FINRA Suspends Former TD Securities Representative for Improper Expense Charges

Posted on May 5th, 2025 at 12:12 PM
FINRA Suspends Former TD Securities Representative for Improper Expense Charges

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

FINRA has suspended former TD Securities representative Kate Yumi Lam for 12 months and fined her $10,000 for improperly charging personal commuting and meal expenses to the firm's account.

According to DIWire, between July 2022 and March 2023, Lam submitted $5,897.42 in unauthorized expenses, including 157 car service trips and 102 meals that violated the firm’s travel and expense policy.

TD Securities allowed employees to use the firm’s car service for transportation home if they worked past 8 p.m. Employees could also charge meals to the firm’s account under similar conditions or if they worked in the office on weekends. However, FINRA found that Lam charged $4,275.34 in car service expenses for commuting outside of policy guidelines and $1,622.08 in meal expenses for unauthorized breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

FINRA determined that Lam’s actions violated FINRA Rule 2010, which requires advisors to uphold high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.

Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Lam agreed to the sanctions in what is known as an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”).

DIWire also reports that this case follows a December 2024 FINRA action against a former Morgan Stanley representative for similar meal-related violations, highlighting regulators’ continued focus on expense policy compliance.

 

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

I just received this letter from the CFP Board. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

David Y

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 30, 2025
SEC Sues Former Franchise Group CEO Over $350 Million Hedge Fund Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Brian Kahn, former CEO of Franchise Group Inc., alleging he defrauded investors of more than $350 million in a multi-year investment adviser fraud tied to the collapse of Prophecy Asset Management (Prophecy).

October 29, 2025
FINRA Foundation Study Reveals Alarming Investor Susceptibility to Fraudulent Offers

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) has released preliminary findings from its upcoming report, Investors in the United States: A Report of the National Financial Capability Study.

October 28, 2025
UBS Seeks Court Order Against $1.4 Billion Florida Advisory Team Over Client Solicitation Allegations

UBS Wealth Management USA has filed a lawsuit and requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a $1.4 billion advisory team that recently departed to join Elevation Point, a West Palm Beach-based registered investment advisor launched just 15 months ago.