LPL Financial Faces Lawsuit Over Low Interest Rates in Cash Sweep Programs

Posted on August 5th, 2024 at 9:46 AM
LPL Financial Faces Lawsuit Over Low Interest Rates in Cash Sweep Programs

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

LPL Financial is the latest target of a lawsuit concerning the interest rates it offers on uninvested cash held in customer accounts. Financial Planning reports that the suit accuses LPL of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment among other claims, concerning its cash sweep programs.

According to the lawsuit, LPL deposited its customers' uninvested cash into bank accounts that generated significant returns for the company, while customers received only minimal interest. The suit claims that customers were required to participate in these cash sweep programs to open accounts with LPL.

The lawsuit highlights LPL's reported returns on assets to illustrate the substantial profits the firm earned. For example, in the first quarter of this year, LPL's reported return-on-asset profits reached 11.8 percent, which represented 37.3 percent of the firm's total return on assets. In contrast, the suit alleges that customers earned only 0.35 percent in interest on accounts with up to $150,000, with slightly higher rates for larger balances — up to 2.2 percent for accounts holding more than $10 million.

LPL is not the only firm facing criticism and legal action over low interest rates in cash sweep programs. Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley also face similar lawsuits, accusing them of profiting at the expense of their customers by offering low rates compared to other brokerages and advisory firms.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Thank you so very much for your guidance, patience, and expertise.

Beth and Steve K.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 23, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Pleads Guilty to $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and chief executive officer of Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he orchestrated a $380 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors.

February 20, 2026
Edward Jones Expands Equity-Style Awards to Thousands More Advisors

Edward D. Jones & Co. has expanded eligibility for its “profits interest” award, extending the equity-style incentive to thousands more advisors, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing reviewed by AdvisorHub.

February 19, 2026
Wall Street Journal Analysis Questions Investor Gains Following DuPont's Decade-Long Breakup

A Wall Street Journal analysis has raised questions about investor returns following DuPont’s multi-year corporate restructuring, which divided the historic conglomerate into multiple independent companies.