A financial services firm and one of its former valuation experts have agreed to a settlement over charges the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought that they deceived a client about how they were valuing certain options. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, the expert agreed to be barred from the securities industry with a right to reapply after one year and to pay a civil penalty of $50,000. The firm agreed to pay disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty, also without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings.