Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown announced that a series of enforcement settlements with entities that failed to properly file required notices of business activity in Montana has added roughly $60,000 to the state’s Securities Fraud Restitution Assistance Fund in 2026.
The fund provides financial assistance to Montana residents harmed in cases prosecuted or administered by the commissioner’s Securities Division, or in cases the division initiated and referred for further action. Montana is one of just six states with such a fund.
“As fraud cases increase in Montana, it’s critical that we maintain a strong restitution fund to help victims begin to put their lives back together after they are defrauded,” Brown said. “We will continue using every enforcement tool available to hold bad actors accountable and protect Montana investors.”
Brown has secured $59,900 across nine settlement agreements so far in 2026. Beyond the financial contributions, the agreements require the parties involved to review and strengthen internal compliance processes, ensure timely and complete filings, and provide updated contact and filer information to the commissioner’s office.
Montanans harmed by fraud received $55,786 in restitution from the fund in the first quarter of this year. Additional restitution recommendations are expected in July.