Cetera, Commonwealth make moves in New York

Cetera and Commonwealth are expanding their presence in the Northeast with new additions to their advisor networks.

Cetera Financial Group announced that it has added Corporate Plans Retirement Strategies, a White Plains, New York-based advisory group. The team overseeing more than $250 million in assets under administration joined Cetera Wealth Partners from Equity Services.

The firm is led by Gerald Mirra, Brian Vieselmeyer, and Peter Swansen, who collectively have 81 years of industry experience.

Corporate Plans Retirement Strategies was founded in 1985 by Mirra, who previously worked at National Pension Service. Initially focused on small business retirement plans, the firm later expanded to serve individuals and families. Vieselmeyer joined in 2012 after working at Mass Mutual Westchester, and Swansen followed in 2015 from MetLife.

"I am thrilled to welcome this talented team of advisors to our firm," Tom Halloran, head of advisor channel communities at Cetera, said in a statement Tuesday. "Our value proposition of a small community feel for networking and support along with all of the resources of a major broker-dealer was an attractive differentiator."

Late last month, Cetera Advisor Networks announced Arco Capital Networks, formerly with Raymond James, joined one of its existing communities, Summit Finanical Networks. Earlier in January, a team of former Osaic advisors overseeing $255 million in assets under administration made the switch to Cetera Advisors.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Financial Network revealed its addition of Schneider Wealth Strategies, a Manhattan-based advisory firm with more than $320 million in client assets.

Formerly affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research, the firm founded by David Schneider specializes in financial planning and investment management for business owners, professionals, and high-net-worth retirees.

"Our objective is to be at the center of our clients’ financial world, always available for questions across a broad range of topics," Schneider said in a statement.

Becca Hajjar, managing principal and chief business development officer at Commonwealth, said his decision was driven in part by a desire for "a long-term partner" and "true access to senior leadership to help him further develop his business.

"Like many in our community, David emphasizes simplicity—both in the client experience he offers and in his vision for operating his practice," she said.

"I’ve been independent for more than 30 years, so it was important to me to choose a firm with a reputation for truly honoring independence,” Schneider said.