An Auckland financial adviser accused of stealing $3 million of investors' money has been charged today.

An Auckland businessman who admitted running a business while bankrupt also has a senior role in a foreign exchange trading scheme the FMA has warned the public about.

David Ross had the outward appearance of a successful businessman - he lived in a $2.2 million home, owned expensive paintings, drove a Mercedes, and told clients he holidayed around the world.

Wellington financial adviser David Ross pleads guilty to charges relating to running a Ponzi scheme.

David Ross, the Ponzi-accused former manager of Ross Asset Management appeared in court this morning, but all aspects of the hearing were suppressed.

Three directors of Dominion Finance and North South Finance were all sentenced to at least 10 months' home detention today.

A body with the power to fine financial advisers or recommend they be deregistered will hear its first cases today.

The FMA files civil proceedings against Diligent founder Brian Peter Henry for alleged involvement in the manipulation of company shares.

The FMA has issued a public warning against doing business with a foreign currency exchange company.

Three more charges have been laid today against the alleged Ponzi-schemer David Ross.

The High Court hears bankrupt accountant Neill Williams knowingly participated "in the misappropriation of investor funds".

The FMA is preparing to take action against two unnamed KiwiSaver issuers for making misleading statements in their offer documents.

Former Dominion Finance directors Robert Barry Whale and Ann Butler have both been sentenced to terms of home detention in the High Court in Auckland today.

The Serious Fraud Office has laid charges against financial adviser David Ross, who is alleged to have operated a $400 million Ponzi scheme.

Belgrave Finance director Stephen Smith has been sentenced to four years in jail.

Businesses which drag their heels or fail to comply with a new anti-money laundering and terrorism financing law should expect to face firm action, say regulators.

Suggestions the FMA knew about David Ross long before his business was raided were "crap", says Sean Hughes.

Tougher licensing rules for authorised financial advisers won't be introduced in a law change despite being suggested by the market regulator.

Today we launch part one of our latest video series, a beginner's guide to investing in shares.