March, 2025 | Based in Kalamazoo, MI
Have concerns about your investments with Brian Lee Culver? Don’t wait to take action. Call 800-950-6553 or complete our online form to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation. Time limits may apply to your potential claim.
Critical Information About Brian Lee Culver
- Full Name: Brian Lee Culver
- CRD Number: 6392736
- Current Location: Kalamazoo, MI
- Current Employer: Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. & Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc.
- Office Address: 2920 Business One Dr., Suite 104, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
- Registration Status: Active with FINRA and registered in 4 states (Alabama, California, Michigan, Texas)
- State Licenses: Investment Adviser Representative in Michigan and Texas (restricted approval)
- Experience: Registered since January 2015
- FINRA BrokerCheck: 4 disclosed customer disputes
- Previous Employers: None prior to Cambridge Investment Research
- Ability to Recover Losses: Settlements reached in multiple cases, indicating potential for recovery
Multiple Customer Complaints Raise Red Flags About Brian Lee Culver’s Investment Practices
Brian Lee Culver (CRD# 6392736), a financial advisor currently registered with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is the subject of multiple customer complaints alleging unsuitable investment recommendations that resulted in significant financial losses. According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Mr. Culver has been named in four customer disputes involving allegations of recommending highly speculative and unsuitable investments to clients.
Our investment fraud attorneys are investigating these complaints against Mr. Culver and are available to assist investors who may have suffered losses while working with him. With a history of settled complaints totaling over $92,000 in combined settlements, investors should carefully review their portfolios if they have worked with this financial advisor.
Detailed Case Overview: A Pattern of Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
According to FINRA BrokerCheck records, Brian Lee Culver has been the subject of four customer disputes since beginning his career in the securities industry in 2015. These complaints share a common thread – allegations that Mr. Culver recommended highly speculative and unsuitable investments that did not align with his clients’ investment objectives and risk tolerance.
The most recent complaints, filed in October 2024, involve two separate clients alleging that Mr. Culver “failed to invest in accordance with investment objectives” and instead “invested in highly speculative and unsuitable investments.” Both complaints were settled in January 2025 for a total of $65,000, with Cambridge Investment Research covering the entire settlement amount.
A third complaint, filed in November 2023, alleged similar misconduct involving Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The client claimed damages of $500,000, and the case was ultimately settled for $45,000 in September 2024. In his response to this complaint, Mr. Culver stated that “he was unaware that the client took on business debt with a bank and the investment account was used as collateral,” adding that “the client was aware of the stocks in the portfolio and it was in accordance with the risk tolerance and timeframe.”
A fourth complaint involving allegations of unauthorized annuity reallocation was closed without action in January 2025.
The pattern of similar allegations across multiple clients raises serious concerns about Mr. Culver’s investment practices and whether he has been appropriately considering his clients’ financial situations, investment objectives, and risk tolerance when making recommendations.
Background and Professional History
Brian Lee Culver began his career in the financial services industry in September 2014 when he joined Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. as a registered representative. He obtained his Series 7 license (General Securities Representative) in January 2015 and his Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law) in June 2015, followed by his Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law) in October 2015.
Mr. Culver is currently registered with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. as a broker and with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. as an investment adviser representative. He is registered in four states: Alabama, California, Michigan, and Texas. His registration in Texas as an investment adviser representative is listed as “Restricted Approval.”
Prior to entering the securities industry, Mr. Culver was involved in several other business ventures, including injury prevention, home care, and food service. He continues to maintain multiple outside business activities alongside his work as a financial advisor, including:
- Abakon Financial Inc and Abakon Financial LLC
- Think First Injury Prevention Program
- All American Roll Models
- Auto Injury Home Care Specialists
- BLC Industries, LLC
- Smokeys Firehouse BBQ LLC
- Sports collectibles and antiques trading
This extensive list of outside business activities raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and whether Mr. Culver is able to devote sufficient time and attention to his clients’ investment needs.
Red Flags for Investors: Signs of Potential Broker Misconduct
The allegations against Brian Lee Culver highlight several common red flags that investors should be aware of when working with a financial advisor:
1. Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
Investment advisers are required by FINRA Rule 2111 to have a reasonable basis for believing that their recommendations are suitable for clients based on their financial situation, investment objectives, and risk tolerance. The multiple complaints against Mr. Culver suggest a pattern of recommending investments that may have been too speculative or risky for his clients.
