Firm Pays $5,250 to BCSC for Advising Without Registration

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(EMWNews – Aug. 14, 2008) – An Ontario-based investment firm agreed to pay a fine and registration fees to the British Columbia Securities Commission for engaging in unregistered activity.

Wirth Associates Inc., an investment counsel and portfolio manager registered in Ontario, admitted in a settlement agreement with the BCSC that it had conducted transactions for a B.C. client without registration under the Securities Act from December 2007 to April 29, 2008. At the time, the firm was aware of the obligation to obtain B.C. registration under the Act.

Under the settlement agreement, Wirth agreed to pay a $3,500 fine and $1,750 for registration fees that otherwise would have been payable to the BCSC if the firm had been registered.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities within the province. You may view the settlement on our website www.bcsc.bc.ca by typing in the search box, Wirth Associates Inc. or 2008 BCSECCOM 439. If you have questions, contact Ken Gracey, Media Relations, 604-899-6577.

Learn how to avoid investment fraud at the BCSC’s investor education website: www.investright.org.