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

FINRA Sanctions Advisor for Accepting $1 Million Inheritance from Client Without Firm Approval

Posted on June 27th, 2025 at 12:18 PM
FINRA Sanctions Advisor for Accepting $1 Million Inheritance from Client Without Firm Approval

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

FINRA has fined and suspended veteran advisor Kenneth J. Malm for accepting a $1 million inheritance from a client without receiving the necessary firm approval. As reported by the DI Wire, Malm settled the matter without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings.

According to the FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”), Malm learned he had been named a beneficiary of a client’s estate after her passing in 2021. Rather than notifying Securities America and seeking written approval, as required under FINRA Rule 3241, Malm accepted the inheritance. Rule 3241 prohibits advisors from being named as beneficiaries for non-family clients’ estates without firm consent.

FINRA also charged Malm with violating its broad ethical standard, Rule 2010, which requires registered representatives to act with high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. DI Wire reports that the regulator opened its investigation following a tip to its senior helpline.

The settlement imposes a $10,000 fine and a seven-month suspension from associating with any FINRA member firm in all capacities. DI Wire reports that similar cases have surfaced in recent years. Notably, a former Wells Fargo advisor retired in December 2023 amid a FINRA inquiry into a $3 million client gift arrangement.

 

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
Quotes Bigger

Thank you so very much for your guidance, patience, and expertise.

Beth and Steve K.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1790615885 Law
September 28, 2026
Red Flags to Watch for in Pre-IPO Investment Scams

Investors considering pre-IPO investments should watch for common warning signs of fraud, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

1790355869 Law
September 25, 2026
SEC Bars Advisor for Unauthorized Trades and Client Data Misuse

A California-based investment adviser has agreed to a three-year industry bar and $266,000 in monetary sanctions after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused him of making unauthorized trades, transferring confidential client information to a newly launched registered investment adviser, and concealing his termination from a former...

1790276008 Law
September 24, 2026
FINRA Proposes Expanded Fraud Protections and Trusted Contact Flexibility

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has sent three proposed rules to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval.