Merrill Lynch Advisor Sanctioned for Unauthorized Trading

Posted on March 24th, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Merrill Lynch Advisor Sanctioned for Unauthorized Trading

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

FINRA has fined a former Merrill Lynch advisor $5,000 and suspended the advisor for 30 days for executing unauthorized trades in client accounts. AdvisorHub reports that the advisor accepted the sanctions without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings.

The settlement agreement, known as an Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”), reflects that the advisor placed 204 unauthorized trades across four customer accounts, three of which belonged to senior investors. Although the advisor discussed investment strategies with the clients, FINRA found that the advisor failed to obtain the required written authorization for non-discretionary accounts. Those actions violated FINRA’s prohibition on unauthorized trading as well as Rule 2010, which requires advisors to uphold high ethical standards.

AdvisorHub reports that the disciplinary action stemmed from a FINRA “cause examination,” an investigation triggered by a complaint or tip.

Since 2022, the advisor has faced nearly two dozen customer complaints, many related to allegations of unsuitable or unauthorized options trading. Merrill Lynch denied 10 of the claims but paid approximately $2.1 million in settlements on 12 others, out of a total of $4.75 million in damages requested.

 

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

If you are being bothered by the Regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

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.