Gregory E. Karels

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS

HILTON HEAD, SC

Some features on this profile are disabled

CRD#: 2468052

Professional summary

Gregory Emil Karels is a registered financial advisor currently at CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC located in Hilton Head, South Carolina and CETERA ADVISORS LLC located in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Gregory is registered as an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative) and RR (Registered Representative) and started their career in finance in 1994. Gregory has worked at 9 firms and has passed the Series 65, Series 63, SIE, Series 6 and Series 26 exams.

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?

Yes

Aliases

None

Other business activities

Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.

The advisor shows no other business activity.

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view Gregory Emil Karels's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

CRS (Customer Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®

None

Experience

Current

March 21, 2024 - Present

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

RIA

CRD#: 105644

HILTON HEAD, SC

Current

July 18, 2007 - Present

CETERA ADVISORS LLC

CRD#: 10299

Hilton Head, SC

Past

July 18, 2007 - March 21, 2024

CETERA ADVISORS LLC

RIA

CRD#: 10299

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, IL

Past

March 11, 2003 - July 18, 2007

LEGACY ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.

RIA

CRD#: 111027

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Past

October 3, 2002 - July 18, 2007

LEGACY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

CRD#: 38697

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Past

April 19, 2001 - October 5, 2002

SECURITIES AMERICA ADVISORS, INC.

RIA

CRD#: 110518

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Past

March 2, 2001 - October 2, 2002

SECURITIES AMERICA, INC.

CRD#: 10205

LAVISTA, NE

Past

March 5, 1999 - March 1, 2001

LEGACY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

CRD#: 38697

PETALUMA, CA

Past

August 25, 1997 - March 8, 1999

1717 CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

CRD#: 4082

NEWARK, DE

Past

October 4, 1996 - August 18, 1997

MML INVESTORS SERVICES, LLC

CRD#: 10409

SPRINGFIELD, MA

Past

August 31, 1994 - October 2, 1996

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

CRD#: 5496

WELLESLEY HILLS, MA

Primary Firm SEC Registration

This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

CRD#: 105644 / SEC#: 801-20406

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/13/1984 Approved)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.

IAR

means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.

indicates the advisor is registered as a Registered Representative in this state, allowing them to offer securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through a broker-dealer.

Visual representation of state registrations

Arizona
(7/18/2007)

California
(7/18/2007)

Nevada
(1/16/2026)

South Carolina
(8/30/2018)

IAR

South Carolina
(3/21/2024)

Don't see your state listed? The advisor may still be able to work with you under the federal De Minimis Rule, which allows up to five investment advisory clients in a state without registration. Some states, like TX, LA, NE, and NH, may still require registration or notice filing. Contact the advisor or their firm to confirm their investment advisory availability in your state. Note: This rule does not apply to broker-dealer activity.

Exams

State Security Law Exam

IAR

Series 65

Date: 3/30/2001

Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination

State Security Law Exam

Series 63

Date: 6/8/1994

Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 6

Date: 8/26/1994

Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination

Principal/Supervisory Exam

Series 26

Date: 7/6/1999

Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination

SRO Registrations

FINRA

Current Firm

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

CRD#: 105644 / SEC#: 801-20406

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/13/1984 Approved)

PREMIUM

Stay ahead of every change that matters. Proactive intelligence on your advisors, before issues escalate.

Biweekly Pulse, AutomaticallyScheduled alerts keep you informed without lifting a finger.

Catch Firm Red Flags SoonerCatch leadership changes and disclosures early, before issues escalate.

Trends, Not Just SnapshotsMonitor firm stability metrics like AUM and advisor ratios over time.

Contact information

Main Address

1450 American Lane 6th Floor, Suite 650, Schaumburg, IL 60173-2096

Mailing Address

Phone number

(310) 257-7880

Established

Firm type

Fiscal year end

# of Employees

7,705

SEC notice filing (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Latest Form ADV

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	584,487
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 163,792,814,520

Accountant surprise examination report

Filing Date	Form ADV-E Cover	Form ADV-E Report
10/27/2025	Cover Page	Report
12/13/2024	Cover Page	Report
09/26/2023	Cover Page	Report

Red Flags

Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.

Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.

Similar Advisors

Guy Peel

OSAIC WEALTH, INC.

IAR

Helena, MT

Mark Brown

AUSDAL FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

IAR

Estero, FL

Jeffrey Meotti

MORGAN STANLEY

IAR

MADISON, CT

We're Here To Help

Advisor Monitoring

Firm Stability Insights

Gregory E. Karels

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA

Click below to view Gregory Emil Karels's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

Certified licenses

Experience

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

CETERA ADVISORS LLC

CETERA ADVISORS LLC

LEGACY ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.

LEGACY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

SECURITIES AMERICA ADVISORS, INC.

SECURITIES AMERICA, INC.

LEGACY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

1717 CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

MML INVESTORS SERVICES, LLC

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

Primary Firm SEC Registration

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 65

Date: 3/30/2001

Series 63

Date: 6/8/1994

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Series 6

Date: 8/26/1994

Series 26

Date: 7/6/1999

FINRA

Current Firm

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

Contact information

SEC notice filing (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Regulatory assets under management

Accountant surprise examination report

Red Flags

Company Information

CETERA INVESTMENT ADVISERS LLC

TRUST BUT VERIFY

Similar Advisors