Former Merrill Financial Advisor Jeremiah Householder Suspended by FINRA for Alleged Undisclosed Outside Business Activity and Referral Compensation

• September 18, 2026
• Merrill Lynch

Jeremiah Edward Householder (CRD#: 7063145) was previously registered with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Householder is not currently registered as a broker or investment adviser.

Broker’s History

Householder’s BrokerCheck report shows one prior registration, with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, from March 2019 to November 2024.

Allegations of Misconduct

According to publicly available records released by FINRA, in November 2025, without admitting or denying the findings, Householder consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he engaged in an outside business activity for compensation without providing written notice to his member firm.

The findings stated that Householder referred four firm customers who sought loans to a third-party lending company owned by his brother-in-law. In exchange for these referrals, Householder received approximately $60,000 in compensation from the lending company. Householder never notified or sought approval from his firm to engage in this activity. In his March 2024 annual compliance certification, Householder falsely attested that he was not engaged in any undisclosed outside business activities. The publicly available findings do not address whether any customer was harmed.

As a result, Householder consented to the following sanctions:

• a six-month suspension from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities (November 17, 2025 through May 16, 2026); and
• a $7,500 fine.

For a copy of the Disciplinary Action Details, click here.

In addition, Jeremiah Householder has also been the subject of one other disclosure:

• November 2024: Voluntary resignation from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, “Conduct involving failure to disclose outside business activities.”

For a copy of Jeremiah Householder’s FINRA BrokerCheck, click here.

We Help Investors Recover Investment Losses

Pursuant to FINRA Rule 3270, outside business activities in which financial advisors become involved must be disclosed to their firm. The rule exists so the firm can evaluate and supervise the activity, including any conflict of interest with customers. When an advisor is paid to steer customers to a third party, the customer may not know about that financial incentive. Advisors owe their customers fiduciary and regulatory duties, and their firms must reasonably supervise their dealings with clients.

Customers who were referred by an advisor to an outside lender, investment or business, and who have concerns about the arrangement, may wish to review their records and consider their options. You can read more about stockbroker misconduct, or see our related post on a Merrill Lynch broker suspended for unapproved outside business activities.

The Wolper Law Firm represents investors nationwide in securities litigation and arbitration on a contingency fee basis. Matt Wolper, the Managing Principal of the Wolper Law Firm, is a trial lawyer who has handled hundreds of securities cases during his career involving a wide range of products, strategies, and securities. Prior to representing investors, he was a partner with a national law firm, where he represented some of the largest banks and brokerage firms in the world in securities matters. We can be reached at 800.831.8452 or by email at mwolper@wolperlawfirm.com