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

FINRA Sanctions Former Morgan Stanley Broker Over Unauthorized Transfers

Posted on December 3rd, 2025 at 2:40 PM
FINRA Sanctions Former Morgan Stanley Broker Over Unauthorized Transfers

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

A longtime Morgan Stanley financial advisor agreed to a $5,000 fine and a two-month suspension after FINRA found that he executed multiple transfers from his former spouse’s retirement account without proper authorization, as reported by AdvisorHub.

According to the FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC), Michael J. Schmidt moved at least $13,543 between March 2020 and June 2022 from his then-wife’s IRA into a joint brokerage account through 15 unauthorized transfers. FINRA stated that Schmidt used the funds to cover joint household expenses. AdvisorHub reports that the regulator also noted that Schmidt documented false claims of authorization “on a particular date and at a particular time,” even though he did secure proper approval for at least 11 other transfers during the same period.

According to AdvisorHub, Schmidt represented himself during the FINRA proceedings. He has not been registered since Morgan Stanley terminated his employment in January 2024 for activity involving a family member’s account.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, morgan stanley

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

 


It was really fun seeing you fight for us. You have an amazing way of thinking out of the box.


 

Beth M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1787947445 Law
August 28, 2026
SEC Accuses Goliath Ventures of $425 Million Crypto Investment Ponzi Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a civil complaint against Goliath Ventures Inc.

1787852053 Law
August 27, 2026
United Capital Revives Lawsuit Against Osaic

According to AdvisorHub, United Capital Financial Advisors has revived its lawsuit against independent broker-dealer Osaic by filing an amended complaint that reframes the dispute around the alleged misuse of confidential information obtained during Osaic's unsuccessful effort to acquire the firm.

1787765850 Law
August 26, 2026
FINRA Orders WestPark Capital to Pay $520,000 Over GWG L Bond Sales

The fallout from the collapse of GWG Holdings continues to affect the broker-dealers that sold the company's illiquid L bonds.