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

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
Quotes Bigger

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

1775670322 Law
April 8, 2026
FinCEN Imposes $80 Million Penalty on Canaccord for AML Failures

The U.S.

1775574785 Law
April 7, 2026
SEC Charges Long Island RIA and Executives in $138 Million Private Fund Scheme

A Long Island-based registered investment adviser and two of its senior executives now face parallel civil and criminal proceedings tied to an alleged scheme involving conflicted private fund investments, as reported by InvestmentNews.

1775496481 Law
April 6, 2026
FINRA Arbitration Panel Orders Fidelity to Pay $1.3 Million Over Structured Product Disputes

A Financial Industry Regulatory (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Fidelity Brokerage Services to pay approximately $1.3 million to two groups of clients who alleged misconduct tied to structured product investments, according to ThinkAdvisor.