Merrill Lynch Broker Named in FINRA Complaint Amid Allegations of Misrepresented Investment Recommendations

Landon L. Williams, a former Daytona Beach, Florida-based registered representative with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, was named a respondent in a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) complaint alleging that he made false and/or misleading statements to customers regarding the securities transactions he was recommending. According to the FINRA complaint, Mr. Williams ­­­­­­­­­participated in phone conversations with five different customers and allegedly made misleading and/or false statements and/or failed to disclose material information about securities recommendations.  While employed as a Financial Solutions Advisor in the firm’s Merrill Edge Advisory Center (Merrill Edge), Mr. Williams, working in a Merrill Edge call center, allegedly recommended that a customer sell her positions in the Blackrock Core Bond Fund Class C and invest in the Blackrock Funds Diversified Portfolios IV (Growth) Class A.  Mr. Williams allegedly told his client that by switching to the “A” share, she would realize a 2% increase in her annual rate of return.  This statement was alleged by FINRA to be false and misleading. 

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