Publicly available records provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) indicate that broker/advisor Zachary Ellis Taylor (CRD # 6074776) was recently suspended from the securities industry by FINRA’s Department of Enforcement after an investigation into unsuitable recommendations.
The Law Office of Kevin J. Deloatch, Esq. is interested in speaking to investors who have complaints regarding Mr. Taylor.
Registration Background for Zachary Ellis Taylor
Mr. Taylor first became registered in the securities industry in 2012. He was most recently registered with Newport Beach, CA based Saxony Securities, Inc. (CRD # 115547) from June 2023 to October 2023. He was previously registered with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc (CRD # 249) from August 2020 to June 2023, Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD # 7691) from June 2013 to August 202 and Wells Fargo Advisors (CRD # 19616) from August 2012 to October 2012.
FINRA’s Allegations Against Zachary Ellis Taylor
According to the FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) dated August 25, 2025 (No. 2022075083801), Mr. Taylor consented to, without either admitting to or denying, the following findings by FINRA’s Department of Enforcement:
- “Between August 2020 and June 2023, [Mr.] Taylor recommended that at least three retired senior customers liquidate their diversified portfolios and engage in a speculative options strategy. The customers did not have experience investing in options and had moderate risk tolerances”;
- “[Mr.] Taylor recommended that his customers sell large numbers of higher-risk put options contracts in high-volatility technology stocks-those customers suffered significant losses when those puts were assigned”;
- “[Mr.] Taylor’s recommendations were not suitable and were not in the customers’ best interest based on their investment profiles”; and
- By virtue of his actions, Mr. Taylor violated Exchange Act Rule 15/-l(a)(l) regarding Best Interest, FINRA Rule 2360(b)(19)(A) regarding options and FINRA Rule 2010 regarding standards of commercial honor and principles of trade.
FINRA Suspends Zachary Ellis Taylor from Securities Industry
As a result of such violations and in addition to the above-described findings and conclusions, FINRA’s August 25, 2025 AWC also indicates that Mr. Taylor consented to the following sanction(s):
- a nine-month suspension from association with any FINRA member in all capacities.
Zachary Ellis Taylor Has A Prior History of Securities Industry Customer Complaints
In addition to Mr. Taylor being suspended by FINRA from the securities industry regarding various sales practice violations, FINRA BrokerCheck for Mr. Taylor reveals that he has a prior history of customer complaints and/or customer-initiated arbitrations, including but not necessarily limited to the following:
- On December 13, 2023, a customer initiated an oral complaint against Mr. Taylor regarding alleged actions that occurred while he was associated with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. The customer alleged mismanagement of their account. The customer did not allege a specific dollar amount in damages. On March 22, 2024, the complaint was settled in the amount of $50,000.00.
- On January 17, 2024, a customer-initiated arbitration was commenced against Mr. Taylor regarding alleged actions that occurred while he was associated with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. The customer’s allegation(s) included breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, misrepresentation, and unauthorized trading. The customer alleged damages in the amount of $426,000.00. On September 3, 2024, the arbitration was settled in the amount of $170,000.00.
Have You Lost Money with Zachary Ellis Taylor?
If you or someone you know has or had a brokerage account with Mr. Zachary Ellis Taylor and have concerns regarding losses in your investments or possible sales practice violations including fraud, you may be entitled to recover lost funds. The Law Office of Kevin J. Deloatch, Esq. has an extensive securities law practice and over 35 years of experience on Wall Street. Call today at (646) 792-2156 for a free consultation. The time to file your claim may be limited so you should call today to avoid delay.
