Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

SEC Charges LPL Financial with Anti-Money Laundering Failures

Posted on February 7th, 2025 at 9:21 AM
SEC Charges LPL Financial with Anti-Money Laundering Failures

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged LPL Financial LLC, a broker-dealer and investment adviser, with multiple violations of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. According to SEC.gov, LPL has agreed to pay a $18 million civil penalty and improve its AML policies and procedures to settle the charges.

The SEC’s order states that between May 2019 and December 2023, LPL failed to comply with its customer identification program and neglected to verify the identities of certain customers. SEC.gov also reports that LPL failed to close or restrict thousands of high-risk accounts, including cannabis-related and foreign accounts, despite their prohibition under the firm’s AML policies.

“Federal law requires broker-dealers to ascertain the identity of their customers and to conduct ongoing customer due diligence to aid the government in its efforts to detect and prevent money laundering,” said Stacy Bogert, Associate Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “When broker-dealers like LPL fail to comply with their AML obligations, they put the securities markets at risk.”

The SEC found that LPL willfully violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-8 under the Act. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, LPL agreed to a cease-and-desist order, censure, and the $18 million penalty. Additionally, the firm will continue working with a compliance consultant to review and enhance its AML policies and procedures.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

If you find yourself in trouble with the regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1782400213 Law
June 25, 2026
SEC Alleges Illinois Investment Adviser Misappropriated Investor Funds and Concealed Losses

According to a litigation release published on SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged John Sterling Myers and his firms, Sterling Capital, LLC and Sterling Capital Management, LLC, with orchestrating a multi-year fraud involving investor funds held in a pooled investment vehicle.

1782320106 Law
June 24, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Broker Over Undisclosed Business Activities, Annuity Recommendation, and Customer Data Violations

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former registered representative Clayton K.

1782226532 Law
June 23, 2026
NASAA Advances Investment Adviser Advertising Reforms and Franchise Broker Registration Framework

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has approved significant regulatory initiatives aimed at modernizing oversight of investment advisers and strengthening protections for individuals considering franchise investments.