Talk:World Financial Group

Semi-protected edit request on 20 June 2018
This needs to be revised please change "World Financial Group (WFG) is a multi-level marketing company" to "World Financial Group (WFG) is a It's a financial brokerage."

This is not an MLM. It's a financial brokerage and is proven to be by the BBB. The company is structured as such. Whoever last edited this don't understand the structure of a brokerage. WikFeatured (talk) 21:24, 20 June 2018 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia goes by reliable sources, with a strong preference for third-party sources. Per the New York Times: As a pyramidlike, multilevel sales organization, World Financial produces the big compensation for its agents not from their sales of products so much as their recruitment of new agents, according to the company's marketing materials. This is much more persuasive than original research based on the BBB's routine profile. You are free to continue this discussion, but do not reopen the request until consensus has been formed. Grayfell (talk) 21:32, 20 June 2018 (UTC)


 * What Wikipedia goes by is actually irrelevant. Here's the FTC's commentary on what an MLM is, and is not, including specific commentary on Wiki's own MLM pages. FTC MLM Legal definitions. Here is what the FTC document comments on Wiki's own MLM page: "MLM spokesmen clearly crafted this definition, which Wikopedia [sic] uncritically accepted in lieu of definitions of consumer advocates that would highlight the inherent flaws in MLM. For example, no mention is made of the endless chain of recruitment and a pay plan that is recruitment-driven, top-weighted, and financed primarily by incentivized purchases of the participants themselves. These critical features will be explained later in this chapter." Worth noting in all this is that the Wiki MLM page MLMs specifically calls MLMs "pyramid selling" based on 2 references that are actually dead sources. There's already been discussion on this issue on the MLM page, and it's acknowledged that the sources are not valid, and therefore would be candidates for removal.  Note here from the FTC's 2008 rule, that MLMs and pyramid schemes are _legally_ defined as different things. "Multi-level marketing is one form of direct selling, and refers to a business model in which a company distributes products through a network of distributors who earn income from their own retail sales of the product and from retail sales made by the distributors‘ direct and indirect recruits. Because they earn a commission from the sales their recruits make, each member in the MLM network has an incentive to continue recruiting additional sales representatives into their ―down lines.― - Peter J. Vander Nat and William W. Keep, “Marketing Fraud: An Approach to Differentiating Multilevel Marketing from Pyramid Schemes,”   Wiki has a distinct obligation to get this correct, and _not_ protect bad terminology (the current case) because "oh, but it's sourced". The sources are bad, and the conformance with legal definitions is horrendous. --Cprael (talk) 19:24, 13 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia actually exactly does (or at least should) follow its own rules, and uses a variety of sources per WP:V policy. Could you clarify which specific sources are "dead" and how that is relevant based on the WP:RS guideline that sources need not be currently (or even ever previously) available online? DMacks (talk) 05:24, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * You really should read the things you cite. Your statement is factually inaccurate. Allow me to quote _from WP:RS_. "Like text sources, media sources must be produced by a reliable third party and be properly cited. Additionally, an archived copy of the media must exist. It is convenient, but by no means necessary, for the archived copy to be accessible via the Internet." The source _must_ exist. At this point the MLM assertion is not documented at all - all cites to the assertion have been removed (and as previously noted, failed RS). As such, it's an unsupported assertion, fails WP:RS, and does not meet the standards set out by the relevant legal institution (FTC), as noted above. Unless you can lay out a cogent argument including relevant documentation with sources, I'm going to remove the unfounded assertion.--Cprael (talk) 06:18, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Since you have not "clarif[ied] which specific sources are "dead"", there's obviously no way I can figure out where it might exist. Actually state the specific citation, since I see no Deadlink or similar tags in the Multi-level marketing. DMacks (talk) 06:48, 19 August 2019 (UTC)

