Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï

FINRA Sanctions Former Merrill Broker for Unapproved Referral Payouts

Posted on December 15th, 2025 at 11:51 AM
FINRA Sanctions Former Merrill Broker for Unapproved Referral Payouts

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a six-month suspension and a $7,500 fine against former Merrill Lynch broker Jeremiah Householder after finding that he accepted referral commissions from an unapproved third-party lender. According to AdvisorHub, FINRA alleged that, between September 2023 and May 2024, Householder directed three customers to a lending business owned by his brother-in-law and received $60,000 in return.

FINRA determined that Householder violated Rule 3270, which prohibits brokers from engaging in outside business activities without firm approval, and Rule 2010, which requires them to conduct business with high standards of commercial honor. Householder, who is no longer registered as a broker or investment adviser, did not comment, according to AdvisorHub.

According to FINRA, Householder’s role at Merrill involved assisting customers with banking needs and connecting them with personnel at the firm’s banking affiliate. AdvisorHub’s review of BrokerCheck records shows that he joined Merrill in 2019 as a “business integration specialist,” part of the firm’s broader effort to strengthen cross-selling within its wealth management unit. He resigned while under internal review for failing to disclose outside business activities.

 

ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, merrill lynch

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

This was the best of all possible outcomes and I cannot thank you and the team enough.

Michael S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1783525964 Law
July 8, 2026
SEC Sanctions David Lerner Associates for Regulation Best Interest Violations

David Lerner Associates has agreed to settle Securities and Exchange (SEC) charges alleging violations of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) that resulted in unnecessary costs to retail investors, according to InvestmentNews.

1783434190 Law
July 7, 2026
Private Credit Funds Face Mounting Redemption Pressure as Investor Sentiment Shifts

A surge in investor redemption requests has intensified pressure on private credit funds, raising concerns about liquidity and long-term stability across the asset class, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

1783357679 Law
July 6, 2026
Schwab Imposes New Limits on Tax-Aware Long-Short Investment Strategies

Charles Schwab Corp.