FP Canada Reports 47% Jump in Planner Complaints as Permanent Bans Rise in 2025

1 articles · Updated · Investment Executive · May 27

128 complaints against financial planners reached FP Canada Standards Council in 2025, up from 87 a year earlier, with public complaints more than doubling to 53 from 22.
Diligence led allegations at 20.3%, followed by client service failure or multiple allegations at 19.5%, integrity at 18.8% and suitability at 12.5%.
27 cases—about 21% of complaints—went to a conduct review panel and eight to a disciplinary hearing panel, where guidance and advice remained the most common conduct-review outcome.
15 disciplinary hearings were held in 2025 versus 12 in 2024, and permanent bans or revocations made up about 42% of hearing outcomes, up from roughly 38% the year before.

With social media posts now triggering permanent bans, what are the new digital rules for financial professionals?

Is rising financial planner misconduct a crisis, or are empowered consumers just better at reporting it?

As young investors demand digital advice, can traditional financial planners adapt quickly enough to survive?