Bertram Courtney Johnson II [CRD: 6816674], a former securities broker who worked in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was named in a client complaint and later sanctioned by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). According to FINRA BrokerCheck disclosures, investors may have sustained losses related to allegations involving Johnson. He was registered with Hantz Financial Services Inc. from September 27, 2021, to August 20, 2024, and Merrill Lynch from September 18, 2024, to April 1, 2026. Here's how the client complaint and FINRA investigation unfolded.
FINRA sanctioned Bertram Johnson on September 17, 2026, in Case 2026089747301. The sanction permanently bars him from associating with a FINRA member firm in any capacity. Johnson accepted the bar through a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC), without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings.
FINRA’s inquiry followed Merrill Lynch’s Form U5 filing. In the filing, Merrill Lynch said it ended Johnson’s association on March 5, 2026, citing an allegation that he misappropriated client funds.
On August 21, 2026, FINRA requested testimony from Johnson under Rule 8210. Johnson’s attorney confirmed receiving the request, but Johnson said he would not appear to testify. FINRA determined that his refusal violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. Rule 8210 allows FINRA to require information and testimony during investigations. Rule 2010 requires people associated with FINRA firms to follow standards of honest and fair business conduct.
Merrill Lynch ended its association with Johnson on March 5, 2026, citing an allegation that he misappropriated client funds.
A client filed a complaint alleging that Johnson took funds from a checking account through Bank of America on January 12, 2026. Because of this, the client experienced damages. Merrill Lynch settled the complaint on March 6, 2026, paying the client $6,548.04. Johnson did not personally contribute to the settlement.
Investors who believe they suffered losses because of Bertram Johnson can contact Soreide Law Group online or call (888) 760-6552 to discuss possible recovery options with a securities attorney. Soreide Law Group has recovered losses for investors throughout the United States, works on a contingency fee basis, and advances all costs. Johnson and his former brokerage firms deny any allegations of sales practice violations.
Moors & Cabot, Inc. (CRD 594) is a brokerage firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. FINRA censured and fined the firm $125,000 after finding it failed to develop and implement an anti-money laundering compliance program reasonably expected to detect and report suspicious transactions, according to an AWC issued August 24, 2026.
Cowen and Company, LLC (CRD 7616), now part of TD Securities (USA) LLC, is a brokerage firm based in New York, New York. FINRA censured and fined the firm a total of $80,000, of which $40,000 is payable to FINRA, according to an AWC issued August 19, 2026.
Webull Financial LLC (CRD 289063) is a brokerage firm based in New York, New York. FINRA censured and fined the firm $115,000 after finding it maintained inaccurate books and records of options order origin codes, according to an AWC issued August 17, 2026.
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