If you’re researching John D. Cimino, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a current client, considering working with him, or have concerns about your investments, this guide breaks down everything publicly available about his background, customer complaints, and regulatory record.
Who is John D. Cimino?
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John D. Cimino is a financial advisor based in Naples, Florida. He’s been in the investment business for about 19 years and currently works as an investment adviser with Naples Wealth Planning, where he holds the title of Vice President, Wealth Management.
His regulatory identification number is CRD #4757028, which you can use to look him up on FINRA BrokerCheck anytime.
Where Has John Cimino Worked?
Cimino has worked at several well-known firms throughout his career:
Most Recent:
- Naples Wealth Planning (current) – as an investment adviser
- American Global Wealth Management, Inc. (2023-2025) – as a registered broker
Previous Firms:
- Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (2022-2023)
- Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (2009-2022) – his longest tenure, over 12 years
- Morgan Keegan & Company (2007-2008)
- Northwestern Mutual Investment Services (2005-2007)
According to his Naples Wealth Planning bio, Cimino started his career in 1998 at Legg Mason Wood Walker in Naples. He’s been recognized with the Five Star Wealth Managers Award multiple times and has been involved in local charitable work.
The Customer Complaints: What You Need to Know
Here’s where things get important. According to FINRA BrokerCheck, John Cimino has two customer complaints on his record. Let’s break down what they mean.
Complaint #1: September 2023 (Still Pending)
This is the more recent and significant complaint:
- What happened: A client claims that back in December 2017, Cimino made unsuitable investment recommendations for her mother’s Wells Fargo accounts, specifically involving variable annuities
- How much is being claimed: $648,745 (over half a million dollars)
- Current status: Pending – meaning it hasn’t been resolved yet
- Where he worked at the time: Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network
What does “pending” mean? Simply put, the case is still open. It could be settled, go to arbitration, or be dismissed. A pending complaint doesn’t prove anything—it’s just an allegation that’s being investigated or litigated.
Complaint #2: March 2009 (Closed – No Action)
This older complaint was resolved without any action against Cimino:
- What happened: A customer said Cimino misrepresented how his trust account would be invested, claiming he asked for CDs and secure investments
- How much was claimed: $27,054
- Resolution: Closed with no action – meaning no settlement, no payout, and no finding of wrongdoing
Has He Been Disciplined by Regulators?
No. As of now, John Cimino has no regulatory actions from FINRA, the SEC, or state regulators on his record. That means he’s never been fined, suspended, or sanctioned by financial industry regulators.
What Do These Complaints Actually Mean?
Let’s be clear about something important: complaints don’t equal guilt.
Think of it like this—anyone can file a complaint against a financial advisor, just like anyone can sue someone in court. Some complaints have merit, others don’t. Some get settled to avoid legal costs, even when the advisor believes they did nothing wrong. Others go to arbitration where a panel decides who’s right.
The 2009 complaint was closed with no action, which suggests it didn’t have merit or couldn’t be proven. The 2023 complaint is still pending, so we don’t know how it will turn out.
That said, if you’re a client or considering becoming one, it’s worth understanding what the allegations are and asking questions.
How to Do Your Own Research on John Cimino
Don’t just take anyone’s word for it—do your own homework. Here’s how:
1. Check FINRA BrokerCheck
Go to brokercheck.finra.org and search for John D. Cimino or CRD #4757028. You’ll see:
- His complete work history
- All customer complaints (with details)
- Any regulatory actions
- His current registration status
- A downloadable PDF report with everything
This is free and takes about 5 minutes.
2. Check the SEC’s Investment Adviser Database
Since Cimino is now an investment adviser (not just a broker), you can also look him up on the SEC’s IAPD website. This shows his advisory registration and any additional disclosures.
3. Review Your Own Account
If you’re already a client, take a close look at:
- Your account statements – are there investments you don’t recognize or understand?
- Your risk tolerance forms – do your investments actually match what you said you were comfortable with?
- Fees and commissions – do you know what you’re paying?
- Performance – how have your investments actually done?
