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

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

1777309136 Law
April 27, 2026
Blackstone's Private Credit Fund (BCRED) Meets Record Redemption Demand

Blackstone Inc.

1777047237 Law
April 24, 2026
Geopolitical Tensions Prompt Wealth Advisors to Rethink Dubai Strategies

Recent geopolitical developments have forced wealth advisors to reassess client exposure to Dubai, a jurisdiction that has attracted significant ultra-high-net-worth capital over the past decade.

1776963542 Law
April 23, 2026
Advisor Recruiting Surges in 2025 as Industry Movement Reaches New Highs

Advisor movement across the wealth management industry accelerated sharply in 2025, with 11,172 experienced financial advisors changing firms, according to reporting by Wealth Management citing the latest Advisor Transition Report from Diamond Consultants.