The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. has imposed a $10,000 fine on Kerry Wills, a registered representative with First Western Securities in Manhattan Beach, Calif., for borrowing $150,000 from a 90-year-old client.
Mr. Wills violated his firm’s rules by accepting the loan, which he didn’t disclose. He also accepted gifts of three cruises and airline tickets — worth $19,500 — from the same client, whom he accompanied on the trips. He did not disclose receiving the gifts. For his infractions, Finra also suspended Mr. Wills for six months.
In its letter of acceptance, waiver and consent, Finra explained that Mr. Wills had been helping his client of over 30 years with a variety of health care and other issues as she aged, including the probate of her husband’s estate. The money borrowed from the customer was used to help pay legal bills, Finra said.
Mr. Wills has been a broker for 35 years, having started his career in 1985 at Dean Witter Reynolds. He joined a predecessor of Citigroup in 1992 and moved to First Western in 2009.
CFP, CFA and CPA holders could gain accredited investor status as regulators weigh wider private market access for advisory clients
DeepVest, Vanilla and Libretto roll out tools to help financial advisors launch firms, close estate plans and sharpen planning skills
“People aren't effectively using their wealth in retirement,” said David Blanchett of Prudential.
Second-generation NFL ref Shawn Hochuli co-founded IWM Partners in Irvine, California, a wealth management practice with more than $500M in client assets
U.S. seniors lose $28.3 billion annually as a result of financial exploitation, according to a 2023 AARP study.
As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
