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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Raymond James' total of Commonwealth Financial advisors' assets tops $4 billion
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 03, 2025
Raymond James' total of Commonwealth Financial advisors' assets tops $4 billion

This week alone, Raymond James said it has recruited four Commonwealth teams with $1.08 billion in assets.

Alts fund FS Specialty Lending Fund, looking to list, needs more time to muster needed votes
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 01, 2025
Alts fund FS Specialty Lending Fund, looking to list, needs more time to muster needed votes

The fund last week failed to get shareholder approval to reorganize the fund so that it could eventually list before the end of the year.

Former Cetera, Securities America broker gets 32 months in prison after looting client trust
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE SEP 30, 2025
Former Cetera, Securities America broker gets 32 months in prison after looting client trust

Michael P. Raineri, 63, stole $531,411 from a client's trust account over about six years, according to the U.S Attorney's office.

Bluerock Interval fund wins shareholder approval to start trading
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS SEP 30, 2025
Bluerock Interval fund wins shareholder approval to start trading

The fund did not initially win shareholders’ approval during a first round of voting that was tallied on September 4.

Merrill Lynch squeezes advisors on smaller accounts in 2026 pay plan
WIREHOUSES SEP 26, 2025
Merrill Lynch squeezes advisors on smaller accounts in 2026 pay plan

But much of advisors' compensation schedule in 2026 will remain the same as this year.

Schwab paying damages in lawsuits linked to RIA that sold structured notes
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE SEP 24, 2025
Schwab paying damages in lawsuits linked to RIA that sold structured notes

The notes never reached maturity and Vora Wealth Management clients have lost more than $89 million.

Another Florida ex-Merrill Lynch advisor, guilty of Medicare fraud, draws scrutiny
WIREHOUSES SEP 22, 2025
Another Florida ex-Merrill Lynch advisor, guilty of Medicare fraud, draws scrutiny

The advisor "was making more money with his kickback scheme than working at Merrill Lynch, and he has to pay back more than $5 million," a plaintiff's attorney said.

Former LPL advisor hit with cease and desist order linked to sale of crypto funds
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE SEP 19, 2025
Former LPL advisor hit with cease and desist order linked to sale of crypto funds

Beginning in 2021, Lisa Boisselle and her firm Wealthwise solicited clients to invest in two crypto asset-related programs, according to an Arizona cease and desist order.

After watching advisors walk, UBS adjusts pay plan, a boost for some advisors
WIREHOUSES SEP 19, 2025
After watching advisors walk, UBS adjusts pay plan, a boost for some advisors

“I think it’s too little, too late,” said one industry recruiter.

Morningstar warns Robinhood's new venture fund a potential 'disaster' for investors
WIREHOUSES SEP 16, 2025
Morningstar warns Robinhood's new venture fund a potential 'disaster' for investors

Retail investors are increasingly being pitched alternative investments that focus on private investments.