Ryan Adamchak: Suitability Complaint Against Merrill Lynch Advisor

Lakewood Ranch, Florida financial advisor Ryan Adamchak (CRD# 5775908) allegedly recommended unsuitable investments, according to a recent investor complaint. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch.

Mr. Adamchak’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in May 2026, it alleges that as a representative of Merrill Lynch, he recommended unsuitable investments, including market-linked structured notes and uninvested cash positions. The pending complaint alleges unspecified damages.

For reference, FINRA’s suitability standard holds that stockbrokers must “have a reasonable basis to believe” that the recommendations they make to their clients are appropriate for those clients’ background and needs. As laid out in FINRA Rule 2111, the standard requires brokers to ascertain an investment’s suitability through “reasonable diligence” into the client’s investment profile, which includes their age, net worth, risk tolerance, income, and more. They must arrive at a reasonable basis to believe the recommendation is suitable for at least some investors, as well as a reasonable basis to believe it is suitable for the specific customer they’re dealing with. When they are considering a series of transactions in an account over which they have actual or de facto control, they must arrive at a reasonable basis to believe that the series of transactions, “even if suitable when viewed in isolation, is not excessive and unsuitable for the customer.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Ryan Adamchak holds 11 years of securities industry experience. Based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch since 2015. His credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He holds 40 state licenses. (Information current as of July 5, 2026.)

Carlson Law represents investors throughout the United States in claims against financial advisors and investment firms. If you or a loved one have suffered investment losses, please call us at 888-976-6111 or complete our contact form for a free and confidential consultation.