Haselkorn & Thibaut has opened an investigation into former Newport Beach financial advisor Zach Taylor following recent regulatory sanctions and multiple investor complaints. If you’ve suffered investment losses while working with Mr. Taylor, understanding the details of these regulatory actions and complaints can help you determine your next steps.
Understanding the FINRA Suspension
Table of Contents
In August 2025, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) took significant disciplinary action against Zach Taylor (CRD# 6074776). The regulatory body issued a nine-month suspension, preventing him from registering with any member firm in any capacity. This serious sanction stemmed from findings that Mr. Taylor recommended unsuitable investments to senior clients.
The FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (No. 2022075083801) reveals troubling details about Mr. Taylor’s conduct. He allegedly recommended high-risk put options in volatile technology stocks to at least three senior customers whose investment profiles called for balanced allocation and moderate risk tolerance. These recommendations resulted in significant losses for these vulnerable investors.
What makes this particularly concerning is that FINRA determined these recommendations violated Regulation Best Interest, a crucial rule designed to protect investors by requiring advisors to act in their clients’ best interests. When an advisor violates this fundamental principle, it represents a serious breach of the trust investors place in financial professionals.
Pattern of Investor Complaints
Beyond the FINRA sanctions, Mr. Taylor’s BrokerCheck report reveals multiple investor complaints that paint a concerning picture. Two significant complaints have resulted in substantial settlements:
| Year Filed | Firm | Allegations | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Oppenheimer & Company | Account mismanagement | $50,000 |
| 2024 | Oppenheimer & Company | Breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, misrepresentation, unauthorized trades, elder abuse law violations | $170,000 |
The 2024 complaint is particularly alarming, alleging multiple serious violations including unauthorized trades and elder abuse law violations. When combined with the FINRA findings about unsuitable recommendations to senior investors, a pattern emerges that should concern any current or former client.
Red Flags for Investors
Several warning signs emerge from Mr. Taylor’s regulatory history that investors should be aware of:
- Unsuitable investment recommendations – Placing senior investors with moderate risk tolerance into high-risk options strategies
- Pattern of violations – Multiple complaints and regulatory actions over a short period
- Significant financial settlements – Total settlements exceeding $220,000 from just two disclosed complaints
- Allegations of unauthorized trading – Conducting transactions without proper client authorization
- Elder abuse concerns – Both FINRA findings and investor complaints involve senior investors
Career History and Current Status
Mr. Taylor brings approximately 10 years of securities industry experience, having worked at several well-known firms throughout his career. His registration history includes:
- Saxony Securities (most recent, 2023)
- Oppenheimer & Company
- Merrill Lynch
- Wells Fargo Advisors
He holds industry credentials including the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 examinations. However, as of August 2025, he is not currently licensed as a broker or investment advisor, which is consistent with his current suspension.
What This Means for Affected Investors
If you invested with Zach Taylor, particularly if you’re a senior investor or someone who emphasized moderate risk tolerance and balanced allocation in your investment profile, you may have grounds for recovering losses. The FINRA sanctions and pattern of complaints suggest systemic issues with how certain client accounts were handled.
Consider reviewing your account statements for:
- Options trading activity that seems inconsistent with your risk tolerance
- Significant losses in technology stocks or options
- Trades you don’t remember authorizing
- Investment strategies that don’t align with your stated goals
Time Matters in Investment Loss Recovery
Securities arbitration claims are subject to statutes of limitations, typically six years from the date of the transaction or three years from when you discovered or should have discovered the misconduct. Given the recent nature of these complaints and sanctions, many affected investors may still have time to pursue recovery.
The fact that FINRA has already found violations and imposed sanctions can strengthen potential claims. Similarly, the existence of other investor complaints that resulted in settlements demonstrates that concerns about Mr. Taylor’s conduct have merit.
Taking Action to Protect Your Financial Future
Investment losses caused by advisor misconduct can significantly impact your financial security, especially for retirees and senior investors who may have limited ability to recover from substantial losses. Understanding your rights and options is the first step toward potential recovery.
Haselkorn & Thibaut has extensive experience helping investors recover losses from unsuitable investment recommendations, unauthorized trading, and other forms of advisor misconduct. With over 50 years of experience and a 98% success rate, the firm has recovered millions for clients nationwide. They work on a contingency basis – no recovery, no fee.
If you suffered losses while working with Zach Taylor at Oppenheimer & Company, Saxony Securities, or any other firm, contact Haselkorn & Thibaut at 1-888-885-7162 for a free consultation. Their team can review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand whether you have grounds for recovering your investment losses. Don’t wait – protecting your financial future starts with understanding your rights today.
