It's been a week of notable moves at LPL, Raymond James, and Merrill Lynch, with the three successfully luring experienced advisors over from rival firms in Texas and key East Coast markets.
As its first addition for May, LPL Financial has welcomed advisor R. Brennan Barlow to its broker-dealer, RIA and custodial platforms. Previously affiliated with Raymond James, Barlow reported managing approximately $250 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets.
He leads Barlow Capital Advisors, an independent firm he founded in 2009 in Flower Mound, Texas, just outside of Dallas. The practice includes senior client service associate Keri Alanis and client service associate Amanda Barlow, who is also Barlow’s wife.
The firm, which emphasizes holistic wealth planning, was designed as a family-run business serving a community-centered clientele.
“I believe in the ‘Three P’s’: Protect your wealth, preserve your lifestyle and prevent surprises in retirement,” Barlow said in a statement Thursday. “To that end, I take the time to educate my clients on the wealth management process and then work alongside them to ensure our strategies are consistently angled toward their ideal financial outcome.”
Meanwhile, Raymond James has also expanded its independent advisor network with new additions in North Carolina and New York.
In Clinton, North Carolina, advisor Bryan Griffin joined the firm’s independent channel, Raymond James Financial Services. He reportedly oversaw more than $155 million in assets from Edward Jones and now works as managing partner of PineTrust Wealth Partners. The office is led by branch manager Trent Williamson.
While Edward Jones has seen its fair share of advisors bolt to Raymond James over the past year – it also recently lost two experienced professionals in Washington and Alaska – the firm could be approaching a turning point with a bid to offer alts for high-net-worth clients and a leadership shakeup set for June 1..
With more than two decades of industry experience, Griffin focuses on holistic planning and collaboration with clients’ external professional teams, including attorneys and accountants.
Shortly before welcoming Griffin, Raymond James revealed the addition of advisors Kevin Vasilik and Kristi Rossy of Wayfinder Wealth Management to Raymond James Financial Services. Based in Bohemia, New York, the two joined from Ameriprise Financial and previously managed about $130 million in assets.
Vasilik serves as president and CEO of the practice, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to the role. He previously worked in the chemical sector for more than 10 years before transitioning to wealth management. His background includes insurance, investment planning and retirement strategy.
Rossy, managing director, has been a partner in the practice since 2008. Over her 17-year career, she has held various leadership and compliance roles in the financial services industry.
Finally, Merrill Lynch announced earlier this week that it has added Peter Borowsky to its advisor ranks in the Big Apple. He previously managed more than $1 billion in client assets at UBS and has been named a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for six consecutive years, including his most recent #18 ranking in the 2025 New York City list.
During its latest earnings call on Wednesday, UBS admitted it had experienced "some attrition" as changes it made to its compensation plan last year left a sour taste in the mouths of its US-based advisors.
Borowsky, who joins Merrill’s Rockefeller Center market under market executive Courtney McCarthy, has worked in the industry for more than three decades. He is known for serving high-net-worth clients, professional athletes and entertainers. He is also registered with the NFL Players Association and has a specialized focus on advising professional football players, including active and retired NFL athletes and top draft prospects.
Borowsky began his career as a Merrill trainee before moving on to UBS. His return marks a notable addition to Merrill’s presence in New York.
Elsewhere in Utah, Raymond James also welcomed another experienced advisor from D.A. Davidson.
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