Jerry Hanifan: Estate Planning Center Advisor Faces $50K Complaint

West Jefferson, North Carolina financial advisor Jerry Hanifan (CRD# 2286666) has received multiple investor complaints alleging that he recommended unsuitable investments. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with USA Financial Securities, and that he is the president of Estate Planning Center.

Mr. Hanifan’s BrokerCheck report discloses four investor complaints. The most recent, filed in December 2024, alleges that as a representative of USA Financial Securities, he recommended unsuitable investments by failing to explain them in sufficient detail. The pending complaint alleges damages of $50,000.

A second investor complaint, filed in September 2024, similarly alleges that as a representative of USA Financial, he failed to sufficiently explain the investments he recommended unsuitably. The pending complaint alleges damages of $90,000.

A third investor complaint, filed in February 2024, alleges that he recommended unsuitable investments while a representative of USA Financial Securities. The pending complaint alleges damages of $100,000.

A fourth investor complaint, filed in 2015, alleged that as a representative of The Investment Center and USA Financial Securities, he recommended unsuitable investments in fixed annuities and variable life insurance polices. The complaint reached a settlement of $500,000.

Estate Planning Center’s website includes a page describing the firm’s mission. “We’re committed to helping our clients grow, protect, and eventually transfer their assets to the next generation,” it explains. “We provide unbiased, independent advice with our clients’ best interest in mind.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Jerry Hanifan holds 32 years of securities industry experience. Based in West Jefferson, North Carolina, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with USA Financial Securities since 2006 and 2007, respectively. The president of Estate Planning Center, his past registrations include The Investment Center (2002-2006) and 1717 Capital Management (1993-1998). His credentials include the passage of five securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination, or Series 6; the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. He is licensed in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. (Information current as of January 18, 2025.)

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