Removing cite #1 (Lubove, Seth (May 28, 2008). "Dutch Insurer's U.S. unit draws scrutiny from regulators". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2018.) because it is a duplicate article to cite #3 ( "Aegon in Missouri Provokes Regulators Finding Sales Deceptions". Bloomberg. May 28, 2008. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011.) Here are the lede 3 paragraphs from each article:
 * (NYT) Aegon, the Dutch insurer that owns Transamerica and its pyramid-shaped tower in San Francisco, had a rough 2007.  Earnings dropped 20 percent to €2.55 billion, or $4 billion, dragged down by weakening investments in the Netherlands.  One bright spot was the Americas, where profit rose 12 percent to $2.18 billion. The company can thank people like Dana Lagattuta of Agoura Hills, California. As a successful agent in Aegon's little-known World Financial Group, Lagattuta oversees 50 other agents who sell life insurance, annuities and mutual funds from Aegon units.
 * May 28 (Bloomberg) -- Aegon NV, the Dutch insurer that owns Transamerica Corp. and its iconic, pyramid-shaped tower in San Francisco, had a rough 2007. Earnings dropped 20 percent to 2.55 billion euros ($4 billion), dragged down by weakening investments in the Netherlands. One bright spot was the Americas, where profit rose 12 percent to $2.18 billion. The company can thank folks like Dana Lagattuta of Agoura Hills, California. As a successful agent in Aegon's little-known World Financial Group Inc., Lagattuta oversees 50 other agents who push life insurance, annuities and mutual funds from Aegon units. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cprael (talk • contribs) 23:11, 15 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Reverted per note "PLEASE NOTE: This article's statement that WFG is a multi-level marketing company is sourced to The New York Times. Please do not change or remove this information unless you have a reliable source stating that WFG is no longer an MLM." Rhode Island Red (talk) 02:29, 16 December 2019 (UTC)
 * The note itself is invalid, or should be retagged to note that the correct source is Bloomberg News, NOT the NYT. Therefore the correct course of actions is to (a) adjust the note to correctly point to Bloomberg, and (b) remove the NYT duplicate article.  It is not to revert the change.Cprael (talk) 00:15, 29 January 2020 (UTC)
 * The only post on your talk page if from 5 years ago telling you not to edit the WFG page to remove references to them being an MLM. We can all tell who is paying your bills. --208.113.0.174 (talk) 21:13, 1 May 2021 (UTC)
 * Harassment from an anonymous IP, in Canada. Lovely. If you have something substantive to say that addresses the facts, please do. If not, go away.Cprael (talk) 18:06, 29 October 2021 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 23 January 2022
Please edit or remove the beginning sentence as it is false. World Financial Group is not a Multi Level Marketing company.

Thank you

2600:6C64:6D7F:F9D4:651B:886A:4525:B62D (talk) 20:18, 23 January 2022 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done for now: please establish a consensus for this alteration before using the template. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 20:21, 23 January 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 7 June 2022
Remove Multi-level marketing Groverrajat180 (talk) 15:22, 7 June 2022 (UTC)
 * ❌ The term "multi level marketing" is well sourced. If you have sources that use different terminology, please offer them. If you work for this organization, please read WP:COI and WP:PAID. 331dot (talk) 15:27, 7 June 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 15 August 2022
Please remove "multi-level" from the description of this cmpany. It is not an MLM scheme. SamK601 (talk) 04:04, 15 August 2022 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: per both of the above. &#128156; melecie   talk  - 08:48, 15 August 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 27 March 2023
REMOVE: Under 'Regulatory Issues', remove line and it's reference: "In October 2014, WFG fined $700,000 by FINRA for failing to supervise registered reps in Dallas.[25]". REASON: This cited article is about "WFG Investments, Inc." which also does business as "Williams Financial Group" or "Wilson Financial Group", and is NOT World Financial Group. Gorwah (talk) 08:52, 27 March 2023 (UTC)
 * ✅ Actualcpscm (talk) 12:40, 27 March 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 8 April 2023
world financial group is not a multi-level marketing company. it is not reliable information and misleading statements Saini1918 (talk) 02:22, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. Lightoil (talk) 02:35, 8 April 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 10 May 2023
Please change the reference to Tom Dempsey CEO. Tom Dempsey left WFG in 2022. Our new leader is Todd Buchanan, President of World Financial Group (WFG) in the United States. Credible source: Tampa Bay Business & Wealth: Transamerica names Tampa executive president of World Financial Group and head of Transamerica Financial Advisors - TBBW (tbbwmag.com) https://tbbwmag.com/2022/11/30/transamerica-names-tampa-executive-president-of-world-financial-group-and-head-of-transamerica-financial-advisors/ 208.127.69.116 (talk) 18:02, 10 May 2023 (UTC)
 * The Terms of Use require you as an employee to declare as a paid editor, see WP:PAID. This is easier to do with an account, but even if you don't create an account, you must disclose. 331dot (talk) 18:24, 10 May 2023 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done for now: Please read the comment that I left on your talk page. M.Bitton (talk) 20:25, 10 May 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 1 July 2023
Requesting these changes:

