My 80 year old father-in-law just purchased a number of CD's on the advice of his Smith Barney broker. Below are a couple of examples:

LEHMAN BROTHERS BANK, FSB - DE
*CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT
DTD 08/29/07 INT : SEMI-ANN
5.1500% DUE 08/30/2010
PRINCIPAL AMT $5197.70
YIELD TO MATURITY 2.00
FULL PRICE IS 103.95400000
Gross Amount $ 5,197.70
Accrued Bond Int. 57.14
Amount $ 5,254.84
Settlement Date 05/20/2009
Trade Date: 05/20/2009 CUSIP#: 52521E-KF-6 Solicited Order
Market: Over-The-Counter Security#: 5354515 Cash Acct. HOLD SECURITIES
Ref #: 357733

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARI
*CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT
DTD 07/30/08 INT : SEMI-ANN
4.2500% DUE 07/30/2010
PRINCIPAL AMT $3079.47
YIELD TO MATURITY 2.00
FULL PRICE IS 102.64900000
Gross Amount $ 3,079.47
Accrued Bond Int. 38.08
Amount $ 3,117.55
Settlement Date 05/19/2009
Trade Date: 05/19/2009 CUSIP#: 059457-NL-1 Solicited Order
Market: Over-The-Counter Security#: 5435691 Cash Acct. HOLD SECURITIES
Ref #: 1449439

Would anybody care to offer thoughts on safety, appropriateness, and what the broker commission might have been.

Thanks in advance,

Joe