Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

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
Quotes Bigger

We just wanted to say thanks for your work in helping us get back some of the money we lost. We are not by any means rich, but we have saved some money and we have done so through a tight-fisted approach to most everything we do. So losing a significant chunk of money hurt…especially at a time when everyone else was growing their accounts. We really appreciate the work you did.

Allan and Adele

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1791477640 Law
October 8, 2026
Delaware Life Faces Proposed Class Action Over Alleged Private Credit Disclosures

A Florida investor has filed a proposed class action against Delaware Life Insurance Co.

1791390362 Law
October 7, 2026
SEC Charges Investment Fund Operators in Alleged $8.7 Million Fraud Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Christopher Kenji Dinelli and Jacob David "Kobe" Frankel with allegedly defrauding 35 investors of more than $8.7 million through Beyond Alpha Ventures LLC and investment advisory firm Beyond Equity LLC.

1791220249 Law
October 5, 2026
House Passes Bill to Restore Tax Deduction for Financial Fraud Victims

Victims of financial fraud may soon receive additional tax relief under legislation that overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives.