Former LPL Advisor Sanctioned by FINRA Over Undisclosed Real Estate Venture

Posted on May 30th, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Former LPL Advisor Sanctioned by FINRA Over Undisclosed Real Estate Venture

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

FINRA has fined a former LPL Financial advisor and suspended him for three months after allegations surfaced that he operated a real estate development business without his firm’s approval. According to a recent FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”), Kyle J. Kim worked alongside two associates to build and sell residential properties on six parcels of land starting in 2019.

As reported by AdvisorHub, the AWC details that Kim played an active role in the venture, helping decide which properties to develop, managing subcontractors, and overseeing project logistics. In 2023, he officially formed the business, opened a bank account in its name, and facilitated a $90,000 investment from two customers.

FINRA found that Kim failed to provide prior written notice to LPL about his involvement in the real estate business, as required under FINRA rules governing outside business activities. Additionally, he inaccurately attested on annual compliance questionnaires that he had no such outside interests. Those actions violated FINRA Rule 3270 and its broad conduct standard under Rule 2010.

LPL terminated Kim in May 2024 following the same allegations. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Kim agreed to the sanctions.

 

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

November 7, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Wells Fargo Broker Over Unapproved Real Estate Venture

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Wells Fargo broker George J. Cairnes for four months and fined him $25,000 for engaging in unapproved real estate outside business activity, according to a settlement letter issued.

November 6, 2025
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

November 5, 2025
Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.