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

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

May 8, 2025
All 50 States Now Aligned on Annuity Sales Standards

The annuity industry officially has secured uniformity in sales regulations across all 50 states.

May 7, 2025
Jury Finds Investment Advisor Liable for Failing to Disclose Annuity Commissions

A federal jury in Massachusetts has found investment adviser Jeffrey Cutter and his firm, Cutter Financial Group, liable for violating federal securities law by failing to disclose significant upfront commissions and conflicts of interest related to an annuity replacement scheme.

May 6, 2025
SEC Charges Three Individuals in $284 Million Arizona Sports Complex Bond Fraud by Legacy Cares

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil enforcement action against Randall “Randy” Miller, Chad Miller, and Jeffrey De Laveaga for allegedly defrauding investors in two municipal bond offerings that raised $284 million.