Hayes H. Sperry
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Results-driven Senior Compliance and Supervisory Principal with over 10 years in wealth management supervision. Specializes in Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), AML, supervisory controls, and branch oversight. Led teams of 250+ financial advisors, implementing complex supervisory frameworks. Holds FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 63, and 66 licenses.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President; ADP Oversight Principal
Merrill Lynch
09.2022 - Current
- Lead supervisory oversight for approximately 250 Financial Solutions Advisors within Merrill’s Advisor Development Program (ADP), ensuring compliance with Regulation BI, AML requirements, and firm supervisory policies.
- Supervise and approve approximately 1000 new account openings, 500 managed product enrollments, and 10 program transitions monthly, ensuring regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and adherence to internal controls.
- Identify, escalate, and support resolution of advisor conduct concerns, partnering with branch management to mitigate regulatory, financial, and reputational risk.
- Review and resolve escalated trade surveillance and client account alerts, applying supervisory judgment consistent with firm and regulatory standards.
- Execute supervisory reviews of Employer-Sponsored Account rollover alerts per month, confirming best interest determinations and compliance with Regulation BI and internal policies.
- Develop and deliver a monthly supervisory education series covering regulatory trends, program updates, supervisory findings, and firmwide policy changes to approximately 250 advisors.
- Perform quarterly reviews of advisor-client interactions and documentation for approximately 250 advisors to ensure adherence to firm procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Present monthly supervision and compliance trend reports to branch leadership to support proactive risk management and supervisory consistency.
Interim Branch Manager – Jacksonville Market
Wells Fargo Advisors
Jacksonville, FL
04.2022 - 09.2022
- Managed branch operations and supervision, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and adherence to firm policies.
- Provided leadership and oversight to branch personnel, supporting risk management and operational execution.
Supervisory Control Associate
Wells Fargo Advisors
06.2021 - 09.2022
- Supervised 9 branches, 30 registered bankers, and 75 financial advisors across North and Central Florida.
- Managed 40+ delegated supervisory responsibilities, including branch inspections, targeted risk reviews, and marketing supervision.
- Approved all branch communications and performed weekly new account audits to ensure compliance with Reg BI and supervisory procedures.
- Conducted quarterly WRAP and managed account reviews for client suitability and Reg BI compliance.
- Reviewed trade blotters to confirm trading activity adhered to firm and regulatory standards.
Assistant Vice President; New Accounts Supervision Principal
Merrill Lynch
07.2017 - 06.2021
- Reviewed and approved approximately 2,000 new account applications per month, maintaining 100% adherence to regulatory and operational requirements.
- Led monthly supervisory reporting across 18 markets, providing regulatory guidance on Reg BI and the Volcker Rule to ensure compliance.
- Enhanced supervisory controls by implementing control person tracking during account openings and facilitating institutional audits.
- Created New Accounts Supervision’s first branch visit presentation and pilot retirement rollover policy, standardizing oversight procedures across 50 markets.
Senior Trading Specialist
Fidelity Investments
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Approved complex, high-value trades and policy exceptions; resolved cross-department escalations to ensure compliance.
- Exceeded CEI and guidance lead targets while implementing process improvements that streamlined workflows.
- Coached representatives on trading policies and compliance, enhancing accuracy and achieving better performance metrics.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL05.2014
Skills
- Financial advisor oversight
- Regulatory compliance and supervision
- Risk management and escalation
- Trade surveillance and account reviews
- Sales practice enforcement
- Advisor education and training
Certification
- FINRA Series 7
- FINRA Series 63
- FINRA Series 66
- FINRA Series 9
- FINRA Series 10
Linkedin Profile
www.linkedin.com/in/hayessperry
Timeline
Vice President; ADP Oversight Principal
Merrill Lynch
09.2022 - Current
Interim Branch Manager – Jacksonville Market
Wells Fargo Advisors
04.2022 - 09.2022
Supervisory Control Associate
Wells Fargo Advisors
06.2021 - 09.2022
Assistant Vice President; New Accounts Supervision Principal
Merrill Lynch
07.2017 - 06.2021
Senior Trading Specialist
Fidelity Investments
01.2014 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
Jacksonville University