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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Analyst cites LPL, Robinhood, Wells Fargo among top picks for 2025.
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS JAN 08, 2025
Analyst cites LPL, Robinhood, Wells Fargo among top picks for 2025.

“2024 was a good year for industry, and this year feels like we’re being shot out of a cannon,” one senior brokerage executive said.

Senior executive at B. Riley’s RIA latest to bolt
RIA NEWS JAN 07, 2025
Senior executive at B. Riley’s RIA latest to bolt

“Could he eventually convince more B. Riley advisors to move elsewhere?” one executive asked.

Compliance firm sues BD over alleged unpaid fees
RIA NEWS JAN 06, 2025
Compliance firm sues BD over alleged unpaid fees

Lawsuits between third-party vendors and broker-dealers or RIAs are uncommon in the relatively small wealth management marketplace.

Finra ends year with penalties against big banks
RIA NEWS JAN 03, 2025
Finra ends year with penalties against big banks

“Both sides, the firms as well as the regulators, want to clean up their books going into the new year,” one executive said.

Finra panel rules Wells Fargo on hook for $3.4 million in claim over elderly client’s account
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS JAN 02, 2025
Finra panel rules Wells Fargo on hook for $3.4 million in claim over elderly client’s account

The firm allegedly missed warning signs linked to stock transfers, one attorney claims.

Turnover at the top
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS JAN 01, 2025
Turnover at the top

2024 saw substantial turnover at the top of the financial advice industry; at least half-a-dozen CEOs were replaced or announced they were leaving

Star Stifel broker in Miami at center of two more client complaints totaling $6M
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 23, 2024
Star Stifel broker in Miami at center of two more client complaints totaling $6M

Stifel this fall lost a stunning $14.2 million arbitration claim linked to Chuck Roberts.

Ex advisor gets two years in prison for running fraudulent auto fund
REGULATION, LEGAL & COMPLIANCE DEC 18, 2024
Ex advisor gets two years in prison for running fraudulent auto fund

David Braeger is at least the second former advisor from Wisconsin this year to face prison time.

Baird wins $4.6 million raiding claim against Raymond James
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 17, 2024
Baird wins $4.6 million raiding claim against Raymond James

For more than a decade, Raymond James has been one of the most aggressive firms to hire financial advisors from competitors.

Wells Fargo Advisors, FiNet on the hook for $300,000 arbitration to clients over 'unspecified securities'
INDEPENDENT BROKER DEALERS DEC 16, 2024
Wells Fargo Advisors, FiNet on the hook for $300,000 arbitration to clients over 'unspecified securities'

FiNet is the independent broker-dealer arm of Wells Fargo Advisors.