FINRA Fines Janney Over Compliance Failures Related to Two Advisors

Posted on October 31st, 2022 at 11:41 AM
FINRA Fines Janney Over Compliance Failures Related to Two Advisors

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Janney Montgomery Scott, a regional financial advisory firm, $245,000 due to compliance failures that permitted two advisors to over-concentrate 11 clients in energy equities.

According to FINRA, Janney’s automated compliance systems produced several alerts between December 2013 and December 2016 regarding potential over-concentration in certain client accounts. However, FINRA alleges that Janney failed to take “reasonable steps” to ensure that the advisors’ recommendations were suitable. The investments generating the red flags included limited partnerships emphasizing exploration or development of natural resources, which came at a “high risk of loss if oil and gas prices declined”, according to FINRA.

In one instance, FINRA alleged that an elderly investor with a $100,000 liquid net worth and moderate risk tolerance purchased 19 energy sector equities even after the account was over-concentrated, which resulted in losses exceeding her $100,000 net worth. While Janney has repaid eight clients, the penalty includes $145,019 in restitution to three clients who have yet to be reimbursed, according to FINRA. FINRA previously barred two advisors for failing to cooperate with its investigation, including Scott Palmer, who received his bar in 2018 after racking up 15 customer claims on his record since 2015.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

If you find yourself in trouble with the regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.