Joseph Tranchina: FINRA Suspends Forte Financial Advisor

Holmdel, New Jersey financial advisor Joseph Tranchina (CRD# 6085344) was recently sanctioned and suspended in connection with alleged rule violations. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker with Ceros Financial Services, while his professional profile shows that he is a representative of Forte Financial Group, a division of Ceros.

A Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (No. 2018056490329) describes FINRA’s disciplinary action against Mr. Tranchina. Filed in May 2025, it states that he recommended excessive trades to two retail customers, in violation of FINRA rules and the SEC’s Best Interest Obligation. As the letter explains, the customers in question included a 65-year-old judge and a 54-year-old small business owner. It alleges that the trades in question took place while he was a representative of Spartan Capital, between January 2018 and March 2022. His trading resulted in five-figure losses for the investors, FINRA alleged, while generating more than $60,000 in commissions for Mr. Tranchina. As a result of these findings, FINRA suspended him for five months and ordered him to pay a fine of $5,000, as well as more than $60,000 in restitution.

Mr. Tranchina’s LinkedIn profile states that he is a representative of Forte Financial Group. That firm’s website, which clarifies that it is a division of Ceros Financial Services, includes a page describing its capabilities. “Using a diversified approach that capitalizes on technologies and advanced research methods, we are able to provide our clients with investment opportunities,” it explains. “Our brokers are committed to your success, and they work with you to help you discover which investment options best match your risk tolerance and monetary goals.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Joseph Tranchina holds nine years of securities industry experience. Based in Holmdel, New Jersey, he has been registered as a broker with Ceros Financial Services since November 2022. He was previously registered with Spartan Capital Securities (2017-2022), Worden Capital Management (2016-2017), and Legend Securities (2016). His credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He holds 41 state licenses. (Information current as of May 9, 2025.)

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