4. Ask Questions
If something doesn’t make sense or you’re concerned, ask. Good advisors welcome questions. If you feel like you’re getting the runaround or your concerns aren’t being taken seriously, that’s a red flag.
Warning Signs Every Investor Should Know
Whether you work with John Cimino or any other financial advisor, watch out for these red flags:
Unsuitable investments: You’re a conservative retiree but your portfolio is full of risky investments, or you’re young but everything is in ultra-safe bonds earning nothing.
You don’t understand what you own: If your advisor can’t explain your investments in plain English, or you feel confused about what’s in your account, that’s a problem.
High-pressure tactics: Being rushed into decisions, told “this opportunity won’t last,” or made to feel stupid for asking questions.
Too much in one thing: Your entire portfolio is in one stock, one sector, or one type of investment. That’s called overconcentration and it’s risky.
Losses that don’t make sense: The market is up but your account is way down, or you’re losing money and your advisor can’t explain why.
Complex products you don’t need: Variable annuities, structured notes, non-traded REITs, and other complicated investments often come with high commissions. They’re not always bad, but make sure you understand why you own them.
Frequent trading: If your account is being traded constantly, your advisor might be “churning” to generate commissions.
What to Do If You Have Concerns
If you think something might be wrong with your investments or how John Cimino (or any advisor) has handled your account, here’s what to do:
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Collect everything:
- Monthly and quarterly account statements
- Trade confirmations
- Any emails or letters from your advisor
- Notes from meetings or phone calls
- The paperwork you signed when you opened the account
Step 2: Talk to a Securities Attorney
Consider getting a free consultation with a lawyer who specializes in investment fraud and securities arbitration. Many work on contingency (they only get paid if you recover money), so there’s no upfront cost.
You can find qualified attorneys through:
- PIABA (Public Investors Advocacy Bar Association) at piaba.org – they specialize in representing investors
- Your state bar association’s referral service
Step 3: File a Complaint with Regulators
You can also report concerns to:
- FINRA: finra.org/investors/file-a-complaint
- SEC: sec.gov/tcr
- Your state securities regulator
Step 4: Don’t Wait Too Long
There are deadlines for filing claims:
- FINRA arbitration: Generally must be filed within 6 years of when the problem occurred
- Fraud claims: Usually 2-3 years from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the problem
- Federal securities violations: 2 years from discovery or 5 years from the event, whichever comes first
If you wait too long, you might lose your right to recover your losses.
Common Questions About John Cimino
Is John Cimino still licensed?
He’s currently registered as an investment adviser with Naples Wealth Planning. His broker registration with American Global Wealth Management ended in November 2025, so he’s no longer registered to act as a broker.
Should I be worried about the complaints?
That depends. One complaint was closed with no action 15+ years ago. The other is still pending and involves a significant amount of money, but it’s just an allegation at this point. If you’re a client and have concerns, it’s worth reviewing your account and asking questions.
How do I know if my investments are suitable?
Ask yourself: Do these investments match my age, risk tolerance, and financial goals? Did my advisor explain the risks? Do I understand what I own and why? If the answer to any of these is “no,” you should dig deeper.
What if I’ve lost money?
Losing money doesn’t automatically mean your advisor did something wrong—markets go down sometimes. But if your losses seem excessive, don’t match your risk profile, or your advisor can’t explain them, you might have a legitimate concern.
The Bottom Line
John D. Cimino is a Naples-based financial advisor with nearly two decades of experience, currently working as an investment adviser with Naples Wealth Planning. He has two customer complaints on his record—one old complaint that was closed with no action, and one recent complaint that’s still pending. He has no regulatory disciplinary actions.
Does this mean he’s a bad advisor? Not necessarily. Plenty of good advisors have complaints on their records, and complaints don’t prove wrongdoing.
Does this mean he’s a good advisor? Not necessarily either. You need to do your own research, understand what you’re invested in, and make sure your investments are appropriate for your situation.
The most important thing? Stay informed, ask questions, review your statements, and trust your gut. If something feels off, investigate. Your financial future is too important to leave to chance.
