Bruce Kelly

A former middle school and high school English teacher, Bruce Kelly started at InvestmentNews in 2000 as the brokerage reporter after a two-year stint at sister publication Pensions & Investments. He writes a bi-weekly, award winning column, On Advice, and covers the independent broker-dealer industry.

Bruce Kelly
Displaying 3234 results
Ex-Janney broker stole $400,000 from clients to pay gambling debt: Feds
NEWS REGULATION AND LEGISLATION FEB 19, 2021
Ex-Janney broker stole $400,000 from clients to pay gambling debt: Feds

The broker transferred funds from the investment account of a couple whose portfolio he managed directly into bank accounts he controlled, according to the Department of Justice.

Focus Financial sees another bang-up year for RIA M&A in 2021
NEWS RIAS FEB 18, 2021
Focus Financial sees another bang-up year for RIA M&A in 2021

'Our pipeline is excellent,' said CEO Rudy Adolf during a conference call Thursday morning. 'Quite frankly, in many ways, we are busier than ever.'

Brokers sold GPB private placements using the worst tactics in Wall Street's playbook
INVESTING ALTERNATIVES FEB 17, 2021
Brokers sold GPB private placements using the worst tactics in Wall Street's playbook

Client appreciation dinners are all well and good, but private suites at Madison Square Garden are clearly beyond the pale.

Charges dropped against former Franklin Templeton exec who called police on Black bird-watcher
YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 17, 2021
Charges dropped against former Franklin Templeton exec who called police on Black bird-watcher

Amy Cooper was fired last year after accusing a Black man in Central Park with threatening her. The charges were dropped after she completed court-sanctioned therapy sessions about racial bias, according to Bloomberg News.

SEC wants independent monitor to run GPB amid fraud charges
INVESTING ALTERNATIVES FEB 11, 2021
SEC wants independent monitor to run GPB amid fraud charges

The regulator wants to install an industry veteran to run GPB to monitor its assets in auto dealerships and make sure investor interests are protected.

Triad Advisors dinged $194,000 by Finra over supervision
RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES FEB 10, 2021
Triad Advisors dinged $194,000 by Finra over supervision

Short-term mutual fund trades and variable annuity switching is generally regarded in the retail securities industry as a way for brokers and advisers to increase commissions at the expense of clients.

Schwab cuts 200 more jobs amid TD Ameritrade acquisition
YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 09, 2021
Schwab cuts 200 more jobs amid TD Ameritrade acquisition

It's the second round of announced layoffs after last year's mega merger. In October, Schwab said it was laying off 1,000 employees, or about 3% of the combined workforce.

Cetera plans to offer retention bonuses to 900 Voya advisers
NEWS BROKER DEALERS FEB 08, 2021
Cetera plans to offer retention bonuses to 900 Voya advisers

Details of the bonus plan have yet to be revealed. But Adam Antoniades, CEO of Cetera, said such a plan would be forthcoming in an effort to retain as many advisers as possible.

Cetera to buy Voya Financial Advisors' broker-dealer reps and assets
NEWS BROKER DEALERS FEB 08, 2021
Cetera to buy Voya Financial Advisors' broker-dealer reps and assets

Private equity-backed networks like Cetera Financial Group have been eager to expand. The latest deal will add 900 Voya advisers with $40 billion in client assets onto the independent broker-dealer's platform.

LPL hanging onto Waddell & Reed advisers and assets
YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT FEB 05, 2021
LPL hanging onto Waddell & Reed advisers and assets

LPL Financial said it will likely surpass its target to bring aboard Waddell & Reed advisers, according to CEO Dan Arnold. The company reported adviser headcount was 17,287, up 119 from the end of September and 823 year-over-year.