1. Rename the section 'Regulatory issues' to 'Regulatory and legal issues'

2. Add the following text to that section:

In 2014, WFG Securities of Canada Inc. agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a case against it by the Manitoba Securities Commission.

In 2022, WFG terminated an agent’s membership agreement after he was served two administrative monetary penalties for making false and misleading statements and representations in the solicitation or registration of five life insurance policies, and for providing the FSRA with false and misleading information.

In April 2023, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued a notice of proposal against World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc., alleging gaps in WFG’s operation and ongoing proceedings by another regulator against WFG. Smtree (talk) 13:22, 1 July 2023 (UTC)


 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: all three of these proposed sentences are either directly copied from their respective sources, or are phrases directly copied from the source, then slightly rearranged with one or two interjecting or changed words. Basically, these would be plagiarism and WP:COPYVIO. -- Pinchme123 (talk) 23:02, 12 October 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 27 November 2023
Requesting the following change:

- Remove recent edit expanding on a 2008 article: "It has been criticized by customers who claim to have lost significant sums due to WFG agents selling them "inappropriate investments".

There are already references to the regulatory and legal actions, most of which are minor and outdated, the referenced article is from 2008 and most of the issues raised were previous to the current business ownership and management. The Wiki update is written to appear as if current and is clearly biased. 2A0D:6FC2:40C0:E800:60B3:52B5:C8FB:E6BF (talk) 15:57, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
 * Added tag for you. 331dot (talk) 16:05, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
 * The information is an important part of the company's history so cannot be removed. I have however moved it to the history section and changed it to past tense to refer to the 2008 article as there's currently no references claiming the issue is still ongoing. Lewcm Talk to me! 10:51, 15 December 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 2 February 2024
Hello, I would like to make some changes on this article. thanks Labaseshop (talk) 02:09, 2 February 2024 (UTC)


 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: this is not the right page to request additional user rights. You may reopen this request with the specific changes to be made and someone may add them for you, or if you have an account, you can wait until you are autoconfirmed and edit the page yourself. Grayfell (talk) 02:17, 2 February 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 6 May 2024
After the sentence in beginning paragraph "It is wholly owned by Dutch life insurance multinational Aegon and operates primarily under the Transamerica brand in the United States" add:

"The headquarters of World Financial Group in Canada are situated in Toronto, Ontario. Both World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc. and WFG Securities of Canada Inc. maintain their home offices within the Transamerica Tower, located at 5000 Yonge Street in Toronto." 2604:3D09:6C7E:6300:ECAD:2865:598D:EF1E (talk) 16:30, 6 May 2024 (UTC)


 * ✅ -  Lord ' serious ' pig  20:28, 29 May 2024 (UTC)


 * I've reverted. These primary sources do not indicate that this belongs in the article at all, much less in the lead. Grayfell (talk) 23:34, 29 May 2024 (UTC)