FINRA Suspends Former Merrill Advisor Over Unauthorized Trades

Posted on September 8th, 2022 at 1:48 PM
FINRA Suspends Former Merrill Advisor Over Unauthorized Trades

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a 45-day suspension and a $5,000 fine on a former Merrill Lynch advisor who allegedly completed unauthorized trades in three separate client accounts.

The former California-based Merrill advisor, Conrad Branson, allegedly transacted 14 trades in an account for a client known as ‘Customer A’ between September 2019 and February 2020 without obtaining prior authorization, knowledge or consent, according to FINRA. FINRA further alleged that Branson completed trades in non-discretionary accounts without obtaining prior written consent from Customer A and two additional clients during the same time period.

According to FINRA, Merrill has reimbursed Customer A for $78,919 in losses. Branson, who was managing nearly $150 million in client assets, departed Merrill in June to join Birchwood Wealth Advisors, which is affiliated with advisory firm aggregator Kingswood US. According to BrokerCheck, Branson also was involved in a previous client dispute related to unauthorized trading in April 2020, which settled for $34,341 while Branson did not contribute.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 17, 2025
FINRA Launches Targeted Probe into Small-Cap Foreign IPO Underwriters

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has launched a targeted investigation into broker-dealer firms that helped small foreign companies go public in the U.S., marking its latest move to combat pump-and-dump schemes.

November 14, 2025
FINRA Bars Former Edward Jones Broker in Crypto-Related Investigation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred former Edward Jones representative Robert David Bienvenu for refusing to provide requested information and documents related to outside accounts and investments.

November 13, 2025
Conservation Easement Crackdown: Understanding IRS Enforcement and Investor Risk

Conservation easements can serve as powerful legal tools that protect open land, preserve wildlife habitats, and offer legitimate tax benefits to property owners.