FINRA Suspends Former Merrill Advisor Who Operated Numerous Outside Businesses

Posted on November 30th, 2022 at 4:10 PM
FINRA Suspends Former Merrill Advisor Who Operated Numerous Outside Businesses

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a six-month suspension and a $10,000 fine to a former Merrill Lynch advisor after his group of outside businesses violated firm and regulatory policy. 

The Minnesota-based advisor, Christopher Eriksson, allegedly ran three outside businesses without obtaining required approval from Merrill Lynch. According to FINRA, the outside businesses included purchasing a parcel of land in Texas to develop an auto recycling business, two commercial properties that generated rental income and three automobile salvage companies. 

Eriksson additionally violated industry rules by borrowing $350,000 from a Merrill Lynch client without first notifying the firm, even though the loan was paid back in full. However, Eriksson also faces a pending client arbitration filed in 2020 seeking $20 million in damages related to an outside business activity in which the client provided the advisor with a personal loan to purchase real estate, according to BrokerCheck. The client further alleged unsuitable recommendations and excessive trading in options, according to BrokerCheck. The businesses at issue were a few of several approved activities listed on Eriksson’s BrokerCheck profile. Eriksson also lists a vending machine company that he initiated in 1994 as well as an Italian restaurant in Minnetonka, known as Spasso. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags:

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

May 30, 2025
Former LPL Advisor Sanctioned by FINRA Over Undisclosed Real Estate Venture

FINRA has fined a former LPL Financial advisor and suspended him for three months after allegations surfaced that he operated a real estate development business without his firm’s approval.

May 29, 2025
FINRA Sanctions Former Broker for Undisclosed Private Equity and Securities Activities

FINRA has sanctioned former registered representative Thomas A. Rapp for engaging in undisclosed outside business and private securities transactions while associated with M Holdings. The enforcement action stems from a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) Rapp submitted under FINRA Rule 9216, resolving the matter without ad...

May 28, 2025
SEC Charges Three Texas Residents in $91 Million Ponzi Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has filed charges against Kenneth W. Alexander II, Robert D. Welsh, and Caedrynn E. Conner, all Dallas-Fort Worth residents, for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that raised at least $91 million from over 200 investors.