162 or visit investmentfraudlawyers.com for your free, confidential case evaluation.
