William King Merrill Lynch Lawsuits – Investigation into Investment Losses

William King Merrill Lynch Lawsuits – FINRA Suspension and Customer Losses

Have you suffered investment losses with former Merrill Lynch advisor William “Bill” King of Vero Beach, Florida? If so, you may be able to recover your losses through a FINRA arbitration claim with the help of the securities attorneys at The White Law Group.

FINRA Sanctions William King for Unauthorized Trading

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) dated March 3, 2025, William Worthen King (CRD #1432593) was sanctioned by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for executing trades in client accounts without authorization.

King consented to a 30-day suspension and a $5,000 fine for violations involving unauthorized discretionary trading.

Details of the Allegations

• Between January 2021 and January 2023, King executed 204 trades across six brokerage accounts belonging to four Merrill Lynch clients, including three senior investors.

• He allegedly failed to obtain prior written authorization and did not have the firm’s approval to treat the accounts as discretionary.

• Despite discussing strategies with clients, King reportedly placed trades without documented consent.

• He also falsely certified on two Merrill Lynch compliance questionnaires that he had not engaged in discretionary trading.

According to FINRA, these actions violated:

• FINRA Rule 3260(b) – governing discretionary accounts

• FINRA Rule 2010 – requiring high standards of commercial honor

Customer Complaints Against William King and Merrill Lynch

In April 2023, King resigned from Merrill Lynch after a 37-year career with the firm. While his departure was reported as voluntary, records show it was tied to “allegations of unsuitable and unauthorized trading in certain clients’ accounts.”

As of July 2025, FINRA BrokerCheck reports at least 29 customer complaints against William King.

Allegations include:

• Unauthorized options trading

• Misrepresentation of equity-indexed annuities

• Unsuitable investment recommendations

Several of these disputes have been settled for more than $332,500, while others remain pending.

Unauthorized options trading, in particular, is a high-risk strategy that can lead to significant financial losses, especially for retirees and conservative investors.

William King – Merrill Lynch Broker History

• Merrill Lynch, Vero Beach, FL – 1985 to 2023

• No longer registered with any FINRA-member firm

• Investors can review his disciplinary history by visiting FINRA BrokerCheck (CRD #1432593).

Recovering Investment Losses with William King – Vero Beach, FL

If you suffered losses with William King at Merrill Lynch, you may be entitled to pursue recovery through FINRA arbitration.

Under FINRA Rule 2111, advisors must only recommend investments that are suitable based on a client’s risk tolerance, financial situation, and objectives. If this duty is violated, Merrill Lynch may be held liable for damages caused by its representatives.

Class Action vs. Individual FINRA Arbitration

Investors often ask whether a class action lawsuit or FINRA arbitration is the better path.

• Class Actions – typically for smaller, aggregated claims

• FINRA Arbitration – often better suited for losses exceeding $100,000

Many investors alleging misconduct by William King have pursued individual arbitration due to the nature and size of losses.

Free Case Evaluation – Merrill Lynch Investment Loss Lawyers

The White Law Group is a national securities fraud law firm with offices in Chicago, IL, and Seattle, WA. We have handled more than 800 FINRA arbitration cases nationwide and represent investors in claims involving:

• Unauthorized trading

• Unsuitable investment recommendations

• Options trading misconduct

• Stockbroker negligence

If you lost money with William King at Merrill Lynch, call 888-637-5510 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.

FAQs: William King Merrill Lynch Lawsuits

What proof do I need to file a claim for unauthorized trading?
You’ll need to show that trades occurred without your consent, that losses resulted, and that attempts to resolve the issue with the firm were unsuccessful.

How long does a FINRA arbitration case take?
The average case takes about 16 months, though many settle before a final hearing.

Is my claim too small to pursue?
For claims under $50,000–$100,000, a class action or alternative process may be more efficient. Larger claims are generally best pursued in arbitration.

Merrill Lynch Class Action vs. FINRA Arbitration: What Investors Should Know

When investors suffer losses due to alleged misconduct by a financial advisor, they often wonder whether to join a Merrill Lynch class action lawsuit or pursue an individual FINRA arbitration claim.

Here are some key differences:

• Class Actions – Combine many smaller claims into one case. They are often slower, involve less control for each investor, and typically result in smaller recoveries per person.

• FINRA Arbitration – Allows an investor to file an individual case against Merrill Lynch. Arbitration is generally faster than court litigation and may lead to larger, case-specific recoveries.

For investors who suffered significant losses with William King at Merrill Lynch, FINRA arbitration is usually the most effective path to pursue recovery.