Bruce Kelly

Bruce is Senior Columnist for InvestmentNews, a leading publication for financial advisors and the wealth management industry.

An award-winning journalist, Bruce’s career at InvestmentNews began in 2000, two years after the launch of the newspaper. He has covered the brokerage industry ever since, focusing on financial advisors’ pay, the products they sell, and the firms on and off Wall Street where they work.

His reporting in the financial crisis 2008 and thereafter shed light on the many shortcomings of the financial advice industry, from weak regulation to the collapse of many broker-dealers.

Bruce writes an award-winning column, On Advice, and his daily breaking news reports give clarity and insight into what’s happening behind closed doors at the largest brokerage firms in the country.

Before becoming a journalist, Bruce taught middle school and high school English in Manhattan and Caracas, Venezuela, for a decade. He is the co-author of a 2010 book, “Financial Serial Killers,” and has two children.

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Bruce Kelly
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Merrill Lynch hit with record $26 million action over broker churning
WIREHOUSES DEC 07, 2020
Merrill Lynch hit with record $26 million action over broker churning

New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation called the settlement the 'largest monetary sanction' in the regulator's history

Merrill Lynch keeps grid intact, cuts pay on small accounts
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DEC 04, 2020
Merrill Lynch keeps grid intact, cuts pay on small accounts

Starting in January, advisers will see a reduction in how they are paid for clients' holdings in cash and on accounts under $250,000

'Booyah!' LPL scores win with Waddell & Reed deal, analysts say
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 03, 2020
'Booyah!' LPL scores win with Waddell & Reed deal, analysts say

The largest broker-dealer picked up 900-plus advisers, but most importantly at the right price

LPL to scoop up 900 Waddell & Reed advisers in latest deal
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 02, 2020
LPL to scoop up 900 Waddell & Reed advisers in latest deal

The transaction will cost LPL Financial $300 million and represents $63 billion in assets

Two top B-D executives behind SPACs to buy RIAs and fintechs
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT DEC 02, 2020
Two top B-D executives behind SPACs to buy RIAs and fintechs

Mark Casady and Larry Roth are longtime leaders in the independent broker-dealer industry

Finra slaps reps who carried client information out the door
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 01, 2020
Finra slaps reps who carried client information out the door

Two former wirehouse brokers run afoul of Reg S-P, according to Finra

Wells Fargo loses defamation fight to fired broker
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE NOV 23, 2020
Wells Fargo loses defamation fight to fired broker

Amy Webster was a former bank broker for Wells Fargo Advisors for 13 years and claims the company made 'defamatory' remarks on her Form U5

Financial adviser charged with murdering client over alleged Ponzi scheme
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS NOV 19, 2020
Financial adviser charged with murdering client over alleged Ponzi scheme

Keith Ashley was already under investigation by the FBI, according to local police

Morgan Stanley fires 10 reps over account takeovers from retired advisers
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT NOV 19, 2020
Morgan Stanley fires 10 reps over account takeovers from retired advisers

The terminations raise questions about the company's former advisor program known as FAP

Veteran Merrill group with $5 billion jumps to First Republic
WIREHOUSES NOV 18, 2020
Veteran Merrill group with $5 billion jumps to First Republic

John C. McNamee and Daniel J. White are the latest Wall Street veterans to move to First Republic