An NASD arbitration panel has ordered Ameriprise – the former American Express Financial Advisers – to pay $22 million to retired Exxon Mobil employees who had charged the company with selling them risky investments. According to The Wall Street Journal, the NASD action covered the sale of variable annuities and mutual fund B-shares, both of which are considered high risk. The award – which includes $11.6 million in compensatory damages, $3.5 million in punitive damages, $4.7 million in attorney fees and the rest in interest – is one of only a few awards for complaints brought by customers to exceed $20 million. Amerprise is expected to move to vacate the ruling.