Christopher Watkins: FINRA Suspends WMW Management Advisor

Farmington, Utah financial advisor Christopher Watkins (CRD# 2376887) was recently sanctioned and suspended in connection with allegations that he charged unfair commissions. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and Securities and Exchange Commission records show that the former Watkins Financial Services broker is currently registered as an investment advisor with WMW Management.

A Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (No. 2021069366201) issued in March 2024 describes FINRA’s disciplinary action against Mr. Watkins. As it describes, FINRA found that he “charged two customers more than a fair commission on 130 equity transactions by failing to consider all factors relevant to the fairness of those commissions.” He allegedly did so as a representative of Watkins Financial Services, which he owned and controlled. Between July 2019 and December 2022, he allegedly charged unfair commissions that “were not justified by market conditions; execution cost; the provision of any special brokerage services,” or other factors. The alleged over-charges amounted to more than $42,000, according to FINRA, which found that Mr. Watkins’ conduct violated FINRA Rules 2121 and 2010. In connection with these findings, it suspended him from associating with any FINRA member for a period of two months. It also ordered him to pay a fine of $15,000 and restitution of more than $42,000.

Mr. Watkins’ BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in 2014, it alleged that as a representative of Watkins Financial Services, he recommended an unsuitable investment, and failed to conduct appropriate due diligence. The complaint reached a settlement of $107,223.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Christopher Watkins holds 30 years of securities industry experience. Based in Farmington, Utah, he has been an investment advisor with WMW Management since 2015. His past registrations include Watkins Financial Services, Emmett A Larkin & Company, Fortress Financial and Pension Services, Dain Rauscher, and Merrill Lynch. His credentials include the passage of eight securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; the Financial and Operations Principal Examination, or Series 27; the Compliance Officer Examination, or Series 14; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Operations Professional Examination, or Series 99TO; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65. He is licensed in Utah. (Information current as of March 26, 2024.)

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