Advisor moves: UBS nabs Arkansas-based rainmaker from Merrill

UBS is building on its broader plans for US wealth expansion with the addition of a veteran rainmaker from Merrill, while Wells Fargo and Raymond James have each extended their East Coast presence with additions in New York and Georgia.

UBS adds rainmaker from Merrill as it plans Jonesboro expansion

UBS has hired financial advisor Clay Young and said it plans to expand its footprint in Jonesboro, Arkansas, including opening a new office space later this year.

A top-ranker on Forbes' best-in-state advisors' list, Young has more than 30 years in the industry, with prior stints at A.G. Edwards, Stephens, and most recently Bank of America Merrill Lynch, according to his BrokerCheck record. He oversaw $1 billion in AUM at Merrill, according to reporting from Barron's that cites an unnamed source.

Young joined UBS’s South Market, which is led by regional director Julie Fox, market executive Gregory Achten and market director Sara Perez Barrett.

With an expertise in investment management, retirement planning, and banking and lending solutions, he takes a coordinated approach to managing family wealth. He will serve as a managing director and private wealth advisor focused on high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, including individuals, families and business owners.

Young will ultimately be based in a new location to be established in Jonesboro; until then, he will report to the firm’s Memphis, Tennessee office.

His arrival at UBS comes as the Swiss-based bank attempts to stage a turnaround in its US wealth business, having secured a national banking license after a challenging year of advisors waking away to join rival wirehouses and brokerage firms. 

Wells Fargo’s FiNet signs Bayview Financial Group team in New York

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, the wirehouse’s independent channel, announced the addition of Justin “Judd” Bohall and Alyson Maher of Bayview Financial Group.

Coming over from Private Advisor Group, Bohall and Maher oversee close to $300 million in assets under management. Based in Jamestown, New York, they are joined by support staff Jennifer Briggs and Ashley Edwards.

The move lands during a strong start to 2026 on the recruiting front for FiNet, which earlier this month touted its addition of close to $5.5 billion in client assets during January and February as advisors look for more control over how they run their practices.

“FiNet has been a trusted home for advisors who want true independence without trade offs for more than two decades,” John Tyers, president of FiNet, said in a statement announcing its 25th anniversary. 

Raymond James brings another Commonwealth duo to independent channel

Raymond James said on Tuesday that it has added advisors R. Lynette “Lynn” Laughter and Isaac Laclé to Raymond James Financial Services.

The latest additions to RayJay's independent advisor channel arrive from Commonwealth Financial Network, adding to its successful record of picking up defectors from the now LPL-owned community.

Read more: Commonwealth loses 653 advisors after LPL deal, retention stands around 77%

Laughter and Laclé previously managed approximately $200 million in client assets at Commonwealth. Now operating as Laughter & Associates Financial Management in Dalton, Georgia, the team provides financial planning and guidance to families, individuals, retirees and business owners.

They are joined by office manager Rebecca Sibley, branch associate Sonny Gallman, and client services associates Deborah Long and Debbie Famber, according to the firm.

Raymond James said Laughter joined Commonwealth in 2015 and has more than 32 years of industry experience. Laclé began his financial services career in 2024 and joined the firm after about a year and a half at Commonwealth.