Did William Worthen King Cause You Investment Losses?

William W. (Bill) King, a prominent broker at Merrill Lynch, has resigned from the company following a surge in client complaints. King has faced allegations from at least ten customers since August.

These individuals voiced their concerns over account mismanagement, specifically citing unsuitable investments and unauthorized trading of options positions. The disputes are currently under review, as reported by BrokerCheck.

If you believe you have a claim against William King, you should strongly consider hiring an investment fraud lawyer. Do not wait until it’s too late to file a claim. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., offers free consultations.

Give us a call at 800-732-2889. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

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Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.

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William King Formerly With Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Has 18 Customer Complaints For Alleged Broker Misconduct

Who is William King formerly with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated?

William King (CRD #1432593) is a broker and investment advisor who was formerly registered with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. He is currently a subject under investigation for securities industry sales practice abuse.

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William King Customer Complaints

William King has been the subject of 18 customer complaints that we know about to recover investment losses. Four of the customer complaints were settled by his employer in favor of the investors. Merrill Lynch denied 5 of the customer complaints. To date, the customers have not taken any further action. There are 9 other customer complaints made within the last year relating to option transactions that are still pending.

A Summary of Recent News Around Merrill Lynch Broker, William W. (Bill) King

A well-known Merrill Lynch broker, William W. (Bill) King, who operated from Vero Beach, Florida, and New York, has recently resigned from the firm amid a significant increase in client complaints. Since August, a minimum of ten customers have come forward with grievances, expressing concerns over the mismanagement of their accounts, particularly relating to claims of unsuitable or unauthorized trading of options positions. These disputes are currently pending review, according to information obtained from BrokerCheck.

Bill King, boasting an impressive 37-year tenure at Merrill Lynch, made the decision to voluntarily resign on April 21. Recognized for his expertise as an “international” broker, with a specific focus on serving foreign clients, King successfully managed a substantial $1.4 billion in client assets, an achievement acknowledged by Forbes. In fact, Forbes ranked him at #166 on their prestigious list of top wealth advisors in 2022, while also including him in their best-in-state wealth management teams list for this year. Furthermore, King consistently appeared among Barron’s top 1,200 financial advisors from 2018 to 2022, as confirmed by his former team webpage on Merrill’s platform.

This recent departure by King aligns with a disconcerting trend observed among several prominent brokers who often secure positions on industry lists, only to later encounter regulatory issues or face client complaints. Notably, King already had six customer disputes on record, covering the period from 1999 to 2014. However, it is worth mentioning that four of those disputes were either resolved without any action or withdrawn.

Just because Merrill Lynch rejects your complaint doesn’t mean your claim is invalid. Merrill Lynch has a history of legal action and regulatory scrutiny for investment losses. So, it’s important to know that their rejection doesn’t automatically mean your claim isn’t valid.

If you have lost money due to the actions of William King, it’s important that you reach out to an investment loss attorney quickly because the statutes of limitations can bar your claims. Call us at 800-732-2889.

What Has Happened Since William King Resigned, and What Should Investors Do Next?

What has happened since William King resigned matters to investors because post-resignation disclosures can confirm a pattern of unsuitable or unauthorized options activity and can shape how a recovery claim is presented. In practical terms, “updates” equal new, objective data points (termination language, regulatory outcomes, and additional customer disputes) because they help explain whether losses stemmed from risk that was never agreed to or risk that never matched the investor’s profile.

At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., our lawyers often start by mapping each trade to the account’s documented objectives, time horizon, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance; suitability equals alignment with those factors because recommendations should fit the customer, not the market story. Unauthorized trading equals execution without informed consent because non-discretionary accounts require permission for each transaction, and complex options strategies can amplify leverage and losses.

If you suspect misconduct, preserve the paper trail now: monthly statements, trade confirmations, option approval forms, emails/texts, and any written instructions. Then request a transaction-by-transaction explanation and a risk disclosure summary from the firm; a clear timeline equals leverage in settlement talks or FINRA arbitration because it ties specific conduct to specific damages.

Allegations Against William King

A sample of the allegations made in the FINRA reported arbitration claim settlements and/or pending complaints for investment losses are as follows:

Unauthorized trading.
Unsuitable transactions.
Unsuitable investment strategy.
Unauthorized option trades.
Misrepresentation of certain option positions.
Failure to act in customer’s best interest in enrolling into a managed account without implementing risk management strategies.
Misrepresentation of the variable annuity contract.
Misrepresentation regarding fees and performance of account.
The failure to follow customer’s instructions.

William King Red Flags & Your Rights As An Investor

Of course, William King did not admit to any of the allegations. But regardless of whether an arbitration award was entered, a settlement occurred, or the customer complaint is still pending, the allegations made by customers are red flags which should put all current and former customers of William King at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated on alert to review carefully the activity and performance of their accounts and question whether William King has engaged in any stockbroker misconduct that may have caused them investment losses. The large number of customer complaints at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated also raises questions about the brokerage firm’s supervisory practices. If these red flags raise questions, call us and we will inform you of your rights as an investor.

Did You Lose Money Because of Broker Misconduct?

If you have lost money due to negligence or fraud by a stockbroker or advisor, the easiest way to know if you have a case is to call our office at 800-732-2889. Our investment fraud attorneys will evaluate your claim for free and let you know if we can help you recover your losses.

Need Legal Help? Let’s talk.

or, give us a ring at 833-300-6983.

File A Claim To Recover Your Investment Losses At Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Due To William King

If you have questions about Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and/or William King and the management or performance of your accounts, please contact Attorney Pearce for a free initial consultation via email or Toll Free at 1-800-732-2889.

Robert Wayne Pearce

Robert Wayne Pearce of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been a trial attorney for more than 45 years and has helped recover over $170 million dollars for his clients. During that time, he developed a well-respected and highly accomplished legal career representing investors and brokers in disputes with one another and the government and industry regulators. To speak with Attorney Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or Contact Us online for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with Attorney Pearce about your case.

William King of Merrill Lynch Resigns Amid Unsuitable Investment Claims