James K. Merrill

Some features on this profile are disabled

CRD#: 5030710

Professional summary

James Kirby Merrill was barred by the FINRA from acting as a broker or investment advisor or otherwise associating with a broker-dealer firm.

James is a previously registered financial professional and started their career in finance in 2005. Prior to being barred, James had worked at 3 firms, which includes INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP LLC, THE WEALTH ADVISORS, LPL FINANCIAL LLC.

Question & Answer

Are you a "fiduciary"?

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)

The CRS(Customer Relationship Summary) document is not provided.

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

Past

May 16, 2008 - December 31, 2019

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

RIA

CRD#: 7717

ENCINITAS, CA

Past

May 15, 2008 - December 31, 2019

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

CRD#: 7717

ENCINITAS, CA

Past

February 27, 2007 - July 17, 2008

THE WEALTH ADVISORS

RIA

CRD#: 130247

CARLSBAD, CA

Past

February 15, 2006 - May 27, 2008

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

RIA

CRD#: 6413

CARLSBAD, CA

Past

December 21, 2005 - May 27, 2008

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

CRD#: 6413

CARLSBAD, CA

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".

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

CRD#: 7717 / SEC#: 801-62667, 8-22870

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (1/30/2004 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (Los Angeles district office)

State Registrations and Notice Filings

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

Visual representation of state registrations

This advisor is not registered in any state.

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.

Exams

State Security Law Exam

IAR

Series 66

Date: 2/14/2006

Uniform Combined State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 7

Date: 12/20/2005

General Securities Representative Examination

Current Firm

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

CRD#: 7717 / SEC#: 801-62667, 8-22870

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (1/30/2004 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (Los Angeles district office)

Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium

Get A Biweekly Pulse, AutomaticallyReceive biweekly alerts automatically. Stay informed and proactive.

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

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

Contact information

Main Address

12671 High Bluff Drive Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130

Mailing Address

12671 High Bluff Drive Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130

Phone number

(858) 436-3180

Established

Delaware since 07/09/2001

Firm type

Limited Liability Company

Fiscal year end

December

Firm Size

Large

# of Employees

622

SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)

FINRA licenses (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / SEC)

Customer Relationship Summary (CRS / FINRA)

Latest Form ADV

Part 2 Brochures

FORM ADV PART 2B WRAP BROCHURE (9/4/2025)

FORM ADV PART 2A BROCHURE (9/4/2025)

Direct owners and executive officers

Name	Position	CRD#
INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.	OWNER
DAVIS, SCOTT EARLE	CFO & FINOP	7160800
DENNEN, BRIAN	CCO BROKERAGE & ADVISORY	3239786
FISCHER, DAVID ALLEN	MANAGING DIRECTOR	1634222
HEISING, SCOTT ALLEN	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/ MANAGING DIRECTOR	2192259
KEEFE, KEVIN MICHAEL	PRESIDENT, COO	1869560
KREISMAN, SARAH JILL	SVP & GENERAL COUNSEL	2671706
PEARSON, TROY DALE	ROSFP	2413897

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	44,046
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 11,322,059,063

Disclosures

Regulatory Event	15
Arbitration	2
Bond	1

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

Stephen Zahka

EDWARD JONES

IAR

Marlborough, MA

Marshall Rosen

OSAIC WEALTH, INC.

IAR

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Frank Moore

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

IAR

Greenwich, CT

We're Here To Help

Advisor Monitoring

Firm Stability Insights

James K. Merrill

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Experience

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

THE WEALTH ADVISORS

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

Primary Firm SEC Registration

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 66

Date: 2/14/2006

SIE

Date: 10/1/2018

Series 7

Date: 12/20/2005

Current Firm

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

Contact information

SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)

FINRA licenses (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Direct owners and executive officers

Regulatory assets under management

Disclosures

Red Flags

Company Information

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC

TRUST BUT VERIFY

Similar Advisors