Maureen A. O’Donnell (CRD #1896357) Was Disciplined by FINRA

Maureen A. O’Donnell (CRD #1896357) has been the subject of disclosure events reported on Maureen O’Donnell’s FINRA BrokerCheck report. Specifically, Maureen A. O’Donnell has been the subject of four regulatory disclosures. If you have worked with Maureen A. O’Donnell and you have concerns about her activity, keep reading.

BrokerCheck link: Maureen O’Donnell FINRA BrokerCheck

BrokerCheck report: Maureen O’Donnell FINRA BrokerCheck Report

Regulatory action (FINRA)

According to Maureen O’Donnell’s FINRA BrokerCheck disclosure summary, one of the regulatory events resulted in an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) with FINRA that became effective on January 8, 2024. In that matter, FINRA found that Maureen O’Donnell permitted another individual to complete her annual continuing education (CE) requirements and falsely attested that she completed those requirements herself. The matter resulted in a $5,000 fine and a one-month suspension from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities (April 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024).

Maureen O’Donnell’s FINRA BrokerCheck report reflects additional state regulatory actions. For example, the New York State Department of Financial Services entered into a stipulation on June 5, 2025, imposing a $7,500 fine in connection with allegations that Maureen O’Donnell failed to complete required insurance continuing education and submitted a false certification. Maureen O’Donnell’s record reflects that there are two additional regulatory disclosures beyond the examples above, including actions involving regulators in Maryland and Connecticut.

Rule summary #1: FINRA Rule 1240 (Continuing Education)

FINRA Rule 1240 sets out the securities industry’s Continuing Education program and requires registered persons to satisfy both a Regulatory Element and a Firm Element. In practice, this rule is intended to help ensure that registered representatives keep their knowledge current and meet baseline competency and compliance standards. Regulatory actions involving continuing education—such as completing CE in an improper manner or falsely certifying completion—may implicate Rule 1240 and related ethical standards.

Rule summary #2: FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade)

FINRA Rule 2010 is a broad, principles-based rule requiring high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. FINRA frequently charges Rule 2010 when alleged conduct reflects dishonesty, misrepresentation, or other unethical behavior, even where the conduct also implicates more specific rules. In disciplinary settlements, Rule 2010 often appears alongside other rules to support findings that the conduct fell short of industry standards.

Why this matters to investors (Regulation Best Interest)

Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) is a U.S. securities regulation designed to strengthen the standard of conduct that broker-dealers owe to retail investors when making recommendations about securities transactions or investment strategies. Adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and effective as of June 30, 2020, Reg BI aims to enhance investor protection while preserving investor access to brokerage products and services.

Reg BI requires broker-dealers and financial advisors to act in the best interest of the retail customer at the time a recommendation is made, and not to place their own financial or other interests ahead of the customer’s. This represents a higher standard than the historical “suitability” requirement, which only required that recommendations be suitable, not necessarily optimal or conflict-free.

Reg BI is built around four key obligations:

1. Disclosure Obligation – Broker-dealers must disclose material facts about the relationship and recommendations, including fees, scope of services, and conflicts of interest.
2. Care Obligation – Recommendations must be made with reasonable diligence, care, and skill, considering costs, risks, and alternatives.
3. Conflict of Interest Obligation – Firms must identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate conflicts, particularly those that create incentives to favor one product over another.
4. Compliance Obligation – Firms must establish policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with Reg BI as a whole.

Importantly, Reg BI applies at the recommendation level, not as a continuous duty like the fiduciary standard applicable to registered investment advisers. Still, it significantly narrows the gap by emphasizing cost considerations, conflict management, and investor-focused decision-making.

Overall, Regulation Best Interest seeks to promote transparency, improve the quality of investment recommendations, and reinforce trust between retail investors and broker-dealers in the U.S. securities markets.

Background information (from BrokerCheck)

Based on her BrokerCheck Report, Maureen O’Donnell reportedly:

• Is currently employed by and registered with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (CRD# 2881) as a FINRA-registered broker since June 20, 1990, and as an investment adviser representative since April 23, 2012.
• Has passed the SIE, Series 7, Series 6, Series 65, and Series 63 exams.
• Was previously registered with Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (CRD# 8158) from July 1990 through January 2002.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you have worked with Maureen O’Donnell and you have concerns about her activity, Kurta Law may be able to help you evaluate your legal rights. You can learn more about potential claims related to regulatory and disclosure issues here: Misrepresentation and Omission and 8 Common Types of Stockbroker Fraud. Contact Kurta Law at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.

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For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated for investors and helped hold financial professionals accountable—because investors deserve transparency, honesty, and to have their rights protected. If you have questions about your investments or think you may have been harmed by broker misconduct or securities fraud, don’t wait for losses to grow or securities fraud go unchecked. Start your recovery process today.