FINRA Bars Derek Copeland for Alleged Private Securities Transactions

Derek Copeland (CRD #: 4347572), a broker formerly registered with LPL Financial, has been barred by FINRA, according to his BrokerCheck record, accessed on May 10, 2025. Read on to learn more about his alleged conduct as a broker.
Bar by FINRA
On March 24, 2025, Derek Copeland consented to the entry of findings that he allegedly participated in 74 private securities transactions without providing prior written notice to LPL Financial.
According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC), Derek Copeland allegedly participated in these transactions between March 2020 and January 2023. These transactions allegedly involved 19 different securities, 11 of which were promissory notes issued to raise funds for a wholesale flooring company.
The eight other investments were allegedly limited liability companies created to invest in real estate development, construction, and other projects. Investors in these LLC were allegedly non-managing members who received a pro rata rate of return on their investments.
Derek Copeland allegedly facilitated these investments by conducting due diligence, introducing and recommending investments to potential investors, acting as an intermediary between the offeror and investors, and co-managing one of the LLCs via a company he co-owned.
His efforts allegedly resulted in 27 investors, including 22 LPL Financial customers, investing a total of nearly $11 million. Derek Copeland allegedly received at least $173,000 in compensation.
Derek Copeland allegedly failed to provide written notice to his firm before participating in these transactions, and allegedly falsely claimed on annual compliance attestations from 2020-2022 that he had not solicited clients or non-clients for investments in products not approved by the firm.
Alleged Use of Unapproved Communication Channels
From March 2020 to January 2023, Derek Copeland allegedly exchanged more than 2,250 communications with other LPL Financial employees, firm customers, other investors, and offering company partners via unapproved communications channels, including his personal mobile phone, private email addresses, and online platforms.
These communications allegedly concerned securities-related business, such as investments made through LPL Financial and outside the firm. LPL Financial allegedly did not capture or record these communications due to their being transmitted through unapproved channels.
The AWC alleged that these allegations constituted violations of FINRA Rules 3280, 4511, and 2010.
FINRA Rule 3280
FINRA Rule 3280 requires brokers to provide written notice to their firm before engaging in private securities transactions.
FINRA Rule 4511
FINRA Rule 4511 requires firms to maintain accurate books and records.
FINRA Rule 2010
FINRA Rule 2010 holds brokers to high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.
Sanctions
Derek Copeland was permanently barred by FINRA on March 24, 2025. You can read the full AWC here.
Other business activities
Derek Copeland’s detailed BrokerCheck report lists the following outside business activities:
- Board member for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation.
- Owns and rents out a real estate property in North Carolina.
- Registered Investment Advisor with SilverRock Wealth Partners and Independent Advisor Alliance.
- Agent of record for non-variable insurance policies with National Life.
Investor Dispute
On March 7, 2023, an investor alleged that Derek Copeland gave unsuitable investment recommendations between September 2021 and January 2023. The client sought $1.5 million in damages and received a dispute of $175,000.
FINRA Rule 2111
FINRA Rule 2111 requires brokers to take into account investors’ financial goals when recommending investments. Brokers must consult the investor’s profile, which contains information about their age, tax status, and risk tolerance.
Investors who rely on brokers for recommendations may be able to recover their losses through FINRA arbitration.
Termination from Independent Advisor Alliance and LPL Financial
On January 18, 2023, Derek Copeland was fired from Independent Advisor Alliance and LPL Financial following allegations that he failed to disclose his outside business activities.
Background Information
Derek Copeland has passed the following exams:
- Series 66 – Uniform Combined State Law Examination
- Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
- SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination
- Series 3 – National Commodity Futures Examination
- Series 7 – General Securities Representative Examination
He previously worked for the following firms:
- LPL Financial (CRD#:6413)
- Spire Securities (CRD#:144131)
- Morgan Stanley (CRD#:149777)
- Morgan Stanley & Company (CRD#:8209)
- UBS Financial Services (CRD#:8174)
Kurta Law Can Help
If you worked with Derek Copeland and you have concerns about your investments, please contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.
For over 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated on behalf of investors who want to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm and exclusively represents investors against brokers and brokerage firms on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf.