Wells Fargo, LPL And Cetera Add Advisor Teams In New Recruiting Moves
Wells Fargo Advisors, LPL Financial and Cetera Financial Group have each added advisor talent as recruiting activity remains active across the wealth management industry.
The latest moves include a nearly $1.5 billion team moving to Wells Fargo from Morgan Stanley, a UBS team launching a new practice through LPL’s Linsco channel and a Michigan advisor joining Cetera after a decade with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Three Recruiting Wins Across Wells Fargo, LPL And Cetera
The latest recruiting activity involved three advisor moves from major wealth management platforms:
Wells Fargo Advisors added Bartoli Private Wealth Management Group from Morgan Stanley. The team manages nearly $1.5 billion in client assets.
LPL Financial added Paxara Wealth Partners from UBS. The group reported about $330 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets.
Cetera Financial Group added Milestone Wealth Management from Commonwealth Financial Network. The Michigan-based practice oversees about $150 million in assets under administration.
Wells Fargo Adds Bartoli Private Wealth Management Group
Wells Fargo Advisors has added the Bartoli Private Wealth Management Group, a five-advisor team that managed nearly $1.5 billion in client assets at Morgan Stanley.
The group includes brothers Stephen Bartoli, David Bartoli and Patrick Bartoli, along with Craig McLean and William Duval. Support staff Leigh Beshaw, Kristen Rodriguez and Andrea Taylor also moved with the team.
The group previously operated from Morgan Stanley’s Lemoyne office. Its move adds to a busy stretch of recruiting for Wells Fargo Advisors, which has recently brought in several large teams with billion-dollar asset bases.
The Philadelphia-area addition follows the arrival of The Taylor Group in New York City, which oversees $6 billion, and AGT Private Wealth Group in Frisco, Texas, which reportedly manages more than $1.6 billion.
Ken Terranova, Wells Fargo Advisors’ Greater Pennsylvania market leader, said the Bartoli team was attracted to a platform that combines the scale of a large institution with more direct local support. He also noted that the team can work with specialized groups across the firm.
LPL Launches Paxara Wealth Partners Through Linsco
LPL Financial added advisors Conley Thornhill, Doug Rathbun and Nikki Rathbun to its Linsco channel. The team launched Paxara Wealth Partners after moving from UBS.
The Winter Haven, Florida-based group reported serving approximately $330 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets. Its client base includes business owners, physicians, executives and retirees across the country.
Thornhill is the founder and lead advisor of the practice. His industry record spans more than four decades and includes previous roles at Morgan Stanley and AG Edwards.
The name Paxara Wealth Partners reflects the Latin word “pax,” meaning peace. The firm uses that idea to frame its planning approach, which focuses on helping clients build lasting financial foundations.
The team said the move to LPL was influenced by technology, independence and the ability to avoid proprietary product limits. For LPL, the addition supports its ongoing effort to attract advisors from wirehouse and captive platforms who want more flexibility.
Cetera Adds Milestone Wealth Management In Michigan
Cetera Financial Group also added Jaakko “Jack” Kasko and his Saint Joseph, Michigan-based practice, Milestone Wealth Management.
The practice oversees approximately $150 million in assets under administration. Kasko joined Cetera after spending the past 10 years affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Kasko evaluated other platform options after LPL’s acquisition of Commonwealth. He said Cetera’s Summit Financial Networks community felt similar to the culture he valued at Commonwealth.
Operational support also played a role in the decision. Kasko said efficient and reliable systems help him spend more time focused on clients rather than back-office issues.
Milestone Wealth Management works with business owners and individuals approaching or entering retirement. The practice focuses on retirement planning, pre-retirement planning and the shift from wealth accumulation to income generation.
Kasko also plans to keep growing through acquisitions, building on his experience integrating other advisory practices.
Recruiting Competition Continues Across Wealth Management
The latest moves show how major wealth management platforms continue to compete for established advisor teams, client relationships and practices with growth potential.
Wells Fargo’s addition of the Bartoli Private Wealth Management Group strengthens its recent recruiting momentum among large teams. LPL’s launch of Paxara Wealth Partners adds another wirehouse breakaway to its Linsco channel. Cetera’s recruitment of Milestone Wealth Management shows its continued push to attract former Commonwealth advisors after the LPL deal.
Together, the moves reflect ongoing demand for stronger technology, more operational support, flexible platform models and continuity options for advisors planning the next stage of their businesses.
