Sanctuary welcomes UHNW duo from Merrill

Sanctuary welcomes UHNW duo from Merrill
The firm adds a $700 million breakaway practice in North Carolina.
APR 02, 2024

Sanctuary Wealth has expanded its presence in North Carolina with its recruitment of a breakaway advisor duo from Merrill Lynch.

On Tuesday, the aggregator announced the launch of Vincita Investment Partners, a new firm in Greensboro, North Carolina, that manages $700 million in client assets.

Led by JJ Marus and Lauren Norris, the latest practice on Sanctuary’s partnered independence platform caters to a base of ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Working with their clients’ estate planning attorneys, tax specialists, and banking partners, Vincita specializes in sophisticated planning for affluent families, offering a concierge approach to financial management that encompasses investment optimization and integrated wealth management strategies.

“Both come to Sanctuary with a history of thriving in all aspects of their lives, with JJ participating in the U.S. Olympic trials as a swimmer and Lauren being a former all-American lacrosse player and coach,” Sanctuary Wealth president Vince Fertitta said in a statement.

“The firm clearly understands what it takes for transitioning wirehouse advisors like us to succeed, having built a unique model that prioritizes client service and helps their partners enjoy meaningful growth,” said Marus, who’s been registered in the industry for nearly 15 years.

Marus also lauded Sanctuary’s alternative investment platform and cutting-edge technology.

“It’s great to not only have a real partner but an entire support system behind us,” Norris added.

In breaking away from Merrill, Marus and Norris splintered from a larger advisory group. The vast majority who chose to stay "believe Merrill is the best place for their clients and the best place for them as advisors to serve their clients and manage their business," according to Steven Alch, southeast division executive.

Prior to welcoming the duo, Sanctuary deepened its footprint in Indianapolis in March with M&K Legacy Wealth, which brought $1 billion from Stifel.

Over the years, Sanctuary has also been the breakaway platform of choice for several Merrill Lynch alums, including the teams at Burnham Harbor Private Wealth in Chicago and Chappell Wealth Management in Texas.

Small-cap growth stocks setting up for big year, says Alger strategist

Latest News

No succession plan? No worries. Just practice in place
No succession plan? No worries. Just practice in place

While industry statistics pointing to a succession crisis can cause alarm, advisor-owners should be free to consider a middle path between staying solo and catching the surging wave of M&A.

Research highlights growing need for personalized retirement solutions as investors age
Research highlights growing need for personalized retirement solutions as investors age

New joint research by T. Rowe Price, MIT, and Stanford University finds more diverse asset allocations among older participants.

Advisor moves: RIA Farther hails Q2 recruiting record, Raymond James nabs $300M team from Edward Jones
Advisor moves: RIA Farther hails Q2 recruiting record, Raymond James nabs $300M team from Edward Jones

With its asset pipeline bursting past $13 billion, Farther is looking to build more momentum with three new managing directors.

Insured Retirement Institute urges Labor Department to retain annuity safe harbor
Insured Retirement Institute urges Labor Department to retain annuity safe harbor

A Department of Labor proposal to scrap a regulatory provision under ERISA could create uncertainty for fiduciaries, the trade association argues.

LPL Financial sticking to its guns with retaining 90% of Commonwealth's financial advisors
LPL Financial sticking to its guns with retaining 90% of Commonwealth's financial advisors

"We continue to feel confident about our ability to capture 90%," LPL CEO Rich Steinmeier told analysts during the firm's 2nd quarter earnings call.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.