Michael Ginestro: $2.4mm Complaint Against Merrill Lynch Advisor

Los Angeles financial advisor Michael Ginestro (CRD# 2468911) recently received an investor complaint alleging that his conduct resulted in more than $2 million in damages. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch.

Mr. Ginestro’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in May 2025, it alleges that as a representative of Merrill Lynch, he recommended an unsuitable investment strategy, misrepresented material facts, omitted material facts, and failed to act in his customer’s best interest. The pending complaint alleges damages of $2.4 million.

Merrill Lynch’s website includes a profile of Mr. Ginestro that describes him as a member of the Jones Zafari Group, a practice at the firm. “Michael Ginestro has worked in the investment management industry since 1995, with a focus on municipal fixed income including research, strategy, and portfolio management,” it explains. “His primary responsibility is managing the team’s fixed income strategies.”

Elsewhere, the practice describes its collaborative philosophy. “By combining our team’s experience with a client-first approach, we deliver highly tailored financial strategies that align with our clients’ unique goals and aspirations,” it states. “We are proud to serve a distinguished clientele, including entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 executives, sports and entertainment professionals, and nonprofit organizations.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Michael Ginestro holds 17 years of securities industry experience. Based in Los Angeles, California, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch since 2020. His past registrations include MML Investors Services, Charles Schwab & Company, UBOC Investment Services, Dean Witter Reynolds, and Oppenheimer & Company. His credentials include the passage of five securities industry qualifying exams: the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7TO; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He holds 54 state licenses. (Information current as of June 7, 2025.)

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