Edward Jones extends Florida footprint with ex-Merrill advisor

Edward Jones extends Florida footprint with ex-Merrill advisor
Brandon Whaley, financial advisor with Edward Jones.
The experienced financial advisor is breaking away in Jacksonville after managing $210M at the wirehouse.
SEP 18, 2024

Edward Jones has extended its Southeast US presence futher as it welcomes a breakaway advisor from Merrill.

The national financial services firm announced the addition of financial advisor Brandon Whaley to its team in Jacksonville, Florida. Whaley, previously with Merrill Lynch, managed $210 million in client assets and brings over 11 years of experience in wealth management.

He's traced a meandering boomerang journey through the industry. According to his BrokerCheck profile, Whaley started his career with Edward Jones in 2012 as a Missouri-based broker and investment advisor, then moved on to First Brokerage America before affiliating with Merrill. 

He moved to Florida and decamped for JPMorgan in 2019, before going back to Merrill in 2023 and ultimately returning to Edward Jones.

He expressed enthusiasm about rejoining his original firm, citing its "unrelenting focus on its clients [that] perfectly aligns with the commitment I provide to the individuals and families I serve in the greater Jacksonville area.

“I am excited to join the firm and look forward to leveraging its support to continue providing comprehensive advice and guidance and an even greater client experience,” he said.

Whaley also highlighted the opportunity for "greater autonomy, flexibility, and choice in how I serve clients."

His move to Edward Jones comes shortly after the firm added a $107 million Minnesota advisor from Sweet Financial Partners.

The firm's expansive North American profile includes some 19,500 financial advisors, with a total of $2.1 trillion in client assets under care as of June 2024.

Latest News

SEC spanks closed Osaic RIA for conflicts, over-charging clients on alternatives
SEC spanks closed Osaic RIA for conflicts, over-charging clients on alternatives

With more than $13 billion in assets, American Portfolios Advisors closed last October.

William Blair taps former Raymond James executive to lead investment management business
William Blair taps former Raymond James executive to lead investment management business

Robert D. Kendall brings decades of experience, including roles at DWS Americas and a former investment unit within Morgan Stanley, as he steps into a global leadership position.

Fintech bytes: Pontera and Opto Investments expand RIA reach with new tech partnerships
Fintech bytes: Pontera and Opto Investments expand RIA reach with new tech partnerships

Snowden Lane taps Pontera for held-away retirement account management, while Opto Investments enhances an Indiana-based independent RIA's private markets offering.

Credent Wealth Management debuts in Detroit with TFG Advisors deal
Credent Wealth Management debuts in Detroit with TFG Advisors deal

The $420 million RIA in Auburn Hills and Ann Arbor gives Credent its second and third Michigan locations while pushing it closer to $4 billion in AUM.

Investor anxiety hits six-year high amid market turmoil, Allianz finds
Investor anxiety hits six-year high amid market turmoil, Allianz finds

New survey reveals heightened investor concern over market volatility, retirement readiness, and the impact of tariffs on living costs.

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.