2. Excessive Risk Concentration
Recommending highly speculative investments without proper diversification can expose clients to excessive risk. Even when clients agree to a certain level of risk, brokers have a duty to ensure that the portfolio remains appropriately diversified to minimize unnecessary risk.
3. Misalignment with Stated Investment Objectives
When an advisor’s recommendations consistently fail to align with a client’s stated investment objectives, it may indicate that the advisor is prioritizing their own interests (such as higher commissions or fees) over the client’s financial goals.
4. Multiple Similar Complaints
The fact that multiple clients have made similar allegations against Mr. Culver suggests a potential pattern of problematic behavior rather than isolated incidents. FINRA takes such patterns seriously, as they may indicate systematic issues in an advisor’s practice.
5. Numerous Outside Business Activities
Mr. Culver’s extensive involvement in multiple outside business activities could potentially distract from his duties as a financial advisor and create conflicts of interest if these activities compete for his time and attention.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Financial advisors like Brian Lee Culver operate under a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to protect investors. Key regulations include:
FINRA Rule 2010: Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade
This rule requires brokers to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Recommending unsuitable investments could violate this fundamental standard.
FINRA Rule 2111: Suitability
This rule requires that a broker have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended transaction or investment strategy is suitable for the customer based on the customer’s investment profile. The allegations against Mr. Culver directly implicate potential violations of this rule.
FINRA Rule 3260: Discretionary Accounts
If a broker executes transactions without proper authorization, it could violate this rule, which governs discretionary powers in customer accounts.
FINRA Rule 2020: Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other Fraudulent Devices
This rule prohibits brokers from employing any manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.
FINRA Rule 3110: Supervision
This rule requires brokerage firms to establish and maintain a system to supervise the activities of their registered representatives. The settlements paid by Cambridge Investment Research in the complaints against Mr. Culver may indicate potential supervisory failures.
Guidance for Affected Investors
If you have invested with Brian Lee Culver and are concerned about your investments, consider taking the following steps:
1. Review Your Investment Statements
Carefully examine your account statements to identify any unexpected changes, unusual transactions, or investments that seem inconsistent with your stated investment objectives and risk tolerance.
2. Document All Communications
Maintain copies of all communications with your advisor, including emails, letters, and notes from meetings or phone calls. This documentation can be crucial evidence if you need to file a complaint.
3. Check Your New Account Agreement
Review the new account documents you signed when opening your account to confirm your stated investment objectives, risk tolerance, and other preferences. This will help determine if your investments align with your documented goals.
4. Understand the Statute of Limitations
Be aware that there are time limits for filing complaints and arbitration claims. For FINRA arbitration, claims generally must be filed within six years of the event giving rise to the dispute.
5. Consult with an Investment Fraud Attorney
If you believe you have been the victim of unsuitable investment recommendations or other misconduct, consult with an experienced investment fraud attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on potential recovery options.
How Our Investment Fraud Attorneys Can Help
Our law firm specializes in representing investors who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct. If you’ve invested with Brian Lee Culver and experienced losses, our attorneys can:
Provide a Free Case Evaluation
We offer no-obligation consultations to evaluate your situation and determine if you may have grounds for a claim. Our experienced attorneys will review your investment history, account statements, and communications with your advisor to identify potential violations.
Represent You on a Contingency Fee Basis
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you. This arrangement ensures our interests are aligned with yours—we only succeed when you do.
Conduct a Forensic Analysis of Your Investments
Our team includes financial experts who can analyze your portfolio to identify unsuitable investments, excessive trading, unauthorized transactions, or other forms of misconduct.
Navigate the FINRA Arbitration Process
Most investment disputes are resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than traditional courts. Our attorneys have extensive experience with this specialized process and can guide you through every step, from filing the initial claim to presenting your case before arbitrators.
Maximize Your Recovery
We will work diligently to recover the full extent of your losses, including investment losses, interest, costs, and potentially punitive damages in cases of serious misconduct.
Don’t delay in taking action if you suspect you’ve been harmed by unsuitable investment recommendations. Contact our experienced team today by calling 800-950-6553 filling out our confidential online form to discuss your potential claim against Brian Lee Culver and Cambridge Investment Research. Your financial security is our priority, and we’re here to help you recover what you’ve lost.
