The enforcement action involves unauthorized trading activity and fee deductions from a client account, indicating investment services were being provided by Van Ray Financial, though the update focuses on misconduct rather than regulatory framework changes.
Low confidence — REQUIRES HUMAN REVIEW. While the misconduct involved a deceased client's account management, there is insufficient detail to confirm whether this was retail banking, lending, or purely investment-related activity.
Specialism
The update describes a formal regulatory enforcement action with an explicit monetary fine ($15,000) and investigative costs ($2,000) imposed by a state securities regulator on a named firm and individual for identified violations.
Mandatory inheritance: Financial Penalty is a child of Enforcement, so Enforcement must be raised as the secondary tag.
2026-03-05 17:40:32·alapetina@vixio.com
Meta Id
2933646
GUID
b5f063f2c1f372a7290eff981ea94bcc
On January 21, 2026, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Securities Division issued a Consent Order against Van Ray Financial, LLC; Christopher Files. File order S-23-3913-25-CO01
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TITLE: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Issues Consent Order Against Van Ray Financial and Christopher Files
BODY:
On January 21, 2026, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Division of Securities entered a Consent Order (S-23-3913-25-CO01) against Van Ray Financial, LLC and Christopher Files.
The Consent Order addresses unauthorised trading activity and fee deductions from a deceased client's account. From December 10, 2021, to July 1, 2024, Christopher Files knowingly placed trades and deducted fees from the deceased client's account without authority to do so. The respondent violated RCW 21.20.020 (Washington's Securities Act).
The Division of Securities imposed the following remedies and penalties: investigative costs of $2,000, a fine of $15,000, and a cease and desist order prohibiting further violations. The Consent Order represents a settlement between the Division of Securities and the respondents, resolving the enforcement action without admission or denial of the allegations.
The order file is available for public review through the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Division of Securities.
REFERENCES:
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Division of Securities. (2026). Van Ray Financial, LLC; Christopher Files – Consent Order – S-23-3913-25-CO01. Retrieved from https://dfi.wa.gov/securities/enforcement-actions