Finra fines former Merrill rep $5,000 over outside crypto trading

Finra fines former Merrill rep $5,000 over outside crypto trading
Kyung Soo Kim, no longer employed in industry, also suspended for one month.
JUN 14, 2019

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. has fined former Merrill Lynch representative Kyung Soo Kim $5,000 and suspended him for one month for engaging in cryptocurrency trading at a firm he created outside Merrill Lynch that he did not disclose. (More:Finra makes its first cryptocurrency bust) Merrill Lynch discharged Mr. Kim on March 14, 2018 for, in part, failing to disclose this outside business activity, Finra noted in a letter of acceptance, waiver and consent. That disclosure failure violated Finra rules. In Mr. Kim's BrokerCheck record, Merrill Lynch also alleges that he altered a client document. Mr. Kim began his securities career in 2007. After working at two firms for a brief time, he joined UMB Financial Services in 2008, and then Merrill Lynch in 2014.

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income