James B. Farris

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CRD#: 5174495

Professional summary

James Benjamin Farris 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 2006. Prior to being barred, James had worked at 4 firms, which includes MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED, UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC, MORGAN STANLEY DW INC..

Question & Answer

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Aliases

James B Farris

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

July 27, 2012 - January 23, 2017

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

RIA

CRD#: 7691

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Past

July 27, 2012 - January 23, 2017

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

CRD#: 7691

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Past

September 12, 2008 - August 2, 2012

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

RIA

CRD#: 8174

FRESNO, CA

Past

September 12, 2008 - August 2, 2012

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

CRD#: 8174

FRESNO, CA

Past

April 2, 2007 - September 22, 2008

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

RIA

CRD#: 8209

FRESNO, CA

Past

April 2, 2007 - September 22, 2008

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

CRD#: 8209

FRESNO, CA

Past

September 12, 2006 - April 2, 2007

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

RIA

CRD#: 7556

FRESNO, CA

Past

August 24, 2006 - April 2, 2007

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

CRD#: 7556

FRESNO, 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".

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH | MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED | MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC.

CRD#: 7691 / SEC#: 801-14235, 8-7221

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (12/8/1978 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (New York 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: 9/7/2006

Uniform Combined State Law Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

SIE

Date: 1/23/2017

Securities Industry Essentials Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 31

Date: 9/15/2006

Futures Managed Funds Examination

General Industry/Product Exam

Series 7

Date: 8/23/2006

General Securities Representative Examination

Current Firm

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH | MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED | MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC.

CRD#: 7691 / SEC#: 801-14235, 8-7221

RIA

Registered Investment Advisory firm - SEC (12/8/1978 Approved)

Broker-Dealer Firm Regulated by FINRA (New York district office)

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Contact information

Main Address

One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036

Mailing Address

150 N College St Nc1-028-29-04, Charlotte, NC 28255

Phone number

(800) 637-7455

Established

Delaware since 11/10/1958

Firm type

Corporation

Fiscal year end

December

Firm Size

Large

# of Employees

33,689

SEC notice filing (49 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

MERRILL LYNCH FIDUCIARY ADVISORY SERVICES (12/3/2025)

MERRILL GUIDED INVESTING BROCHURE (11/14/2025)

MERRILL PERSONAL RETIREMENT STRATEGY (11/14/2025)

MERRILL GUIDED INVESTING WITH ADVISOR BROCHURE (11/14/2025)

MERRILL SMALL BUSINESS 401(K) ADVISORY SERVICE (11/10/2025)

MAA MLPFS 2A FOR SELECT PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS (3/21/2025)

MERRILL EDGE ADVISORY ACCOUNT BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

ADVICE ACCESS BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT CONSULTING (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT ADVISORY PROGRAM BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH MANAGED ACCOUNT SERVICE BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

MERRILL LYNCH STRATEGIC PORTFOLIO ADVISOR SERVICE BROCHURE (3/21/2025)

Direct owners and executive officers

Name	Position	CRD#
BAC NORTH AMERICA HOLDING COMPANY	SHAREHOLDER
AXELROD, SUSAN F	CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER	6949587
FAHMY, NANCY MONIR	DIRECTOR	2689751
GELLENE, MATTHEW THOMAS	DIRECTOR	1977160
HANS, LINDSAY DENARDO	STATE DESIGNATED PRINCIPAL & DIRECTOR	4429443
HEATON, DAVID CARLETON JR	CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER	5972432
MOONEY, SARA RATHBONE	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER	7616382
SABBIA, LORNA ROSE	DIRECTOR	1873495
SANTANNA, VINCENT C.	CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER & FINOP	5290525
SCHIMPF, ERIC A	DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, STATE DESIGNATED PRINCIPAL	2494318

Regulatory assets under management

Total Number of Accounts	3,085,811
AUM (Assets Under Management)	$ 1,511,090,925,436

Disclosures

Regulatory Event	610
Civil Event	4
Arbitration	878

Accountant surprise examination report

Filing Date	Form ADV-E Cover	Form ADV-E Report
11/25/2024	Cover Page	Report
08/24/2023	Cover Page	Report
01/27/2023	Cover Page	Report

Red Flags

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James B. Farris

Professional summary

Question & Answer

Aliases

Other business activities

Blog Corner

CRS (Client Relationship Summary)

Certified licenses

Experience

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

MORGAN STANLEY DW INC.

Primary Firm SEC Registration

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

State Registrations and Notice Filings

Exams

Series 66

Date: 9/7/2006

SIE

Date: 1/23/2017

Series 31

Date: 9/15/2006

Series 7

Date: 8/23/2006

Current Firm

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

Contact information

SEC notice filing (49 States and Territories)

FINRA licenses (53 States and Territories)

Documents

Part 2 Brochures

Direct owners and executive officers

Regulatory assets under management

Disclosures

Accountant surprise examination report

Red Flags

Company Information

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

TRUST BUT VERIFY

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