Bruce Kelly

InvestmentNews

Bruce Kelly

Senior Columnist

26 years experience

Bruce's specialty topics

Legal and compliance Advisor compensation Alternative investments

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.

How I think about writing for this industry…

“I love covering the financial advice business. We write about financial advisors and how they care about clients' lifesavings - what is more important than that?”

Awards and recognition

  • 2 SABEW awards
  • Neal Award

Also published by

Co-author of "Financial Serial Killers"

Read the latest stories by Bruce

Bruce Kelly
Displaying 3542 results
Stifel settles more Miami broker lawsuits, totaling $3.4 million
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE OCT 30, 2025
Stifel settles more Miami broker lawsuits, totaling $3.4 million

The total of Chuck Roberts-related legal damages and costs rises to $180 million, with more claims in the wings.

Stifel sells non-core broker-dealer in latest move away from independent brokers
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 27, 2025
Stifel sells non-core broker-dealer in latest move away from independent brokers

The buyer, Equitable, is looking to grow right now.

Texas 'Bad Broker' two-step: advisors in trouble for allegedly taking client money
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE OCT 27, 2025
Texas 'Bad Broker' two-step: advisors in trouble for allegedly taking client money

Both brokers faced allegations from regulators they misappropriated client funds.

Where do bad brokers work and live?
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES OCT 24, 2025
Where do bad brokers work and live?

Cockroach advisors like the warm weather, according to a new study from the Journal of Financial Economics.

Michelle Avan's killer sentenced to life in prison
WIREHOUSES OCT 23, 2025
Michelle Avan's killer sentenced to life in prison

Avan's daughter, Nyah, called her mother a woman of poise, wisdom and grace, according to a report.

Financial advice cockroaches have plenty of life selling insurance
OPINION OCT 23, 2025
Financial advice cockroaches have plenty of life selling insurance

Bruce Kelly analyzes new 'bad broker' report and concludes that the states' insurance commissioners need a better brand of bug spray.

Private credit market raises plenty of questions for popular BDCs
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 20, 2025
Private credit market raises plenty of questions for popular BDCs

The success of the BDC industry is coming at its own expense, one veteran industry executive told InvestmentNews.

Interval funds bump up buybacks
ALTERNATIVES OCT 20, 2025
Interval funds bump up buybacks

Sales of alternative investments have exploded over the past few years, leaving some observers wondering whether financial advisors truly understand the products and whether clients realize the risk.

First Brand fallout hits FS Specialty Lending Fund as it wins approval to trade
ALTERNATIVES OCT 17, 2025
First Brand fallout hits FS Specialty Lending Fund as it wins approval to trade

The fund's exposure to First Brands is about 1.4% of its $1.9 billion total assets, according to company filings.

With new recruiting deal in place, Cetera scores with advisors
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS OCT 17, 2025
With new recruiting deal in place, Cetera scores with advisors

Cetera is leaning on Summit Financial and its veteran leader Marshall Leeds to reel in those advisors.