FINRA Disciplinary Actions Rise for the First Time Since 2016

Posted on March 17th, 2025 at 11:51 AM
FINRA Disciplinary Actions Rise for the First Time Since 2016

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) increased its enforcement actions in 2024, marking the first rise in disciplinary cases since 2016, as reported by AdvisorHub.

FINRA initiated 552 enforcement actions last year, a 22 percent increase from 453 in 2023. The cases include settlements and complaints against individual advisors and firms, were tracked through FINRA’s disciplinary database ahead of the regulator’s official report.

Although disciplinary actions increased, total monetary sanctions declined. FINRA imposed $87 million in penalties last year, down 14 percent from $101 million in 2023. Fines dropped 35 percent to $59 million, largely due to the absence of a major penalty like the $24 million fine against Bank of America Securities in 2023.

However, restitution payments surged 207 percent year-over-year to $23 million. This increase was driven by a December enforcement action against Edward Jones, Osaic Wealth, and Cambridge Investment Research, according to AdvisorHub. The firms were ordered to pay a combined $8.2 million in restitution to customers who were improperly charged commissions on mutual fund sales.

AdvisorHub reports that FINRA’s enforcement activity has remained strong into 2025. In one of its first major settlements of the year, two units of Robinhood Markets Inc. agreed to pay $26 million to settle allegations that they failed to respond to red flags about potential misconduct and did not verify the identities of thousands of customers.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I just wanted to say thanks again for preparing and executing my case in such a professional manner. It was a pleasure to watch two professionals take such pride in their work, as well as becoming personally in tune with your client (Me). I would personally recommend you and your firm to anyone.

John O.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 27, 2026
Eighth Circuit Rejects Emergency Injunction in Advisor Departure Dispute

A federal appeals court ruled against an advisory firm seeking immediate, injunctive relief after a team of advisors left with hundreds of millions in client assets.

February 26, 2026
FINRA Bars Former Cambridge Advisor After Refusal to Cooperate With Communications Probe

A former advisor affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research has been barred from the securities industry after declining to comply with a regulatory investigation, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

February 25, 2026
Advisors Increase Crypto Allocations as Merrill Lynch Warns of Significant Risks

Financial advisors are placing more client assets into digital currencies, even as major firms caution investors about the asset class's volatility and speculative nature.