Haselkorn & Thibaut has opened an investigation into Green Bay, Wisconsin financial advisor Brandon Larsen following recent regulatory sanctions and his termination from Thrivent Investment Management. If you’ve worked with Mr. Larsen or have concerns about your investments, understanding the details of these actions can help you make informed decisions about your financial future.
Understanding the Recent FINRA Suspension
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In August 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) took disciplinary action against Brandon Larsen (CRD# 6192239), resulting in a one-month suspension and a $5,000 fine. The regulatory body found that Mr. Larsen had violated industry rules by executing trades without proper authorization.
The specific violations involved:
- 165 unauthorized trades across 14 different brokerage accounts
- Exercising discretion without written customer authorization
- Acting without his firm’s acceptance of the accounts as discretionary
- Violating Thrivent’s policies that prohibited discretionary trading in these types of accounts
These findings represent serious breaches of investor protection rules designed to ensure that financial advisors only make trades that their clients have explicitly approved.
Termination from Thrivent Investment Management
Beyond the FINRA sanctions, Thrivent Investment Management terminated Mr. Larsen in 2024 for multiple policy violations. According to his BrokerCheck report, the firm cited three main reasons for his dismissal:
| Violation Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Unauthorized Trading | Making trades without proper client authorization |
| Communication Violations | Using electronic communications outside approved channels |
| Disclosure Failure | Not disclosing an outside business activity |
These violations suggest a pattern of conduct that circumvented important compliance protocols designed to protect investors and maintain transparency in financial advisor-client relationships.
Current Registration and Background
Following his termination from Thrivent, Mr. Larsen joined Equity Services in 2024, where he currently works through Lakeshore Financial Group. His professional background includes:
- 11 years of securities industry experience
- Licensed in Michigan, Ohio, Utah, and Wisconsin
- Holds Series 6, Series 63, and SIE securities licenses
- Specializes in life insurance positioning, tax planning strategies, estate strategies, and retirement planning
While Mr. Larsen was described as a “top producer” at his former firm, investors should carefully consider how recent regulatory actions might impact their relationship with any financial advisor.
Red Flags for Investors to Consider
When evaluating whether to continue working with any financial advisor who has faced regulatory sanctions, consider these important warning signs:
Unauthorized Trading Activities
The most significant concern in Mr. Larsen’s case involves making 165 trades without proper authorization. This behavior violates the fundamental principle that clients should control their own investment decisions. If you’ve noticed trades in your account that you don’t remember approving, this warrants immediate attention.
Communication Outside Official Channels
Using unapproved communication methods can prevent proper oversight and create risks for investors. All investment-related communications should go through official, monitored channels to ensure compliance and maintain proper records.
Pattern of Rule Violations
The combination of FINRA sanctions and termination from a previous employer suggests a pattern that investors should take seriously when making decisions about their financial representation.
What This Means for Current and Former Clients
If you’ve worked with Brandon Larsen, either at Thrivent Investment Management or at his current firm, you may want to review your account activity carefully. Look for:
- Trades you don’t remember authorizing
- Investment strategies that don’t align with your stated goals
- Excessive trading activity in your account
- Communications about your investments through personal email or text messages
- Any discrepancies in your account statements
Steps to Protect Your Investments
Taking proactive steps now can help protect your financial future:
- Review all account statements from the past several years
- Document any unauthorized trades or suspicious activity
- Gather all communications with your advisor, including emails and text messages
- Calculate any losses that may have resulted from unauthorized trading
- Consider seeking professional guidance to understand your options
The Importance of Investor Rights
Every investor has the right to work with financial advisors who follow industry rules and act in their clients’ best interests. When advisors violate these principles through unauthorized trading or other misconduct, investors may have options for recovering losses.
FINRA arbitration provides a forum for investors to seek compensation when they’ve been harmed by advisor misconduct. Understanding your rights and the evidence needed to support a claim is crucial for protecting your financial interests.
Why Experience Matters in Investment Fraud Cases
Investment fraud cases require specialized knowledge of securities law, FINRA regulations, and the arbitration process. Haselkorn & Thibaut brings over 50 years of experience to these complex cases, with a 98% success rate and millions recovered for clients nationwide.
Our firm operates on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we successfully recover compensation for your losses. This approach ensures that all investors have access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Take Action to Protect Your Financial Future
If you’ve worked with Brandon Larsen at either Thrivent Investment Management or Equity Services and have concerns about your investments, don’t wait to seek guidance. The sooner you act, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your rights and potentially recover losses.
Haselkorn & Thibaut’s investigation into Brandon Larsen’s activities continues, and we’re committed to helping investors understand their options. Our experienced team can review your situation, explain your rights, and help you determine the best path forward.
Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut today at 1-888-885-7162 for a free, confidential consultation. Let our decades of experience work for you in protecting your financial future and holding financial advisors accountable for their actions.
