Eccleston Law Blog

Stifel Fined $2.5 Million After Advisor Charged Excessive Fees to Seniors and a Church

May 4th, 2023 at 1:24 PM
Massachusetts’ top securities regulator, William Galvin, has ordered Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. to pay $2.5 million for failing to supervise an advisor’s questionable trades, which charged excessive and unauthorized fees to several senior clients, nonprofits, and a church.
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Former Cetera Advisor Wins $500,000 Arbitration Award Over Failed M&A Deal

May 3rd, 2023 at 1:13 PM
A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has awarded nearly $500,000 to a former Cetera Financial Group advisor, Betsy Jo Merritt, after an agreement to sell her branch fell through.
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Raymond James and Two Financial Advisors Win $16.4 Million Arbitration Award Against Deutsche Bank

May 2nd, 2023 at 2:01 PM
A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Deutsche Bank to pay $16.4 million to Raymond James and two financial advisors in a dispute regarding fees.
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Top-Ranked UBS Advisor in Las Vegas Wins Expungement With Help From Client

May 1st, 2023 at 1:29 PM
A top-ranked Las Vegas-based UBS financial advisor has prevailed in his expungement hearing with the help of the customer who initially had filed the complaint. 
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Prudential Improperly Collected Life Insurance Premiums and Informed Claimants They Were Ineligible

April 28th, 2023 at 12:44 PM
The Department of Labor (DOL) has agreed to a settlement with Prudential after the insurer improperly collected life insurance premiums from customers and subsequently denied coverage claiming ineligibility.
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SEC Releases Final Reg BI Staff Bulletin Addressing Duty of Care

April 27th, 2023 at 1:45 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a final staff bulletin on Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), this time highlighting the “duty of care”, with the goal of definitively outlining financial advisors’ ethical responsibilities. 
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These Two State Regulators Serve as Financial Markets’ Primary First Responders

April 26th, 2023 at 1:35 PM
Two state securities regulators frequently stand out as “First Responders.”
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SEC Charges Betterment For Misstatements Regarding Tax Loss Harvesting Service

April 25th, 2023 at 1:20 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Betterment LLC for material misstatements and omissions regarding its automated tax loss harvesting services (TLH). 
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FINRA Orders RBC to Pay $1.1 Million Over Alleged Churning of Preferred Stock

April 25th, 2023 at 8:52 AM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has ordered RBC Wealth Management to pay $1.1 million after the firm allegedly failed to adequately supervise numerous advisors’ sales of syndicate preferred stock.
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FINRA Orders RBC to Pay $1.1 Million Over Alleged Churning of Preferred Stock

April 24th, 2023 at 1:53 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has ordered RBC Wealth Management to pay $1.1 million after the firm allegedly failed to adequately supervise numerous advisors’ sales of syndicate preferred stock.
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I learned two important things working with Eccleston Law. First, I made a friend and ally with Jim and Steph for life. Secondly, and this is a crucial life lesson - if you need counsel, then seek out the very best. Jim was referred to me by a most trusted source. I've never had to hire an attorney for anything. Now, I know the value of hiring an important partner. Meticulous, thorough and detailed in preparation is the best way to describe Jim. Brilliant too, I might add. Bottom line, I would highly highly recommend Jim and Stephany for your legal needs. One of the best life decisions I've ever made.

Howard S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

January 16, 2026
SEC Signals Sweeping IPO Rule Changes to Ease Path for Smaller Companies

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to overhaul its public offering framework to make it easier for smaller companies to access the public markets, according to remarks SEC Chairman Paul Atkins delivered at the New York Stock Exchange, as reported by Bloomberg Law.

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January 14, 2026
FINRA Fines and Suspends Wells Fargo Advisor Over Fictitious Expense Claims

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and suspended a Wells Fargo Advisors representative in Waco, Texas, after finding that he submitted fictitious business expense claims, according to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter.